ServiceM8 alternatives for Australian tradies (2026)
Updated 10 October 2026
Short answer
The best ServiceM8 alternative depends on why you're switching. For flat pricing with no job limit, Jobbit. For per-user pricing with certificates, Tradify. For job costing, Fergus. For online booking, Jobber. For large contractors, AroFlo or Simpro.
Why people look for a ServiceM8 alternative
- Job limits: plans cap new jobs per month (50, 150, 500), so a busy month means a bigger plan. Recurring work makes it worse, because every visit uses a job credit.
- Android: until September 2026 Android users only had a cut-down app. The full Android app is new.
- Support: there's no phone support, just chat and email on paid plans.
- Complexity: lots of add-ons to configure if you only need quote, job, invoice.
To be fair to ServiceM8: it's mature, Australian, has a generous free plan, and gives unlimited users on every paid plan. Plenty of businesses are well served by it. See Jobbit vs ServiceM8.
The alternatives at a glance
| App | Best for | Price (AUD unless stated) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobbit | Sole traders and small crews wanting flat pricing and no job limit | Free plan; paid plans $29.99, $79.99 and $149.99 AUD a month | iPhone, Android and web |
| Tradify | Small teams wanting certificates and forms on a mid-tier plan | $48 (Lite), $52 (Pro) or $62 (Plus) per user a month, ex GST | iPhone, iPad, Android and desktop |
| Fergus | Businesses that want job costing and supplier pricing | From $53 (Essentials) or $77 (Professional) per user a month, plus GST | Web app, plus the Fergus Go app on iPhone and Android |
| Jobber | Home service businesses that want online booking and a client portal | Billed in USD: Core US$49, Connect from US$139, Grow from US$199 a month (less on annual plans) | iPhone, iPad, Android and web |
| Ascora | Trade businesses up to 30 technicians, especially contract and recurring work | $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 | Contractors with several technicians and asset or compliance-heavy work | From $80 per user a month, minimum 3 users, plus a start-up fee from $1,450 | Web, plus iPhone, iPad and Android apps |
| Simpro | Mid-size and large commercial and service contractors | Not published: quoted by team size and add-ons, plus a setup fee | Web office app, plus Simpro Mobile on iPhone, iPad and Android |
The picks
Jobbit: best for flat pricing and no job limit
Quotes customers accept online with a card deposit, scheduling, recurring jobs, staff logins with on-site check-in, invoices and payments. Free to start; $29.99 a month for up to 50 jobs and 10 staff; $79.99 for unlimited jobs and staff. Syncs to Xero or QuickBooks (not MYOB). It doesn't do forms, certificates or job costing.
Pick it if: you're a sole trader or small crew, you're on iPhone, Android or both, and you're tired of watching job credits.
Tradify: best per-user alternative
$48 to $62 per user a month (ex GST), with certificates, timesheets and recurring jobs on Pro. Full Android app, Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks on every plan. No offline mode. See ServiceM8 vs Tradify.
Pick it if: you have a small, stable team and want certificates and safety forms.
Fergus: best for job costing
From $53 per user a month plus GST, with job costing, supplier price books and purchase orders on Professional ($77). See Jobbit vs Fergus.
Pick it if: margins on bigger jobs matter more than speed on small ones.
Jobber: best for online booking
A Canadian platform used by cleaning, lawn care and home service businesses, with online booking and a client hub. It bills in US dollars, and two-way SMS and Jobber Payments aren't available in Australia. See Jobbit vs Jobber.
Pick it if: you run a home service business and want customers to book online.
Ascora, AroFlo and Simpro: for bigger operations
Fuller platforms with more setup. Ascora (Perth) is $45 to $59 per user plus an implementation fee, with recurring and contract jobs on Elite. AroFlo (Melbourne) starts at $80 per user with a 3-user minimum and a start-up fee. Simpro quotes on application. See Jobbit vs Ascora, Jobbit vs AroFlo and Jobbit vs Simpro.
Pick it if: you have office staff, several crews, and maintenance or contract work.
FAQ
What's the best alternative to ServiceM8?
It depends why you're leaving. For a simpler app with flat pricing and no job limit, Jobbit. For per-user pricing with certificates included, Tradify. For job costing, Fergus. For a large contractor, AroFlo or Simpro.
Is there a ServiceM8 alternative without job limits?
Yes. Jobbit's Pro plan ($79.99 a month) has unlimited jobs and staff. Per-user apps like Tradify and Fergus don't cap jobs either, but charge for every user.
Is there a free alternative to ServiceM8?
Jobbit has a free plan (5 jobs, quotes and invoices a month). ServiceM8's own free plan (30 jobs a month, 1 user) is more generous, so if that's enough for you, it's worth staying on. Square Invoices is free if you only need invoices and estimates.
Can I move my data out of ServiceM8?
Most tradies export their client list and re-enter only active jobs and open quotes in the new app. Jobbit can import clients from a CSV file.
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.
Give Jobbit a go — the free plan costs nothing
Quote it, book it, invoice it, get paid — all from your phone. No card required to start.