Compare scheduling apps
We've done the research so you don't have to. Here's how Scheduling Hero stacks up against ServiceM8, getSoapy, Jobber.
Why people switch to Scheduling Hero
Three features you won't find together anywhere else.
Free SMS messaging
Other apps charge 3.5-10p per text. We use your phone's native SMS—completely free from your existing plan.
Save NZ$22+/month
True offline mode
Full database on your phone. Create invoices, schedule jobs—all without signal. Not cached data, a real database.
Works in basements & rural areas
Genuine free tier
Not a 14-day trial. Not limited to 30 jobs. Unlimited customers, unlimited jobs, forever free.
Upgrade only when we've earned it
Feature-by-feature comparison
All information verified December 2024. Prices shown are entry-level tiers.
| Feature | Scheduling Hero | ServiceM8 | getSoapy | Jobber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free or NZ$23.99 | |||
| Free tier | Yes (forever) | |||
| SMS messaging | Free (uses your plan) | |||
| Works offline | Full functionality | |||
| Route optimisation | NZ$23.99/mo (Premium) | |||
| Scheduling | Yes | |||
| Customer database | Yes | |||
| Invoicing | Yes | |||
| Recurring jobs | Yes | |||
| Expense tracking | Yes (with receipts) | |||
| Payment links / QR | Yes (free) | |||
| Built for | Solo operators | |||
| Setup time | 60 seconds |
Scheduling Hero
schedulinghero.com
Free or NZ$23.99/mo
Free forever tierServiceM8
servicem8.com
From NZ$32/mo
Free tier availableStrengths
- •Free tier available (30 jobs/month)
- •Strong in Australia/NZ
- •Good iOS app
Limitations
- •Free tier very limited (30 jobs)
- •Job-based pricing doesn't suit rounds
- •SMS costs 10¢ per message
getSoapy
getsoapy.com
From £4.90/mo
Free tier availableStrengths
- •Free tier available
- •Low entry price (£4.90/month)
- •Route optimisation included
Limitations
- •Free plan has limited features
- •SMS costs 3.5-5p per message
- •Cloud-dependent (no offline mode)
Jobber
getjobber.com
From NZ$55/mo
Strengths
- •Comprehensive feature set
- •Desktop and mobile apps
- •Multi-user with permissions
Limitations
- •No free tier (14-day trial only)
- •Expensive for solo operators
- •SMS costs extra
Detailed comparisons
Scheduling Hero vs ServiceM8
servicem8.com
ServiceM8 strengths
- ✓Free tier available (30 jobs/month)
- ✓Strong in Australia/NZ
- ✓Good iOS app
- ✓Route optimisation included
Why people switch to Scheduling Hero
- →Free tier with more features (30 jobs/month, 1 user vs unlimited)
- →Free SMS (ServiceM8 charges 10¢/message)
- →Full offline database vs limited offline
Scheduling Hero vs getSoapy
getsoapy.com
getSoapy strengths
- ✓Free tier available
- ✓Low entry price (£4.90/month)
- ✓Route optimisation included
- ✓Customer portal
- ✓Lead marketplace
Why people switch to Scheduling Hero
- →Free tier with more features (Limited features, no notifications vs unlimited)
- →Free SMS (getSoapy charges 3.5-5p/message)
- →Works offline (getSoapy requires internet)
Scheduling Hero vs Jobber
getjobber.com
Jobber strengths
- ✓Comprehensive feature set
- ✓Desktop and mobile apps
- ✓Multi-user with permissions
- ✓Phone, email, chat support
- ✓Established market leader
Why people switch to Scheduling Hero
- →Free tier available (Jobber is NZ$55/mo minimum)
- →Free SMS (Jobber charges NZ$0.10-0.20/message)
- →Works offline (Jobber requires internet)
The hidden cost of "cheap" apps
Per-message SMS fees add up faster than you think.
SMS cost comparison (typical month)
Scheduling Hero uses your phone's native SMS. If you have unlimited texts in your mobile plan, customer messages cost you nothing extra.
Common questions
Is this comparison biased?
Yes, we'd obviously prefer you choose Scheduling Hero. But everything here is factually accurate as of December 2025. We've included competitor strengths honestly—some apps are better for teams or specific use cases. Try a few and decide for yourself.
Can I import data from other apps?
Yes. Scheduling Hero can import customer data from spreadsheets (CSV/Excel). Export your data from your current app, then import it into Scheduling Hero. Most users complete the migration in 1-2 hours.
Why is Scheduling Hero cheaper?
We're built specifically for solo operators, not teams. No complex permission systems, no desktop app, no call centre support. This lets us keep costs low and pass savings to you. Premium is NZ$23.99/month because that's what it actually costs us to run, not what the market will bear.
What if I need team features later?
Team features are on our roadmap. We're building multi-user support, permissions, and team management for growing businesses. Start with our free tier today—when you need team features, they'll be ready for you without switching apps.
Start free today
No credit card. No time limit. No hidden fees. See why thousands are switching.
Download freeFree forever. Upgrade to Premium (NZ$23.99/month) when route optimisation and cloud sync become worth it to you.