Simpro is a powerhouse for “Commercial Projects” and “Asset Maintenance.” If you need to manage a 6-month construction build, track retainage, and issue progress claims, it is one of the few tools that can actually do the job. Read our full Simpro review to see where it shines.
However, Simpro is not perfect. Users often complain that it is “clunky” (click-heavy), difficult to learn, and has a mobile app that struggles with offline sync. Additionally, the implementation fees ($3,000–$10,000) and complex setup can be a barrier for smaller shops.
If you are looking for a Simpro alternative, you generally fall into one of three categories:
- The “Mixed” Shop: You do both Service and Projects, and Simpro’s dispatch board feels too slow compared to modern tools.
- The “Heavy” Construction Firm: You need even more robust construction financials (AIA billing) and a cloud-native interface.
- The “Downgrader”: Simpro is overkill. You just want to send invoices and schedule techs without a 3-month setup.
Below, we rank the best alternatives based on these specific needs.
Quick Definitions
AIA Billing (G702): A standardized billing format used in commercial construction to request payment based on the percentage of work completed.
Retainage: The practice of withholding a portion of the contract price (e.g., 10%) until the project is fully signed off. Most residential software cannot track this.
WIP (Work In Progress): An accounting report that shows the value of billable work completed but not yet invoiced—critical for cash flow in construction.
Implementation Consultant: A paid trainer required by complex software vendors (like Simpro) to configure your system.
The “Project Finance” Test
Before you switch, you must verify if the alternative can handle your billing. Most field service tools fail here.
| Feature | Simpro | ServiceTitan | BuildOps | Jobber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Commercial Projects | Service + Projects | Commercial Mech/Elec | Small Projects / Service |
| Progress Billing | Yes (Native) | Yes (Progressive) | Yes (AIA Style) | No (Milestone only) |
| Retainage | Yes (Native) | Workaround Required | Yes (Native) | No |
| Gantt Charts | Yes | Basic | Yes | No |
| Asset Maintenance | Yes (Compliance) | Yes (History) | Yes | Basic |
| Software | Best For | Starting Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobber ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5) | 🚀 Best Overall Small to Med Business | $19 / month | Try Free Read Review |
| Workiz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5) | 📞 Best for Dispatch Locksmith & Garage | $29 / month | Try Free Read Review |
| Housecall Pro ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.6/5) | 🎨 Best for Visuals Residential Sales | $49 / month | Visit Site Read Review |
| ServiceTitan ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) | 🏢 Best for Enterprise Commercial & Heavy Service | Custom Quote | Get Demo Read Review |
| FieldPulse ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) | 📱 Best Mobile App Easy to Use | $59 / month | Visit Site Read Review |
| RepairShopr ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5) | 💻 Best for Repair Shops IT & Electronics | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| Simpro ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4/5) | 🏗️ Best for Projects Construction & Security | Custom Quote | Get Demo Read Review |
| Service Fusion ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5) | 🎧 Best for VoIP Mid-Market Service | Custom Quote | Get Demo Read Review |
| FieldEdge ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5) | 🔄 Best for QB Desktop Legacy Sync Users | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| Successware ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5) | 📊 Best for Accounting Plumbing & HVAC | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| Zoho Field Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.1/5) | 💰 Best Budget Zoho Users | $15 / month | Visit Site Read Review |
| Thryv ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.0/5) | 📢 Best for Marketing All-in-One CRM | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
| RazorSync ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.9/5) | ⚡ Simple Service Field Service Basics | Custom Quote | Visit Site Read Review |
✅ Verified Data: Checks on Jan 29, 2026 via vendor portals.
Source: Pricing Index
(DOI/Dataset).
Disclosure: We may earn commissions. Learn more & Methodology.
1. ServiceTitan: The Best for “Mixed” Shops
Best For: HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical firms doing 50% Service / 50% Construction.
If Simpro feels too “slow” for your high-volume service department, ServiceTitan is the logical lateral move. It is superior for dispatching, call booking, and marketing. While its project management module is lighter than Simpro’s, it is often “good enough” for projects under $500k.
Why Switch to ServiceTitan?
- Better Service Workflow: Dynamic dispatching and “Good-Better-Best” sales proposals blow Simpro out of the water.
- Marketing Pro: Automated email/direct mail marketing that tracks ROI.
- Modern UI: A much cleaner, more visual interface than Simpro’s tab-heavy design.
The Trade-off
ServiceTitan is not cheap, and its construction financials (Retainage/AIA) are weaker than Simpro’s. See our detailed Simpro vs ServiceTitan comparison for a head-to-head breakdown.
2. BuildOps: The “Cloud-Native” Construction Upgrade
Best For: Heavy Commercial Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) contractors.
BuildOps is the “new kid on the block” targeting Simpro’s exact audience. It is built specifically for commercial contractors who need heavy project management but want a modern, cloud-native experience (unlike Simpro’s older architecture).
Why Switch to BuildOps?
- Construction First: Built by contractors for contractors. It handles submittals, RFIs, and change orders natively.
- Modern Mobile App: Techs love the app because it handles complex commercial workflows (like filling out daily logs) without crashing.
- Quoting: Excellent tools for building complex mechanical quotes with labor factors.
The Trade-off
Like Simpro, it is expensive and aimed at the mid-market to enterprise. It is not for small residential shops.
3. Jobber: The Best “Downgrade” for Smaller Teams
Best For: Businesses with 1–15 techs who realized Simpro is “overkill.”
If you bought Simpro but only use it to schedule jobs and send PDFs, you are wasting money. Jobber is significantly cheaper, faster, and easier to use. It is perfect for residential renovation, landscaping, and light commercial maintenance.
Why Switch to Jobber?
- Speed: You can create a quote and dispatch a job in seconds.
- Price: No implementation fees. Plans start around $100-$300/month compared to Simpro’s thousands.
- Client Hub: A superior customer portal for approving quotes and paying invoices online.
The Trade-off
Jobber cannot handle Retainage or true AIA billing. If you work for big General Contractors, Jobber will not generate the paperwork they require.
4. FieldEdge: The Best for QuickBooks Desktop Users
Best For: Commercial HVAC/Plumbing shops loyal to QuickBooks Desktop.
If you use QuickBooks Desktop and Simpro’s sync feels clunky, FieldEdge offers the deepest “Live Sync” in the market. While primarily a service tool, it has decent project costing features for mid-sized jobs.
Why Switch to FieldEdge?
- QBD Sync: Changes update instantly, not in batches. Read more about integrating with QuickBooks.
- Service Agreement Management: Excellent for tracking commercial maintenance contracts.
- Comparison: See how it stacks up against others in our FieldEdge vs ServiceTitan guide.
The Trade-off
FieldEdge is older software (legacy code) and can feel dated compared to BuildOps or ServiceTitan.
5. Knowify: The Best for Subcontractors
Best For: Specialty subcontractors (Drywall, Painting, Concrete, Electrical) who need strict job costing.
Knowify sits between a project management tool and an FSM. It is excellent for “Job Costing” and syncing with QuickBooks Online. It handles AIA billing beautifully.
Why Switch to Knowify?
- Construction Financials: It is built to manage budgets, change orders, and WIP reporting.
- Price: Generally more affordable than Simpro or BuildOps.
- QuickBooks Sync: One of the highest-rated integrations for QBO in the construction space.
The Trade-off
It is weak on “Service Dispatch.” If you have 10 vans doing 5 calls a day, Knowify’s scheduler will frustrate you. It is for projects, not dispatch.
Estimated Cost Comparison (Year 1)
Switching software is expensive. Here is what you can expect to pay in the first year for a 10-user team.
| Software | License Model | Est. Implementation Fee | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simpro | Per User (Office/Field) | $3,000 – $10,000+ | Commercial Projects |
| ServiceTitan | Per Tech + Add-ons | $5,000 – $20,000+ | Mixed Service/Projects |
| BuildOps | Per User / Revenue | $5,000+ | Commercial MEP |
| Jobber | Flat Monthly Fee | $0 | Small Projects / Service |
| FieldEdge | Per User | ~$2,000+ | QBD Users |
Note: Prices are estimates based on user reports in 2026. Implementation fees for enterprise tools are mandatory.
FAQ: Simpro Alternatives
What is the best Simpro alternative for small business?
If you are too small for Simpro (e.g., under 5 employees) and do mostly service or light installs, Jobber is the best choice. It removes the complexity and high cost. If you do pure construction (no service), Knowify is a great affordable alternative.
Is ServiceTitan better than Simpro for construction?
Generally, no. ServiceTitan is better for Service. Simpro is better for Construction. If your business is >50% construction projects, Simpro (or BuildOps) allows for better financial control (Retainage, WIP). If you are >50% service, ServiceTitan is the better revenue generator. Check our list of ServiceTitan alternatives for more options.
Can I export my data from Simpro?
Yes, but it is complex. Simpro allows you to export Customers, Suppliers, and Catalogs to CSV. However, exporting historical project data (Gantt charts, past variation notes) is difficult. We recommend keeping a “Read Only” license of Simpro for a year or exporting all past invoices to PDFs before canceling.
Do any Simpro competitors have a free trial?
Jobber and Knowify (and other SMB tools) offer free trials. Enterprise tools like Simpro, ServiceTitan, BuildOps, and FieldEdge do not offer free trials; they rely on sales demos due to the complexity of the software.
Which alternative handles inventory best?
If you have complex inventory and parts needs (multi-warehouse, vendor catalog imports), Simpro is actually hard to beat. ServiceTitan is a close second. Jobber is very weak in this area.
Is there an alternative with better mobile offline sync?
Offline sync is a common complaint with Simpro Mobile. ServiceTitan and FieldEdge generally receive higher marks for their mobile app stability in low-connectivity environments, though no cloud app is perfect offline. Learn more about reliable technician mobile app features.
What software is best for Fire & Security if I leave Simpro?
This is a niche market. Simpro is a leader here because of its “Asset Maintenance” module. ServiceTitan can do it but requires heavy configuration. Specialized tools like Uptick or FireM are often used alongside FSMs, or you might look at BuildOps which is expanding its maintenance capabilities.
Does Service Fusion compare to Simpro?
Service Fusion is a “lite” version of a mid-market tool. It has project features but lacks the depth of Simpro’s progress billing or retainage. It is a cheaper alternative but not a feature-complete replacement for heavy construction. See Service Fusion alternatives for a comparison.
Sources
- Simpro Pricing & Features (Verified Jan 2026) – https://www.simprogroup.com/
- ServiceTitan Commercial Features (Verified Jan 2026) – https://www.servicetitan.com/commercial
- BuildOps vs Simpro (Verified Jan 2026) – Market positioning on “Cloud Native” architecture.
- G2 Reviews: Simpro (Verified Jan 2026) – User sentiment on “clunky UI” and implementation.