Tradecert alternative: a fair comparison with ZipCert (2026)
Tradecert is a well-rated certificate app for teams. ZipCert is a simpler, phone-first option for EICR, EIC and Minor Works. We've sourced every Tradecert fact from Tradecert's own pages, checked 29 Oct 2026.
The short answer
Pick ZipCert if you mainly do EICRs, EICs and Minor Works and want Board photo fill with no tokens, no VAT added and a simple phone app. Pick Tradecert if you rely heavily on fire, emergency lighting, EV, solar PV or PAT certs, or need live team editing, free office logins or native store apps.
ZipCert on a phone: EICR walkthrough (illustrative only).
Yearly cost for 1, 3 and 5 people
| Firm size | ZipCert, monthly (no VAT added) | ZipCert, yearly (no VAT added) | Tradecert, ex VAT | Tradecert, inc VAT at 20% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | £15 × 12 = £180 | £150 (founding: £120 for the first 20 firms that pay by 31 Dec 2026, held for 12 months) | £18 × 12 = £216 | £259.20 |
| 3 people | (£15 + 2 × £7) × 12 = £348 | £150 + 2 × £70 = £290 | (£18 + 2 × £7) × 12 = £384 | £460.80 |
| 5 people | (£15 + 4 × £7) × 12 = £516 | £150 + 4 × £70 = £430 | (£18 + 4 × £7) × 12 = £552 | £662.40 |
- Tradecert source: https://www.tradecert.app/pricing, checked 29 Oct 2026 (£18 a month, +£7 per additional user, ex VAT).
- ZipCert has no VAT added. Tradecert prices are ex VAT — if you're not VAT-registered, add 20%; if you are, you usually reclaim it. General information, not tax advice.
- Tradecert includes free office users and 250 AI tokens a month (then 2p a token). ZipCert's Board photo fill is included in every plan with no tokens.
- The founding price applies to Solo only.
ZipCert vs Tradecert at a glance
| What we compared | ZipCert | Tradecert |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Solo £15 a month or £150 a year. Extra engineers £7 a month or £70 a year. No VAT added. Founding £12 a month or £120 a year for the first 20 firms that pay by 31 Dec 2026, held for 12 months | £18 a month, +£7 per additional user, ex VAT. Office users free |
| Try it | 14-day free trial, no card | Free trial, no card details required |
| AI board photo | Included in every plan, no tokens. EICR and EIC. Needs signal. No 3-phase boards | AI from a board photo. 250 free tokens a month, then 2p a token |
| Works with no signal | Fill in with no signal; syncs when back in signal. Issue queues and retries. Board photo fill needs signal | Says it works fully with no signal and syncs automatically once back in signal |
| Runs on | Phone browser, added to the home screen | iPhone, iPad, Android and web; App Store and Google Play apps |
| Certificates | EICR, EIC, Minor Works. Also included: EV charge point, solar PV, fire alarm, emergency lighting and PAT | EICR, EIC, Minor Works, EV charger, solar PV, emergency lighting, domestic and commercial fire, PAT |
| Forms | Built to the A4:2026 model form layout (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026) | Tradecert says the April A4 changes were live in its app in May |
Sources checked 29 Oct 2026: tradecert.app/pricing; tradecert.app home; store listings as cited in the brief.
What's the same
Both let you fill in certificates with no signal and sync when you're back in signal. Both read a board photo with AI. Both do EICR, EIC and Minor Works, and both give branded PDFs.
Where ZipCert is different
- Board photo fill included in every plan, with no tokens.
- Talk to text for observations and notes (not readings).
- Point 5 checks that catch incomplete items before you issue.
- Published price with no VAT added.
- Phone browser app added to the home screen.
Where Tradecert is stronger
- Longer-established range across fire, emergency lighting, EV, solar PV and PAT.
- Native App Store and Google Play apps, plus web.
- Live multi-user editing and free office users.
- AI imports, 3-phase board support and other AI features beyond board photo, per its pages.
- Roles for QSs, subcontractors and office staff.
Switching from Tradecert
Start a 14-day free trial, no card, at /try. Keep your Tradecert PDFs for old jobs. ZipCert doesn't import from other apps.
Is ZipCert NICEIC or NAPIT approved?
No. ZipCert is not affiliated with NICEIC or NAPIT and does not claim approval. Schemes assess certificate content, not the software brand. Ask your scheme what they need.
- Solo: £15 a month or £150 a year. No VAT added.
- Extra engineers: £7 a month or £70 a year each.
- Founding deal: £12 a month or £120 a year for the first 20 firms that pay by 31 Dec 2026, held for 12 months. Then standard Solo prices.
- 14-day free trial, no card.
We aim to be the best app at a fair price. See prices and the founding deal.
Also see iCertifi alternative and the EICR app page.
Questions
What is a good alternative to Tradecert?
ZipCert is a phone-first Tradecert alternative for UK sole-trader electricians and small firms who mainly issue EICRs, EICs and Minor Works certificates. Its certificates are built to the A4:2026 model form layout (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026). You can fill in a certificate with no signal and it syncs when you're back in signal. Its Board photo fill is included in every plan with no tokens to buy. ZipCert Solo is £15 a month or £150 a year with no VAT added. You can try it at zipcert.uk/try with a 14-day free trial, no card. ZipCert also includes EV charge point, solar PV, fire alarm, emergency lighting and PAT certificates. Tradecert is the stronger pick if you rely heavily on those types and want a longer-established range, live team editing, free office logins or native store apps.
How much does Tradecert cost?
£18 a month plus £7 per extra user, ex VAT, with free office users, 250 AI tokens a month, then 2p a token. Source: tradecert.app/pricing, checked 29 Oct 2026.
Can I bring my Tradecert certificates over?
No import from other apps. In ZipCert you can copy from a previous ZipCert cert for repeat jobs. Keep your Tradecert PDFs for old jobs.