Tradie Forms vs job software forms
Job software is brilliant for scheduling, quotes, and invoices. Its built-in forms are often an afterthought. Tradie Forms is made for paperwork: guided sections, validation, official PDF layouts, and imports from ServiceM8, Fergus, and Xero.
Why job software forms frustrate tradies on site
You already live in ServiceM8, Fergus, or similar for the job card. Flat form fields inside those apps were not designed for long compliance paperwork or repeatable safety records.
- Tiny fields and long forms on a phone between tasks
- No official PDF layout for regulator paperwork
- Licence and site details retyped on every form
- Finished PDFs hard to find when the job is archived
Works with your job software, not against it
Keep scheduling and invoicing where they are. Do compliance certs, safety forms, and service reports in a tool designed around filling and downloading.
What matters on site | Tradie Forms | Job software forms | Flat PDF editor |
|---|---|---|---|
Built for forms first | Guided sections for trade paperwork | Forms bolted onto scheduling and invoicing | Generic PDF viewer with pinch and zoom |
Pull job details in | ServiceM8, Fergus, and Xero imports on supported fields | Already in the job card, but shallow field mapping | Retype customer and site from scratch |
Push the finished PDF back | Attach finished PDFs to the job or contact where enabled | Attach a file if you remember | Manual upload to the job |
Official PDF layouts | Mapped to official layouts where we support the form | Generic layouts or addon templates | Flat file with no guided sections |
Catch missing fields early | Flags gaps before you download | Easy to submit incomplete paperwork | No validation before save |
Finish on site | Mobile-friendly sections and signatures | Usable but cramped for long certs | Awkward on a phone at the board |
Saved licence and business details | Saved details across templates on Solo | Limited reuse between form types | Retype every time |
Fill faster with AI assist | Dictate or photo-assist on supported forms | Manual entry only | Retype into tiny fields |
Looking at AI-assisted fill? See Fill with AI.
Hand over the PDF, keep the job straight
Download on the layout the customer or regulator expects, then attach it back to the job card when your integration supports it.
- Preview PDFs before download on supported templates
- Job-linked records and next actions in the Tradie Forms hub
- ServiceM8 and Fergus connections for import and attach-back
- Free plan includes guided forms and monthly PDF downloads
Keep your job software. Upgrade the forms.
Connect once, pull job details into supported fields, and download without retyping the site address.
Frequently asked questions
Other comparisons
Checking options? These pages cover the other tools tradies often try before moving their forms into one hub.
Better forms, same job software
Import the job, finish the paperwork on site, and download a clean PDF before you drive off.