Fergus alternatives for Australian tradies (2026)
Updated 10 October 2026
Short answer
Fergus is excellent at job costing, but it's priced per user and the price has risen twice since mid-2025. If you don't need detailed costing, Jobbit is simpler and flat-priced. If you do, Tradify, ServiceM8 (Premium) and AroFlo are the closest alternatives.
Why people look for a Fergus alternative
- Per-user pricing that has gone up: Essentials $44 to $53, Professional $65 to $77 per user since mid-2025.
- Essentials is limited: no checklists, forms, job phases or purchase orders, and phone support is Professional-only.
- Extras cost extra: certificates ($30 or $80), SMS ($15 per 100) and 1.95% + 30c card fees.
- Job costing is more than many small jobs need.
Fergus's strengths are real: supplier price books, purchase orders, job phases and margin tracking, plus Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks sync. If costing is how you run your business, it's hard to beat.
The alternatives at a glance
| App | Best for | Price (AUD unless stated) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobbit | Small jobs and small crews that don't need costing | Free plan; paid plans $29.99, $79.99 and $149.99 AUD a month | iPhone, Android and web |
| Tradify | Similar per-user platform with certificates on Pro | $48 (Lite), $52 (Pro) or $62 (Plus) per user a month, ex GST | iPhone, iPad, Android and desktop |
| ServiceM8 | Unlimited users; job costing on Premium | Free (1 user, 30 jobs a month); paid $29, $79, $149 or $349 a month inc GST, by jobs per month | iPhone, iPad, Mac/PC and web; full Android app since September 2026 |
| Ascora | Progress claims, offline use and two-way MYOB | $45 (Essentials) or $59 (Elite) per user a month, plus a one-time implementation fee | Web, plus iPhone and Android apps with offline access |
| AroFlo | Supplier integration and compliance at scale | From $80 per user a month, minimum 3 users, plus a start-up fee from $1,450 | Web, plus iPhone, iPad and Android apps |
The picks
Jobbit: best if you don't need job costing
Quotes with card deposits, jobs, recurring work, invoices and payments, flat-priced from free to $79.99 a month for unlimited staff. See Jobbit vs Fergus.
Pick it if: most jobs are call-outs or small works, and speed matters more than margin analysis.
Tradify: closest like-for-like
$48 to $62 per user (ex GST), with certificates, timesheets, recurring jobs and progress invoicing on Pro, and purchase orders on Plus.
Pick it if: you want a per-user platform with certificates and timesheets.
ServiceM8: costing without per-user fees
Job costing and markup billing on Premium ($149 a month inc GST, 500 jobs) with unlimited users.
Pick it if: your team is growing and you still want job costing.
AroFlo: supplier integration at scale
600+ connected suppliers, compliance forms and stock control, from $80 per user with a 3-user minimum. See Jobbit vs AroFlo.
Pick it if: you're a larger contractor buying from many suppliers.
FAQ
What's the best alternative to Fergus?
If you don't need detailed job costing, Jobbit is simpler and much cheaper with flat pricing. If you want a similar per-user platform, Tradify. If you want unlimited users, ServiceM8. If you need supplier integration at scale, AroFlo.
Has Fergus gone up in price?
Yes. Archived copies of its Australian pricing page show Essentials at $44 per user in mid-2025, $48 from late 2025, and $53 by September 2026, with Professional moving from $65 to $72 to $77.
Is there a free alternative to Fergus?
Jobbit and ServiceM8 both have free plans. Fergus has a 14-day trial.
Sources
Prices and features were checked 9 October 2026 on each company's own website. Prices change, so confirm on the vendor's site before you buy.
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