Head to head · Australia
ServiceM8 vs Tradify: which should a tradie pick?
These are the two most popular picks for one-van Australian trade businesses. Both are good — here's where they differ, and which to choose.
By Software TradiesUpdated 5 October 20265 min read
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Side by side
| ServiceM8 | Tradify | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Best for solo sparkies | Best overall for small teams |
| Price from | $29/mo AUD incl GST | $48/mo per user, ex GST |
| Platforms | iOS-first (Android behind) | iOS, Android, desktop — even |
| Offline on site | Strong | Strong |
| Xero sync | Yes | Yes (cleaner) |
| Our score | 8.7 / 10 | 9.1 / 10 |
The verdict
Pick ServiceM8 if…
- You're solo and want the cheapest strong start.
- You're all-Apple — it's built iPhone-first.
- You want the biggest community and template library.
Pick Tradify if…
- You're on Android or work desktop-heavy.
- You want the smoothest quoting → invoicing flow.
- You care most about a clean Xero sync.
Still deciding? See the full field inour electricians guide orthe plumbers guide.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, ServiceM8 or Tradify?
ServiceM8 starts around $29/mo for one user; Tradify around $44/mo per user. For a solo operator, ServiceM8 is the cheaper start.
Which is better on iPhone vs Android?
ServiceM8 is iPhone-first and feels best on iOS. Tradify is more even across iOS, Android and desktop.
Do both work offline?
Yes — both cache jobs, photos and forms offline on mobile and sync when you have signal.
So which should I pick?
Solo on iPhone wanting the cheapest start → ServiceM8. Android/desktop-heavy or want the smoothest quoting and invoicing → Tradify.