Handyman business software: The top 5 apps ranked by usage

Handyman business software has come a long way since I started my business in 2011.

There used to be just a few handyman estimating software options available. Now there are dozens, maybe even hundreds. It can be overwhelming to find the right one.

That’s why I recently asked over 100 pro handymen what handyman business software they use and why. In this article, I will share what I learned from them and from my own business to help you pick the best software for your unique situation.

Table of Contents

1. Best overall handyman business software (what I use)
2. Essential handyman software features
3. Key takeaways from the feedback of pro handymen
4. The top 5 most popular handyman business apps
5. Best free software for the handyman business
6. Best handyman estimating software
7. Best handyman accounting software

Essential handyman software features

There are the main functions that most handymen will want in software:

1. Estimating and Invoicing – For sending professional estimates and invoices with ease and collecting payment directly from those invoices via credit card.
2. Customer management – For storing customer information such as contact info and past jobs.
3. Automated customer follow-up – Sending automated email and text messages to confirm appointments, remind clients of upcoming appointments, and collect online reviews can save a ton of time, make you look more professional, and help you get more reviews with no effort.
4. Scheduling – For keeping track of where you (and your team if you have one) need to be and when.
5. Credit card processing – For processing credit cards.
6. Field Management – For tracking travel time, working time, and communicating with employees in the field.
7. Accounting – For bookkeeping, profit and expense analysis, and staying organized, so tax time isn’t a nightmare.

You could use endless app combinations to accomplish these tasks, and some apps will handle multiple. For example, two of the apps I discuss below can handle everything except accounting. Most accounting software can handle everything except scheduling. So, you don’t need five different pieces of software to run your handyman business efficiently.

Lessons from the pros

In April of 2021, I emailed some of my email subscribers (a mix of current pros and people who want to start a business) and asked them what business software they use and why. 105 people responded. 85 of those responses were valid, meaning they were currently running a business.

This is a relatively small sample size, but the feedback I received was detailed and informative. Some people wrote several hundred words sharing their journey to find the perfect software. Despite the small sample size, I found the data insightful and useful. I think you will, too.

Here are a few takeaways…

Everyone’s needs are different.

Handymen use a huge variety of software combinations. Some use the latest and most streamlined software (listed below), while some don’t use any software at all. I had at least two handymen say they just write things down on paper or use old-school paper planners. Some don’t even have a smartphone.

According to my survey, 16% of handymen don’t use software. 

Then, other people don’t use software specifically created for the handyman business but instead rely on software like Excel, Google Calendar, Pages, Word, and other common software that comes pre-loaded on most computers.

This surprised me since many of these options are tedious and inefficient. But I think there are two reasons for this. First, some simply aren’t aware of what’s available. Second, some aren’t interested in changing how they’ve been doing it for years.

Either way, I was surprised to see how many people are using different apps in different ways.

Most handymen use accounting software.

By far, the most common category of software mentioned was accounting software, with the majority using Quickbooks.

32% of handymen said they used some accounting software. Of those, 59% are using Quickbooks.

I assume the percentage of handymen using accounting software is higher than 32%, though, since some respondents simply didn’t mention it because they thought I was asking about only handyman-specific software and didn’t think their accounting software was relevant.

Syncing with Quickbooks is an important feature.

Several handymen mentioned that they liked the handyman estimating software they use because it syncs with Quickbooks, allowing them to save time on bookkeeping.

If you’re a solo handyman, you can get by with less.

Some handymen who responded had tried several more advanced handyman-specific apps, only to downgrade to simpler options (from Markate to Joist, for example). This was because they weren’t using all the features they were paying for. They mentioned that more advanced features would be essential if they had employees but are overkill for a one-man operation.

The top 5 MOST POPULAR handyman business software options

Based on respondent feedback, here are the top five apps pro handymen use daily, starting with the most common and working down. Of course, there are many more, but these are the most common based on my survey.

#1 – Quickbooks

19% of respondents said they used Quickbooks. Some pros use it simply for accounting and bookkeeping purposes, while others use invoicing features to bill their clients.

Pricing: Starts at $15 per month for a basic subscription.

#2 – Wave

This is another accounting software that has one huge advantage – it’s FREE. 12% of respondents said they used Wave, and one mentioned how it’s almost exactly like Quickbooks. The only difference is the mobile app isn’t quite as good. Some mentioned they also used this for invoicing and estimates.

Pricing: FREE (They make money on credit card processing fees and payroll)

#3 – Markate

This app is designed to run a handyman or other home service business. It’s designed as an all-in-one option with a wide range of features. It handles scheduling, custom estimates and invoices, field tech management, email marketing, and more. Plus, it syncs with Quickbooks.

11% of respondents said they use Markate. All of the feedback about Markate was positive, with one respondent mentioning how he had tried everything and then said, “I finally found the best one by far called Markate.”

Pricing: Starts at $39.95 per month with available add-ons. However, most people will want at least two add-ons (automated reviews and the ability to reply to customer texts), so the price will be closer to $69.95 for the essential features.

#4 – Breezeworks

This is another app designed specifically for running a handyman or other home service business and is comparable to Markate. It also has a wide range of features and does everything except accounting. And yes, it syncs with Quickbooks.

9% of respondents said they use Breezeworks, and the feedback was also positive.

Pricing: starts at $25.59/month for Breezeworks Solo and $33.59/month for Team, but you can use this link (affiliate link) to save 50% on your first three months.

#5 – Joist

Joist is primarily an estimating and invoicing app. While Breezeworks and Markate handle scheduling and have many other useful business growth features and automation, Joist focuses on doing one thing well: creating custom estimates and invoices. For some smaller operations, that is all they need. However, I’ve tested many other software options that are just as good with invoices.

9% of respondents said they use Joist, and all the feedback was positive.

Pricing: Joist Basic is FREE. Joist Pro is $14/month.

BEST OVERALL handyman business software

Winner: HouseCall Pro

I spent over six months testing the software options above and several others, and now I use Housecall Pro for my handyman business.

Housecall Pro is perfect for a one-person operation looking to streamline operations while having the ability to manage employees if they choose.

All essential features are included in the basic option, which starts at just $49 per month (when billed annually). For similar functionality, you must pay $69/month with Markate.

I especially like their automated review reminders. Every time I finish a job, my customers receive a text message asking to leave a review on Google. If the customers don’t have a Gmail account, it sends them to either Facebook to leave a review or has them leave a review I can use on my website. This alone will boost the number of reviews you get with zero effort.

They also have great support and customer service to get you up and running with the app.

I used to think that paying for software like this was a waste, but with the automated customer reminders, professional estimates and invoices, and many other features, I wouldn’t want to return to my old ways.

Click here to save 50% on the first two months with Housecall Pro today.

Pricing: $49 per month for Basic plan when billed yearly ($65 when billed monthly)

BEST FREE software for a handyman business

Best free #1 – Square

Square is primarily a point-of-sale software that allows you to accept credit cards, but they’ve recently upgraded their software to include other features like scheduling, estimates, customer management, and analytics. The software is free, and they make money from credit card processing fees (which you must pay no matter what system you use to process credit cards).

One thing I especially like about Square is that you don’t need to buy a credit card reader if you have an iPhone because tap-to-pay works without one.

Best free #2 – Wave

Wave is free accounting software that makes money from credit card processing fees when you invoice your customer using their system. Since you have to pay credit card processing fees anyway, this is a great option for any pros on a budget.

Some pros use a combo of Joist and Wave, and some just use one or the other. It’s up to you and your needs, but it’s pretty cool you can use such powerful software for no cost.

Best free #3 – Joist Basic

If you only need software for sending estimates, Joist is the go-to. The Basic option is great for testing the software, but if you want to add your logo to your estimates and use some of the other features, you’ll need to fork over $14 per month.

BEST handyman ESTIMATING software

Winner – Joist Pro (but barely)

This software is designed to do one thing well: create and send custom estimates and invoices. It has all kinds of features that help make this easier and faster, so if you send many estimates, this is an excellent software to test for your handyman or other construction business.

However, software like Housecall Pro also has amazing features for creating custom estimates, plus you get a lot more for the money.

Best handyman ACCOUNTING software

Winner – Quickbooks

It’s hard to beat software that has been a market leader for fifteen-plus years. Although Wave sounds like an excellent option based on the feedback from pros and the fact that it’s free, Quickbooks is still the most popular and most refined option. It’s the one that most people use, and it’s most likely what your bookkeeper uses if you decide to hire one down the road. Based on the feedback from my readers, it also has a much superior mobile app compared to Wave.

Conclusion

Handyman business software saves you time, keeps you organized, makes you look more professional, and even gives you new abilities that can make your business more profitable. And it keeps getting better every year.

Yes, it does take time to learn. But that investment can pay off big in the long run, both in terms of increased profits and time savings.

While I don’t recommend overthinking the process of choosing software, I do recommend exploring your options until you find the one that is best for your individual situation.

I’m curious, what software do you use and why? Please leave a comment to let me know and share any additional insights you may have.