Scheduling Hero vs Jobber
Both are great tools. One is built for solo operators. The other is built for teams. Here's how they compare.
The TL;DR
Choose Scheduling Hero if you:
- ✓Work solo or with 1-2 helpers
- ✓Want a genuine free forever plan
- ✓Need offline access (basements, rural areas)
- ✓Want free SMS messaging
- ✓Value mobile-first design over desktop
- ✓Prefer A$21.99/month to A$49/month+
Choose Jobber if you:
- •Run a team (5+ employees)
- •Need role-based permissions
- •Want desktop-first software
- •Need advanced CRM features
- •Have a dedicated office manager
- •Happy with paid SMS (10-20p per message)
Feature-by-feature comparison
All information current as of December 2024. Jobber pricing is for the "Core" starter plan.
| Feature | Scheduling Hero | Jobber |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (starter tier) | Free or A$21.99 | From A$49 |
| Free tier available | Yes (forever) | 14-day trial only |
| Free trial | Unlimited free tier | 14 days |
| Scheduling & calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Customer database | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring jobs | Yes | Yes |
| Expense tracking | Yes (with receipt photos) | Yes |
| Accounting integrations | Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent (Premium) | QuickBooks, Xero |
| Payment links / QR codes | Yes (free) | Yes (requires paid Jobber Payments) |
| Payment processing fees | Standard card fees (Stripe) | Jobber Payments fees apply |
| SMS messaging | Free (uses your phone's plan) | A$0.10-0.20 per message |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Message templates | Yes | Yes |
| Works offline | Full functionality | Limited (read-only) |
| Mobile app | Mobile-first (iOS & Android) | Yes (iOS & Android) |
| Desktop access | Mobile-only | Full desktop app |
| Route optimisation | A$21.99/month (Premium) | Extra A$20-30/month |
| Drag & drop scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Map view | Yes | Yes |
| Income reports | Yes | Yes |
| Expense reports | Yes | Yes |
| GST-ready reports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom reports | No | Yes (higher tiers) |
| Multi-user support | Solo operators (1 user) | Unlimited (team plans) |
| Role-based permissions | No | Yes |
| Setup time | 60 seconds | 30-60 minutes (guided setup) |
| Learning curve | Minimal (mobile-native) | Moderate (desktop-focused) |
| Customer support | Email support | Phone, email, chat |
Why solo operators switch from Jobber
1. The free tier is actually free
Jobber offers a 14-day trial. Scheduling Hero has a genuine free forever plan with no credit card required. Start free, upgrade only when route optimisation and cloud sync become worth A$21.99/month to you.
2. SMS doesn't cost extra
Jobber charges 10-20p per SMS. At 10 messages per day, that's A$40-80/month extra. Scheduling Hero uses your phone's native SMS—completely free. For heavy SMS users, this alone pays for Premium.
3. Works without internet
In a basement installing a boiler? Rural property with no signal? Scheduling Hero works fully offline. Jobber requires internet for most functions. Your business doesn't stop when the signal drops.
4. Simpler pricing: A$21.99 vs A$49+
Jobber's Core plan starts at A$49/month, plus extra for route optimisation (A$20-30/month) and SMS fees. Scheduling Hero Premium is A$21.99/month, all-in. No surprise add-ons.
5. Mobile-first design
Jobber was built for desktop and adapted for mobile. Scheduling Hero was designed from day one for your pocket. Every tap, swipe, and screen is optimised for one-handed use while you're standing in a customer's driveway.
6. 60-second setup
Jobber has guided onboarding that takes 30-60 minutes. Scheduling Hero: download app, create account, add first customer. You're working in under a minute. No training videos required.
Common questions
Can I import my Jobber data?
Currently, there's no automatic import. However, you can export your customer list from Jobber 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 desktop access?
Scheduling Hero is mobile-only. If you spend significant time at a desk and need desktop software, Jobber might be better. But if you're like most solo operators—in the van, on-site, rarely at a desk—Scheduling Hero's mobile-first approach is actually faster.
Is this comparison biased?
Yes, we obviously prefer you choose Scheduling Hero! But everything here is factually accurate as of December 2025. Jobber is excellent software for teams. We're just better for solo operators who want simple, mobile-first, affordable tools. Try both and decide for yourself.
Looking for a Jobber alternative?
If you're a solo operator who doesn't need team features, Scheduling Hero's a simpler, more affordable Jobber alternative. Free SMS, true offline mode, and A$21.99/month instead of A$49+/month.
Download freeStart free today
No credit card. No time limit. Add your first 10 customers and see if it's right for you.
Download freeFree forever. Upgrade to Premium (A$21.99/month) only when you need cloud sync and route optimisation.