Best Field Service Management Software for Small Business

ServiceBridge, Jobber or ServiceTitan

Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, but we will highlight aspects of both sides so you can come to your own conclusion – and hopefully, your new FSM software. Before we jump in, let’s do an overview of FSM software as a whole. 

What is FSM software?

Field Service Management (FSM) software is a system of tools designed to capture service requests from customers, plan those service and maintenance calls, executing and documenting service performed in the field, and finally measuring success by invoicing customers and determining trends in the business. 

FSM software will support intelligent scheduling of service calls and dispatching technicians and provide visibility to track job progress and observe trends in the business.  The objective of FSM is to accelerate the service to cash process, while enabling the evolution towards more maintenance contracts ensuring continuous cash flow for the business. 

FSM software often includes features like visual scheduling, live GPS mapping, capturing photos and signatures in the field, invoicing, and reporting, allowing companies to improve customer satisfaction, defend invoices with documentation, and increase overall productivity. Our top choice for FSM software, ServiceBridge, checks all those boxes. 

ServiceBridge

ServiceBridge empowers your business to manage the customer journey, from detailed estimates to recurring work orders and feedback solicitation in the customer portal. This comprehensive suite of tools is designed to enhance workflow management, keep customers satisfied and facilitate business growth. ServiceBridge provides essential tools for every team member, from office administrators to field technicians, streamlining processes with its powerful Job Management system for everything from simple estimates to complex multi-day projects. 

Designed for growth, ServiceBridge supports businesses in expanding their operations, whether through multiple branches or franchise settings. It ensures consistent brand and service quality across all locations, providing the tools needed to scale efficiently. With a range of plugins and integrations, including QuickBooks Online sync and a robust Public API, ServiceBridge connects seamlessly with third-party applications to offer a versatile and comprehensive solution for service businesses. 

ServiceBridge Pros:

• • Ideal for Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) and B2C Operations: Tailored to meet the needs of SMBs and B2C businesses, ensuring a perfect fit for companies of this size. 
  • Transition from Paper to Digital: Facilitates the migration from paper-based systems to a digital platform, helping businesses get organized and reduce chaos. 
  • Optimized for Field Service Activities: Specially designed for businesses where field service is the primary activity, such as pest control, HVAC, plumbing, pool service, property maintenance, landscaping, handymen and more. 
  • Low-Cost, Standalone Solution: Offers a cost-effective solution that can function independently, making it ideal for businesses looking for budget-friendly options. 

 ServiceBridge Cons:

• • Best serves businesses with less than 51 field technicians. When serving separate franchises ServiceBridge can scale to higher totals. 
  • Users may be concerned with using their personal device for tracking but can take comfort knowing they will not be monitored outside of business hours. 
  • Android map zoom function can be spotty in low service areas 

ServiceBridge Features:

• • Comprehensive Customer Lifecycle Management: Provides end-to-end management from customer acquisition through quoting, work execution, invoicing and taking payment in the field. 

• • 360-Degree Reporting: Features flexible and powerful built-in reporting tools, providing comprehensive insights and analytics. 

• • Scalable for Up to 50 Field Resources: Suitable for businesses with up to 50 field resources, allowing for growth and scalability. 

• • QuickBooks Online Integration: Seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks Online, ensuring smooth management of accounting. 

• • GPS Tracking: Technician monitoring is instantly accessible through the user’s mobile device. Tracking can be turned off outside of business hours. 

• • Send Custom Emails: ServiceBridge can modify your Work Order e-mail template to include any number of items including photos, links, dynamic text, and more. 

• • SMS Customer notifications: Technicians can check directions then message customers when they will be arriving for service. 

ServiceBridge Integrations: QuickBooks Online, Fiserv Integrated Payment Processing, sureTREAT, AvidTrak, LeadSync and more. 

ServiceBridge Pricing:  ServiceBridge has three pricing tiers, a trial version, and the ability to get a demo of the software. 

• • • Tier 1: 1-25 Users – starting at $24.95/user per month
    • Tier 2: 26-50 Users – starting at $22.95/user per month
    • Tier 3: 51+ Users – starting at $19.95/user per month 

ServiceBridge offers a simple software implementation requiring users to simply have a subscription and a cellular device.  With a full deck of features like asset management, customizable checklist creation, job estimates, visual scheduling & dispatching, invoicing, and more, at a modest per-user-price point. ServiceBridge provides the most features for the lowest cost. If your team is still interested in comparing some other top industry options, check out our next consideration: Jobber. 

Jobber

Jobber is a popular FSM software tailored for small to medium-sized service businesses. This platform provides tools for scheduling, dispatching, invoicing and customer relationship management (CRM) features. It supports a variety of industries, including landscaping, cleaning and HVAC.  

While Jobber is well-known and has many useful features for field techs and dispatchers, customers often report issues with payment processing and invoicing. For a platform centralized around in-field efficiency, this can be a big issue for potential adopters. Let’s look at some of the positives and negatives of Jobber.

Jobber Pros: 

• • • Easy to set up and use.
    • Effective payment reminders and scheduling flexibility.
    • Strong integration with QuickBooks and Xero.
    • In-app card reader for accepting digital payments via swipe 

Jobber Cons: 

• • • Scheduling function lacks options, such as bi-weekly or monthly schedules.
    • Some users experience a learning curve with payment setup.
    • Issues with duplicate invoices in the mobile app.
    • Slow customer support response times can be frustrating. 

Jobber Key Features: 

• • • User-Friendly Interface: Jobber is known for its ease of use and quick setup, making it accessible for businesses with limited technical expertise.
    • Scheduling and Dispatching: Jobber offers real-time scheduling and dispatching, with GPS tracking to assign last-minute jobs to the nearest technician.
    • Invoicing and Payments: The platform supports batch invoice creation and integrates with QuickBooks and Xero for streamlined accounting.
    • Mobile App: Jobber’s mobile app allows field staff to manage job updates, create invoices and collect payments on the go.
    • Customer Communication: Automated follow-ups and thank-you messages enhance customer relationships and improve job performance feedback.  

Jobber Integrations:  Quickbooks, FleetSharp, Zapier and Mailchimp 

Jobber Pricing: Jobber’s pricing starts at $49 per month for a single user, with additional costs for additional users. A free 14-day trial is available, but there is no full version available for free.

Finally, we will review our third option for commercial service software: ServiceTitan.

ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan is a robust FSM platform designed for larger service businesses, particularly in the home services industry. It provides comprehensive tools for managing field operations, from scheduling and dispatching to marketing and reporting. With a guided tour on the homepage, they allow potential users to jump right into the product, even without any specific context. Depending on your industry, they have well-executed customer testimonials to present the user experience to the public. 

ServiceTitan Pros: 

• • • Extensive feature set covering all aspects of field service management.
    • Strong customer management and marketing tools.
    • Detailed reporting and analytics. 

ServiceTitan Cons: 

• • • Higher cost compared to other FSM platforms.
    • Complexity can lead to a steep learning curve for new users.
    • Some users report issues with the mobile app’s stability and performance. 

ServiceTitan Key Features: 

• • • Comprehensive Solution: ServiceTitan offers a wide range of features, including advanced scheduling and dispatching, marketing automation and detailed reporting.
    • Mobile App: The mobile app supports job updates, customer communication and payment processing, ensuring technicians have all necessary information at their fingertips.
    • Customer Management: ServiceTitan provides a CRM system that helps businesses manage customer relationships, track job history and send automated communications.
    • Marketing Tools: The platform includes tools for email marketing, online booking and customer reviews, helping businesses attract and retain customers.
    • Reporting and Analytics: ServiceTitan’s reporting tools offer insights into business performance, helping managers make data-driven decisions.  

ServiceTitan Integrations: Quickbooks, GreenSky, GoodLeap, Zapier, ServiceChannel and more 

ServiceTitan Pricing: ServiceTitan’s pricing is not publicly disclosed and typically involves a customized quote based on the business’s specific needs.

Finding the Best FSM for Field Service Businesses 

It can take time to peruse and choose when it comes to selecting the best FSM software for your company. Each of the platforms we went over have their pros and cons, but it’s important to keep in mind that they also cater to a specific sector of the industry.  While all three FSM platforms have their merits, ServiceBridge stands out as the best option for several reasons: 

1. 1. 1. User-Friendly Mobile App: FieldAware’s mobile-first approach ensures that technicians can easily access and update job details from anywhere, improving efficiency and reducing travel times.
      2. Efficient Dispatching: The visual dispatch board simplifies the scheduling process, making it easy to assign the right technician to the right job.
      3. Comprehensive Features: ServiceBridge offers a range of features, including asset management, billing and invoicing and inventory management, making it a versatile tool for various industries.
      4. Business Analytics: The platform’s business analytics capabilities help businesses optimize processes, discover market trends and increase efficiency.
      5. In-Field Payments: Collect payments in the field and acquire digital signatures all throughout the mobile app. Info is then instantly accessible on the corresponding desktop dashboard.

Despite some limitations, such as the minimum user requirement and limited reporting features, ServiceBridge’s strengths in mobile usability, dispatching efficiency and comprehensive feature set make it the best choice for businesses looking to streamline their field service operations.