JobTread vs ServiceM8
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and use-case fit.
JobTread
Construction estimating and project management software
- Starting price
- From $159/mo
- Best team size
- 3-30
- Free trial
- None listed
ServiceM8
iPhone-first job management app for small service businesses, priced by jobs per month
- Starting price
- Free tier available
- Best team size
- 1-15
- Free trial
- 14 days
What actually separates them
Only the points where our data on JobTread and ServiceM8 differs. A feature or integration missing from one tool's list means our entry does not record it, not that the tool lacks it. Everything they share is further down.
- → Entry price: ServiceM8 has a free tier; JobTread starts at $159 a month base, more as users are added.
- → Trades served: JobTread serves Roofing, General Contractors, Restoration, Painting, Flooring; ServiceM8 serves Cleaning Services, Pest Control, Pool Service, Locksmith, Garage Door, Appliance Repair, Handyman Services, Fire Protection & Life Safety. The other tool's entry does not list them.
- → Free trial: ServiceM8 offers a 14-day free trial. Our data records no free trial for JobTread.
- → Integrations listed for one tool only: JobTread: stripe, the home depot, srs distribution, qxo; ServiceM8: myob, mailchimp, deputy, workato.
- → Fit for shared trades: ServiceM8 scores higher for HVAC (7/10 vs 6/10), Plumbing (7/10 vs 6/10), Electrical (7/10 vs 6/10).
- → Features listed for one tool only: JobTread: job costing, estimates, change orders; ServiceM8: invoicing, quotes, online booking.
Quick verdict
JobTread: Home builders, remodelers and specialty contractors that want estimating, job costing, selections and client portals in one system.
ServiceM8: Small trade and home service businesses (electricians, plumbers, HVAC, cleaners, locksmiths, pool and pest control) whose managers use iPhones or iPads and who want pricing by job volume rather than per user.
Vertical fit favors ServiceM8 in 3 of 4 shared trades.
ServiceM8 has the lower starting price (Free tier available).
JobTread lists more integrations in our data (18 vs 8).
Decision matrix: which one is right for you?
Pick JobTread if…
- → Your situation matches JobTread's target profile: Home builders, remodelers and specialty contractors that want estimating, job costing, selections and client portals in one system
- → Integrations matter: JobTread lists 18 integrations in our data, against 8 for ServiceM8
Pick ServiceM8 if…
- → Your situation matches ServiceM8's target profile: Small trade and home service businesses (electricians, plumbers, HVAC, cleaners, locksmiths, pool and pest control) whose managers use iPhones or iPads and who want pricing by job volume rather than per user
- → Entry price matters most: ServiceM8 has a free tier; JobTread starts at $159 a month base, more as users are added
- → You want to try before buying: ServiceM8 offers a 14-day free trial; our data records none for JobTread
- → You work in HVAC, Plumbing or Electrical: ServiceM8 has the higher vertical-fit score there (HVAC: 7/10 vs 6/10)
- → You serve several trades: ServiceM8 serves 12 trades in our data, against 9 for JobTread
Pricing side-by-side
| Tier | JobTread | ServiceM8 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Base (1 internal user included): $159/mo | Free: free |
| Tier 2 | - | Starter: $29/mo |
| Tier 3 | - | Growing: $79/mo |
| Tier 4 | - | Premium: $149/mo |
JobTread starts on Base (1 internal user included), at $159 a month base, more as users are added. ServiceM8 has a free tier (Free); its top published tier, Premium Plus, is $349 a month. ServiceM8's entry price is $159 a month lower.
Pros & cons
JobTread
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks Online)
- + Stripe integration listed
- + Serves 9 trades in our data
- − No free trial (a 30-day money-back guarantee instead)
- − Per-user charges after the first internal user
- − QuickBooks Desktop not on its integrations page
- − Its terms make fees non-refundable unless the terms say otherwise and do not mention the money-back guarantee
- − No free trial in our data (ServiceM8 offers 14 days)
ServiceM8
- + Lower entry price: Free tier available
- + 14-day free trial
- + Higher vertical-fit score for HVAC, Plumbing or Electrical
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks Online)
- + Serves 12 trades in our data
- − Built iPhone and iPad first
- − The Android app lacks some iOS features
- − Price climbs with monthly job volume
Feature comparison
Features as listed in our entries. The lists use different words for similar features, so check a feature you need on both vendors' sites.
Listed for JobTread only
- + job costing
- + estimates
- + change orders
- + client portal
- + vendor management
- + purchase orders
- + selection management
Listed for both
- ✓ scheduling
Listed for ServiceM8 only
- + invoicing
- + quotes
- + online booking
- + form automation
- + card payments
- + asset management
- + time tracking
- + ios app
Integrations
Listed for JobTread only
- + stripe
- + the home depot
- + srs distribution
- + qxo
- + poolcorp
- + plaid
- + gusto
- + companycam
- + eagleview
- + hover
- + acorn finance
- + heritage pool supply
- + slack
- + nicejob
- + hfs financial
Listed for both
- ✓ quickbooks online
- ✓ zapier
- ✓ xero
Listed for ServiceM8 only
- + myob
- + mailchimp
- + deputy
- + workato
- + n8n
Which fits better in each trade
| Trade | JobTread fit | ServiceM8 fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC | 6 / 10 | 7 / 10 | ServiceM8 |
| Plumbing | 6 / 10 | 7 / 10 | ServiceM8 |
| Electrical | 6 / 10 | 7 / 10 | ServiceM8 |
| Landscaping & Lawn Care | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 | Tie |
Vertical-fit scores (1-10) rate how well each tool is built for the trade, checked against the trades the vendor's own pages say it serves. See methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, JobTread or ServiceM8?
It depends on your trade, team size and budget. JobTread is best for home builders, remodelers and specialty contractors that want estimating, job costing, selections and client portals in one system. ServiceM8 is best for small trade and home service businesses (electricians, plumbers, HVAC, cleaners, locksmiths, pool and pest control) whose managers use iPhones or iPads and who want pricing by job volume rather than per user. See the decision matrix above, and the trade-by-trade fit table if you work in one trade.
Is JobTread cheaper than ServiceM8?
ServiceM8 has the lower entry price: a free tier, against $159 a month base, more as users are added for JobTread. Total cost depends on your team size, the plan you need and any add-ons; see the pricing table above.
Can JobTread and ServiceM8 integrate with QuickBooks?
JobTread lists QuickBooks Online. ServiceM8 lists QuickBooks Online. Check which way each sync runs, and on which plans, in each tool's full review before you buy.
Do JobTread or ServiceM8 offer a free trial?
JobTread: no free trial in our data. ServiceM8: a 14-day free trial.
Can I move from JobTread to ServiceM8 (or the other way)?
Our data does not record migration support for either tool. Ask both vendors which records they import and export (customers, jobs, invoices, recurring agreements, price books), in which file format, and whether they help with the import.
JobTread vs ServiceM8: which has better customer support?
Our data does not record support channels or response times for either tool. Ask each vendor which support comes with the plan you would buy. Each full review links to G2 and Capterra, where you can read current user reviews.
Which suits a solo contractor, and which a growing team?
Our data puts JobTread's best team size at 3-30 and ServiceM8's at 1-15. JobTread's entry price is $159 a month base, more as users are added; ServiceM8's is a free tier. Price both at the team size you expect to have, not only today's.
Need a deeper look?
See our full reviews with each tool's pricing tiers, integrations and weaknesses.
Should your product be in this comparison?
We check JobTread and ServiceM8 against their own websites and list the cons next to the pros. If you build a competing product that is not listed here, you can submit it for editorial review. An evaluation can end with or without a listing.
Listings are free. We do not accept payment for inclusion, for placement, for a score, or to remove a documented con. Read this page first and decide whether you want that.