If you are reading this, you are likely torn between the two most modern, user-friendly platforms in the field service industry. Both Jobber and Workiz look great. They both have colorful dashboards, slick mobile apps, and 5-star reviews.
But don’t let the similar screenshots fool you. These two platforms serve fundamentally different business philosophies.
- Jobber is built for “Relationship” Businesses (Landscaping, Cleaning, HVAC Maintenance). It excels at creating a smooth, Apple-like experience for loyal customers who book you again and again.
- Workiz is built for “On-Demand” Businesses (Locksmith, Garage Door, Junk Removal). It excels at capturing the lead now, dispatching now, and getting paid now.
In our 2026 comparison, we break down why a Locksmith would fail using Jobber, and why a Landscaper would overpay using Workiz.
| Feature | Jobber | Workiz |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | 🏡 General Service (Cleaning, Lawn, HVAC) | 🔑 On-Demand Service (Locksmith, Garage, Junk) |
| Killer Feature | 🏆 Client Hub (Best Customer Experience) | 📞 Workiz Voice (Built-in Phone System) |
| Job Focus | 🔄 Recurring Work (Maintenance Contracts) | ⚡ Speed / Emergency (Fast Dispatching) |
| Ad Tracking | Basic Source Tracking | 🎯 Call Tracking (See which ad rang the phone) |
| Dispatching | Drag & Drop Calendar | 🗺️ Metro Map (Location Based) |
| Starting Price | $19 / month | $29 / month |
| Final Verdict | Try Jobber Free | Try Workiz Free |
The Verdict: “Relationship” vs. “Transaction”
To choose correctly, you need to ask: “Is my customer calling me for an emergency, or for a scheduled service?”
Decision Matrix (Business Model Fit)
| If your business is… | And your priority is… | Then choose… |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring Service (Lawn, Pool) | Route Efficiency | Jobber |
| Emergency Service (Lockout, Leak) | Speed to Lead | Workiz |
| Customer Experience | Self-Service Portal | Jobber |
| Call Volume High | Phone Management | Workiz |
| Tech-Savvy Team | Automations | Workiz |
| Simplicity First | Ease of Use | Jobber |
Who Should Choose Jobber?
- The “Brand Builder”: You want your customers to feel like they are dealing with a polished, professional company. Jobber’s quotes and invoices look stunning.
- Route-Based Teams: If you have 50 stops a day, Jobber’s route optimization saves hours of driving.
- General Contractors: Handymen, painters, and cleaners who need a balanced tool.
Who Should Choose Workiz?
- The “Speed Merchant”: You live and die by Google Ads. If you miss a call, you lose money. Workiz’s phone system prevents this.
- Multi-Territory Fleets: You manage teams in different cities (Metro Areas) and need to dispatch based on location zones.
- Commission-Based Shops: You pay techs a % of the job. Workiz tracks commissions natively; Jobber does not.
Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
| Feature | Jobber | Workiz |
|---|---|---|
| Phone System | Integration (VoIP) | Native (Built-in) |
| Client Portal | Excellent (24/7 Hub) | Good (Booking focused) |
| Route Optimization | Advanced (Auto-sort) | Basic (Manual drag) |
| Online Booking | Request-based | Real-time (Direct) |
| Payments | Instant Payouts | Standard Payouts |
| App Marketplace | Huge (Mailchimp, etc.) | Limited |
| Usage Fees | None | Minutes/SMS Fees |
Communication & Phone Systems (The Major Divide)
This is the single biggest technical difference.
Workiz Service Phone (The “Speed to Lead” King)
Workiz replaces your phone system (RingCentral).
- Call Masking: When a tech calls a customer via the app, the customer sees your business number. This protects your client list from being stolen by techs doing side jobs.
- Ad Tracking: You can assign unique phone numbers to different ads (Yelp vs. Google). Workiz tells you exactly which ad generated the most revenue.
- Missed Call AI: If you miss a call, Workiz instantly texts the customer: “Sorry we missed you! Click here to book.” This saves deals.
Jobber Client Hub (The “Customer Loyalty” King)
Jobber focuses on the customer’s convenience, not just the dispatcher’s.
- The Hub: Every customer gets a secure, password-less link. They can log in to view past invoices, approve new quotes, request work, and pay bills.
- Why it matters: It reduces administrative phone calls (“Can you resend that invoice?”) by 40%. It empowers the customer to help themselves.
Sales & Dispatch Workflow
Jobber’s Route Optimization (Fuel Saver)
For businesses with high density (5+ stops/day), Jobber is superior.
- One-Click Optimize: You select 20 jobs, click “Optimize,” and Jobber rearranges them to minimize driving distance.
- Recurring Logic: It handles complex schedules like “Every 2 weeks on Tuesdays” flawlessly.
Workiz’s Metro Areas & Booking Widget
Workiz optimizes for coverage.
- Metro Areas: You define zones (e.g., “North City”). If a dispatcher tries to assign a “South City” tech to a “North City” job, the system warns them.
- Uber-Style Booking: The online booking widget looks like a ride-share app. Customers pick a specific service and time slot. It feels modern and urgent.
Payments & Cash Flow (Hidden Differentials)
Both offer credit card processing (~2.9% + 30¢), but the cash flow mechanics differ.
Jobber Payments (Instant Payouts)
- Speed: Jobber offers an “Instant Payout” feature (for a 1% fee). You can have the money from a job in your bank account minutes after the customer pays. This is a lifesaver for payroll days.
- Tip Collection: Jobber’s payment screen encourages tipping, which techs love.
Workiz Pay (Flexible Rates)
- Features: Similar processing capabilities. It excels at taking deposits during the booking flow (to prevent no-shows).
- Card Readers: Workiz supports robust card readers for “card-present” transactions, often with slightly better rates for high volume.
Mobile App Experience (Technician View)
Jobber’s Clean UI vs. Workiz’s Power UI
- Jobber: The app is minimalist. Big buttons (“Start Timer”, “Complete”). It is designed so that even non-tech-savvy employees can use it with zero training.
- Workiz: The app is dense. It shows call logs, commission stats, and inventory counts. It is powerful, but a new technician might find it overwhelming at first.
Pricing & Hidden Costs
Transparency is key.
Subscription vs. Usage Fees
- Jobber: You pay a flat monthly fee (e.g., $169 for “Connect”). There are no surprise usage fees. You know exactly what your bill will be.
- Workiz: You pay a user license fee (e.g., $65/user) PLUS usage fees for the phone system (minutes and SMS credits).
- Warning: If you have a high call volume, your Workiz bill can fluctuate by $100-$200/mo. You are essentially paying a software bill AND a phone bill together.
Compare fully: Field Service Software Pricing Index
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use Workiz without the phone system?
Yes, but you lose 50% of its value. If you don’t use the phone integration, Jobber is generally a more polished product for dispatching and invoicing.
Which integrates better with Mailchimp?
Jobber. It has a thriving “App Marketplace” with native integrations for Mailchimp, NiceJob, and CompanyCam. Workiz relies more on Zapier for these connections.
Does Jobber have commission tracking?
No. You have to export reports to Excel and calculate commissions manually. Workiz has a built-in commission calculator where you can set rules (e.g., “10% of profit”) and techs can see their earnings in the app.
Which is better for inventory?
Workiz allows you to track “Truck Stock” (consumables) slightly better than Jobber. Jobber tracks products on invoices, but not necessarily “where” they are stored (Van A vs. Van B).
Is the Jobber “Instant Payout” free?
No, it typically costs an extra 1% fee on top of the transaction fee. However, standard payouts (1-2 business days) are included in the standard rate.
Does Workiz work with Google Local Services Ads (LSA)?
Yes, Workiz has a direct integration. Bookings from Google LSA drop straight into the dispatch board, and revenue data flows back to Google to optimize your ad ranking. Jobber integrates too, but Workiz’s “Booking” flow is tighter for LSA.