"I tried Tolteck. I tried Mediabat. I tried Batiprix. In the end I went back to Excel because none of them saved me time." That's a Lyon-based painter in 2024, and it tells you two things: the offering is broad, and most tools don't deliver on the time-saving promise.
To pick the right trade quoting software in 2026, ignore comparators that line up 30 features. Focus on 5 criteria that actually move the needle in practice.
Criterion 1 — Real input speed
The point of quoting software isn't to replace Excel with a prettier interface. It's to **shrink the total time** between client request and signed PDF. On this criterion, watch two numbers:
- Average time to produce a complete quote (measure it yourself during the trial, on three real jobs).
- Time the client takes to sign (from receipt to signed PDF).
Classic tools (Mediabat, Batiprix, Onaya) have rich price libraries but require **keyboard input for every line**. Expect 15–30 minutes per quote once familiar. Newer tools that exploit voice and AI (invico, some Tolteck features) drop to 1–3 minutes. Difference over 6 months: 50–100 hours saved per year.
Criterion 2 — Trade vocabulary out of the box
Trade-focused software should understand your vocabulary without you typing it in plain English. If you write 'steel lintel', 'primer', 'self-levelling screed', the tool should know it's a quotable item, what category it belongs to, and what VAT rate applies.
Quick test during the trial: type (or dictate) 5 trade-specific phrases. If the tool autocompletes correctly on 4 out of 5, that's a good sign. Otherwise you'll waste time correcting on every quote.
Criterion 3 — Automatic VAT and attestation handling
VAT in trades is a trap. Standard rate by default (20% in France, 20% in the UK), reduced rates for refurbishment in certain conditions. Behind every reduced rate, an attestation to be signed by the client **before work starts**.
Good software detects the applicable rate from the property's age and the type of work, attaches the attestation to the quote automatically, and gets both signed at once. Without this, you risk applying the wrong VAT (which the tax office will reclassify, on you) or forgetting the attestation (same).
Criterion 4 — Two-tap e-signature
A quote sent as PDF by email has a signing rate around 35%. A quote sent via WhatsApp or SMS with a two-tap signing link climbs to 65–75%. That's 30 conversion points, just from signing friction.
Check two points on the signature:
- The client doesn't need an account to sign (link → open → sign — that's it).
- The signature is eIDAS-compliant with a downloadable evidence pack (timestamp, PDF hash, IP).
If the client has to create an account or install an app, you lose 20–30% of signatures to friction.
Criterion 5 — Pricing and freedom to leave
The market in 2026 segments roughly like this:
| Tier | Typical price | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | €15–35 / mo | Sole traders, 1–2 users |
| Standard | €50–100 / mo | Small teams, 2–5 users, unlimited quotes |
| Pro | €150–300 / mo | SMBs, 5–15 users, multi-job pipelines |
| Enterprise | Custom | Larger structures, ERP integrations |
Above €100/month, check what you're really paying for: if it's just for an extra user, that's overpriced. If it's for ERP features (stock, scheduling, payroll), it's coherent.
Critically, check the **freedom to leave**: can you export all your quotes and clients to PDF + CSV? Can you close your account without fees or retention? If no, walk away. Your data is yours — not held hostage by the vendor.
Concise comparison of major solutions in 2026
Neutral comparison of major France/EU vendors against the 5 criteria above. Indicative — test on your real quotes.
| Solution | Input speed | Trade vocab | Auto VAT | E-signature | Price / mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel / paper | Slow (15–30 min) | — | Manual | — | Free |
| invico | Very fast (1–3 min, voice) | Yes, AI | Yes + attestation | Native, eIDAS | €29–79 |
| Tolteck | Fast (5–10 min) | Yes | Yes | Native | €40–79 |
| Mediabat | Medium (10–20 min) | Yes (rich) | Yes | Optional | €60–150 |
| Batiprix | Medium (10–20 min) | Yes (very rich) | Yes | Add-on | €60–200 |
| JobNimbus | Medium (10–20 min) | Yes (US-focused) | Manual | Native | €50–100 |
How to trial without being trapped
Every serious tool offers a free trial. Method to not waste your time:
- Pick 3 real recent jobs (not test data) and replay them on the tested tool.
- Measure total time from input start to PDF ready to send.
- Send one of those quotes to a real client or a friend, check the signing rate.
- Verify you can export everything you created during the trial (PDF + CSV).
- Don't forget to disable auto-renew before the trial ends if you're not continuing.
After 14 days you'll have a clear answer: either the tool gives you a clear time win (and you know why), or it isn't the right one. No more is needed.