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, service-focused 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.
If you want to step back and compare the routes across these guides, return to the job management software decision centre. For a closer look at the NZ-built option, continue to Fergus vs Tradify.
ServiceM8 user counts checked 3 October 2026; ServiceM8, AroFlo and Fergus pricing checked 3 October 2026; other pricing and features are as of June 2026 and 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 NZD; 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 on paid plans - Free (30 jobs, 1 user), $29 NZD (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 timesheet users from $26 NZD/month, 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 NZD.
Platform: Android matters
ServiceM8 offers iOS and Android apps. Its vendor says the Android app is almost identical to the iOS app.
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... |
|---|---|
| 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 service-focused service trades with high job volumes and a need for automation; Fergus (NZ-built) suits teams that want job costing and profitability reporting.
Does ServiceM8 work on Android?
Yes. ServiceM8 has iOS and Android apps.
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 NZD.
Is Fergus made in New Zealand?
Yes - Fergus is a New Zealand-founded job management platform. ServiceM8 is Australian.
ServiceM8 has iOS and Android apps, and says its Android app is almost identical to the iOS app for jobs, schedules, client messages, quotes, invoices and contactless payment (ServiceM8 NZ pricing, checked 3 October 2026).
Sources
Update log
- 3 October 2026 - Corrected ServiceM8 platform details: its Android app is almost identical to the iOS app, per servicem8.com (checked 3 October 2026).
- 24 June 2026 - Published. Pricing and platform details verified against each vendor's website in June 2026.
ServiceM8 user counts checked: 3 October 2026. Other features last reviewed: 24 June 2026.