ServiceM8 vs Simpro — Australia 2026
ServiceM8 vs Simpro for AU tradies. Compare SWMS compliance, pricing, project costing, mobile app & Xero/MYOB integration.
Quick Verdict
ServiceM8 for small trades; Simpro for enterprise operations
ServiceM8 has a free tier, built-in SWMS forms, state licensing compliance, and is ideal for solo tradies and small teams. Simpro starts at $199/mo with no free trial but delivers enterprise-grade project costing, inventory management, fleet tracking, and multi-site scheduling. Both are AU-made and AU-hosted. Choose ServiceM8 if you have under 10 staff and need mobile-first job management; choose Simpro if you run a large contracting business with complex project costing needs.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ServiceM8 | Simpro |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, NSW | Brisbane, QLD |
| Entry Price | Free | $199/mo |
| BAS Lodgement | Not an accounting tool — integrates with Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks for BAS | Job management only — BAS via accounting integration |
| STP Phase 2 | n/a | n/a |
| Payday Super | n/a | n/a |
| Modern Awards | N/A | N/A |
| Data Hosting | Multiple | AU |
| AU Support Hours | 24/7 on paid plans | Mon-Fri 7am-6pm AEST |
| Phone Support | No | Yes |
| Integrations | 40+ apps | 100+ apps |
Pricing Comparison (AUD, Mar 2026)
ServiceM8 Plans
Free
Free
AUD inc GST
- ✓Jobs: 30
- ✓Staff: 1
- ✓Sms: 0
Starter
$29/mo
AUD inc GST
- ✓Jobs: 50
- ✓Staff: unlimited
- ✓Sms: 100
Most Popular
Growing
$79/mo
AUD inc GST
- ✓Jobs: 150
- ✓Staff: unlimited
- ✓Sms: 300
Premium
$149/mo
AUD inc GST
- ✓Jobs: 500
- ✓Staff: unlimited
- ✓Sms: 1000
Premium Plus
$349/mo
AUD inc GST
- ✓Jobs: 1500+
- ✓Staff: unlimited
- ✓Sms: 3000
Simpro Plans
Most Popular
Simpro Premium
$199/mo
AUD inc GST
- ✓Jobs: unlimited
- ✓Users: unlimited
AU Compliance Scores
How we scoreScores are out of 5 and reflect depth of compliance support, ease of setup, and ongoing reliability for Australian businesses. Assessed March 2026.
ServiceM8
BAS Lodgement0/5
STP Phase 20/5
Payday Super0/5
Modern Awards0/5
GST Handling3/5
Bank Feeds0/5
Simpro
BAS Lodgement0/5
STP Phase 20/5
Payday Super0/5
Modern Awards0/5
GST Handling3/5
Bank Feeds0/5
Pros & Cons
ServiceM8
Pros
- Australia's most popular job management app for tradies — 100,000+ businesses, founded in Sydney
- Flat monthly pricing with unlimited users: $29/mo Starter vs $49/user/month on Tradify (saves $166/mo for a team of 5)
- Highly-rated iOS app with Tap to Pay on iPhone, Apple CarPlay, Siri shortcuts, and offline mode
- AI Smart Helpers for writing quotes and generating reports — included on all plans including Free
- Native two-way sync with Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks Online — invoices, payments, and contacts sync automatically
- Free plan available (30 jobs/month) — genuine free tier for sole traders getting started
- Automated SMS workflows: on-the-way alerts, booking confirmations, quote follow-ups, and payment reminders
- 24/7 email and chat support on all paid plans, AU-based team in Sydney
Cons
- iOS-only mobile app — no native Android app (Android users limited to web browser access)
- No built-in accounting, payroll, or BAS lodgement — requires Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks
- Electronic forms, SWMS, and asset management locked to Growing plan ($79/mo) and above
- Job limits on every plan: 30 (Free), 50 (Starter), 150 (Growing), 500 (Premium) — busy teams may hit caps
- Data stored across multiple global regions (US, AU, Ireland, Singapore, Tokyo) — not AU-only data residency
- No phone support on any plan — email and chat only
- No supplier invoice integration or trade supplier price books (unlike Fergus with 100+ suppliers)
- Not suited for large commercial projects or enterprise operations — consider Simpro for 15+ staff
Simpro
Pros
- Most comprehensive job management for larger trade businesses
- Full project costing, inventory, and fleet management
- Dedicated account manager for enterprise clients
- Strong multi-site and multi-team scheduling
- AU-made (Brisbane), AU-hosted, AU-supported
- Deep reporting and analytics for profitability tracking
Cons
- Most expensive job management option (from $199/mo)
- No free trial — requires sales demo process
- Complex setup — implementation can take weeks
- Overkill for small trade teams under 10 staff
- Steep learning curve for field workers
Who Should Choose ServiceM8
ServiceM8 is best suited for businesses that need sole trader, electrician, plumber.
Choose ServiceM8 if you are:
- Sole Trader
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Hvac
- Cleaning
- Pest Control
- Landscaping
- Small Trade Team 1 10
Who Should Choose Simpro
Simpro is best suited for businesses that need large trade business 10 plus, electrical contractor, plumbing contractor.
Choose Simpro if you are:
- Large Trade Business 10 Plus
- Electrical Contractor
- Plumbing Contractor
- Hvac Contractor
- Multi Site Operations