Home › Toolie vs ServiceM8
Made in NZ · For NZ buildersThe NZ-built ServiceM8 alternative
ServiceM8's mobile speed, but Android gets the full app too — plus NZS 3604 take-off, H1 zones, a 13-phase NZ build programme and CCA 2002 retentions, all flat-priced.
No credit card · Cancel anytime · Works offline on site · Flat NZD pricing
The honest answer
ServiceM8 is a capable, popular tool that does the job-admin basics well. It is a fast, mobile-first field-service app that small service trades love for quoting, scheduling and invoicing callouts. If that is all you need, it is a fine choice.
Where Toolie is different: Toolie is built around the New Zealand Building Code itself, not bolted onto a generic global product. Describe a job in plain English or drop in a PDF plan and Toolie runs the NZS 3604 take-off, prices it off a real NZ QS pricebook, keeps the crew compliant (H1 6th edition, Healthy Homes, CCA 2002 retentions), and does it for one flat price for your whole crew — not per user.
Why builders move from ServiceM8 to Toolie
- ServiceM8's full app runs on iPhone and iPad only; Android users get the cut-down “ServiceM8 Lite”. Toolie ships a full app on both iOS and Android (an installable PWA), so the whole crew gets the same tool whatever phone they carry.
- ServiceM8 is built for service and callout work, not building — no NZS 3604 take-off, H1 or the estimating depth a new build or deck needs. Toolie builds the priced, code-aware quote from a description or a PDF plan.
- ServiceM8 bills on a per-job basis; Toolie is one flat price per plan for the whole crew.
- Toolie adds the NZ build side: a 13-phase programme, a CCA 2002 retention ledger, a consent tracker, 8 contracts, LBP Records of Work and 16 on-site calculators.
ServiceM8 vs Toolie, side by side
| Capability | Toolie | ServiceM8 |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile-first job, quote & invoice | ✓ | ✓ |
| Xero sync | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works offline on site | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full app on iOS & Android (PWA) | ✓ | iOS; Android Lite |
| Flat price for the whole crew | ✓ | Per-job |
| Instant quote from a description / PDF plan | ✓ | — |
| Automatic NZS 3604 take-off | ✓ | — |
| H1 & Healthy Homes compliance | ✓ | — |
| CCA 2002 retention ledger | ✓ | — |
| 13-phase NZ build programme | ✓ | — |
| 16 on-site builder calculators | ✓ | — |
Comparison compiled May 2026 from public competitor information; competitor features and pricing change — check their current sites.
Switching is low-risk
Import your QS/BOQ schedules, run a job or two on the 14-day free trial (it works offline on site), and export your data any time. No lock-in contract, no per-user billing surprises when you put on another chippie.
See the full picture on the feature guide, try the on-site calculators, or read why Toolie exists.
Common questions
Is Toolie a good ServiceM8 alternative for builders?
Yes. ServiceM8 is great for small service and callout trades, but it isn't built for building work. Toolie adds automatic NZS 3604 take-off, estimating, H1 and Healthy Homes, retentions and a 13-phase build programme — and runs as a full app on both iOS and Android (an installable PWA).
Does ServiceM8 work on Android?
ServiceM8's full app is for iPhone and iPad; Android devices get the cut-down “ServiceM8 Lite”. Toolie ships a full app on both iOS and Android (an installable PWA) — check current details on ServiceM8's site.
How is Toolie priced compared with ServiceM8?
Toolie is one flat price per plan from NZ$49/mo (ex-GST), not per user. ServiceM8 prices on a per-job basis — check their current site.
Quote, comply and get paid — in one place
Start free today. NZS 3604, H1, Healthy Homes & CCA 2002 built in. One flat price for your whole crew.
Start your 14-day free trial →