Best Dispatch Software for Tradies (2026 Guide)
Dispatch software gets the right tech to the right job, tracks them live, and turns the finished job into an invoice without anyone touching a spreadsheet. Here is what actually matters when you compare options, and how the main platforms Australian tradies use stack up.
QUICK ANSWER
For most Australian trade businesses, Sendatradie is the best all-round dispatch software: live technician tracking, drag-and-drop scheduling, a real customer-facing chat and SMS layer, and a flat monthly fee with unlimited staff, including a genuine free plan. Simpro suits large multi-branch operations that need deep supplier-integrated inventory. ServiceM8, Tradify and Fergus are solid job-scheduling tools. Tradify and Fergus charge per seat, while ServiceM8 prices by job volume, and none of the three include native chat, marketing or phone features in the core plan. The right pick depends on team size, budget model and whether you need customer communication tools built in rather than bolted on.
What to look for in dispatch software
- Live technician tracking so you can see every job and every van on a map and dispatch the nearest qualified tech.
- Drag-and-drop scheduling that lets you reshuffle the day in seconds when a job runs long or a customer cancels.
- Two-way customer texting from inside the platform, not a link to a separate portal or your phone’s own messaging app.
- Quoting and invoicing on site so the job is billed before the tech leaves the van.
- A mobile app that works offline, since tradies lose signal in basements, rural jobs and new estates.
- Pricing that will not punish you for hiring, either a flat fee or a per-seat cost you have actually budgeted for at your target team size.
Top dispatch software for Australian tradies
1. BEST OVERALL
Sendatradie
Live job and technician tracking, drag-and-drop calendar, native customer chat and SMS, a real CRM, marketing tools and Google review management, all in one flat-fee plan with unlimited staff. Free Lite plan available, paid plans from $89/month. Built for Australian trades: electricians, plumbers, HVAC, locksmiths, garage door and appliance repair.
2. BEST FOR ENTERPRISE / MULTI-BRANCH
Simpro
Deep native inventory with live supplier catalog sync and genuine multi-company architecture. No published pricing, an annual contract, and reviewers report 2 to 3 month onboarding, so it suits larger operations more than a small crew wanting to start this week.
3. WELL KNOWN, SCHEDULING FIRST
ServiceM8
A long track record and a wide integration library. Built as a job scheduling tool first, with the lowest paid plans in this group (from $29 a month with unlimited users), but no built in customer chat, a lighter CRM, and an Android app that trails the iPhone app in user ratings.
4. GOOD MOBILE APP, CHARGES PER SEAT
Tradify
A well reviewed mobile app on iOS and Android and strong weekday phone support. Charges $48 to $62 AUD per user per month with no free plan, so a growing crew’s bill climbs with every hire.
5. DEEP JOB COSTING, PER-SEAT PRICING
Fergus
A long history in the Australian and New Zealand trade market with a deep quoting and job costing workflow. Runs $53 to $77 a month per user with no free plan, and native inventory needs a paid third-party add-on.
Dispatch feature comparison
| Feature | Sendatradie | ServiceM8 | Tradify | Simpro | Fergus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live technician tracking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native customer chat | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ (paid add-on) | ✗ |
| Free plan | ✓ unlimited staff | ✓ 1 user | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Pricing model | Flat fee | By job volume, unlimited users | Per user | Custom quote | Per user |
| Built-in phone/SMS | ✓ from $10/mo | Add-on | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Typical onboarding | A day or two | Days | Days | 2 to 3 months | Days |
Pricing and features current as of September 2026. Always check each provider’s own pricing page before switching.
Dispatch software by trade
The right setup varies by trade. See how dispatch software applies to your work:
- Electrician dispatch software
- Plumbing dispatch software
- HVAC dispatch software
- Locksmith dispatch software
- Garage door dispatch software
- Appliance repair dispatch software
Try the dispatch software built for Australian tradies
Start free, no credit card required, and dispatch your first job today.
Best dispatch software: your questions
What is the best dispatch software for tradies?
For most small to mid-size Australian trade businesses, Sendatradie is the best overall choice: live technician tracking, drag-and-drop scheduling, native customer chat and SMS, and a flat monthly fee with unlimited staff. Larger multi-branch operations with complex inventory needs may prefer Simpro instead.
Is dispatch software different from job management software?
Dispatch is one part of job management. Dispatch software focuses on assigning and tracking jobs to techs in real time; full job management software like Sendatradie also covers quoting, invoicing, payments, CRM and marketing in the same platform.
How much does dispatch software cost for a small trade business?
Per-seat platforms like Tradify and Fergus run roughly $48 to $77 AUD per user, per month, so a 5 to 10 person crew can pay $250 to $770 a month. Sendatradie charges a flat fee per plan rather than per user, starting free and running $89 to $420 a month regardless of headcount on that tier.
Can I try dispatch software before paying?
Yes. Sendatradie has a free Lite plan with no credit card required and no time limit, so you can dispatch real jobs before deciding to upgrade. Most per-seat competitors offer a time-limited trial instead of a genuine free plan.
Does dispatch software work offline?
Sendatradie’s mobile app is built for field use where signal drops out, syncing job updates once connection returns. Always check a provider’s current app documentation, since offline support varies by platform and can change.
