Contractor apps: 10 Options for small businesses

Still relying on sticky notes, spreadsheets, or a personal phone to manage your contracting business? As you might be thinking, this  probably worked fine when you started out. But as you grow, inefficient scheduling and routing delay jobs. Leads go cold because missed calls don’t get callbacks. And repetitive admin tasks eat up hours that could go toward billable labor.

Contractor apps let you run daily operations more smoothly by helping you manage tasks from anywhere. This can help you schedule faster, get paid sooner, and respond to customers before they call a competitor.

This article breaks down the best contractor apps for home improvement, roofing, HVAC teams, and beyond.

10 best contractor apps you should know about 

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the top 10 contractor apps. Learn more about what they do, how much they cost, and how you can implement them for construction project management.

10 apps for contractors compared

First, take a look at how the best management apps compare:

Provider	Starting price	Standout features	Best for
Quo	$15 per user per month	Unlimited calls and texts in the US and Canada, shared numbers, AI voice agents	Fast-growing contractors needing a phone system
Jobber	$149 per month for five users	CRM, drag-and-drop calendar, crew dispatching, route optimization, GPS tracking, client notifications, Quo integration	Small to mid-sized service contractors
QuickBooks Online	$19 per month	Invoicing, payment processing, expense and mileage tracking	General construction accounting software
Joist	$10 per month	Online payments and financing tools, deposit and payment schedules, expense tracking	Solo contractors or very small companies
Procore	Contact for pricing	Scheduling, lookaheads, RFIs, change orders, financials, offline mobile app, 500+ integrations	General contractors needing a one stop shop
Buildertrend	Contact for pricing	Critical path, Gantt, subcontractor and client portals, notifications, built-in sales management	Specialty contractors
Connecteam	Free for under 10 employees	AI auto-scheduler, GPS time clock, drag-and-drop shift scheduling, in-app chat	Budget-conscious contractors focused on scheduling
Fieldwire	Free for up to five users	Pull planning, lookahead scheduling, multiple schedule views, multilingual support	Contractors looking for free apps
CompanyCam	$79 per month for three users	Video capture, site walkthroughs and checklists, free subcontractor access	Saving and analyzing pictures and videos of jobsites
NiceJob	$75 per month	Automated review requests, 1,000+ third-party integrations, Gift automations	Contractors wanting review and reputation management

1. Quo: Best business phone software for fast-growing contractors

Pros

• Unlimited calling and messaging in the US and Canada
• Local and toll-free numbers
• Shared numbers to split responsibility for incoming calls and messages
• Call recording is available on every plan
• AI-generated call summaries and transcriptions
• 24/7 AI voice agent to answer calls automatically
• 8,000+ integrations, including Jobber, HubSpot, and Salesforce
• Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and web apps are available

Cons

• Can’t verify accounts through two-factor authentication*

*Nearly all virtual phone numbers share this problem. For safety reasons, companies like Facebook, Uber, and Google rarely let you authenticate accounts through a virtual phone number.

Quo is a VoIP phone system for construction companies and contractors. VoIP software lets you make calls and send texts over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Since it runs on the internet, you can use the app on your phone, tablet, and computer. It also means you can call and text from anywhere with a connection.

With Quo, you can make unlimited calls in the US and Canada. You can also use Quo’s call notifications to tell whether an incoming call is personal or work-related. That way, you and your techs can prioritize which calls to take while you’re on the clock.

Here’s why fast-growing contractors rely on Quo:

• Split responsibility for customer communications. Shared phone numbers let you split responsibility for customer conversations. Each member of the number can make and receive calls and texts, listen to voicemails, and follow up. Even if you can’t pick up the phone, someone else on your team can step in.
• Route customers automatically. Set up IVR phone menus to help customers reach the right person or department. You can set general business hours to control how calls are handled during and after hours. Then, each team member can set their own personal work schedule to control when they receive notifications. If no one is available, route callers to voicemail or an AI voice agent so no call goes unanswered.
• Handle incoming calls 24/7 with an AI voice agent. Quo’s contractor answering service, Sona, takes incoming calls whenever your team can’t get to the phone. It handles FAQs, takes messages for callbacks, and texts callers links. Train Sona on your company’s knowledge to provide callers with accurate information. You can also share custom scripts based on what callers need most, like requesting an estimate. Then, test Sona with demo calls in your Quo account and adjust as needed so it’s ready to go live.
• Coordinate work with your team. Threads and mentions let team members collaborate on responses before replying. For example, you can delegate tasks or ask coworkers to follow up with specific customers.
• Send photos and videos to coworkers and customers. With MMS messages, you can send and receive photos, URLs, videos, and files.
• Record calls and store context. Capture calls automatically or on demand. This stores context for legal and compliance purposes. You’ll also get AI-generated transcripts and summaries. You can quickly review context without re-listening to full conversations.
• Automatically reply to clients. Instantly respond to missed calls and texts with automated texting and SMS auto-replies. This sets expectations so customers know you’ll get back with them — before they hire somebody else.
• Integrate Quo with field service management tools. Connect with over 8,000 third-party tools, including field service management platforms and CRMs. 

See for yourself how Quo helps home service businesses scale:

Sign up with Quo in 15 minutes or less. First, sign up for free for seven days. Then, if you already have a dedicated business phone number, you can port any existing local US or Canadian number or North American toll-free number for free.

Key features of Quo

• Text message automations, like snippets, auto-replies, and templated messages
• Integrations with 8,000+ tools via Make and Zapier

• Automatic call recording notifications
• Call forwarding and transfers
• Drag-and-drop call flows
• Voicemail transcriptions
• Quo API

Quo pricing 

Pick from one of three Quo pricing plans, each of which is designed to grow alongside your business:

• Starter: $15 per user per month for unlimited Canadian and US calls and texts, texting automations, business hours, voicemail transcriptions, our AI voice agent, Sona, and more
• Business: $23 per user per month for custom ring groups, CRM integrations like HubSpot and Salesforce, IVR, analytics and reporting, call transfers, and more
• Scale: $35 per user per month for AI call tags, inbound phone support, dedicated onboarding, and priority chat and email support

2. Jobber: Best CRM for growing and small businesses 

Pros

• Customer-facing client hub
• Appointment booking, reminders, and updates
• Quote and invoice templates
• Reporting and analytics dashboards
• Offers scheduling and dispatching

Cons

• Marketing tools are only available as add-ons
• Some users find it expensive

Jobber is a construction management platform for growing businesses. It brings your client management, scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payments into one place. 

The CRM helps you track service histories, property notes, and conversations.  Each plan also comes with a customer-facing client hub. This allows customers to check appointments, approve quotes, and pay invoices on their own. Other Jobber features include drag-and-drop scheduling tools, crew dispatching, and route optimization features. 

You can also integrate Jobber with Quo. That way, you can sync calls, recordings, voicemail, transcripts, and texts in your Jobber dashboard. You can also click-to-call any contact in your Jobber CRM with your Quo number.

Once integrated, Sona can automatically create a request in Jobber. Then, it’ll populate the request with context from a customer call. It’ll also push over a generated title, service details, timing preferences, and next steps. This means less manual admin work, better hand-offs, and faster speed to lead.

Key features of Jobber

• CRM
• Job quoting
• Recurring jobs
• Job forms and checklists
• Map and route optimization
• Visual calendar management
• Job follow-ups and feedback requests
• Integrations with QuickBooks and FleetSharp

Jobber pricing

Teams can choose from one of three pricing plans:

• Connect: $149 per month includes five users, basic time tracking, job booking and scheduling, quotes, automated reminders, and invoices. Add extra users for $29 per user.
• Grow: $249 per month includes 10 users, workflow automations, automatic time tracking, advanced quote customizations, and job costing. Add extra users for $29 per user.
• Plus: $529 per month includes 15 users, premium support, the API, a receptionist, and access to the marketing suite. For more than 15 users, contact sales.

3. QuickBooks Online: Best accounting software for general contractors 

Pros

• Intuitive and user-friendly
• Live bookkeeping support is available
• Allows for credit card payments
• Offers AI-assisted features to save time
• Job costing is available on the two highest plans
• Integrates with over 800 apps to manage payments in one place

Cons

• Some users find the solution expensive
• Some users report struggling with customer support
• Plans require user minimums

QuickBooks is an accounting software platform for small to medium-sized contractors. It offers progress invoicing, inventory tracking, and GAAP accounting. More expensive plans come with Intuit Assist AI. This AI contractor tool helps automate invoice drafts and payment reminders.

Just know that QuickBooks can get expensive fast. If you need features like workflow automations, you have to upgrade multiple times. Plus, add-ons like tax support and payroll can add up. 

Finally, every QuickBooks tier except the base plan comes with user minimums. This makes QuickBooks a better fit for either solo contractors or more established businesses.

Key features of QuickBooks

• Invoicing
• Tax deductions
• Payment processing
• Expense and mileage tracking
• Receipt capture and reporting

QuickBooks pricing

QuickBooks’ small business plans include:

• Simple Start: $19 per month for one user to manage income and expenses, invoicing and quotes, customer management, automated bookkeeping, AI-powered bank feeds, and tax deduction tracking
• Essentials: $37.50 per month for up to three users, anAccounting Agent, recurring invoices, bill management, time tracking, lead management, appointment scheduling, and multiple currencies
• Plus: $57.50 per month for up to five users, project management, project profitability tracking, inventory tracking, purchase orders, contract upload with e-signature, budgeting, and AI-powered anomaly detection
• Advanced: $137.50 per month for up to 25 users, revenue recognition, forecasting, workflow automation, custom report builder, data sync with Excel, and custom user permissions
• Intuit Enterprise Suite: Custom pricing for high-level and granular control over reporting, integrated project and workflow management for delegating at scale, advanced planning and analytics, and a dedicated customer support manager

4. Joist: Best invoicing and estimating software for solo or small contracting firms

Pros

• Cost-effective
• Users praise its high-quality mobile app
• Change order management, requires an upgrade
• QuickBooks integration, requires an upgrade

Cons

• Lacks the depth of dedicated accounting tools like QuickBooks
• Features like the QuickBooks integration require upgrades

Joist is a mobile-first app that lets you manage invoicing, financing, and payment processing on the same platform. You can easily create invoices directly on your mobile phone. Then, send them to  clients so they can pay in-app. You can even offer flexible payment options to increase your chances of getting paid quickly.

In addition, Joist offers features like: 

• Estimating software
• Online and credit card payments 
• Client activity tracking

If you’re just starting out, on the road a lot, or need a mobile-first experience, Joist is a solid choice. But it doesn’t have the in-depth accounting and reporting that QuickBooks offers. 

You can integrate Joist with your QuickBooks account, but this requires an upgrade — like many other key Joist features.

Key features of Joist

• Online payments and financing tools
• Deposit and payment schedules
• Expense tracking, with an upgrade
• Project templates, with an upgrade
• License and insurance, with an upgrade
• Business reports, with an upgrade

Joist pricing

Pick from one of three Joist pricing plans:

• Basics: $100 per year for up to five documents per month, unlimited clients, online payments, homeowner financing, and mobile app and desktop views

• Pro: $160 per year for unlimited documents and clients, the ability to sync with QuickBooks, line items and document photos, click activity tracking, and work orders
• Elite: $320 per year for business reports, change orders, and advanced line-item organization

5. Procore: Best all-in-one project management tool

Pros

• Offers tools for project execution and cost and resource management
• Users generally find it easy to use, with a short learning curve
• Mobile app for on-site updates and photo uploads
• 500+ integrations, including Microsoft Project and Primavera

Cons

• Pricing isn’t readily available; some users find it expensive
• Adopting too many modules at once can be overwhelming

Procore is a contractor management app that helps you manage tasks before, during, and after the project. It offers features like:

• Scheduling, like visualization tools, dependencies, and lookahead planning 

• RFIs
• Change orders
• Estimations
• Invoice management
• Workforce management

You can access the Procore app on any smart device. If you’re using iOS and Android devices, you can also use the app offline. This allows field teams to get work done even with poor or no internet connectivity.

Procore also offers integrated project analytics. These can help you plan for budget changes with predictive insights. For example, you can forecast potential spending on a project several months in advance. That way, you can catch problems early and help clients make informed decisions.

Keep in mind, Procore doesn’t offer public pricing. Plus, adopting all its modules at once can be overwhelming, according to reviews. But Procore is still a classic choice if you want a central project management hub for your team.

Key features of Procore

• Submittal and RFI management
• Budget management
• Field labor tracking
• BIM coordination
• Document and drawing management

Procore pricing

Procore’s volume-based pricing model depends on your industry and yearly construction volume. For an exact quote, you need to reach out to sales.

6. Buildertrend: Best construction management software with sales built in

Pros

• Client portal
• Offers sales management features like email marketing and proposals
• Highly rated mobile app
• Users often praise customer support

Cons

• No transparent pricing
• Some users find it clunky and unintuitive
• Some users find the support documentation lacking

Buildertrend is an app for specialty contractors, like pool installers and painters. It comes with lead management tools like proposals and email marketing. There’s also a built-in CRM hub that connects all your contacts in one place. But if you already have your own CRM, you can integrate apps like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive.

In addition to sales, Buildertrend offers financial management tools for bids, estimates, and takeoffs. You can use planning, scheduling, and client selection in one platform to help projects move forward smoothly.

Key features of Buildertrend

• Email marketing and lead management
• Billing, estimates, and budgeting
• Payment tools, US only
• Daily logs
• Sub and client portals

Buildertrend pricing

There’s no public pricing available for Buildertrend. Instead, you’ll have to request a custom quote.

7. Connecteam: Best team management tool for up to 10 people

Pros

• Free for teams of under 10 employees
• Includes hubs for communication, HR, and operations management
• Offers advanced features like auto-scheduling
• Time-tracking features, including GPS and geotracking

Cons

• Some users find the desktop experience lacking
• Doesn’t integrate with Google tools like Google Calendar
• Some users don’t find the analytics feature advanced enough for specialized HR needs
• Slight learning curve due to the number of features

Connecteam’s workforce management platform supports operations, HR, and internal communications. Teams with 10 members or fewer can use all three hubs for free.

With the operations hub, you can set up remote time clocks with an in-app timesheet. Employees can review their schedules and check off required tasks during their shifts.

You can also set up time-off management workflows using the HR hub. That way, you can automate PTO requests and set up custom policies to avoid compliance issues.

Just know that because Connecteam offers many features and hubs, getting up to speed might take some time and training. Plus, Connecteam is mainly designed for mobile users. If you have an office manager at a computer in your office, they might struggle with the experience on a desktop.

See for yourself:

“One thing I dislike is that some features take too many clicks to get to—like timesheets, for example. It can feel a bit clunky when you just want to check something quickly. I also find it frustrating that I can’t access all the admin features from the mobile app. Since I’m often on the go, it would be super helpful to have full control from my phone instead of needing to log in on a desktop.” — G2

Key features of Connecteam

• Recurring task assignments
• Employee onboarding workflows
• Unlimited jobs 
• Payroll integrations
• App-based clock-in and clock-out
• Real-time map displays
• Kiosk stations for field users

Connecteam pricing

Connecteam has a free plan for teams of 10 or fewer employees. There are also four paid plans:

• Basic: $29 per user per month for the first 30 users, plus $0.80 per month for each additional user, for unlimited checklists, forms, and tasks, basic scheduling, payroll integrations, real-time clock in and out with GPS, and unlimited jobs, clients, and projects
• Advanced: $49 per user per month for the first 30 users, plus $2.50 per month for each additional user, for repeating shifts and templates, live schedule links, notifications on the mobile app, conditional fields in forms, up to 10 geofence sites, and auto clock outs
• Expert: $99 per user per month for the first 30 users, plus $4.20 per month for each additional user, for auto-reports and API access, unlimited geofence sites, sub-jobs, and shift attachments
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for biometric app locking, unlimited time clocks, schedules, auto-reports, and shareable schedule links

8. Fieldwire: Best free construction scheduling software

Pros

• Offers a free plan
• Mobile and desktop plans
• Includes a punchlist tool for faster closeouts
• Phone and tablet apps
• Supports 20+ languages

Cons

• No integrations on the free plan
• No customer support on the free plan
• Lacks advanced features like comprehensive financial tracking and invoicing

Fieldwire by Hilti is a jobsite management app that helps with scheduling, file management, and photo storage. If you have five users and three projects, you can use it for free. With the free plan, you can:

• Access construction scheduling software with Gantt, calendar, and Kanban views
• Store project specifications 
• Create and assign tasks
• Track progress in real time
• View plans

More advanced features like RFIs, submittals, change orders, and budgeting require a paid plan. You also need multiple upgrades for custom task fields and BIM viewing. There are no customer support or third-party integrations without upgrading from the free plan.

While not as powerful as Procore, Fieldwire is a good entry point for small crews looking to go paperless.

Key features of Fieldwire

• Task management
• Plan viewing
• File and photo storage
• Photo metadata stamps, with an upgrade
• Reports and exports, with an upgrade
• Field intelligence AI, with an upgrade
• Third-party integrations, with an upgrade

Fieldwire pricing

You can pick from four Fieldwire pricing plans:

• Basic: Free for up to five users and three projects, with task management, plan viewing, specifications, checklists, and file and photo management

• Pro: $39 per user per month for sheet comparisons, project templates, reports and exports, and custom task statuses
• Business: $64 per user per month for app integrations, custom forms, BIM viewer, and access to Field Intelligence™ AI
• Business Plus: $89 per user per month for submittals, RFIs, budget tools, and change orders

9. CompanyCam: Best for jobsite photo documentation

Pros

• Unlimited photo and video storage on all plans
• Photos are automatically time-stamped, location-tagged, and organized by project
• Easy client-facing sharing via galleries and photo reports
• Integrates with Jobber, JobNimbus, ServiceTitan, and more

Cons

• Three-person user minimum on all plans
• Some users report inconsistent customer support

CompanyCam is a photo-first documentation tool specifically built for contractors. It lets crews capture time-stamped pictures and videos of active job sites. Use it to:

• Flag issues or communicate change orders when you add arrows, text, and drawings to images 
• Create shareable galleries and PDF photo reports for clients, insurance adjusters, or inspectors
• Generate checklists for your team based on voice notes and photos 
• Collect before/after photos for sales and marketing teams and protect yourself in case of disputes

You can also integrate CompanyCam with Jobber. This automatically syncs photos and videos in CompanyCam to the corresponding job in Jobber. That way, everyone on your team can get the same context in any app. And with unlimited cloud storage, it won’t hold up storage space on personal devices.

Key features of CompanyCam

• Video capture, five minutes without an upgrade
• Site walkthroughs and checklists, with an upgrade
• Free subcontractor access, with an upgrade
• PDF photo reports
• Unlimited third-party integrations

CompanyCam pricing

The price you pay for CompanyCam depends on the features you want and the number of team members you have. Here’s what you can expect from its four plans:

• Pro: $79 per month for three users, plus $29 extra for each additional user, for unlimited projects, five-minute video capture, real-time translations, checklist and task builder, shareable PDF photo reports, before and after photos, in-app payment collection, and unlimited integrations
• Premium: $129 per month for three users, plus $29 extra for each additional user, for AI-powered site walkthroughs and checklists, AI-powered summaries, recaps, and daily logs, custom templates for projects and checklists, 10-minute video capture, and free collaborator access for subcontractors

• Advanced: $199 per month for three users, plus $29 extra for each additional user, for customer review collection, secure document signing, embedded website gallery and project maps, dual video mode for iOS only, a LiDAR scanner for iOS Pro models only, and photo measurements
• Enterprise: Custom quote for centralized account management, single sign-on, personalized implementation, onboarding, training, VIP priority support, and a dedicated enterprise account manager

10. NiceJob: Best review and reputation management tool for home services

Pros

• Fully automated review collection via email and SMS
• Auto-shares positive reviews to Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn
• Referral campaign tools
• Users find it easy to set up
• Responsive customer support

Cons

• Review request templates aren’t very customizable
• Has fewer integrations compared to some competitors
• Past customers say it’s clunky if you serve multiple locations
• Support may take a long time to respond

NiceJob is a reputation marketing platform for service-based businesses like plumbing and landscaping. Whenever you close a job, the app triggers a sequence of email and SMS review requests. It then follows up automatically to ensure clients have seen your request.

NiceJob also offers a referral marketing tool. This is 100% automated in the app so you can encourage happy customers to recommend you without manually sending messages.

One caveat: NiceJob works best when integrated with a CRM or job management tool like Jobber. If your CRM isn’t supported, you may need to manually upload contacts — not ideal for busy contractors.

Key features of NiceJob

• Automated review requests and reminders
• Automated social sharing of top reviews
• 1,000+ third-party integrations
• Gift automations, with an upgrade
• Automated review replies with AI require an upgrade

NiceJob pricing

You have two NiceJob plans to choose from:

• Reviews: $75 per month for automated review requests and follow-up reminders, social proof widgets, automated social sharing, review monitoring, and third-party integrations
• Pro: $125 per month for automated booking reminders, automated customer referrals with referral campaigns, automated gifting, tracking for competitor SEO insights, and automated AI review replies

How we chose the top tools for contractors

Our goal was to find the most useful apps that handle important daily jobs for contractors of all sizes.

First, we assessed the best tools on the market by researching verified user reviews. We compared their feature sets and pricing to determine which ones offered the most competitive value. Finally, we assessed how well each solution fit different contractor sizes and types.

We then used the following criteria to evaluate each tool:

• Ease of use: How quickly can you or your crew get up and running? Is there access on both mobile and desktop?
• Mobile experience: How does the tool work in the field? Does the tool quickly sync data between desktop and mobile apps?
• User interface and usability: Does the app feel modern and intuitive to use? You should be able to get started without much formal training. Plus, even the most feature-rich tool won’t stick if your team finds it clunky or outdated.
• Value for money: Is the pricing reasonable for a small or growing business? How much value do you get for the price? This includes evaluating what’s available on lower tiers and how many upgrades or add-ons you need to get the basic features.
• Integration capability: Does the tool play well with the rest of a typical contractor’s stack? This includes the availability of CRM, scheduling software, and business phone system integrations.
• User reviews: What do contractors say about using the app day-to-day? We reviewed user experience on credible platforms like G2, Capterra, GetApp, and Reddit.
• Category fit: How well does the app work for contractors? We relied on our data to determine whether a tool was genuinely the best option or if it was just the most well-known.

How do you pick the right contractor app for your team?

Before deciding which app makes sense for your team, use this selection criteria:

1. Match the tool to your project types and team size. A solo roofing contractor has different needs than a 20-person crew when it comes to roofing business software. Are you comfortable purchasing an app you can grow into? Or would you rather find something that works right now?
2. Consider field adoption. The first step is finding a mobile app that’s easy to use in the office and in the field. Then, look for software that offers real-time updates. This will keep staff on the same page no matter where they work.
3. Specialized vs all-in-one platforms. Some platforms can centralize tasks like scheduling, invoicing, and communication in one place.. But all-in-one tools come with trade-offs. You may pay for features you don’t need or find that certain modules don’t go very deep.
4. Apps built for mobile use first. There’s a difference between a tool with a mobile app and an app designed to work on a job site. If the app doesn’t function like the desktop version, it won’t be a fit for teams without dedicated office spaces.
5. Integrates with your existing stack. For example, integrating your app with a system like Quo can help you sync conversation data with project records. That way, you never lose details between the office and the field.
6. The total cost of your platform. Most tools bill per user, per project, or offer flat monthly pricing. You must also factor in onboarding costs, training time, and add-on costs, such as priority customer support. Take advantage of free trials first to confirm whether a platform suits your needs.

Quo: The best contractor app for customer communications

Contractor apps help you replace outdated processes with automated tools that work in the cloud. They’re even more effective when integrated with tools you already use. Connecting them to a business phone solution like Quo can keep your field and office teams on the same page. 

Quo can complement contractor workflows. It’s easy to call clients from any device, schedule text messages, and sync customer information with your CRM. Plus, Sona answers calls 24/7, takes messages, and sends texts during live calls so you never miss a business opportunity. 

No need to take our word for it, though. Here’s what Jon Christensen, Co-founder at Bidmii, has to say:

See how fast-growing contractors become more efficient with Quo by signing up for a seven-day free trial.

FAQs