The Best Quoting App for Australian Tradies
We compared the main quoting and job-management apps on speed, supplier pricing, and price. Here is how they stack up for a sole trader or small crew.
Finding the right quoting app can save you hours and protect your margins. We tested the top apps for Australian tradies on what actually matters on site: how fast you can build a quote, if it pulls live prices from suppliers like Reece and Bunnings, and how easily you can get paid. We also looked at pricing models and proper GST handling. For most sole traders and small crews, QuoteMate is the best quoting app for Australian tradies thanks to its AI-assisted quoting and flat-rate pricing. The rest of the shortlist suits bigger crews or more specific needs.
What makes the best quoting app for Australian tradies
The best app gets the details right for Australian tradies. First, speed. You need to build and send a quote while you're still on site, not spend your evening on admin. Second, price accuracy. The app must pull real-time prices from Australian suppliers like Tradelink and Bunnings, because using last month's price list costs you money. Third, the pricing model. Per-user fees, like Tradify's $48/user/mo, get expensive fast if you have a subbie or an apprentice. A flat monthly fee is predictable. Finally, it must handle GST and ABNs correctly and let you take payment on the spot. A 3% card fee is better than waiting 30 days to get paid.
At a glance
| # | App | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuoteMate ★ Top pick | Fast AI quoting with live Australian supplier pricing | Free plan; Pro $49/mo or $328/yr |
| 2 | Tradify | Small crews needing timesheets & dispatch | From $48/user/mo |
| 3 | ServiceM8 | iPhone teams wanting job cards & forms | Free then from $29/mo |
| 4 | Fergus | Plumbing & electrical job costing | From $53/mo |
| 5 | Buildxact | Builders estimating off plans | From $169/mo |
| 6 | Quotient | Simple cross-industry online quotes | From US$28/mo |
The rest of the shortlist
While QuoteMate is our top pick for quoting speed, other tools are better for specific jobs. Tradify is built for managing small crews with its timesheet and job dispatch features. ServiceM8 is a solid choice for teams running entirely on iPhones who need detailed digital job cards and forms. If you're a plumber or sparkie needing detailed project costing, Fergus is designed for you. For builders working from architectural plans, Buildxact is the specialised tool for take-offs and estimates. Quotient is a simple online quote builder, but it’s not tradie-focused and its pricing is in US dollars, which is a hassle with currency conversion and GST.
Frequently Asked Questions
QuoteMate offers the best free plan for tradies starting out. It lets you create professional quotes with your logo and handles GST automatically. ServiceM8 also has a free tier, but it's limited to 20 jobs per month. For a proper, unlimited free option that helps you price correctly from day one, QuoteMate is the clear choice.
Xero and MYOB are for accounting, not for quoting. They can create a basic invoice, but they can't build a detailed materials list with live supplier pricing from Bunnings or Reece. They're designed for your bookkeeper, not for you on site. A proper quoting app helps you win the work and price it profitably, then syncs the final invoice to Xero.
For a solo operator, QuoteMate's Pro plan at $49/month is the best value. While Tradify is $48/month, it's a per-user cost that bites you as soon as you hire someone. QuoteMate is a flat fee for the whole business. ServiceM8 starts at $29/month but scales up with job volume. QuoteMate’s price includes the AI features and live supplier data that prevent under-quoting.
Try QuoteMate Free
Build your first professional quote in under 2 minutes with AI and live Australian supplier pricing. No credit card required.
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