Electrical Certification Software Compared: TradeCert vs CertSure vs Clik Cert

If you run an electrical business in the UK, choosing the right certification software is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The days of handwriting paper certificates are long gone — but with several platforms now competing for your attention, how do you decide which one is right for your business?

In this guide, we compare three of the most widely used electrical certification platforms in the UK: TradeCert, CertSure (NICEIC Online), and Clik Cert. We break down the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you make an informed choice.

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Why Certification Software Matters

Every electrical job that involves installation, testing, or inspection requires proper certification. Whether you’re issuing an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), a Minor Works Certificate, or an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), your paperwork must comply with BS 7671 and the current edition of the IET Wiring Regulations.

Using dedicated certification software helps you:

• Complete certificates faster and more accurately
• Reduce errors and rejected reports
• Store records digitally for easy retrieval
• Email certificates directly to clients
• Stay compliant with current regulations

But not all platforms are created equal. Let’s look at each one in detail.

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TradeCert

TradeCert is one of the newer players in the UK certification market, but it has quickly gained a strong following among electricians. Built as a modern, AI-powered platform, it works across iPhone, iPad, Android, and web browsers.

Advantages

• AI-powered features — Snap a photo of a distribution board or existing certificate and the AI extracts circuit data directly into your certificate fields. What used to take 20–30 minutes can be done in seconds
• Unlimited certificates — The Pro plan includes unlimited certificates with no per-cert charges
• Works offline — Full functionality without an internet connection, with automatic cloud sync when you’re back online
• Real-time collaboration — Multiple users can work on the same certificate simultaneously, with live updates
• Multi-device support — Works on phones, tablets, and web browsers with seamless syncing
• Modern interface — Clean, intuitive design built from the ground up for mobile-first use
• No contract — Cancel at any time
• Free trial — No card details required to get started

Disadvantages

• Newer platform — Less established than NICEIC/Clik Cert, so fewer long-term user reviews available
• AI tokens are limited — You get 250 free AI tokens per month, but heavy users may need to purchase more
• Monthly cost — At around £18/month (+£7 per additional user), costs can add up for larger teams compared to pay-as-you-go options

Pricing

Pro Plan: £18/month (ex VAT) — unlimited certificates, 250 AI tokens/month, additional users +£7/month each. Enterprise plans available for teams of 10+.

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CertSure / NICEIC Online Certification

CertSure operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands and has been at the heart of UK electrical certification since 1956. Their online certification system is available exclusively to NICEIC-certified businesses and provides Building Control notifications alongside standard certificates.

Advantages

• Industry standard — NICEIC is the most recognised certification body in the UK, trusted by over 36,000 contractors
• Free to access — The NICEIC online certification portal is free to use for registered businesses (you only pay per certificate)
• Low per-cert cost — Certificates cost £1.55 each + VAT (£1.86 inc VAT), with Part P notifications on top
• Built-in Building Control notifications — Self-certify work directly through the system without needing to contact the local authority separately
• No software to install — Browser-based system accessible from anywhere
• UKAS accredited — Government-recognised certification with full regulatory backing
• Ideal for low-volume businesses — Pay only for what you use, making it cost-effective for smaller operations

Disadvantages

• NICEIC membership required — You must be a registered NICEIC contractor to use the system, which comes with annual scheme fees and regular on-site assessments
• Basic interface — The online platform is functional but lacks the modern, intuitive design of newer competitors
• Limited offline capability — Being browser-based means you need an internet connection to complete certificates
• No AI features — Manual data entry throughout, no automated circuit schedule extraction or smart observation wording
• Per-cert charges add up — For high-volume businesses, paying per certificate can become more expensive than an unlimited subscription

Pricing

Online Portal: Free access for NICEIC members, £1.55 per certificate + VAT (£1.86 inc VAT), plus Part P notification fees. Requires active NICEIC scheme membership (fees vary by scheme).

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Clik Cert (NICEIC Cert Software)

Clik Cert is the official desktop and mobile certification software developed by Clik Software in partnership with NICEIC. It has been a staple in the industry for years and is widely used by NICEIC-registered electricians across the UK.

Advantages

• Established and trusted — Long track record in the UK electrical industry with a large user base
• Offline functionality — The mobile app works without an internet connection, syncing data when you’re back online
• Desktop and mobile apps — Available on Windows, iOS, and Android with different feature sets optimised for each platform
• Quality control — Office staff can review certificates from field engineers before they are completed and sent to clients
• Wide range of certificate types — Covers all standard electrical certificates with customisable templates
• Digital signatures — Capture signatures on-site and email certificates directly to clients
• Auto-fill and shortcuts — The Windows app includes keyboard shortcuts and auto-fill functions for faster certificate creation

Disadvantages

• High upfront cost — The desktop software costs around £280–£300, plus approximately £80–£100 per year for ongoing updates and support
• Additional cert number costs — You must purchase certificate numbers in batches (typically batches of 25) on top of the software cost
• Heavy and slow — Several users report the software feels heavy on startup, and remote working can cause performance issues
• Sync issues reported — Some users have experienced bugs with iPad-to-desktop synchronisation
• Learning curve — Takes about a week to get comfortable with the field mode interface
• Cost harder to justify for smaller businesses — The upfront investment plus annual fees may not make sense for businesses issuing fewer certificates
• No AI features — Manual data entry with no smart automation or photo-to-data extraction

Pricing

Desktop Software: Approximately £280–£300 upfront + £80–£100/year for updates and support. Certificate numbers purchased separately in batches. Mobile app pricing available on request from Clik.

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Quick Comparison Table

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Which Platform Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your business size, volume of work, and how you prefer to work on site.

Choose TradeCert if: You want the fastest, most modern experience with AI automation, you work across multiple devices, and you issue a high volume of certificates. The unlimited certificates model means your costs are predictable each month.

Choose CertSure / NICEIC Online if: You’re already an NICEIC-registered contractor, you issue a relatively low number of certificates, and you want the lowest possible per-job cost. The built-in Part P notification is a genuine time-saver.

Choose Clik Cert if: You’re an established NICEIC firm that wants a comprehensive desktop solution with mobile companion app, you value quality control workflows where office staff review field work, and you don’t mind the upfront investment.

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What We Use at Manchester Compliance

At Manchester Compliance Ltd, we’ve used multiple certification platforms over the years. What matters most to us is accuracy, speed, and compliance. Every EICR, EIC, and Minor Works Certificate we issue must be right — because our reputation depends on it.

Whichever platform you choose, the most important thing is that your certificates are completed to the correct standard, fully compliant with BS 7671, and issued promptly to your clients.

We serve Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Wigan, and surrounding areas.

Published February 2026 by Manchester Compliance Ltd — NICEIC Approved Contractor serving Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and the North West.