Like QuickBooks, Xero is accounting software — bank feeds, VAT returns, MTD and your year-end. Traddie is the operations layer in front of it: on-site quoting, job scheduling, invoicing and same-day card payments, with CIS and VAT threshold tracking built in. Plenty of UK trades run both, with Traddie syncing into Xero. Here is the split.
| Category | Traddie | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Software type | Quote & job management + payments | Accounting / bookkeeping |
| On-site quoting | Built for fast on-site quotes | Not its focus |
| Job scheduling | Yes | No |
| Invoicing | Quote converts straight to invoice | Invoicing included |
| Card payments | Stripe links — paid same day | Online payments via add-ons |
| VAT returns / MTD | Tracks VAT; syncs to Xero | Full VAT returns & MTD filing |
| CIS | Automatic deductions on labour | CIS supported in accounts |
| How they fit | Front-of-house operations | Books & tax compliance |
| Best together | Quote, job and get paid in Traddie | File VAT and accounts in Xero |
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.
Xero is a great set of books, but it was not built for quoting on site or running your week of jobs. Traddie handles the operational front end — quote, approve, schedule, invoice, get paid — and syncs straight into Xero (or QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage). You keep the accounting you trust and add the trade workflow it was never meant to do.
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