Payaca is a UK-built platform aimed at renewables installers — solar, heat pumps, batteries and EV chargers — with MCS compliance, multi-option quotes and deposit collection. Traddie is a general-purpose tool for UK trades who want straightforward quoting, invoicing and payment with VAT and CIS built in. If you are not an MCS-registered renewables installer, the comparison is mostly about fit and cost.
| Category | Traddie | Payaca |
|---|---|---|
| Origin / market | UK-built for UK trades | UK-built for renewables installers |
| Built for | All UK trades, sole traders & small teams | Solar / heat pump / EV installers |
| Main focus | Quote → job → invoice → get paid | Multi-option renewables sales & MCS |
| Multi-option quotes | Optional upgrade lines on quotes | Side-by-side package quoting |
| Compliance | VAT & CIS for general trades | MCS docs, BUS/grant tracking |
| Card payments & deposits | Stripe links — paid same day | Stripe deposits at acceptance |
| CIS deductions | Automatic on subcontractor labour | Not the core focus |
| Pricing model | Simple subscription | Higher, renewables-tier pricing |
| Best for | General UK trades wanting quote-to-cash | MCS renewables installers |
Comparison based on each product's publicly described positioning. Features and pricing change — check each vendor's site for the latest.
If neither feels like the right fit, these are the options UK trade businesses most often shortlist:
#1
UK-built quote-to-payment software with VAT threshold tracking and CIS deductions included as standard, plus Stripe payment links so customers pay by card the same day. Best for UK sole traders and small teams who want one simple tool rather than a heavy field-service platform or a separate invoicing app.
#2
New-Zealand-built job-tracking and quoting tool, widely used in the UK. Strong for fast quoting and teams, though UK VAT/CIS sits in your accounting software rather than being native.
#3
UK-built app strong on certificates and forms (Gas Safety, electrical, risk assessments) and offline working in areas with no signal. A good fit for trades whose main need is on-site paperwork.
If you install solar, heat pumps or batteries and live in MCS paperwork, BUS vouchers and grant tracking, Payaca is purpose-built for you. For everyone else — electricians, plumbers, builders, painters, joiners — that specialism is cost and complexity you will not use. Traddie covers general UK trade quoting, invoicing, VAT, CIS and same-day card payments at a far simpler price.
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