✅ Updated January 2026 — pricing verified

Getting paid on time starts with a professional invoice. The right invoicing software also saves you hours of admin, makes BAS time painless, and looks professional to clients. Here's how the top options compare for tradies specifically.

📋 Jump To

  1. →Full comparison
  2. →ServiceM8
  3. →Tradify
  4. →Xero
  5. →Rounded
  6. →Which to choose

Full Comparison Table

SoftwarePrice/monthQuotingJob SchedulingBAS ReadyMobile AppScore
ServiceM8 ⭐ Best for TradiesBuilt for field service
$29/month (Starter)
 ✓ Excellent ✓ Excellent ✓ Via Xero ✓ Outstanding
9.2
TradifyStrong scheduling
$35/month per user
 ✓ Good ✓ Excellent ✓ Via Xero ✓ Good
8.5
Xero (invoicing only)Best if you need accounting too
$35/month (Standard)
 ◑ Basic ✗ None ✓ Built-in ✓ Good
8.0
RoundedBest for sole traders
$15/month
 ◑ Basic ✗ None ✓ Built-in ◑ Basic
7.2
💡 Key insight: ServiceM8 and Tradify are purpose-built for field trades — quoting, scheduling, job tracking, invoicing all in one. Xero and Rounded are primarily accounting tools with invoicing added. If you need job management, go ServiceM8 or Tradify.

ServiceM8 — Best for Most Tradies

ServiceM8 is built specifically for field service businesses — plumbers, electricians, builders, HVAC, cleaners. If your work involves quoting, scheduling jobs, sending staff to sites and invoicing on completion, ServiceM8 is in a class of its own.

✅ Pros

  • Purpose-built for field trades
  • Outstanding iPhone/iPad app
  • Quote → job → invoice in one workflow
  • Client communication and SMS built in
  • Connects directly to Xero
  • Photo and document management on site

❌ Cons

  • Android app lags behind iOS
  • Pricing jumps significantly with more staff
  • No built-in BAS — needs Xero integration
  • Learning curve for full feature set

Which Should You Choose?

You're a solo tradie doing simple work: Rounded ($15/month) handles invoicing and basic BAS prep at the lowest cost.

You quote jobs, schedule work and invoice on completion: ServiceM8 — it's what it's built for.

You have a team with complex scheduling: Tradify handles multi-staff scheduling better than ServiceM8.

You want one tool for everything including payroll and BAS: Xero Standard — it's more expensive but does everything.

SoftwareFree TrialAction
ServiceM8 ⭐14 days freeTry ServiceM8 Free →
Tradify14 days freeTry Tradify Free →
Rounded30 days freeTry Rounded Free →