simPRO is an Australian-built platform used in the UK by larger contractors with complex needs — inventory across multiple stores, project-based job costing and dispatch across big teams. Traddie sits at the opposite end: a lightweight, UK-built tool for sole traders and small teams who want quoting, invoicing and payment without an enterprise rollout.
| Category | Traddie | simPRO |
|---|---|---|
| Origin / market | UK-built for UK trades | Australian — global enterprise |
| Built for | Sole traders & small teams | Larger, process-driven contractors |
| Main focus | Quote → job → invoice → get paid | Inventory, project job costing, dispatch |
| Setup & learning curve | Same-day, minimal setup | Heavy implementation, steeper curve |
| Card payments | Stripe links — paid same day | Payments via integrations |
| VAT threshold tracking | Built in | VAT incl. reverse charge |
| CIS deductions | Automatic on subcontractor labour | Mature CIS reverse charge |
| Pricing model | Simple subscription | Enterprise, quote-based |
| Best for | Small UK trades wanting quote-to-cash | Large contractors with complex jobs |
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
London-built field-service platform aimed at 5–100 engineer firms running planned maintenance, service contracts and asset tracking. Powerful, but more than a sole trader needs and priced per user.
#3
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.
simPRO is genuinely powerful for big contractors juggling inventory, multi-stage projects and large dispatch teams — but that power comes with a heavy setup and a steep learning curve. If you are a sole trader or small team, Traddie gives you the quote-to-payment essentials with UK VAT and CIS built in, and you can be running the same day.
Start free trialSee also: All comparisons · Best software by trade · Pricing