There are a lot of ways to manage PAT testing — spreadsheets, desktop packages, cloud platforms, and lifetime-licence tools. Choosing the right one comes down to a handful of practical questions about how you actually test, who needs the data, and what you're prepared to pay.
This guide gives you a ten-point comparison checklist to run any PAT testing software through, then shows how NETS PAT scores on each one. Work through the list and you'll spot the differences that actually matter before you commit.
Two decisions come first
Cloud or installed?
Installed software runs on one machine, needs updates and licence keys, and ties your data to that computer. Cloud software runs in any browser — laptops, tablets, phones — with no installs, updates rolled out automatically, and data accessible anywhere. For testers working across sites, cloud wins on flexibility.
How is it priced?
You'll meet three common models:
- Subscription (monthly/yearly) — lower upfront cost, ongoing fee, usually includes support and updates.
- One-off / lifetime licence — a single upfront payment, but check what updates and support actually cost afterwards.
- Free tier — a way to try the software properly, with limits that upgrade as you grow.
None is universally "better" — the right model depends on your cash flow and how long you'll use the tool. What matters is that the total cost over your planned lifetime is clear up front, with no surprise fees for certificates, extra users, or basic features.
The 10-point checklist
Use the table below to score any platform. The middle column is what to check; the right column is how NETS PAT handles it.
| Criteria | What to look for | NETS PAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Tester data import | Can you import the data already in your PAT tester, or are you re-typing everything? Check the specific formats. | Imports CSV from Seaward Pat Mobile, Kewtech, Metrel, Megger and Fluke; Seaward PATGuard .SSS databases; and delimited GAR/TAR/ASCII files. Creates assets, results, clients and certificates in one step. |
| 2. Certificates & verification | Are certificates professional PDFs, signed, and traceable? Can clients check one without calling you? | IET-aligned PDF certificates with engineer signatures. Every certificate carries a QR code and a public verification page clients and auditors can check themselves. |
| 3. Barcode & labels | Does every asset get a unique barcode, and can you print labels for it? | Every asset gets a unique Code 128 barcode (NETS prefix). Print barcode and QR labels on standard printers, plus job sheets for on-site work. |
| 4. Retest scheduling | Does it track retest dates and flag what's due, or do you rely on memory? | Risk-based retest intervals from 3 months to 4 years per asset, with due and overdue alerts on the dashboard and calendar export. |
| 5. Client management & portal | Can clients see their own records without emailing you for every certificate? | Manage clients, their assets and history — and give each client a self-service portal to view their own certificates and statements. |
| 6. Invoicing & statements | Can you bill from test data, or does invoicing live in a separate system? | Built-in invoicing with charge codes, draft-to-paid workflow, auto-invoicing from test results, and client statements. |
| 7. Team, permissions & security | Do team members have separate logins with sensible permissions, and is the account secured? | Role-based access (super admin, admin, engineer, client), granular permissions, two-factor authentication, audit logging, and login protection. |
| 8. White-label branding | Can certificates and reports carry your company's identity rather than the software vendor's? | Your branding on certificates, labels, invoices and reports — available on Professional and Enterprise plans. |
| 9. Reports & analytics | Can you extract pass/fail rates, engineer productivity, and asset data without fighting the software? | Dashboard analytics plus CSV and PDF export of assets, tests and reports, and a REST API for integrating with your own systems. |
| 10. Support & platform | Does it run where you work, and is help available when you're stuck? | Runs in any browser on any device. In-app help centre covering every feature, plus email support on all plans. |
How the plans compare
NETS PAT pricing is transparent, with every plan's limits published:
- Free — £0/month. 1 engineer, 50 assets, 2 clients, 100 tests a month.
- Solo — £9/month (£90/year). 300 assets, 600 tests, PDF certificates. For independent testers.
- Starter — £19/month (£190/year). 1,000 assets, 2,500 tests, granular permissions.
- Professional — £49/month (£490/year). 5,000 assets, unlimited tests, white-label branding.
- Enterprise — £149/month (£1,490/year). Unlimited assets, full white-label, priority support.
Pay annually and get 2 months free — you pay for 10 months and we bill you once a year. Full details and limits are on the pricing page. Because the free plan is genuinely free with no time limit, you can run any of these comparisons against real usage before paying a penny.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for in PAT testing software?
Prioritise the things that cost you time every week: tester data import, certificate production, labelling, and retest tracking. Then layer on client management, invoicing and security. The checklist above covers all of it.
Is cloud-based PAT software better than installed software?
For most testers, yes — it works on any device, needs no installs or licence keys, updates automatically, and keeps your data backed up and available on site.
Can I import test data from my existing PAT tester?
Yes — NETS PAT imports CSV from Seaward Pat Mobile, Kewtech, Metrel, Megger and Fluke, PATGuard .SSS databases, and delimited GAR/TAR/ASCII files. The import creates assets, results, clients and certificates automatically.
How much does PAT testing software cost?
It ranges from free tiers up to several hundred pounds. NETS PAT's free plan covers 50 assets and 100 tests a month, paid plans start at £9/month (£90/year), and Enterprise is £149/month. Pay annually and get 2 months free.
Do I need software at all?
For a handful of appliances, maybe not. Once you're tracking assets, retest dates and certificates for any real volume, the administration quickly outstrips the cost of a tool — see our guide to the real cost of PAT testing.
Test the comparison yourself
Run this checklist against NETS PAT with a free account — import some tester data and see it work. Start free or compare plans and pricing.