Last Updated: February 7, 2026 | 12 min read
Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links to Jobber and Housecall Pro. If you purchase through these links, Kore Komfort Solutions may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on thorough research and real-world experience in the home improvement industry, not promotional relationships.
Article Navigation
- Quick Decision Guide
- Key Takeaways
- TL;DR – Just Tell Me Which Is Cheaper
- How Much Does Jobber Really Cost?
- Jobber Core vs Housecall Pro Basic
- Real-World Cost Breakdown: 3-Truck Business
- Credit Card Processing: Jobber 2.9% vs Housecall Pro 2.59%
- Do I Need to Pay for Zapier?
- What Will I Actually Pay?
- Which Platform Should I Buy?
- Frequently Asked Questions
⚡ Quick Decision Guide
| Solo operator: | Jobber Core ($49/mo) |
| 2-6 employees: | Housecall Pro Essentials ($269/mo) |
| 7+ employees: | Housecall Pro Max ($399/mo) |
| QuickBooks Desktop: | Jobber only (HCP needs Online) |
| High revenue ($50k+/mo): | Housecall Pro (processing savings) |
Key Takeaways
Pricing data accurate as of February 2026
- Advertised prices are misleading. Jobber’s “$49/month” and Housecall Pro’s “$169/month” don’t include QuickBooks sync, automated texting, GPS tracking, or professional proposals that most businesses need.
- Real functional costs: Jobber runs $329-449/month for a 6-person team with necessary add-ons. Housecall Pro costs $369-468/month fully equipped with the same capabilities.
- Credit card processing fees matter more than software fees. According to Housecall Pro’s 2026 pricing structure, businesses processing $50,000+ monthly save $1,300-2,600 annually on transaction fees versus Jobber’s flat 2.9% rate.
- Basic plans create more work, not less. Without automation features, entry-level plans require 3-5 hours weekly of manual data entry, customer communication, and administrative tasks.
- Budget for automation tools. Neither platform handles all workflows—expect to spend an additional $29-69/month on tools like Zapier for custom integrations and advanced automation.
TL;DR – Just Tell Me Which Is Cheaper
Solo operator (1 person): Jobber Core at $49/month wins on price. You don’t need advanced features yet, and the cost savings ($120/month versus Housecall Pro Basic) matter more than automation when you handle every customer personally.
Small team (2-6 people): Total costs are similar at $330-370/month for both platforms with essential features. Housecall Pro offers better customer communication and review generation. Jobber provides superior inventory management and detailed reporting.
Growing business (7+ people, $50,000+ monthly revenue): Housecall Pro saves $1,300-2,600 annually on processing fees (2.59% vs 2.9%), making it effectively cheaper despite the higher base subscription price. The software pays for itself through transaction savings.
QuickBooks Desktop users: Jobber is your only option. Housecall Pro only syncs with QuickBooks Online, not Desktop versions.
How Much Does Jobber Really Cost? (Beyond the $49 Starting Price)
When comparing Jobber vs Housecall Pro pricing, the advertised rates of $49/month and $169/month respectively tell only part of the story. These entry-level prices get you software that technically functions but lacks the features that justify buying field service management software in the first place.
The advertised “starting price” is like a car dealer showing you the base model with manual windows, no air conditioning, and steel wheels. Technically it drives, but nobody actually buys that configuration.
The uncomfortable truth: If you want QuickBooks sync, automated customer texts, GPS tracking, or professional proposals, the real starting price is $250-350/month minimum for functional operation.
This article breaks down exactly what you’ll actually pay to run a field service operation with either platform, including add-ons, processing fees, and third-party tools. No marketing fluff—just real numbers from 30+ years in the construction and home improvement industry.
For a comprehensive feature-by-feature comparison, see our detailed analysis: Jobber vs Housecall Pro feature comparison.
Ready to Compare? Try Both Platforms Free
The best way to decide between Jobber and Housecall Pro is to test them with your actual business. Both platforms offer free trials—no credit card required to start exploring.
Try Jobber Free →
Best for: Commercial clients, recurring contracts, batch invoicing, clean professional PDF invoices
Start Jobber TrialTry Housecall Pro Free →
Best for: Residential customers, visual services, Uber-style tracking, photo-heavy invoices, modern marketing
Start Housecall Pro Trial💡 Pro tip: Sign up for both trials simultaneously. Run them side-by-side for 2 weeks with real jobs. The right choice will become obvious when you see which one your team actually uses and which one gets customers paying faster.
Jobber Core vs Housecall Pro Basic: Why Entry Plans Don’t Work
Entry-level plans exist to get you in the door. The companies know you’ll upgrade within 30 days once you realize what’s missing. Skip straight to mid-tier plans and save yourself the setup frustration.
What Does Jobber Core Actually Include for $49/Month?
Jobber’s Core plan gives you scheduling, basic invoicing, and customer records. Here’s what you don’t get:
- No QuickBooks integration. Manual entry of every invoice, payment, and expense. For businesses processing 20+ jobs weekly, that’s 3-5 hours of duplicate data entry.
- No automated text messages. Every appointment reminder and payment request requires manual action from office staff.
- No online booking. Customers can’t schedule themselves—every appointment requires phone or email coordination.
- Limited reporting. You see revenue totals but not profitability by service type, technician efficiency, or lead sources.
The Core plan works if you’re a solo operator running 2-3 jobs weekly as a side hustle. For legitimate businesses trying to grow, you’re paying $49/month to create administrative work, not reduce it.
To get automation, you need Jobber Connect at $129/month. Even that doesn’t include advanced proposals or two-way texting—those require the Grow plan at $249/month.
What’s Missing from Housecall Pro Basic at $169/Month?
Housecall Pro’s entry plan includes more than Jobber’s Core, but still omits critical features:
- No GPS tracking. You can’t see technician locations in real-time, making emergency routing and arrival verification impossible.
- No “On My Way” automated texts. One of Housecall Pro’s signature features—superior customer communication—requires manual effort at this tier.
- Limited proposal builder. Basic estimates work, but professional Good/Better/Best presentations with photos require higher tiers.
- Basic reporting only. Revenue and job counts without the analytics needed to optimize pricing or identify profit leaks.
If you operate solo and handle every customer interaction personally, Basic could work. Once you hire a second technician or want customer self-service, you need Essentials at $269/month.
The pattern: Both companies price basic plans low for search result competitiveness, knowing functional businesses need mid-tier features. Budget for the plan that actually runs your operation from day one.
Real-World Cost Breakdown: 3-Truck Business with Add-Ons
Let’s calculate realistic costs for a growing service business: three trucks, six employees (three technicians, two office staff, one owner), running 50-75 jobs weekly. This represents a typical HVAC, plumbing, or electrical contractor in the $750,000-1.2M annual revenue range.
(Mobile users: scroll right to see all columns)
| Cost Component | Jobber (Connect + Add-Ons) | Housecall Pro (Essentials + Add-Ons) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Plan | $129/mo (Connect, 1 user) | $269/mo (Essentials, up to 6 users) |
| Additional Users | 5 users × $40 = $200/mo | $0 (included) |
| QuickBooks Sync | Included in Connect | Included in Essentials |
| GPS Tracking | Included | 3 vehicles × $20 = $60/mo |
| Proposal Builder (Professional) | Requires Grow plan upgrade (+$120/mo) | $40/mo add-on |
| Two-Way Customer Texting | Requires Grow plan or add-on fee | Included in Essentials |
| Automated Review Requests | Basic (manual) | Included (automatic) |
| Marketing/Lead Gen Tools | Mailchimp integration (separate cost) | Marketing Pro add-on: $99/mo |
| TOTAL (Without Advanced Proposals) | $329/mo | $369/mo |
| TOTAL (With All Features) | $449/mo (Grow plan + users) | $468/mo (with Marketing Pro) |
Table Summary: For a 6-person team needing QuickBooks sync and basic automation, Jobber Connect costs $329/month versus Housecall Pro Essentials at $369/month—a $40 monthly difference. However, if you need professional multi-tier proposals for high-value jobs, Jobber forces an upgrade to the Grow plan ($449/month total) while Housecall Pro achieves the same functionality at $369/month with the proposal add-on, saving $80 monthly.
Key insight: Neither platform offers universal pricing advantage. The “winner” depends on your specific feature requirements and team size. Run your own numbers based on actual needs, not advertised starting prices.
Credit Card Processing: Jobber 2.9% vs Housecall Pro 2.59%
Software subscription fees grab attention, but payment processing costs dwarf them for established businesses. This is where most contractors lose thousands annually without realizing it.
What Are the Standard Processing Rates?
Both platforms advertise identical baseline processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for credit and debit cards. This matches industry standards from Square, Stripe, and PayPal.
However, according to Housecall Pro’s 2026 pricing structure, high-volume businesses processing $30,000+ monthly qualify for tiered rates as low as 2.59% + $0.10 through their “Pro Payments” program. Jobber’s rates stay flat at 2.9% regardless of volume.
How Much Do Processing Fees Cost on $50,000 Monthly Revenue?
A growing HVAC or plumbing company billing $50,000/month (about $600,000 annually) with 70% credit card usage:
| Scenario | Monthly Processing Fees | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Jobber (2.9% flat) | $1,015/mo | $12,180/year |
| Housecall Pro (2.59% volume) | $906/mo | $10,872/year |
| Annual Savings (Housecall Pro) | $109/mo | $1,308/year |
Table Summary: The $1,308 annual difference more than pays for the software subscription itself. On higher revenue ($100,000/month), the processing fee gap widens to $2,600+ annually.
The ACH/Bank Transfer Advantage
Both platforms support ACH (bank account) payments at lower rates: typically 1% or less. However, Housecall Pro’s customer portal makes it significantly easier for clients to save bank information and opt for ACH on future invoices.
If you shift even 20% of transactions from credit cards to ACH, you save an additional $300-500 monthly on a $50,000 revenue business. Housecall Pro’s “Pay by Bank” option is prominent and one-click simple, while Jobber’s ACH option feels buried in payment screens.
Bottom line for high-revenue businesses: If you process more than $30,000 monthly in credit card payments, Housecall Pro’s volume discounts effectively make the software free once you account for processing savings. The software costs $369-468/month, but you save $1,300-2,600 annually on fees.
Do I Need to Pay for Zapier with Jobber or Housecall Pro?
Neither platform handles every possible workflow. Even with mid-tier or premium plans, you’ll encounter situations requiring custom automation or integrations the built-in tools don’t support.
This is where Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), or similar automation platforms enter the picture—and your budget.
What Do Automation Tools Like Zapier Do?
Automation platforms connect apps that don’t talk to each other natively. Common use cases for contractors include:
- Lead capture to CRM: Automatically send Google Local Services leads or Facebook form submissions into Jobber or Housecall Pro as new customers.
- Custom notifications: Send text alerts when jobs exceed certain dollar amounts or when VIP customers book service.
- Data backups: Automatically copy completed job data to Google Sheets for long-term analysis.
- Marketing automation: Trigger email sequences based on job completion, service type, or customer tags.
🎯 Take Action: Test With Your Real Business
Reading comparisons only gets you so far. The real test is seeing which platform works with YOUR customers, YOUR crew, and YOUR workflow.
Here’s what to test during your trials:
- Have your least tech-savvy technician try the mobile app
- Send a test invoice to yourself and see which one you’d actually pay faster
- Create a quote for a real customer and see which interface feels natural
- Check how long it takes to schedule a week’s worth of jobs
Start your free trials:
How Much Does Zapier Cost Per Month?
Zapier pricing tiers (as of February 2026):
- Free: 100 tasks/month (essentially unusable for business)
- Starter: $29/month for 750 tasks
- Professional: $69/month for 2,000 tasks
- Team: $99/month for 10,000 tasks
A “task” runs each time the automation executes. Most growing businesses land in the $29-69/month range once they implement 3-5 meaningful automations.
When Do I Actually Need This?
Don’t assume you need Zapier from day one. Built-in integrations handle 90% of common scenarios.
You’ll know you need automation platforms when you’re manually copying data between systems more than once daily, using specialized tools that don’t integrate natively, or need customer segmentation beyond what the field service platform provides.
Budget planning: Add $29-69/month for automation tools to your total cost once you’ve used field service software for 3-6 months and identified specific workflow gaps. Don’t prepay until you know what you need.
What Will I Actually Pay? (Real-World Cost Scenarios)
Let’s translate pricing complexity into real budgets for different business sizes and maturity levels.
Scenario 1: Solo Operator / Side Hustle (5-10 jobs/month)
Business Profile: One technician, no employees, running service calls evenings and weekends while maintaining a day job. Primary goal is looking professional and getting paid reliably.
Minimum Viable Setup:
- Jobber Core: $49/month
- No add-ons needed initially
- Processing fees: ~$50/month (assuming $1,500 monthly revenue, 70% credit card)
- Total: $99/month
Why Jobber wins here: Housecall Pro’s $169 entry point doesn’t make sense when billing $1,500-3,000 monthly. Lack of automation matters less when you personally handle every customer interaction. Manual appointment reminders and entering 2-4 weekly invoices into QuickBooks (or not using accounting software yet) is manageable.
Upgrade trigger: Once you hit 15+ jobs monthly or hire your first helper, immediately jump to Jobber Connect ($129) to automate communication and sync accounting. At that volume, time savings justify the cost.
Scenario 2: Established 2-3 Person Operation ($300-500K annual revenue) – MOST COMMON
Business Profile: Owner plus 1-2 technicians, running 20-40 jobs weekly, already using QuickBooks, focused on growth and professionalization.
Option A – Jobber:
- Jobber Connect: $129/month (1 user)
- Additional users: 2 × $40 = $80/month
- Processing fees: ~$350/month (assuming $12,500 monthly revenue)
- Total: $559/month ($6,708/year)
Option B – Housecall Pro:
- Housecall Pro Essentials: $269/month (includes 6 users)
- GPS tracking: 2 vehicles × $20 = $40/month
- Processing fees: ~$323/month (2.59% volume rate)
- Total: $632/month ($7,584/year)
The analysis: Jobber costs $73/month less ($876 annually), but Housecall Pro provides superior customer communication tools that could generate 2-3 additional jobs monthly through better review collection and easier online booking. If those jobs average $500 profit, Housecall Pro pays for itself through revenue generation rather than cost savings.
Choose Jobber if you compete primarily on price and need to minimize overhead. Choose Housecall Pro if you’re building a premium brand where customer experience drives referrals and repeat business.
Scenario 3: Growing 5-10 Person Company ($750K-1.5M annual revenue)
Business Profile: Owner, office manager, 4-8 field technicians, multiple trucks, active marketing, need for detailed proposals and professional presentation.
Option A – Jobber:
- Jobber Grow: $249/month (1 user)
- Additional users: 9 × $40 = $360/month
- Processing fees: ~$870/month (assuming $30,000 monthly revenue)
- Zapier Professional: $69/month (for advanced marketing automation)
- Total: $1,548/month ($18,576/year)
Option B – Housecall Pro:
- Housecall Pro Max: $399/month (includes 12 users)
- GPS tracking: 5 vehicles × $20 = $100/month
- Proposal Builder: $40/month
- Marketing Pro: $99/month
- Processing fees: ~$776/month (2.59% volume rate)
- Total: $1,414/month ($16,968/year)
The winner: Housecall Pro saves $134/month ($1,608 annually) while providing integrated marketing tools that would cost extra with Jobber. The bundled user seats make significant difference at this team size—Jobber’s per-seat pricing becomes expensive quickly.
Additionally, payment processing savings ($94/month) essentially cover the cost of GPS tracking and the proposal builder, making those features effectively free.
Which Platform Should I Buy? (The “Veterans” Verdict)
After breaking down every pricing layer, here’s straight guidance based on business stage and priorities:
Choose Jobber If: Solo Operator / Starter
Your situation: You’re the only technician, running 5-15 jobs monthly, may not even use accounting software yet, just need to look professional and get paid reliably.
Recommendation: Start with Jobber Core at $49/month. Yes, it lacks automation, but you’re handling every customer interaction personally anyway. The savings ($120/month versus Housecall Pro Basic) matter more than features you won’t use yet.
Upgrade trigger: When you hit 20+ jobs monthly or hire your first employee, immediately move to Jobber Connect ($129) for QuickBooks sync and automated communication.
Choose Housecall Pro If: Growing Team (2-6 Employees)
Your situation: You have 2-3 trucks on the road, process $20,000-40,000 monthly, use QuickBooks, and need your team operating efficiently without constant office communication.
Recommendation: Go with Housecall Pro Essentials at $269/month plus GPS tracking. The bundled user seats, superior customer communication, and review automation will generate more revenue than the $100-150/month premium over Jobber Connect with add-ons.
Key advantage: Housecall Pro’s customer portal reduces office calls by 30-40% because clients can check appointment status, pay invoices, and request service without human intervention. For understaffed operations, this alone justifies the cost.
Choose Housecall Pro If: Established Operation (7+ Employees, $750K+ Revenue)
Your situation: Multiple trucks, dedicated office staff, active marketing, processing $50,000+ monthly in revenue, competing on service quality not just price.
Recommendation: Housecall Pro Max at $399/month with all add-ons. The payment processing savings alone ($100-200/month at your volume) offset most of the subscription cost, and the integrated Marketing Pro tools eliminate need for separate platforms.
The math: According to Housecall Pro’s volume pricing structure, at $50,000+ monthly revenue you save $1,300-2,600 annually on processing fees versus Jobber’s flat 2.9%. That’s 3-7 months of software for free. Add time saved through automation and revenue generated through superior review collection, and Housecall Pro delivers clear ROI.
Choose Jobber If: QuickBooks Desktop Required
Your situation: Your accountant requires detailed QuickBooks records, you’ve used it for years, and syncing is non-negotiable.
Recommendation: Only consider plans with native QuickBooks integration. For Jobber, that means Connect or higher ($129+ minimum). For Housecall Pro, that means Essentials or higher ($269+ minimum).
Critical note: Jobber integrates with both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. Housecall Pro only supports QuickBooks Online. If you’re still on Desktop and don’t want to switch, Jobber is your only option.
Universal principle: Never buy field service software based on advertised starting prices. Calculate total cost including necessary add-ons, required user seats, and payment processing fees at your actual revenue volume.
For complete feature-by-feature breakdown to help decide between these platforms, read our comprehensive comparison: Jobber vs Housecall Pro: Which Field Service Software Is Right for Your Business?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I downgrade my plan if business is slow seasonally?
Yes, both Jobber and Housecall Pro allow monthly plan changes. Many seasonal businesses (landscaping, pool maintenance) downgrade to basic plans during winter months and upgrade again in spring.
However, you lose access to premium features immediately upon downgrade, and some data (like advanced reports or marketing campaign history) becomes inaccessible at lower tiers. Plan downgrades carefully around year-end accounting when you need full reporting capabilities.
The better strategy for seasonal businesses: maintain the plan year-round and use the off-season for marketing automation (sending maintenance reminders, booking spring appointments) to ensure a strong start when busy season returns.
Do the processing fee discounts apply automatically or do I need to negotiate?
According to Housecall Pro’s pricing structure, volume-based processing rates require reaching specific monthly thresholds ($30,000-50,000+) and may require contacting their sales team to activate. The discounts don’t apply automatically—you need to request evaluation for reduced rates once you’ve demonstrated consistent volume for 2-3 months.
Jobber’s rates stay flat at 2.9% + $0.30 regardless of volume or negotiation. If you’re already processing significant volume through another provider (Square, Stripe, PayPal), provide those statements to Housecall Pro during initial setup to potentially qualify for better rates from day one.
What happens to my add-ons if I switch plans?
Add-ons like GPS tracking, proposal builders, and marketing tools remain active regardless of your base plan tier, though some add-ons require specific minimum plan levels to function.
For example, Housecall Pro’s Marketing Pro add-on only works with Essentials or Max plans, not Basic. If you downgrade below the required tier, you lose access to those features but won’t be charged for them.
Always check add-on requirements before downgrading to avoid losing critical functionality. Most businesses find that once they’ve integrated add-ons into their workflow, downgrading becomes impractical because removing features breaks established processes.
Is Zapier the only option for custom integrations or are there alternatives?
Alternatives exist including Make (formerly Integromat, often cheaper for high-volume automation), Integrately, and Pabbly Connect. These platforms offer similar functionality at different price points and may cost 30-50% less than Zapier for equivalent task volumes.
However, Zapier has the largest library of pre-built integrations and the most extensive documentation, making troubleshooting easier. For businesses with technical staff or access to developers, using the Jobber or Housecall Pro APIs directly provides unlimited customization without per-task fees, but requires programming knowledge.
Most small contractors stick with Zapier despite the cost because the time saved on setup and maintenance justifies the premium versus cheaper alternatives that require more technical expertise.
Can I use my existing Square or Stripe account instead of the built-in payment processing?
You can manually record payments from external processors in both Jobber and Housecall Pro, but transactions won’t sync automatically—you’ll need to enter payment confirmations manually for each job, defeating much of the automation benefit.
Neither platform offers direct integration with competing payment processors because they earn revenue from transaction fees. The built-in processors charge competitive rates (2.9% + $0.30 baseline) that match or beat Square and Stripe for most businesses, and the integration convenience (automatic payment reconciliation, customer payment history, one-click invoicing) typically outweighs any marginal rate differences.
If you’ve negotiated custom rates with an existing processor due to high volume, calculate whether the manual entry time cost (2-3 hours weekly) justifies the processing fee savings before committing to external payment handling.
Final Recommendation: Try Before You Commit
After analyzing both platforms extensively, here’s my honest advice: Don’t choose based solely on what you read here. Every contractor’s business is different. What works for a residential HVAC company in Phoenix might not work for a commercial plumber in Chicago.
The smart approach: Sign up for both free trials. Spend one week seriously testing each platform with real jobs, real customers, and your real team. The right choice will reveal itself when you see which one feels natural versus which one feels like fighting the software.
| Platform | Start Your Free Trial | Best First Test |
|---|---|---|
| Jobber | Try Jobber Free → | Create a batch invoice for recurring customers, test the quote builder with a commercial client |
| Housecall Pro | Try Housecall Pro Free → | Send a photo invoice to yourself, share the Uber-style tracking with a customer, build a Good/Better/Best estimate |
🔑 Money-back guarantee reality check: Both platforms offer trials and both have standard refund policies. But here’s the real cost: the time you waste implementing the WRONG platform, training your team on it, migrating your data, and then having to switch. Spend the extra week testing properly upfront—it’s worth it.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links to Jobber and Housecall Pro. If you purchase through these links, Kore Komfort Solutions may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on thorough research and real-world experience in the home improvement industry, not promotional relationships. We recommend products and services we believe will genuinely benefit your business.
Author: Mike Warner
About the Founder Kore Komfort Solutions is an Army veteran-owned digital platform led by a 30-year veteran of the construction and remodeling trades. After three decades of swinging hammers and managing crews across the United States, I’ve shifted my focus from the job site to the back office. Our New Mission: To help residential contractors move from "chaos" to "profit." We provide honest, field-tested software reviews, operational playbooks, and insights into the AI revolution—empowering the next generation of trade business owners to build companies that last.