Best Field Service Software for a Solo Contractor (2026)
Disclosure: Some links on this site may become affiliate links, which means we could earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write. Details.
If you run the truck, do the work and send the invoices yourself, you need four things: scheduling, quotes, invoices and a way to get paid by card. Everything else is optional. Here is what the entry plans actually include.
Short answer: For most one-person shops, the cheapest sensible start is Jobber Core (annual) or QuoteIQ Essentials; pick GorillaDesk Basic if automated reminders on the entry plan matter most.
| Tool | Entry plan | Free trial | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobber | Core: $29/mo billed annually; $49/mo with no commitment | 14 days on the Grow plan, no credit card | QuickBooks Online sync from Connect up (Xero sync listed too) |
| QuoteIQ | Essentials: $29.99/mo | 14 days | See vendor page |
| GorillaDesk | Basic: $49/mo or $539/yr | Free trial offered (affiliate terms describe 14 days) | QuickBooks Online sync on Pro and Growth |
| Housecall Pro | Basic: $59/mo (billed annually) | 14 days on MAX, no credit card | QuickBooks Online sync starts at Essentials |
What a solo operator really needs
Quotes customers can approve online, invoices they can pay by card, a calendar on your phone and automatic appointment reminders. Reminders matter more than they sound: they cut no-shows without you texting every customer by hand.
Things you can skip at first: GPS tracking, commissions, crew scheduling, inventory and route optimization. Those are team features you pay for on higher tiers.
The entry plans side by side
Jobber Core is $29/mo billed annually ($49/mo with no commitment) and covers online booking, quotes, invoices, online payments and a basic website. Automated reminders and QuickBooks Online sync are on Connect, from $99/mo billed annually.
QuoteIQ Essentials is $29.99/mo for 1 user and covers estimates, invoices, scheduling and online payments.
GorillaDesk Basic is $49/mo per schedule, with automated email and SMS reminders and material tracking included (texting needs a $5/mo SMS subscription plus credits).
Housecall Pro Basic is listed at $59/mo billed annually, with online booking, scheduling, estimates, invoicing, consumer financing, a price book and review management.
Which one to trial first
If you want the cheapest annual plan and mostly need quotes and invoices, start with Jobber Core or QuoteIQ Essentials. If you want automated reminders included at the lowest monthly price, GorillaDesk Basic is the one where reminders are on the entry tier. If you offer financing on bigger tickets, Housecall Pro Basic includes consumer financing.
The tools in detail
Jobber
- Core: $29/mo billed annually; $49/mo with no commitment (1 user)
- Connect: from $99/mo billed annually; $139/mo no commitment (1 user (5-user tier from $149/mo annual))
- Grow: from $149/mo billed annually; $199/mo no commitment (1 user (5-user tier from $229/mo annual))
- Plus: from $399/mo billed annually; $499/mo no commitment (5 users)
Contract: Three billing options: monthly no-commitment (cancel anytime), monthly with a 1-year commitment, or annual prepaid (non-refundable).
Payments: Online card 2.9% + 30¢; Tap to Pay 2.7% + 30¢; ACH 1%; instant payout +1%
- Core includes online booking, quotes, invoices, online payments, a simple website and reporting.
- Automated reminders, automatic payments, checklists and QuickBooks Online sync start at Connect.
- Job costing, two-way SMS and custom automations start at Grow.
- Add-ons: Receptionist (AI call/text answering) $29/mo, Pipeline $49/mo, Marketing Suite $99/mo.
- Mobile app usable in Spanish by team members (not admins/owners).
QuoteIQ
- Essentials: $29.99/mo (1 user)
- Beginner: $99.99/mo (2 users)
- Pro: $199.99/mo (4 users)
- Elite: $299.99/mo (10 users)
- Max: $699.99/mo (20 users)
Contract: Monthly plans; yearly billing offered at a discount (e.g. Essentials $299.99/yr).
Payments: See vendor page
- Beginner adds MapMeasure Pro (measure properties from satellite imagery) and QuoteIQ Cam.
- Pro adds email and text automation and in-app calling.
- Max adds an AI website builder and sales team tracking.
GorillaDesk
- Basic: $49/mo or $539/yr (per schedule)
- Pro: $99/mo or $1,089/yr (per schedule)
- Growth: $149/mo or $1,639/yr (per schedule)
Contract: Month-to-month, no contracts or setup fees; accounts can be frozen for seasonal businesses.
Payments: Uses Stripe and Square for processing (their rates apply); SMS is $5/mo plus credit packs ($50 per 1,000 texts)
- Material and chemical-use tracking is on every plan, which is why it is popular with pest control and lawn treatment companies.
- Basic routing is limited to 25 stops; Pro adds Drive Matrix routing with real street drive times.
- Device tracking and barcoding (traps, bait stations) and multi-dwelling units are on Pro.
- Free data import help from its Customer Success team on paid accounts.
Housecall Pro
- Basic: $59/mo (billed annually) (1 user)
- Essentials: $149/mo (as listed) (5 users)
- MAX: $299/mo (as listed) (8 users, +$35/mo per extra user)
Contract: No long-term contract required, per its pricing FAQ.
Payments: Card processing from 2.59%; bank payments 1%
- Basic covers online booking, scheduling and dispatch, estimates, invoicing, payments and consumer financing, price book, job costing and review management.
- Essentials adds routes, flat-rate pricing, checklists, photo reports, employee GPS tracking, commissions and QuickBooks Online sync.
- MAX adds the sales proposal tool, recurring service plans, route optimization, open API and a dedicated onboarding specialist.
- Zapier and the open API are on MAX.
- Spanish-language app and Spanish-speaking support.
How we evaluated
We compared published plans, prices, included users, contract terms and payment fees from each vendor's own website on October 12, 2026. We did not run hands-on tests, and we don't publish star ratings or user reviews. Where a vendor doesn't publish a price, we say so. Full method.
FAQ
Is there free field service software?
None of the tools here has a free forever plan on its pricing page. All offer free trials: Jobber and Housecall Pro 14 days with no card, Workiz 7 days.
Do I need QuickBooks sync as a solo contractor?
Only if you or your bookkeeper already use QuickBooks Online. On Jobber it starts at Connect; on Housecall Pro at Essentials; on GorillaDesk at Pro.