Best Job Management Software for Tradies Australia 2026
Last updated: October 2026 · Prices checked at each vendor's own pricing page on 20 October 2026 · Affiliate disclosure
The best job management software for Australian tradies is ServiceM8 for most trades, and simPRO for larger operations needing enterprise-level job costing and scheduling. Both integrate with Xero and MYOB. The right choice comes down to your business size, the complexity of your jobs, and whether you need inventory management or just quoting, scheduling, and invoicing. Whatever you call it (job management software, job management apps, or programs for tradesmen and field crews), it does the same core job: quotes, schedules, job sheets and invoices from one app on your phone.
Job management and accounting are different purchases. If you are still deciding on the ledger underneath, see accounting software for construction businesses.
Best job management software for tradies - quick comparison
| Software | Price/mo | Best for | Xero | MYOB | Mobile app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 | Free, paid from $29 AUD | Small trades (1-10 staff) | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | ★★★★★ |
| Tradify | From $48 AUD per user (ex GST) | Small - medium trades | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | ★★★★☆ |
| simPRO | Quote only | Medium - large, complex jobs | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | ★★★★☆ |
| AroFlo | $80 AUD per user (min. 3) | Field service, compliance-heavy | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | ★★★★☆ |
| Fergus | From $53 | Plumbers, electricians, small crews | ✓ Native | ✓ Native | ★★★★☆ |
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Job management software connects to your accounting platform. See what Xero or MYOB costs alongside your job management tool.
Try the calculator →What job management software actually does
Job management software handles the operational side of a trade business - the parts your accounting software doesn't cover. That means quoting on site or in the office with line items, labour, materials, and markup; scheduling jobs and assigning technicians; on-site job management via mobile app (clock on/off, notes, photos, materials); invoicing from the job card once work is complete; customer records with asset history and site notes; and compliance documentation like safety forms, certificates of compliance, and inspection checklists.
None of this is what Xero or MYOB are built for. The job management app handles operations; the accounting platform handles finance. They talk to each other so invoices, payments, and expenses flow between them without double entry.
1. ServiceM8 - best for most Australian tradies
Read the full breakdown: ServiceM8 review →
ServiceM8 is the most widely used job management platform for small Australian trade businesses. It was built in Australia and is designed for how small trade businesses actually operate - a technician picks up a job on their phone, completes the work, and sends an invoice on site before packing up the van.
ServiceM8 pricing (AUD, October 2026)
| Plan | Price/mo | Jobs/mo | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 30 | 1 |
| Starter | $29 | 50 | Unlimited |
| Growing | $79 | 150 | Unlimited |
| Premium | $149 | 500 | Unlimited |
| Premium Plus | $349 | 1,500+ | Unlimited |
ServiceM8's prices include GST, and every paid plan has unlimited users, so the plans differ on job volume and SMS, not headcount. What ServiceM8 does well: the mobile app is the best in Australian trade job management - intuitive enough that non-technical tradies use it without training; the Xero integration is one of the best in the market with invoices, payments, and expense coding flowing seamlessly; Australian compliance forms for electrical certificates, gas, and plumbing are built in; customers can book jobs directly through an online booking portal; and you can create a quote, get approval, complete the job, and send the invoice all from the phone before leaving the property.
Where ServiceM8 falls short: job limits on lower plans can be restrictive for busy businesses; inventory management is limited and not suited for businesses stocking significant parts; and it's less suited to complex multi-stage projects than simPRO or AroFlo.
Best for: plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, locksmiths, pest control, and any trade business with 1-15 technicians doing repeat residential and commercial service work.
2. Tradify - best for flexibility across trade types
Read the full breakdown: Tradify review →
Tradify is a New Zealand-founded, Australian-operated job management platform covering the full range of trade businesses. It's slightly less polished than ServiceM8's mobile experience but more flexible in how jobs are structured - better suited to businesses doing a mix of small service jobs and larger installation or project work.
Tradify pricing (AUD ex GST, November 2026)
| Plan | Price/mo | Billed |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $48 | Per user |
| Pro | $52 | Per user |
| Plus | $62 | Per user |
Australian accounts are billed in AUD; the US dollar prices on Tradify's public page ($47, $51 and $61) are a separate list. Tradify is priced per user, which makes it competitive for sole operators and small crews but can become expensive relative to ServiceM8 as you scale. Best for: carpenters, builders doing smaller projects, painters, tilers, and general trades doing a mix of quote-based and time-and-materials work. For the full plan-by-plan breakdown, see our Tradify pricing guide.
3. simPRO - best for larger trade and field service businesses
simPRO is the most powerful job management platform in the Australian market - the go-to for trade businesses that have grown beyond what ServiceM8 or Tradify can handle. It covers multi-stage projects, detailed inventory management, subcontractor management, and enterprise-level reporting. The trade-off is cost and complexity - simPRO requires proper implementation and training to get value from it. simPRO publishes no price; its pricing page asks you to contact sales for a quote based on your team size and add-ons.
Choose simPRO if you're running construction or installation projects spanning weeks or months; need to track inventory across multiple vehicles or warehouses; have 10+ field technicians needing enterprise scheduling; need detailed job costing and profitability reporting by project; or manage subcontractors alongside your own staff. Best for: electrical contractors doing commercial fit-outs, large plumbing businesses, HVAC companies with install and service divisions, fire protection, and trade businesses turning over $2M+ per year.
4. Fergus - best for small plumbing and electrical crews
Fergus is a straightforward job management tool that covers the basics without overwhelming small trade businesses with features they don't need. It's popular among plumbers and electricians with small crews who want something between a spreadsheet and a full enterprise platform. Best for: sole traders and small crews (1-5 technicians) in plumbing, electrical, and gas fitting who want a simple, affordable job management tool that integrates with Xero or MYOB. Its Australian pricing page lists Essentials from $53 a month and Pro from $77, with 90% off until December when we checked on 20 October 2026.
Which is right for your trade?
| Trade type | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber (1-5 technicians) | ServiceM8 or Fergus | Both have gas compliance forms; ServiceM8 has better mobile app |
| Electrician (1-10 technicians) | ServiceM8 | Electrical compliance certificates built in; best mobile experience |
| HVAC / air conditioning | ServiceM8 or AroFlo | ServiceM8 for smaller ops; AroFlo for compliance-heavy commercial work |
| Builder / carpenter (projects) | Tradify or simPRO | Better suited to project-based work than ServiceM8 |
| Large electrical / plumbing contractor | simPRO | Multi-stage projects, inventory, subcontractors |
| Pest control | ServiceM8 | Online booking, chemical usage tracking, compliance docs |
| Landscaper | Tradify or Fergus | Good for quote-based work without over-engineering |
| General maintenance / handyman | ServiceM8 Starter ($29) | Cheapest credible option with Xero integration |
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See your accounting software cost
Most tradies run Xero + ServiceM8 as a pair. See what your accounting platform costs alongside your job management tool.
Try the cost calculator →Common questions
Does ServiceM8 integrate with Xero?
Yes - native two-way integration. Invoices created in ServiceM8 sync to Xero automatically. Payments received update the invoice status in Xero. Expense items can be coded to the correct accounts. It's one of the best integrations in the Australian trade software market.
Does ServiceM8 integrate with MYOB?
Yes - ServiceM8 integrates with MYOB Business (Lite and Pro) and MYOB AccountRight. The Xero integration is more widely used and slightly more polished, but the MYOB integration works well for businesses already on MYOB.
Do I need job management software if I already use Xero?
For most tradies, yes. Xero handles your accounting - invoicing, payroll, BAS, bank reconciliation. It doesn't handle operations - quoting, scheduling, job tracking, compliance forms, or on-site mobile work. If you're doing more than 10-15 jobs per month, managing them in Xero alone costs you significant time. ServiceM8 at $29/month pays for itself quickly.
What's the best free job management app for tradies?
ServiceM8 has a free plan covering one user and 30 jobs a month, which is enough to try it on real work. Past that, its Starter plan at $29/month is the cheapest paid option here, with unlimited users. Some tradies use Google Calendar for scheduling plus Xero's basic invoicing for a near-zero cost setup - this works for very simple operations but breaks down quickly as job volume grows.
See your real monthly cost
Compare Xero and MYOB on your team size and requirements.
Try the cost calculator →Most job management platforms offer 14-30 day free trials. Run your actual jobs through the trial before committing - the day-to-day workflow is what matters, not the feature list.
See also: Accounting software for tradies · Best accounting software AU · MYOB vs Xero
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