Australian Pricing (AUD inc GST) · 18 Trades
One Size Does Not Fit All: Find the Best Software for Your Trade
Choosing the wrong software is worse than using a paper diary. It leads to admin debt, messy data and hours of wasted time. We’ve reviewed the leading platforms used by Australian tradies to help you find the right fit faster.
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Electricians
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Small to mid-size electrical businesses | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Sole traders, iPhone users, reactive callouts | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| AroFlo | Larger electrical contractors needing compliance tracking | From $235/mo (3 users) | Y | Y |
| simPRO | Commercial electrical, 20+ staff, complex projects | Contact for price | Y | Y |
The verdict: For most sparkies doing residential or light commercial work, Tradify or ServiceM8 will do everything you need. AroFlo is worth the extra cost if compliance documentation and asset tracking are a daily reality.
Plumbers
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Top Pick | Plumbers who want to see profit on every job | From $49/user | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Sole traders, small crews, quick setup | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Reactive callout work, repeat service clients | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| AroFlo | Mid-to-large plumbing businesses, compliance-heavy | From $235/mo | Y | Y |
The verdict: Fergus was literally built by a plumber , it shows. If knowing exactly where you made or lost money on each job matters to you, start there. Tradify if you just want to get organised fast.
Builders & Carpenters
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| simPRO Top Pick | Project-based building work, multi-stage billing | Contact for price | Y | Y |
| Buildxact | Residential builders, estimating from plans | From $149/mo | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Smaller building and carpentry jobs | From $49/user | Y | Y |
| AroFlo | Mid-size builders needing strong scheduling | From $235/mo | Y | Y |
The verdict: Standard job management apps fall short for builders. If you’re running projects with variations and progress claims, simPRO or Buildxact are worth the investment. Smaller carpentry jobs? Fergus keeps it simple.
HVAC & Refrigeration
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AroFlo Top Pick | Asset tracking, recurring maintenance, compliance | From $235/mo | Y | Y |
| simPRO | Larger HVAC contractors, preventative maintenance programs | Contact for price | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Reactive HVAC callouts, smaller teams | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Sole traders, simple HVAC service work | From $48/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: HVAC businesses live and die by their maintenance schedules. AroFlo’s asset and site tracking is the best in the market for this trade and it integrates with Australian suppliers like Reece and Tradelink.
Landscapers
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Mixed one-off and recurring landscaping work | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Recurring maintenance clients, before/after photos | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Jobber | Recurring service businesses, route optimisation | From $49/mo | Y | Y |
The verdict: Most landscapers do a mix of one-off and ongoing work. Tradify handles both well. ServiceM8 is better if most of your work is recurring maintenance clients.
Painters
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Most painting businesses , simple, fast, affordable | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | iPhone-using painters, photo documentation | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Painters who want to track margins on every job | From $49/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: Painting is a margin-sensitive trade. Fergus is worth the extra cost if you want to see exactly where you made or lost money. For most painters though, Tradify does everything needed at a lower price.
Tilers
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Sole traders and small tiling businesses | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Cheapest entry point, iPhone users | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Fergus | If tracking job profitability matters | From $49/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: You don’t need enterprise software. ServiceM8’s free plan covers up to 30 jobs a month , a good starting point. Tradify if you want quoting and scheduling that’s a bit more flexible.
Roofers
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Top Pick | Job costing, material tracking, progress payments | From $49/user | Y | Y |
| AroFlo | Mid-to-large roofing contractors, compliance docs | From $235/mo | Y | Y |
| simPRO | Larger roofing businesses, multi-stage projects | Contact for price | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Smaller roofing jobs, simpler operations | From $48/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: Roofing is one of the trades where job costing really pays off , material costs can get away from you fast. Fergus gives you real-time visibility on every job. AroFlo if you’ve got a bigger operation with compliance requirements.
Pest Control
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 Top Pick | Recurring inspections, cert generation, client history | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| AroFlo | Compliance-heavy operations, chemical registers | From $235/mo | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Smaller pest operators wanting simple scheduling | From $48/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: ServiceM8 has a form builder that lets you create treatment certificates on-site , this alone saves pest controllers hours every week. For businesses with formal chemical registers, AroFlo is the better compliance tool.
Cleaners
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 Top Pick | Recurring bookings, automated reminders, client portal | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Jobber | Residential cleaning businesses, online booking | From $49/mo | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Commercial cleaning with quoting and invoicing needs | From $48/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: Cleaning businesses run on recurring work. ServiceM8’s automated reminders and recurring job scheduling are purpose-built for this. The free plan is worth trying if you’re just starting out.
Concreters
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Most concreting businesses , simple, affordable | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Job profitability and materials tracking | From $49/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Sole trader concreters wanting the cheapest option | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
The verdict: Most concreters are sole traders or small crews. Tradify is the sweet spot , fast to learn, good quoting, Xero integration. ServiceM8’s free plan if you’re testing the waters.
Gasfitters
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Gas and plumbing combined, simple operations | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Job costing, purchase orders, materials tracking | From $49/user | Y | Y |
| AroFlo | Compliance documentation, larger gas businesses | From $235/mo | Y | Y |
The verdict: Gas compliance certs are best managed in a dedicated compliance tool alongside your job management software. Tradify handles the day-to-day and integrates with Xero cleanly.
Locksmiths
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 Top Pick | Fast dispatch, on-site payment, client history | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Locksmiths also doing commercial work and quoting | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Job profitability tracking | From $49/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: Locksmith work is fast and reactive. ServiceM8 is built for exactly this , rapid job dispatch, take payment on the spot, and a full client history so you know what was done last time before you even walk in the door.
Security & Alarm Installers
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AroFlo Top Pick | Asset tracking per site, recurring maintenance, compliance | From $235/mo | Y | Y |
| simPRO | Larger security businesses, project management | Contact for price | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Smaller security operators, simple recurring scheduling | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
The verdict: Security installation is one of the best fits for AroFlo , equipment tracking by site, compliance records, and recurring maintenance scheduling are all built in. Worth every cent for operators with 30+ client sites.
Solar Installers
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 Top Pick | Solar businesses needing compliance forms and certificates | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| simPRO | Larger solar contractors, multi-stage project management | Contact for price | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Smaller solar installers tracking job costs carefully | From $49/user | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Sole trader solar installers, simple setup | From $48/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: Solar compliance documentation is non-negotiable. ServiceM8’s form builder handles CEC requirements and completion certificates well. For bigger operations managing multiple installs simultaneously, simPRO gives you the project management tools you need.
Fencing Contractors
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Most fencing businesses , simple, affordable, fast | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Sole traders, cheaper entry point | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Tracking materials and margins on larger fencing jobs | From $49/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: Fencing is a high-volume, lower-margin trade. Keep the software simple and cheap. Tradify does the job , quoting, scheduling, invoicing, Xero. ServiceM8’s free plan is worth trying if you’re a sole trader.
Flooring Contractors
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify Top Pick | Most flooring businesses , flexible quoting, photo attachments | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Materials tracking and job profitability | From $49/user | Y | Y |
| ServiceM8 | Sole trader floorers, cheaper entry point | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
The verdict: Before-and-after photos are important in flooring for dispute protection. Both Tradify and ServiceM8 handle this well. Tradify edges ahead for its flexibility with quoting different material types and finishes.
Glaziers
| Software | Best for | Price (AUD/mo) | Xero | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 Top Pick | Fast reactive glazing work, on-site payment | Free to $349/mo | Y | Y |
| Tradify | Mix of reactive and scheduled glazing work | From $48/user | Y | Y |
| Fergus | Job costing and materials tracking | From $49/user | Y | Y |
The verdict: Glazing is reactive work. You need to dispatch fast, quote on the spot, and get paid before you leave. ServiceM8 is built for exactly this workflow , and it takes card payments through the app.
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