The best field service management software efficiently coordinates field operations, including scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and customer service.
After researching and comparing the best products through our own independent review process, here are our top picks for field service management software:
- Jobber: Best Overall
- FieldEdge: Best for QuickBooks Users
- ThermoGrid: Best for HVAC
- Housecall Pro: Best for Automated Marketing
- ServiceTitan: Best for Advanced Analytics
- Service Fusion: Best for SMBs
- Simpro: Best for Trades and Services
- FieldPulse: Best Scheduling Tools
1 Jobber - Best Overall
Why we chose it: We found Jobber best overall because of its deep feature set, including batch invoice creation, client portals, and GPS tracking. The platform offers customizable job checklists and push notification capabilities to keep teams updated on the go. Additionally, Jobber has strong time-tracking tools to help with accurate payroll preparation.
Field service teams will find Jobber’s mobile app useful – it handles scheduling, specific job details, GPS tracking, invoicing, and payments. It also includes forms, checklists, and notes that business owners can customize for each employee and job. Jobber’s integration with other platforms like Xero, Square, Paypal, and Stripe further streamline business processes, including financial tasks.
2 FieldEdge - Best for QuickBooks Users
Why we chose it: FieldEdge made our list for its status as a QuickBooks Platinum Partner. This distinction highlights FieldEdge’s advanced integration capabilities, seamlessly syncing financial data, invoices, and customer info between the platforms. FieldEdge also connects with apps like MailChimp, FleetSharp GPS Tracking, and Dispatch, and even has a dedicated FieldEdge Payments app.
Additional capabilities include built-in CRM tools, billing, invoicing, and a smart dispatch board to decrease windshield time. With live updates and a mobile app that gives users access from anywhere, field service teams can utilize FieldEdge’s functionality from the office to the field.
3 ThermoGrid - Best for HVAC
Why we chose it: We found ThermoGrid fits best with HVAC contractors looking to integrate office and field operations. The software manages all aspects of HVAC operations, including scheduling, dispatch, service agreements, inventory management, and more. Its Smart Dispatching tool in particular optimizes job assignments based on technician availability and expertise.
ThermoGrid also includes daily KPI and management reports, customer management capabilities, and a mobile app for on-the-go technician access. Its Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) feature enhances customer interaction by pulling up details during calls, though this comes at an additional cost. Though the platform does not have routing features, it provides one pricing platform for businesses of all sizes, so there is no need to increase costs to add more users.
4 Housecall Pro - Best for Automated Marketing
Why we chose it: Housecall Pro includes comprehensive automation features that cater to home service businesses. We think its automated marketing and review solicitation is a notable highlight: it aids businesses in maintaining engagement and building a positive online presence.
Housecall Pro’s key features include online booking, detailed scheduling and dispatching, payment processing, and QuickBooks integration for seamless financial management. The platform also supports online invoicing with one-click digital invoicing and auto reminders, enhancing the billing process. For field technicians, GPS tracking and “On my way” texts improve job coordination and customer communication.
5 ServiceTitan - Best for Advanced Analytics
Why we chose it: We picked ServiceTitan is recognized for its feature-rich environment, including detailed dashboard analytics for a real-time overview of business performance. They offer detailed insights into various operational aspects, including job performance, technician efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Additionally, ServiceTitan has a depth and breadth of reports, including job performance, technician productivity, and customer engagement metrics.
ServiceTitan has much to offer beyond analytics, including online booking capabilities directly from a company’s website or Google Local Services. The platform also handles quote management, efficient scheduling and dispatching, and a highly functional mobile app for field technicians. Finally, ServiceTitan supports invoicing, ServiceTitan Payments for electronic payment processing, and integrates with major software such as QuickBooks and Sage Intacct.
6 Service Fusion - Best for SMBs
Why we chose it: Service Fusion is our pick for small to medium-sized service businesses. The software supports various industries, including appliance repair, electrical, HVAC, and locksmith services. It’s suitable for companies with 1 to 30 staff members seeking to streamline their field service operations without the complexity of larger systems.
The platform’s affordability and range of features make it an attractive option for growing businesses looking to improve efficiency and customer service. These include an easy-to-use dashboard for business performance snapshots, online booking to attract new customers and efficient quote management with options for upselling. Finally, Service Fusion handles client management, scheduling, and dispatching. Its mobile app enables field technicians to access job information, create quotes, and communicate with office staff, enhancing on-the-job efficiency.
7 Simpro - Best for Trades and Services
Why we chose it: Simpro is a job management software designed specifically for the trades and services industry, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more. It integrates various aspects of field service management, such as asset tracking and maintenance, project management, resource scheduling, and invoicing, into one platform.
We found that Simpro caters well to business complexities such as franchises, multiple companies, or locations. It performs well in construction and field services, where managing schedules, routes, and customer relationships is critical. Simpro accomplishes this through accurate quoting and estimating, scheduling and dispatching, inventory management, real-time job costing, and in-depth reporting. Finally, it integrates with a variety of accounting and financial solutions, providing a centralized data location for trades and field services companies.
8 FieldPulse - Best Scheduling Tools
Why we chose it: We picked FieldPulse because its scheduling is effective, partially due to its user-centric design. It allows for drag-and-drop scheduling, color-coded calendar views, and the ability to make quick adjustments on the fly. This streamlines the process of dispatching technicians and managing their schedules.
In addition to intuitive scheduling tools, FieldPulse offers a customer portal for online bookings, job costing, GPS and route planning, and even e-signature collection. It offers workflow management, professional-looking estimates with accurate pricing features, and customizable templates. Finally, it integrates with QuickBooks and Square, enhancing tax, accounting functionalities, and remote payment processing.
What Is Field Service Management Software?
Field service management software is a digital tool that coordinates operations for teams providing services outside the office, such as installations, repairs, and maintenance at customer sites. With the right field service management software solution, you can more efficiently create quotes, dispatch field technicians, estimate jobs, track costs, and handle work orders.
Field service management software can be used by a variety of industries that provide commercial or home services, including but not limited to:
- Plumbing and HVAC
- Electrical
- Roofing
- Lawn Care
- Pest Control
- Healthcare (In-Home Care)
- Property Maintenance
- And More
Whether your company installs, services, repairs, or does any other type of field work, you likely need some organization to optimize your field service operations. With software, you can position your company to deliver services critical to a successful business more swiftly and reliably.
Read on to find the best field service management solution to meet your business needs:
Key Features of Field Service Management Software
Most field service software solutions include the following functionality:
Function | Description |
---|---|
Estimating and Quoting | Quickly prepare bids, quotes, or proposals for a specific job or project using accurate estimating functionality; then use the bid or quote to prepare an invoice. |
Work Order Management | Simplify work order assignment and tracking to ease the management of additional business tasks; Create checklists detailing what tasks are necessary for each work order. |
Asset Tracking | Track the purchases of tools, equipment, vehicles, property, and other assets for depreciation, inventory, and tax treatment. Properly account for each asset during ownership and at disposal with depreciation data and gain/loss details. |
Service Contracts | Use custom templates to create service-level agreements (SLAs) and automatically schedule recurring service and preventative maintenance for customers. |
Field Service Scheduling | Schedule the most qualified field workers to jobs with less manual effort. Drag-and-drop features allow you an intuitive way to fill in time slots based on your workforce availability. |
Dispatching and Fleet Management | Dispatch service calls and integrate service requests into a schedule with two-way communication into the field. May include mapping, vehicle monitoring, routing, and real-time GPS tracking functionality. |
Parts Inventory Management | Track the available parts to complete jobs, so you know when to order more. |
Project Management | Usually found in more advanced FSM software solutions for large, complex jobs, coordinate scheduling, resource allocation, time tracking, planning, task management, quality management, and document management. |
Mobile Field Service Capabilities | Instantly send job related data from mobile devices including tablets, smart phones, and laptops. Adapt to other technology based on your specific business operations and service industry. |
In addition to these included features, many field service solutions integrate with other accounting and ERP software programs to automate your back-office operations fully. Others can be highly customized to meet the exact needs of your industry.
Best Benefits of Field Service Management
As previously mentioned, there are many benefits to implementing a field service management software at your organization:
- Increased customer satisfaction: With field service management software, you can keep organized client records and job details in a digitized database. Being well-organized, maintaining client communication, and getting the work done on-time and on budget will improve customer relationships. Your satisfied customers will likely become repeat business and refer others to your company.
- Improved scheduling: Knowing when and where your currently scheduled projects are, and who you have assigned to them, will make it easier to plan new jobs around the existing ones. Don’t worry about double-booking or forgetting about a job - everything is automated in a well-organized schedule!
- Remote instant access: Technicians need real-time access to job details while working out in the field. Cloud-based software may include access to a mobile app and customer portal that allows you to schedule jobs, dispatch technicians, provide estimates, review service history, and accept credit card payments.
- Improved internal communications: Office staff and field technicians can access digitized client and project information to coordinate completed work and invoices. Field workers can update the client’s information if work was paid for on-site so the office staff won’t accidentally invoice the customer again.
Why Do You Need Field Service Software?
In the past, service jobs required a lot of labor just to create correct schedules with full coverage. Owners and managers had to balance which field service technicians were available against who was qualified for different jobs. Scheduling even a simple task could take a lot of back-and-forth calls between different workers before getting back to the customer with a confirmed appointment for the service request. Fortunately, service-based companies can now use automated field service software to:
- Improve communication
- Streamline workflows
- Increase productivity
- Enhance the overall customer experience
Service departments are assuming a more prominent role in driving revenue and adequately maintaining existing customer information. Oddly, your employees are taking on new roles and responsibilities such as sales, account management, estimating, and public relations to improve service delivery.
Leveraging field service technology can provide the platform to track and understand service costs properly. The intelligence and automation that a properly implemented field service solution can provide allows your service department to become more efficient, and arms you with the necessary perspective and tools to increase your bottom line.
Increase Automation
Service departments are getting smarter about the efficiency of service operations. Decision-makers, from small business owners to field technicians, are realizing automation is necessary to keep pace with competition. More market competition means service-based organizations are facing increased commoditization. In light of this challenge, improving the customer experience to distinguish yourself is crucial. Creating customer loyalty starts on the job site, as the company that reliably gets its service staff onsite, effectively completing work, and billing accurately is the company that has taken a major step towards differentiating itself from the competition. The right software program is an accelerator in terms of more quickly meeting these objectives.
How to Choose the Best Field Service Management Software
An independent plumber’s software needs differ from that of a pest control company, even if they both fall into the realm of field services. Fortunately, field service management solutions are available to all sorts of businesses of every size:
- Small businesses: Your software solution should make it easier to keep track of new and upcoming appointments, customer information, and job details. The main functionalities to look for include work order management, estimating and quoting, and scheduling. If you’re running a small business with just a few employees but have plans to expand, you’ll need field service management software capable of scaling with you.
- Large businesses with multiple franchises or locations: Large enterprises needing to keep track of various moving pieces – including office staff and field workers, vehicles, parts, and equipment among multiple locations – need a far more complex solution. Look for advanced field service management software with parts inventory tracking, dispatch and/or fleet management, project management, scheduling, and asset tracking.
Most service-related operations tend to be small businesses, with some employing only a few technicians. Yet there are also large field service companies that operate as regional or national franchises. There are solutions to fit every possible budget, including free field service management software options. Others offer limited free trials to test functionality to ensure you find the best fit.
How Much Does Field Service Management Software Cost?
Pricing for field service management software generally starts at $27 to $199 per month for basic plans, with single-user subscriptions beginning at $30–$50 monthly, increasing with each additional user.
Small businesses might pay $20 to $75 monthly, plus initial fees. Large enterprises could see monthly rates of around $299 and higher setup costs. Field service management software costs vary by business size, user count, features, and support level.
Finding the right field service management solution can seem like a difficult task. But it doesn’t have to be. Our free software search service will help save you time finding the right program for your organization. Get started today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses field service management software?
A wide range of businesses utilize field service management software that offer on-site services, such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, landscaping, and cleaning services. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from small teams with a few employees to large enterprises with hundreds of field technicians.
How much does field service management software cost?
Basic field service management software plans usually start between $27 to $199 each month, with pricing for individual users typically ranging from $30 to $50 monthly. Costs increase for each additional user added to the service.
Why use field service management software?
Trades and services companies should use field service management software because it streamlines scheduling, customer data, and job tracking. It offers efficiency and accuracy that paper or spreadsheets can’t match, improving service quality and customer satisfaction.
What is the difference between field service management and CRM?
Field service management software organizes and optimizes on-site service operations, like scheduling and dispatching technicians. CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software is designed to manage a business’s interactions and relationships with potential and current customers.