Best software for a one-person trade business

When you are the owner, the tech and the office, you need software that takes minutes to learn, works from your phone, and doesn't charge for seats you don't have. Enterprise tools like ServiceTitan are overkill; these fit.

1. Jobber

Core plan is built for 1 user ($49/mo monthly, $29/mo annual) with quoting, scheduling, invoicing and online payments.

Starting price: $49/mo monthly ($29/mo billed annually) · Free trial: Yes — free trial (no card required per site)

Best for: Owner-operators and small crews (1–15 people) in residential recurring or quote-driven work who want an easy app that clients can pay through.

2. Joist

Cheapest way to send professional estimates and invoices as a solo contractor ($12/mo monthly).

Starting price: $12/mo monthly ($8.34/mo annual) · Free trial: Free tools/templates; check site for trial

Best for: Solo contractors and remodelers who mainly need fast estimates and invoices.

3. ServiceM8

Free plan for 1 user and 30 jobs/mo; grow into unlimited users later.

Starting price: $0/mo · Free trial: Yes — 14 days, no credit card; also a free plan

Best for: Small trade teams with many staff but modest job volume, especially iPhone-based crews and Xero users.

4. QuoteIQ

Solo exterior cleaning or lawn business quoting from satellite measurements ($29.99/mo, 1 user).

Starting price: $29.99/mo · Free trial: Yes — 14 days

Best for: Exterior-cleaning and lawn businesses that quote from satellite measurements.

5. GorillaDesk

One-route pest, lawn or pool operator ($49/mo for 1 route).

Starting price: $49/mo (1 route) · Free trial: Yes — free trial

Best for: Owner-operator and small pest, lawn and pool route businesses (1–10 routes).

6. Markate

Owner Operator plan for cleaning/exterior ($49.95/mo monthly).

Starting price: $49.95/mo monthly ($45.95/mo billed yearly) · Free trial: Yes — 14 days, no credit card

Best for: Cleaning and exterior-service owner-operators wanting low per-employee pricing.

7. Skimmer

Solo pool route ($1 per serviced location, from $49/mo).

Starting price: $1/mo per serviced location (starts at $49/mo) · Free trial: Yes — free trial

Best for: Pool service companies of any size, from solo routes to 1,000 pools.

Which one should you pick?

Quote-and-invoice only (remodeling, roofing, painting): Joist.
General residential service with scheduling and online booking: Jobber.
Want to pay nothing to start: ServiceM8 Free.
Route trades: GorillaDesk (pest/lawn) or Skimmer (pool).
Exterior cleaning with aerial measuring: QuoteIQ.

Last verified Oct 2026.