Scheduling Hero vs ServiceM8
Both are great tools. One is built for round-based businesses. The other is built for job-based trades. Here's how they compare.
The TL;DR
Choose Scheduling Hero if you:
- ✓Run recurring rounds (window cleaning, gardening)
- ✓Have more than 30 recurring jobs per month
- ✓Want a genuine free forever plan (unlimited jobs)
- ✓Need full offline functionality
- ✓Want free SMS messaging
- ✓Use Android and iOS equally
Choose ServiceM8 if you:
- •Have fewer than 30 jobs per month
- •Do mainly one-off jobs (not recurring rounds)
- •Primarily use iOS (their iOS app is stronger)
- •Happy with paid SMS (10¢ per message)
- •Based in Australia or New Zealand
- •Need advanced forms and custom fields
Feature-by-feature comparison
All information current as of December 2024. ServiceM8 pricing shown is for paid tier after free trial.
| Feature | Scheduling Hero | ServiceM8 |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free or CA$18.99 | Free (30 jobs/month), then CA$38 |
| Free tier | Unlimited (forever) | 30 jobs/month |
| Job limits | Unlimited | 30/month free, unlimited on paid |
| Scheduling & calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Customer database | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring jobs | Yes (unlimited) | Yes (30/month free) |
| Expense tracking | Yes (with receipt photos) | Yes |
| Accounting integrations | Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent (Premium) | Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks |
| Payment links / QR codes | Yes (free) | Yes |
| Payment processing fees | Standard card fees (Stripe) | Standard card fees |
| SMS messaging | Free (uses your phone's plan) | CA$0.10 per message |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Message templates | Yes | Yes |
| Works offline | Full functionality | Yes (iOS app) |
| iOS app | Yes | Yes (full featured) |
| Android app | Yes (full featured) | Yes (less featured than iOS) |
| Desktop access | Mobile-only | Web dashboard available |
| Route optimization | CA$18.99/month (Premium) | Included in paid plans |
| Drag & drop scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Map view | Yes | Yes |
| Income reports | Yes | Yes |
| Expense reports | Yes | Yes |
| GST/HST-ready reports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom forms | No | Yes |
| Custom fields | No | Yes |
| Multi-user support | Coming soon | Yes (team plans) |
| Role-based permissions | Coming soon | Yes |
| Setup time | 60 seconds | 10-15 minutes |
| Learning curve | Minimal (mobile-native) | Moderate |
| Customer support | Email support | Email support |
Why round-based businesses switch from ServiceM8
ServiceM8's a great app. But if you're running recurring rounds, here's why Scheduling Hero might be better.
1. No job limits on the free tier
ServiceM8's free tier caps you at 30 jobs per month. If you're a window cleaner with 80 customers on a 4-week round, that's 80 jobs per month. You'll hit the limit in week one. Scheduling Hero's free tier has unlimited jobs—forever.
2. Built for recurring rounds, not one-off jobs
ServiceM8's job-based model works brilliantly for emergency plumbers or one-off trades. But if you're cleaning the same windows every 4 weeks, you don't want to create a new job each time. Scheduling Hero automatically generates recurring schedules from your rounds.
3. SMS doesn't cost extra
ServiceM8 charges 10¢ per SMS. Send appointment reminders to 50 customers? That's CA$5. Do that weekly and you're paying CA$20-30/month just for SMS. Scheduling Hero uses your phone's native SMS—completely free.
4. Full Android support
ServiceM8's iOS app is excellent. Their Android app is less feature-rich. Scheduling Hero gives you full functionality on both platforms. Same offline mode, same features, same experience whether you're on iPhone or Samsung.
5. Simpler interface for solo operators
ServiceM8 has powerful features for teams: custom forms, detailed job workflows, complex permissions. If you're solo, that's complexity you don't need. Scheduling Hero is stripped back to what solo operators actually use: customers, jobs, invoices, expenses. Done.
6. Cheaper premium: CA$18.99 vs CA$38+
ServiceM8 starts at CA$38/month after the 30-job free tier. Scheduling Hero Premium is CA$18.99/month for cloud sync and route optimization. If you're staying under 30 jobs, ServiceM8's free tier is brilliant. If you're over that, we're cheaper.
When ServiceM8 is the better choice
You do fewer than 30 jobs per month
If you're doing sporadic one-off work—occasional emergency callouts, seasonal projects, or you're just starting out—ServiceM8's free tier is perfect. You get route optimization, invoicing, scheduling, and full features for 30 jobs/month. That's a brilliant free tier.
You need custom forms and workflows
ServiceM8 has powerful custom form builders. If you need to collect detailed site information, safety checklists, or customer signatures with specific fields, ServiceM8 is built for that. Scheduling Hero keeps it simple: job notes and customer details. If you need complex data collection, go with ServiceM8.
You're iOS-only and want a web dashboard
ServiceM8's iOS app is excellent, and they offer a web dashboard for desktop work. If you spend time at a desk managing your business and you're committed to iOS, ServiceM8's ecosystem is strong. Scheduling Hero is mobile-only—great in your pocket, but there's no desktop version.
You're based in Australia or New Zealand
ServiceM8 is Australian-built and extremely popular in AU/NZ. Their support is local, their integrations work brilliantly with Australian suppliers and tax systems, and they understand the local market. Scheduling Hero works globally, but ServiceM8 has home advantage in Australia.
Looking for a ServiceM8 alternative?
If you're hitting ServiceM8's 30-job free tier limit or paying for features you don't need, Scheduling Hero might be worth a look.
No job limits
Free tier supports unlimited recurring jobs. No 30-job cap.
Free SMS
Uses your phone's plan. Not 10¢ per message.
Setup time
Download, sign up, add first customer. You're working.
Free forever. No credit card required.
Common questions
Can I import my ServiceM8 data?
Currently, there's no automatic import. However, you can export your customer list from ServiceM8 and manually add them to Scheduling Hero. For most solo operators with 50-200 customers, this takes 1-2 hours. We recommend running both apps in parallel for a week during the transition.
Does Scheduling Hero work for teams?
Team features are coming soon. We're currently designed for solo operators, but we're building multi-user support, permissions, and team management. Start free today—when you need team features, they'll be ready without switching apps.
What about job-based vs round-based pricing?
ServiceM8 charges based on jobs per month (30 free, then paid plans). This works great if you have sporadic one-off jobs. But if you're a window cleaner or gardener with 100 recurring customers on 4-week rounds, ServiceM8's free tier runs out fast. Scheduling Hero has no job limits—free forever for unlimited recurring rounds.
Does Scheduling Hero work on Android?
Yes. ServiceM8's iOS app is more feature-rich than their Android app. Scheduling Hero gives you full functionality on both iOS and Android. Same features, same offline mode, same experience.
Is this comparison biased?
Yes, we obviously prefer you choose Scheduling Hero! But everything here is factually accurate as of December 2025. ServiceM8 is excellent software, especially for Australian trades. We're just better for round-based businesses who want unlimited recurring jobs, free SMS, and full offline mode. Try both and decide for yourself.
Compare with other apps
Start free today
No credit card. No time limit. No job limits. Add your customers and see if it's right for you.
Download freeFree forever. Upgrade to Premium (CA$18.99/month) only when you need cloud sync and route optimization.