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Quick picks
- Best all-roundTradify
- Best for growing firmsFergus
- Best for call-out workServiceM8
- UK-focused pickPowered Now
Once you go self-employed, quotes, invoices and chasing payments eat your evenings. A job management app pulls it into one place on your phone and connects to your accounts software.
What to look for
- Quotes to invoices. Turning an accepted quote into an invoice in one tap saves hours.
- Works with your accounts. Check it connects to Xero, QuickBooks or whatever your accountant uses.
- Card payments. Getting paid on the spot by card or payment link speeds up cash flow.
- Solo or team. Scheduling and job sheets matter once you have staff or subbies.
- Free trial. All the main apps offer one. Try two before committing.
Side by side
| Pick | App | Best for | Weak spot | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradify | Tradify | Small firms and solo trades | Monthly cost per user | ££ |
| Fergus | Fergus | Firms with staff | More than a solo trade needs | ££ |
| ServiceM8 | ServiceM8 | Lots of small jobs | iPhone-focused | ££ |
| Powered Now | Powered Now | UK sole traders | Interface feels busier | ££ |
Tradify
Quotes · jobs · invoices · scheduling
Popular with UK trades. Clean app that handles quotes, job tracking and invoicing without much setup.
Good
- Easy to learn
- Good for small teams
- Accounts integrations
Not so good
- Per-user pricing adds up with a team
Fergus
Job management · scheduling · invoicing
Built for trade businesses with a few staff, with strong job costing and scheduling.
Good
- Strong job costing
- Good scheduling
Not so good
- Overkill for a one-person business
ServiceM8
Jobs · bookings · invoicing
Great for high volumes of small jobs, like maintenance, electrical call-outs and plumbing.
Good
- Fast for small jobs
- Lots of add-ons
Not so good
- Best on iPhone and iPad
Powered Now
Quotes · invoices · certificates
A UK-built app with features aimed at British trades, including some trade forms and certificates.
Good
- UK-focused
- Covers quotes to payment
Not so good
- Interface takes getting used to
Quick answers
Do I need a job app or just accounting software?
Solo with a few jobs a month, accounting software alone can be enough. Busy diary or staff, a job app saves a lot of time.
Will it work with Making Tax Digital?
The job app handles quotes and invoices. Your accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and others) handles MTD submissions.
Verdict
Try Tradify first if you're solo or small. Fergus once you have staff. ServiceM8 for lots of quick call-outs.