Electricians don't just need to quote, schedule and invoice - they need to capture compliance paperwork on every job. Certificates of Compliance (CoC), Electrical Safety Certificates (ESC), test results and records of prescribed electrical work all have to be done right, kept, and easy to find later. This guide looks at what electricians specifically need from job management software in New Zealand, and which apps fit best in 2026.
Pricing and features are accurate as of June 2026 but change often - check each vendor's website for current details. TradeFlow isn't affiliated with these products; this is an independent comparison for NZ tradies. One exception: if you sign up to Tradify through our link we may earn a referral commission - it doesn't change where it sits in this guide. (Tradify and Fergus prices are NZD; ServiceM8 is AUD; Simpro is quote-based.)
What electricians actually need
Most generic job apps cover quoting and invoicing fine. The difference for sparkies is the compliance and field workflow on top:
- Compliance certificates - capturing CoC and ESC details on site, attached to the job, so prescribed electrical work is documented as required under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations. No app issues your legal certificate for you, but the right one stores the records, photos and customer details against the job so nothing gets lost.
- Test results and records - recording insulation resistance, polarity, RCD trip times and earth continuity as part of the job file, ideally with custom forms you can fill in on a phone.
- Scheduling around inspections - coordinating your work, EWRB-registered staff and any required inspection so jobs aren't held up.
- Photo and asset records - before/after photos of switchboards and installs, attached to the customer for future callbacks.
- Materials and price lists - pulling cable, fittings and accessories onto a quote quickly, and tracking what was used.
- Accounting sync - pushing invoices straight to Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks Online.
Which apps fit electricians best
| Software | From (indicative) | Why it suits electricians | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify | $48 NZD/user/mo | NZ-built, simple, custom forms for test records, fast quote-to-invoice | Less deep on costing for big projects |
| ServiceM8 | $29 AUD/mo (50 jobs) | Strong forms, automation and online booking for callout/maintenance sparkies | Full app is Apple-only |
| Fergus | $53 NZD/mo | Job costing and phases for larger residential/commercial work | More to learn than Tradify |
| Simpro | Quote-based | Asset maintenance, inventory and multi-stage commercial jobs | Overkill for a sole trader |
| AroFlo | Quote-based | Compliance forms, asset maintenance and an offline field app for commercial electrical | Heavier than Tradify; per-user pricing |
Tradify - the simple all-rounder for sparkies
Tradify is the usual starting point for solo electricians and small teams. It's NZ-built, quick to learn, and its custom forms (on the Pro and Plus plans) let you capture test results and compliance details against the job. Plans run from $48 NZD/user/month (Lite) to $62 (Plus). If your priority is getting from quote to scheduled job to paid invoice with the compliance record attached, it's hard to beat for value.
ServiceM8 - automation for maintenance and callout electricians
ServiceM8 leans into forms, automation and online booking, which suits electricians doing high volumes of small callout and maintenance jobs. Pricing is by jobs per month with unlimited users - Free (30 jobs), $29 AUD (50), $79 (150), $149 (500), $349 (1,500+). The catch for NZ sparkies: the full app is Apple-only, with only a limited "Lite" app for Android field staff. See Tradify vs ServiceM8.
Fergus - when costing and bigger jobs matter
Fergus is another NZ product built around job costing and profitability, with job phases and purchase orders on its Professional plan. It suits electricians moving into larger residential or light-commercial work where seeing the margin on every job matters. Plans start at $53 NZD/month (Basic) and $75 (Professional), plus $22/month per timesheet user.
Simpro - for commercial electrical operations
Simpro targets larger commercial electrical businesses running multi-stage projects, inventory, takeoffs and asset/maintenance contracts. Pricing is quote-based and tailored with a setup fee, so it's too much for a sole trader but powerful for an established commercial outfit managing planned maintenance across many sites.
AroFlo - for field service and maintenance electricians
AroFlo is built for field service and established electrical businesses - it covers quoting, scheduling, timesheets, inventory, compliance and site forms and asset maintenance, with an offline-capable field app and two-way Xero and MYOB sync. It runs deeper than the simplest apps and is priced quote-based per user, so it suits teams managing maintenance contracts across sites. See our AroFlo overview.
How to choose as an electrician
- Check the forms. Make sure you can capture your test results and compliance details on a phone - trial it with a real CoC/ESC-style record.
- Match it to your work. Solo/small residential -> Tradify; high-volume callout/maintenance on Apple -> ServiceM8; larger jobs with costing -> Fergus; commercial with planned maintenance -> Simpro.
- Mind the platform. If any of your registered staff are on Android, ServiceM8's full app won't suit them.
- Keep your certificates safe. Whatever you choose, the app stores records against the job - but issuing the legal certificate and meeting EWRB/WorkSafe obligations is still on you.
- Confirm the accounting sync. All four connect to Xero; check MYOB or QuickBooks if you need it.
For the full field across all trades, see our best job management software NZ roundup.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best job management software for electricians in NZ?
There's no single winner. Tradify (NZ-built) is the easiest start for solo and small electrical teams; ServiceM8 suits Apple-based maintenance/callout work; Fergus suits larger jobs needing costing; Simpro suits commercial operations with planned maintenance.
Can job management software issue my Certificate of Compliance?
No. These apps store records, photos and customer details against the job and can use custom forms for your test results, but issuing the CoC or ESC and meeting your EWRB/WorkSafe obligations remains your responsibility.
Which app handles electrical test records best?
Tradify, ServiceM8, Fergus and Simpro all support custom forms or job fields you can complete on site. Trial each with a real test-record layout before committing, as the form-builders differ.
Does electrical job software work on Android?
Tradify and Fergus offer full Android apps. ServiceM8's full app is Apple-only, with a limited "Lite" app for Android field staff.
Sources
Update log
- 30 June 2026 - Added AroFlo as a field service option.
- 24 June 2026 - Published. Pricing and platform details verified against each vendor's website in June 2026.
Last reviewed: 24 June 2026.