ServiceM8 vs Tradify (2026): Pricing, Features and Which Suits Your Trade Business

Full disclosure: I'm Dyllan, and I make InvoiceSonic, one of the options in this guide. I'll say plainly where another tool is the better choice, because for a lot of businesses it is.

ServiceM8 vs Tradify: the short answer

ServiceM8 vs Tradify is mostly a question of how you are charged. ServiceM8 prices by jobs per month with unlimited users on paid plans; Tradify prices per user. A busy one-person business may prefer Tradify's flat per-user fee, while a team with steady job numbers may find ServiceM8 cheaper.

• Best for teams with moderate job volume: ServiceM8, unlimited users on paid plans
• Best for small teams tracking hours: Tradify Pro, with timesheets
• Best for a sole trader who just needs quotes, a diary and invoices: InvoiceSonic (mine), A$19/month flat

Pricing compared (Australia)

Prices and features are from each company's public pricing page, checked on 2–3 October 2026. Plans change, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Features compared

When ServiceM8 is the better choice

If you have several staff and do a predictable number of jobs, ServiceM8's job-volume pricing means adding people does not raise the bill. Its free plan also lets a sole trader run up to 30 jobs a month at no cost, though without staff accounts or dispatch.

When Tradify is the better choice

If you are one or two people doing many small jobs, a per-user price can work out cheaper than climbing ServiceM8's job tiers. Tradify Pro also adds timesheets and online quote acceptance.

When you might need neither

If you are a sole trader who mainly needs to quote, book and get paid, both tools include team features you will not use. InvoiceSonic keeps each job's site, quote, appointment and invoice together, with ABN, GST and PayID on the invoice, for A$19/month flat. InvoiceSonic does not have staff accounts, dispatch, GPS, online booking, timesheets or automatic repeat visits. Jobs is built for owner-operators.

See job management for tradies.

Also worth comparing: Fergus

Essentials A$53/month and Professional A$77/month per account, plus A$26/month for each timesheet user, with a 14-day trial. When checked, Fergus was advertising 90% off until December. It includes online quote acceptance, a customer portal, scheduling and timesheets.

How to decide in two minutes

1. Count who needs a login. If only you use it, per-user and dispatch features are cost without benefit. If three or more people need the schedule, team tools earn their price.
2. Price it at your real numbers. Per-user, per-job and flat pricing rank differently depending on your headcount and how many jobs you do in a busy month.
3. List the features you would use every week. Online booking, a customer portal and timesheets are only worth paying for if customers or staff will use them.
4. Use the free trial or free plan on a real job. Quote it, book it and invoice it before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Is ServiceM8 cheaper than Tradify?
It depends on volume and team size. ServiceM8 charges by jobs per month with unlimited users, from A$29; Tradify charges A$48–62 per user per month ex GST. Compare at your real numbers.

Does ServiceM8 have a free plan?
Yes. It covers 30 jobs a month for one user, without staff accounts or dispatch, checked October 2026.

Which has timesheets?
Tradify includes timesheets on Pro and above. ServiceM8's pricing page does not list timesheets.

What is a cheaper option for a sole trader?
InvoiceSonic is A$19/month flat with a free plan, if you do not need staff accounts, dispatch or online booking.