Paythepoolman vs Skimmer
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and use-case fit.
Paythepoolman
Pool service software with routing, billing and a branded customer app
- Starting price
- From $65/mo
- Best team size
- 1-30
- Free trial
- 30 days
Skimmer
Pool service software for routes, chemical readings, billing and customer updates, priced per serviced pool
- Starting price
- From $49/mo
- Best team size
- 1-50
- Free trial
- None listed
What actually separates them
Only the points where our data on Paythepoolman and Skimmer 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: Skimmer starts at $49 a month for the company; Paythepoolman starts at $65 a month base, more as users are added.
- → Free trial: Paythepoolman offers a 30-day free trial. Our data records no free trial for Skimmer.
- → Integrations listed for one tool only: Paythepoolman: quickbooks; Skimmer: quickbooks online, stripe, heritage pool supply, sunbit.
- → Features listed for one tool only: Paythepoolman: scheduling, route planning, invoicing; Skimmer: route optimization, billing automation, customer communications.
Quick verdict
Paythepoolman: Owner-operators and small pool service companies that want routing, recurring billing, bids and a customer app at a low monthly price that adds only $15 per extra technician.
Skimmer: Pool and spa service companies, from solo operators to multi-location groups, that want routing, chemistry logging and recurring billing in one pool-specific app with unlimited users.
Skimmer has the lower starting price (From $49/mo).
Skimmer lists more integrations in our data (6 vs 3).
Decision matrix: which one is right for you?
Pick Paythepoolman if…
- → Your situation matches Paythepoolman's target profile: Owner-operators and small pool service companies that want routing, recurring billing, bids and a customer app at a low monthly price that adds only $15 per extra technician
- → You want to try before buying: Paythepoolman offers a 30-day free trial; our data records none for Skimmer
Pick Skimmer if…
- → Your situation matches Skimmer's target profile: Pool and spa service companies, from solo operators to multi-location groups, that want routing, chemistry logging and recurring billing in one pool-specific app with unlimited users
- → Entry price matters most: Skimmer starts at $49 a month for the company; Paythepoolman starts at $65 a month base, more as users are added
- → Integrations matter: Skimmer lists 6 integrations in our data, against 3 for Paythepoolman
Pricing side-by-side
| Tier | Paythepoolman | Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Base + 1 technician: $65/mo | Getting Started: $49/mo |
| Tier 2 | - | Scaling Up: $98/mo |
| Tier 3 | - | Skimmer for Enterprise: quote |
Paythepoolman starts on Base + 1 technician, at $65 a month base, more as users are added. Skimmer starts at $49 a month for the company on Getting Started. Skimmer's entry price is $16 a month lower.
Pros & cons
Paythepoolman
- + 30-day free trial
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks (product not specified))
- − No free plan
- − The branded customer app, payroll and text credits cost extra
- − Support is weekday business hours only
- − Built for pool service only
Skimmer
- + Lower entry price: From $49/mo
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks Online)
- + Stripe integration listed
- + Flat monthly price per plan, not per user
- − Pool and spa service only
- − The bill grows with the number of serviced pools
- − Route optimization and the LSI calculator need the Scaling Up plan
- − The accounting integration is QuickBooks Online only
- − No free trial in our data (Paythepoolman offers 30 days)
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 Paythepoolman only
- + scheduling
- + route planning
- + invoicing
- + customer management
- + recurring services
- + mobile app
- + payment processing
- + gps tracking
- + customer app
- + payroll
- + contactless bidding
Listed for both
- ✓ chemical readings
Listed for Skimmer only
- + route optimization
- + billing automation
- + customer communications
- + photo attachments
- + service history
- + customer portal
- + offline mode
Integrations
Listed for Paythepoolman only
- + quickbooks
Listed for both
- ✓ orenda
- ✓ lamotte
Listed for Skimmer only
- + quickbooks online
- + stripe
- + heritage pool supply
- + sunbit
Which fits better in each trade
| Trade | Paythepoolman fit | Skimmer fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool Service | 10 / 10 | 10 / 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, Paythepoolman or Skimmer?
It depends on your trade, team size and budget. Paythepoolman is best for owner-operators and small pool service companies that want routing, recurring billing, bids and a customer app at a low monthly price that adds only $15 per extra technician. Skimmer is best for pool and spa service companies, from solo operators to multi-location groups, that want routing, chemistry logging and recurring billing in one pool-specific app with unlimited users. See the decision matrix above, and the trade-by-trade fit table if you work in one trade.
Is Paythepoolman cheaper than Skimmer?
Skimmer has the lower entry price: $49 a month for the company, against $65 a month base, more as users are added for Paythepoolman. Total cost depends on your team size, the plan you need and any add-ons; see the pricing table above.
Can Paythepoolman and Skimmer integrate with QuickBooks?
Paythepoolman lists QuickBooks (product not specified). Skimmer lists QuickBooks Online. Check which way each sync runs, and on which plans, in each tool's full review before you buy.
Do Paythepoolman or Skimmer offer a free trial?
Paythepoolman: a 30-day free trial. Skimmer: no free trial in our data.
Can I move from Paythepoolman to Skimmer (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.
Paythepoolman vs Skimmer: 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 Paythepoolman's best team size at 1-30 and Skimmer's at 1-50. Paythepoolman's entry price is $65 a month base, more as users are added; Skimmer's is $49 a month for the company. 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 Paythepoolman and Skimmer 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.