Starlight Software vs Trash Flow
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and use-case fit.
Starlight Software
Roll-off and commercial waste & recycling management software
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Aggregate rating
- —
- Best team size
- 5-200
- Free trial
- No
Trash Flow
Modular billing, routing, and dispatch software for residential, commercial, and roll-off haulers
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Aggregate rating
- —
- Best team size
- 1-200
- Free trial
- No
Quick verdict
Starlight Software: Roll-off and commercial waste/recycling operators that want a comprehensive, dedicated waste-management platform and are willing to invest at the premium end.
Trash Flow: Residential and commercial trash haulers, roll-off operators, and landfills/transfer stations that want proven, modular billing and routing they can expand over time.
Decision matrix — which one is right for you?
Pick Starlight Software if…
- → Your situation matches Starlight Software's target profile: Roll-off and commercial waste/recycling operators that want a comprehensive, dedicated waste-management platform and are willing to invest at the premium end
Pick Trash Flow if…
- → Your situation matches Trash Flow's target profile: Residential and commercial trash haulers, roll-off operators, and landfills/transfer stations that want proven, modular billing and routing they can expand over time
Pricing side-by-side
| Tier | Starlight Software | Trash Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Custom quote — Custom | Modular licensing — Custom |
Both Starlight Software and Trash Flow use custom-quoted pricing — typical for enterprise-tier FSM platforms. Expect 30-60 minute discovery calls from each before getting a number, with pricing in the $250-$800 per user per month range for either. Request quotes from both for apples-to-apples comparison at your specific team size and feature requirements.
Pros & cons
Starlight Software
- + Native QuickBooks integration (bidirectional sync)
- + Broad feature coverage (8 core features)
- − Among the more expensive options in the category, and some users report uneven feature depth or development pace despite a responsive support team
- − No public pricing
- − No public pricing — sales call required for a quote
Trash Flow
- + Native QuickBooks integration (bidirectional sync)
- + Broad feature coverage (8 core features)
- − Route-optimization is a relative weak spot and some users find certain reports hard to decipher
- − The interface is established and traditional rather than modern
- − No public pricing — sales call required for a quote
Implementation timeline comparison
Starlight Software
3-6 months for full deployment with dedicated implementation manager
Trash Flow
3-6 months for full deployment with dedicated implementation manager
Enterprise-tier platforms ($250+/user/mo) typically require 3-6 months with dedicated admin time, custom pricebook setup, and phased rollout to field techs. Mid-tier platforms reach operational status in 4-8 weeks with optional paid onboarding. Entry-tier platforms are designed for self-service onboarding in 1-3 weeks. Always plan for 2-4 weeks of parallel operation with your existing system before cutting over.
Feature comparison
Only in Starlight Software
- + scheduling
Both have
- ✓ dispatching
- ✓ route planning
- ✓ automated billing
- ✓ asset tracking
- ✓ customer management
- ✓ reporting
- ✓ mobile app
Only in Trash Flow
- + online invoicing
Integrations
Only in Starlight Software
— None unique —
Both integrate with
- ✓ quickbooks
Only in Trash Flow
— None unique —
Which fits better in each trade
| Trade | Starlight Software fit | Trash Flow fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waste & Junk Removal | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 | Tie |
Vertical-fit scores combine feature coverage, customer base concentration, and the tool's own positioning for the trade. See methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Starlight Software or Trash Flow?
Neither is universally better — they target different buyers. Starlight Software is best for Roll-off and commercial waste/recycling operators that want a comprehensive, dedicated waste-management platform and are willing to invest at the premium end. Trash Flow is best for Residential and commercial trash haulers, roll-off operators, and landfills/transfer stations that want proven, modular billing and routing they can expand over time. See the decision matrix above for situation-specific guidance, or jump to the per-vertical winner table if you're in a specific trade.
Is Starlight Software cheaper than Trash Flow?
Both Starlight Software and Trash Flow use custom pricing or have similar entry costs — request quotes from both to compare apples-to-apples for your specific team size.
Can Starlight Software and Trash Flow integrate with QuickBooks?
Starlight Software integrates with QuickBooks natively. Trash Flow integrates with QuickBooks natively. Both work with QuickBooks Online; confirm QuickBooks Desktop support before signing if your accountant uses Desktop.
Do Starlight Software or Trash Flow offer a free trial?
Starlight Software: no free trial advertised; demo on request. Trash Flow: no free trial advertised; demo on request.
How long does Starlight Software vs Trash Flow take to implement?
Starlight Software: 3-6 months for full deployment with dedicated implementation manager. Trash Flow: 3-6 months for full deployment with dedicated implementation manager. Implementation length scales with pricing tier — enterprise platforms ($250+/user/mo) require 3-6 months with dedicated admin time; mid-tier platforms typically reach operational status in 4-8 weeks with optional paid onboarding.
Can I migrate from Starlight Software to Trash Flow (or vice versa)?
Yes, but expect data normalization work. Customer records and active jobs typically import cleanly via CSV. Historical job data, recurring service agreements, and custom pricebooks rarely transfer perfectly — most shops leave historical data in the source system as archival reference rather than migrating it. Budget 2-4 weeks of parallel operation between the two systems during the cutover.
Starlight Software vs Trash Flow: which has better customer support?
Both Starlight Software and Trash Flow offer email support across all tiers, with phone and live chat typically reserved for higher tiers. Response time SLAs vary by tier — entry-tier customers usually get 24-48 hour email response; enterprise customers get dedicated account managers with same-day response. Read recent G2 reviews specifically for support-quality signals before committing.
Which is better for solo contractors vs growing teams?
For solo contractors and 2-3 person teams, the lower-priced option (either) typically wins on cost without sacrificing core features. For growing teams (5-15 employees), evaluate based on which platform's upper tiers include the features you'll need at your 12-18 month projected scale rather than buying for today's team size. For established 15+ employee operations, the depth of enterprise features (reporting, multi-location, marketing attribution) matters more than entry-tier price.
Need a deeper look?
See our full reviews with detailed pricing tiers, integration depth, and weaknesses.