★ Honest comparison · No spin

Looking for a simpler alternative to ServiceM8?

ServiceM8 is genuinely good software. But it isn't for everyone. Here's an honest look at when Assistly is the better fit — and when ServiceM8 still wins.

Try Assistly free for 14 days → See the comparison
No credit card. Free migration from ServiceM8.
Up front

We're not here to bash ServiceM8

ServiceM8 is excellent software. It's been around since 2010, runs thousands of Australian trade businesses, and has features Assistly doesn't — extensive compliance forms, advanced asset management, route optimisation, deep job costing.

If those features are core to your day, you should probably stick with ServiceM8.

But if you've landed on this page, you're probably weighing it up. Maybe the learning curve has felt steep. Maybe the add-on costs keep climbing. Maybe you're an Android user frustrated with iOS-first features. Maybe you just want an AI missed call bot, and ServiceM8 doesn't have one.

This page lays out the honest comparison so you can decide. We'd rather you choose right than choose us.

Side by side

ServiceM8 vs Assistly: the honest comparison

All figures are accurate as of May 2026. ServiceM8 pricing in AUD including GST. Always check current pricing on their official site.

Feature
ServiceM8
Assistly
Starting price
$0 (free, limited) / ~$65 entry paid plan
$197/mo Starter
Top tier price
$349/mo Premium Plus
$597/mo Business
Pricing model
Tiered by monthly job count + add-ons
Flat — unlimited jobs at every tier
Unlimited users
✓ Yes (paid plans)
✓ Yes
AI missed call bot
✕ Not available
✓ Built into every plan
Mobile platform
iOS full app · Android "Lite"
Web-based — works on any device
Onboarding
DIY or paid partner
Free, founder-led setup (under 1 day)
Learning curve
Steep (per user reviews)
Most users productive in under 1 hour
Compliance forms library
✓ 250+ pre-built forms
Basic — custom fields per job
Asset management
✓ Advanced
Not available
Route optimisation
✓ Yes (higher plans)
Basic scheduling only
Quote & invoice
✓ Full featured
✓ Full featured
Customer SMS
Templates & bookings
Templates + AI bot conversations
Xero/MYOB integration
✓ Native
CSV export (native integration in roadmap)
Customer support
Email + chat
Direct text to founder
Contracts
None
None — month-to-month
Free trial
14 days
14 days
The real question

Which one is right for you?

Be honest about how you actually work. The right answer depends on it.

Stick with ServiceM8 if...
These are real strengths. If they describe you, don't switch.
  • Compliance forms are core to your day (electrical certificates, safety reports, etc.)
  • You need advanced asset management for ongoing service contracts
  • You run a team of 5+ where route optimisation saves real fuel money
  • You're already trained up and your team knows the platform
  • You're an iPhone shop and like the deep iOS integration
  • Native accounting integration (Xero/MYOB) is non-negotiable from day one
Switch to Assistly if...
These are where Assistly genuinely wins.
  • You're losing jobs to missed calls and want an AI bot that captures them
  • Your job count varies wildly month-to-month — flat pricing beats tiered
  • You're an Android user and the "Lite" app is frustrating
  • You've been struggling with ServiceM8's learning curve for weeks
  • You're sick of add-on fees creeping up — you want one predictable bill
  • You want to text the founder when something breaks, not raise a ticket
"Used to lose 8-10 jobs a week to missed calls. None of the big platforms could fix it. Assistly's bot pays for itself in the first job each month — and Reece actually answers when I text him."
Avi — NDA Plumbing & Gas Services
Perth, WA · Switched in 2024
If you decide to switch

Migrating from ServiceM8 is genuinely easy

Most tradies are running on Assistly within a day. We handle the heavy lifting.

01
Export your data from ServiceM8
We send you a 5-minute walkthrough of what to export — customers, jobs, contacts. CSV format. No technical skill required.
02
We migrate it for you
Reece personally imports your data, sets up your missed call bot, configures your business details, and tests the whole flow. Usually done within a few hours.
03
15-minute training, then you're live
One short call to walk through the dashboard. You can run ServiceM8 and Assistly in parallel for a month while you settle in. No rush.
Common questions

What tradies ask before switching

Is Assistly cheaper than ServiceM8? ▾
It depends on your job volume. ServiceM8 has a free tier and entry plans from around $65/mo, but pricing scales up with job count and add-ons. Assistly is a flat $197 (Starter), $347 (Pro), or $597 (Business) per month — no per-job fees, no surprise add-on costs. At higher job volumes, Assistly typically works out cheaper.
Does ServiceM8 have a missed call bot? ▾
No. ServiceM8 has SMS templates and automated booking confirmations, but doesn't have an AI bot that responds to missed calls and captures structured leads. This is the main reason most of our customers switch to Assistly. See how the missed call bot works →
Does ServiceM8 work on Android? ▾
ServiceM8's full app is iOS-only. They released a "Lite" version for Android with reduced features. If your field staff use Android phones, this is a real limitation. Assistly is web-based and works identically on iPhone, Android, tablet, and desktop.
Can I migrate my data from ServiceM8 to Assistly? ▾
Yes. Reece (the founder) personally migrates your customers, open jobs, and quotes during onboarding. We've moved tradies from ServiceM8, Tradify, SimPro, and even handwritten notebooks. Free as part of setup.
Is ServiceM8 better than Assistly? ▾
For some businesses, yes. ServiceM8 has more advanced compliance forms (250+ templates), deeper job costing, asset management, and route optimisation. If you need those things and have time to learn the platform, ServiceM8 is excellent. If you want simplicity, predictable pricing, and a missed call bot, Assistly is a better fit.
How long does it take to switch? ▾
Most tradies are running on Assistly within a day. Reece sets up your account, migrates your data, configures your missed call bot, and trains you in 15-30 minutes. You can keep ServiceM8 running for a parallel month if you want a transition period.
What's the catch with Assistly's pricing? ▾
No catch. $197, $347, or $597 per month flat. SMS messages from your missed call bot are included. No per-job fees, no add-on costs for forms or integrations, no surprise upgrades. We'd rather charge a fair flat price than nickel-and-dime tradies.
Will I lose ServiceM8 features I depend on? ▾
Possibly. Assistly doesn't have ServiceM8's compliance form library, deep asset management, or route optimisation. We cover the core flow — leads, jobs, quotes, invoices, payments, customer comms — really well. If you live in ServiceM8's compliance forms daily, you'd miss them. If you mostly run jobs and bill customers, you'll find Assistly faster.

Worth a 14-day look?

No credit card. Keep ServiceM8 running in parallel. Reece sets you up personally — usually same day.

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