Deployr vs ServiceM8

When the job cap bites.

ServiceM8 is good value while your work fits inside it — unlimited users, a flat monthly fee, and a mobile app tradies genuinely like. The trouble starts when you take on maintenance contracts, hold stock, or run more jobs a month than your plan allows.

No card required.

Where ServiceM8 Stops — In Their Own Words

  • Purchase orders aren't built in. ServiceM8's Help Centre: “ServiceM8 does not have built-in functionality to create and send purchase orders to suppliers.” It points you to a paid add-on.

  • Stock lives in your accounting package. “If you use Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks Online, manage stock for integrated items in your accounting package” — and changing the field in ServiceM8 does not adjust it there. Van stock isn't listed.

  • You are billed by job volume, not people. Plans cap monthly jobs: Starter 50, Growing 150, Premium 500, Premium Plus 1,500+. Growth pushes you up the ladder whether or not you hire.

  • Maintenance contracts are an add-on. Recurring jobs are included; contract records, renewals and contract billing come from third-party products in the Add-on Store.

Side by Side

CapabilityServiceM8Deployr
Maintenance agreements, renewals, contract billingAdd-onIncluded
Purchase orders, suppliers, pricebooksNot built inIncluded
Inventory and van stockIn accounting pkgIncluded
Projects, variations, progress claimsProgress invoicingProjects tier
Subcontractor portal — jobs, POs, timesheetsNot publishedFree, unlimited
Customer portalBooking onlyFree, unlimited
Trade licence & compliance registersNot published3 trade packs
Offline field appYesYes
REST API and webhooksPaid plansEvery tier
Xero syncYesYes

“Not published” means the capability is not listed on ServiceM8's own pricing, feature or help pages as at 20 Sep 2026 — not a claim it can never be made to do it.

What Each Costs

ServiceM8
$29 – $349 / month

Flat fee, unlimited users, inc GST. Capped by jobs per month.

Deployr Commercial
$119 office · $55 field

Per user per month, ex GST. No job caps. Portals free.

ServiceM8 details from servicem8.com/au/pricing and support.servicem8.com, checked 20 Sep 2026. Prices change — confirm before relying on them. Deployr prices are AUD ex GST, per user per month. How to read these pages

Try It on Your Own Jobs

14 days free with no card, on the Commercial plan. If the trial ends without a subscription, the account goes read-only. Nothing is deleted.

Moving off ServiceM8? Migration is a published fixed fee of $3,900, not an estimate.