Best Quoting Software for Service Businesses (2026)

I'd start with the quoting tool you already pay for. Add a separate product when you can name the missing capability: customer choices, a proposal with signatures, or quantities measured from plans. For the wider order of work, see my guide to AI automation priorities for tradies.

Which Quoting Software Suits Your Service Business?

For tradies, I'd compare ServiceM8, Tradify and Fergus before introducing a separate quoting app. For a professional practice already using Xero, I'd test Xero quotes first. For builders pricing from drawings, I'd assess Buildxact or Groundplan alongside the existing job system.

The table separates the tools you buy. All prices and feature details below are as published on vendor sites in October 2026. Where a vendor does not publish an Australian price, I say so rather than guess.

ServiceM8: A Starting Point for Small Trade Teams

I'd shortlist ServiceM8 when quotes need to become jobs in the same app. Its quoting features include preset labour rates, standard parts, quote options and online acceptance.

The watch-out is job volume. As published in October 2026, the Free plan allows one user and 30 jobs monthly; Starter allows unlimited users and 50 jobs. Quote Follow-up is listed across the pricing comparison; confirm the Automation add-on arrangements before buying.

For native AI drafting, Auto-Quote prepares descriptions and charge items for review. The help article recommends at least 100 completed jobs for reasonable results, as checked in October 2026. I'd keep the owner's review in that process.

Tradify: For Reusable Trade Quotes and Supplier Prices

I'd test Tradify when repeat work calls for reusable templates, supplier price lists and kits of time and materials. Its quoting page also describes online acceptance, customer comments and automatic email reminders.

The buying decision sits at plan level: Pro and Plus list quote options, online acceptance and reminders, as checked in October 2026. Budget per user and allow for GST; Lite's lower price does not buy the same quoting features.

Fergus: For Trade Crews Using Price Books

Fergus deserves a look when price books and estimating matter alongside job management. Its October 2026 plan comparison lists quoting, estimating and price books for Essentials and Professional, with tiered pricing listed for Professional.

I'd ask for the subscription total before comparing Fergus with a GST-inclusive offer. The published prices are “from” figures, and the pricing page does not state their GST treatment. The table uses standard headline prices rather than the temporary discount.

Jobber: For Service Businesses Comfortable with USD Billing

I'd consider Jobber for a cleaning, lawn or handyman business wanting quote options and follow-up. The pricing page describes optional add-ons, signature approvals and automated quote follow-ups; check which plan includes the features you need.

The Australian watch-out needs a proper check. As at October 2026, the same page limits two-way texting and its online card-payment offering to the US, Canada and UK. A separate payment integrations article supports Australian accounts through named third-party processors. Confirm the Australian payment and messaging setup before subscribing.

Xero: For Simple Quotes Inside Your Accounting System

If Xero already holds your contacts and items, I'd try its quotes before adding another subscription. Xero supports copied quotes, saved contact and inventory details, customer acceptance or rejection, comments and conversion to an invoice.

The limit is the quoting job itself. The checked Xero pages do not describe automated quote follow-up. I'd use Xero for straightforward line-item quotes and test a dedicated tool only when customer options or follow-up justify the extra system.

Quotient: For Interactive Quotes Without Job Management

I'd shortlist Quotient when customers need optional items, multiple choices or questions answered on the quote. Online acceptance and automated follow-ups are part of its published offer.

Its Xero integration creates an invoice when a quote is accepted. The watch-outs are USD billing and the Solo limit of 100 quotes monthly, as published in October 2026 on the pricing page. I'd assess Quotient as a quoting purchase, rather than a replacement for scheduling work.

Qwilr: For Quotes That Need a Full Proposal

Qwilr fits my shortlist when scope, presentation, acceptance and payment belong together. Its pricing page describes quote tables, tiered plans, signatures, one-click acceptance and payments within the page.

The trade-off is the subscription commitment. As published in October 2026, Growth requires at least five users and Scale at least ten, both billed annually. Australian prices exclude GST, and the AUD figures sit behind the currency toggle on the pricing page, so check them there before comparing.

Buildxact: For Builders Quoting from Measured Quantities

I'd assess Buildxact when the hard part happens before writing the quote. Its Foundation plan includes digital takeoffs, estimating and quote letters; Pro adds job management and scheduling.

Foundation excludes job management and scheduling, so compare the whole workflow. The verified Pro price is A$399 monthly excluding GST as published in October 2026. See the Buildxact pricing guide for the separate pricing discussion.

Groundplan: For Takeoffs Feeding an Existing Job System

Groundplan measures plans, calculates areas and volumes, counts items and applies quantity and labour formulas. I'd assess Groundplan when measuring drawings is the bottleneck.

Its published integrations include Fergus, ServiceM8, Simpro and AroFlo. Plan where the customer quote will be produced, and check the pricing page for the current AUD licence rate before you commit.

Which Tools Offer Online Acceptance and Automatic Quote Follow-Up?

For both features, start with ServiceM8, Tradify Pro or Plus, and Quotient. Jobber also publishes automated quote follow-up, subject to the Australian feature checks above.

I'd test acceptance and a reminder during the trial, using the plan you intend to buy. A feature listed somewhere on a vendor's site is not enough to settle the subscription choice.

Which Quoting Tools Work on Ipad, Android or Mac?

As at October 2026, ServiceM8 lists iPhone, iPad and Android apps, plus a Mac or PC desktop app. Tradify lists desktop, tablet, iPhone, iPad and Android access.

Xero supports on-site quoting through its Accounting app, while Groundplan describes access from any device. I'd trial a real job on your actual device before committing.

When Do Contractors Need Estimating or Takeoff Software Too?

A quote presents the scope and price to the customer. An estimate works out the cost; a takeoff measures the quantities behind that cost.

For flooring, test area measurement. For fencing, test lineal quantities. Groundplan's measurement tools and Buildxact's fencing takeoff example address those tasks. For handyman work, I'd first test templates in the job app. The Australian construction estimating comparison covers these choices in depth.

Systems Built Around Your Workflow: Where Truespeak Fits

For an Australian service business that wants automation designed, built and then run around its existing tools, with a person approving sensitive actions, Truespeak is the best fit.

I'm Sonny Hovsepian, Truespeak's Sydney-based founder. I've built 25 working systems, and the Truespeak Estimator, an estimating and bill-of-quantities system for construction, is in build with Fidem Property & Construction. I'd design around the tool you keep: prepare a follow-up for the specific job, hold customer messages for approval, update CRM status and report outstanding quotes. Where a tool has no usable connection, that step stays manual.

Truespeak monitors the system after launch, fixes failures and reviews exceptions. Read about quote follow-up automation, AI quote and proposal drafting or automation for home builders, then book a discovery call to discuss your workflow.