ServiceM8 and Fergus are both popular with New Zealand trade businesses, but they come at job management from opposite ends. ServiceM8 is an Australian-built, Apple-first app priced by jobs per month, built around service automation. Fergus is New Zealand-built, priced per user, and built around job costing and profitability. This head-to-head compares them so you can pick the right fit for your trade.
Pricing and features are accurate as of June 2026 but change often - check each vendor's website for current details. TradeFlow isn't affiliated with these products; this is an independent comparison for NZ tradies. One exception: if you sign up to Tradify through our link we may earn a referral commission - it doesn't change where it sits in this guide. (Fergus prices are NZD; ServiceM8 is AUD; Simpro is quote-based.)
Pricing: per job vs per user
This is the biggest practical difference between the two.
- ServiceM8 charges by jobs per month with unlimited users - Free (30 jobs), $29 AUD (50), $79 (150), $149 (500) and $349 (1,500+). Strong value for a solo operator or a team with lots of casual staff but a capped job count.
- Fergus charges per user - from $53 NZD/month (Basic) and $75 (Professional), plus $22/month per timesheet user, with an Enterprise tier for 10+ staff.
The rule of thumb: few users, many small jobs -> ServiceM8 can be cheaper; a steady team that needs costing depth -> Fergus is often the better fit. Run your real numbers, and remember ServiceM8 is priced in AUD.
Platform: Android matters
ServiceM8's full app is Apple-only (iPhone/iPad). There's a limited "ServiceM8 Lite" app for Android field staff, but it doesn't have the full feature set. Fergus runs on iPhone, Android and web. If anyone on your crew is on Android, this alone often decides it.
Feature focus: automation vs job costing
- ServiceM8 leans into service automation: online booking, automated client messaging, forms, photos and signatures, and strong scheduling for high-volume callout work. It shines for trades doing lots of small, repeatable service jobs.
- Fergus puts job costing and profitability front and centre - job phases, purchase orders and detailed financial reporting on its Professional plan. It's popular with plumbing and larger residential operations that want to see the margin on every job.
Both sync to Xero (Fergus also connects to MYOB and QuickBooks Online), so your accountant stays happy either way.
Who should pick which?
| Choose ServiceM8 if... | Choose Fergus if... |
|---|---|
| Everyone's on iPhone/iPad | Your team includes Android users |
| You're solo or use casual staff | You have a steady team |
| You do lots of small service jobs and want automation | You run bigger or multi-stage jobs |
| A capped per-job plan fits your volume | You want margin visibility and job costing |
| You want online booking and automated messaging | You want detailed financial reporting |
Frequently asked questions
Is ServiceM8 or Fergus better for NZ tradies?
Neither is universally better. ServiceM8 suits Apple-based service trades with high job volumes and a need for automation; Fergus (NZ-built) suits teams that want job costing, profitability reporting and full Android support.
Does ServiceM8 work on Android?
Only partially. The full app is iOS-only; Android users get the limited "ServiceM8 Lite" app. Fergus works fully on iPhone, Android and web.
Which is cheaper, ServiceM8 or Fergus?
It depends on jobs vs users. ServiceM8's per-job pricing can be cheaper for a low-volume solo operator; Fergus's per-user pricing can suit a steady team that needs costing depth. Compare against your real numbers, noting ServiceM8 is priced in AUD.
Is Fergus made in New Zealand?
Yes - Fergus is a New Zealand-founded job management platform. ServiceM8 is Australian.
Sources
Update log
- 24 June 2026 - Published. Pricing and platform details verified against each vendor's website in June 2026.
Last reviewed: 24 June 2026.