Kwowta vs Billdu: Which is Better for Tradespeople?
CoreQuote and Billdu both offer quoting and invoicing functionality – but they are built for fundamentally different types of business. This comparison explains the differences clearly, so you can choose the right tool for your trades business.
The Core Difference: Trades-Specific vs Generic
CoreQuote is built specifically for UK trades businesses – electricians, plumbers, gas engineers, builders, roofers, decorators, and everyone else in the trades. Every feature is designed around how trades businesses actually work: on site, quoting labour and materials, managing customer approvals, converting quotes to invoices.
Billdu is a generic small business invoicing tool designed for any type of small business – freelancers, agencies, consultants, retailers, and trades. It handles standard invoicing functionality, but it was not built around the specific workflow of a tradesperson quoting a job on site and needing the customer to approve it.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | CoreQuote | Billdu |
|---|---|---|
| Built for trades | Yes | Generic |
| Mobile-first (on-site use) | Yes | Partial |
| Quote creation | Yes | Yes |
| Customer approval workflow | Yes | No |
| Quote to invoice (1 tap) | Yes | Basic |
| Saved line items for trades | Yes | Limited |
| Trade certification display | Yes | No |
| UK-built and UK-focused | Yes | No |
| Starting price | Free 6mo, £3.40/mo | Free tier, £5+/mo |
| Customer database | Yes | Yes |
Where Billdu Works Well
Billdu is a competent invoicing tool for very simple business models – freelancers who invoice regularly for a standard service, for example. If you just need to send PDF invoices and don’t need a quoting workflow, customer approval, or trade-specific features, Billdu’s free tier does the basics.
Where CoreQuote is Better for Tradespeople
Customer approval workflow: When you send a quote in CoreQuote, the customer can approve it digitally from their phone. This creates a clear record of acceptance before work starts – reducing disputes about scope and price. Billdu has no equivalent feature.
Trades-specific line items: CoreQuote lets you save your standard job types as line items – socket installation, boiler service, day rate – and pull them into any new quote in seconds. This is the feature that makes quotes take 5 minutes instead of 30.
Built for site use: CoreQuote is designed to be used on a phone at the customer’s property, not at a desk. Billdu is primarily a desktop tool with a mobile companion app.
UK trades focus: CoreQuote is built for UK tradespeople, with UK tax treatment, UK trade certifications, and UK-specific quote standards built in.
Conclusion
The trades industry rewards those who combine excellent work with professional business practices. The guidance above covers the practical fundamentals – applying it consistently is what separates the tradespeople who stay busy and profitable from those who struggle with feast-and-famine cycles. For further guidance, visit GOV.UK: choosing software for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CoreQuote cheaper than Billdu?
During the beta, CoreQuote is free for 6 months with no credit card required. After the beta, plans start from £3.40/month. Billdu has a permanently free tier with significant limitations, and paid plans from approximately £5/month. See kwowta.com for full pricing details.
Can I switch from Billdu to CoreQuote?
Yes. CoreQuote handles customer import and there is no lock-in. You can start a free CoreQuote account and run it alongside your current tool before switching fully.
Does CoreQuote integrate with accounting software?
Integration with accounting tools is on the CoreQuote roadmap. Currently, invoices and payment records can be exported for your accountant. See kwowta.com for the latest on features.
