Compare · Last checked 2 Nov 2026
AI-first job management apps vs Tradify, ServiceM8 and Fergus: what the AI actually does
Features checked against each company's official site on 2 Nov 2026. AI features change fast, so confirm before you sign up. We re-check these pages regularly.
How we compared them
Every job app now says it has AI. Some, like Tradify, ServiceM8 and Fergus, have added AI to apps you may already use. AroFlo and Simpro have added an AI layer called Lightning. Newer "AI-first" apps are built around an AI assistant from the start. This page puts what each one says its AI does side by side, using only their own websites, checked 2 Nov 2026. It doesn't pick a winner, and apps are listed A–Z. Your current app may already do enough. For general features, see job management apps compared.
| What we looked at | How |
|---|---|
| AI features | Only features shown on each company's own website, checked 2 Nov 2026 |
| NZ/AU | What each site says about New Zealand and Australia. Where a site doesn't say, we write "Check NZ availability with [app]" |
| What's live | Where a company describes features as rolling out, we write "Check with [app] what's live" |
| Who checks first | Whether the site says you confirm before the AI sends or changes anything |
| What we left out | Prices, plans, trial lengths, vendor statistics and rankings |
Quick answer: who each app suits
Short answer (checked 2 Nov 2026):
- AI added on: a normal job app with AI tools inside it, like writing help or reading bills. AroFlo, Fergus, ServiceM8, Simpro and Tradify are in this group.
- AI-first: the app is built around an AI assistant you talk or type to. It can answer calls, draft quotes or chase invoices. Better Half, Kepd, Struth and Tradies Line AI describe themselves this way.
- Either way, the AI drafts and you check. Several of these apps say so on their own sites (see the table).
- Your current app may already do enough. Check your own plan before you switch.
Good fit by trade and team size
| If your main problem is… | Apps whose sites list it (A–Z) |
|---|---|
| Missed calls | Better Half, ServiceM8 (Phone Agent), Struth (AI receptionist), Tradies Line AI. Start with missed calls |
| Writing quotes and messages | AroFlo (AI Rewrite), Fergus, Kepd, ServiceM8, Struth, Tradies Line AI, Tradify (SmartWrite) |
| Supplier bills and costs | Struth (reads bills and splits them across jobs), Tradify (SmartRead) |
| Notes, job briefs and customer summaries | AroFlo and Simpro (JobReady, JobScribe, JobBrief), Kepd (spoken notes) |
| Asking questions about your jobs and numbers | AroFlo and Simpro (JustAsk), Fergus (Assistant), Kepd (Kip), ServiceM8 (ServiceM8 Chat), Struth |
Good fit if…
| App | Good fit if… |
|---|---|
| Fergus | you already use Fergus and want an assistant that works inside your jobs, quotes and invoices. |
| ServiceM8 | you already use ServiceM8 and want writing help, a voice assistant or an AI phone agent. |
| Tradify | you already use Tradify and mainly want AI help with supplier bills and writing. |
Feature comparison
| App (A–Z) | Type | NZ/AU (from its own site) | AI features its site lists | Does it say you check first? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AroFlo (aroflo.com/lightning (opens in a new tab)) | Established job app (part of Simpro Group) with an AI layer, "AroFlo Lightning" | AU and NZ. Simpro Group's launch release (opens in a new tab) lists "AroFlo Lightning (Australia and New Zealand)". AroFlo's site lists an NZ phone number | JustAsk answers plain-language questions about your business data. FieldReady trains techs on your processes. JobReady briefs the tech before a job from site history, skills and materials. JobScribe captures and transcribes job notes on site. JobBrief writes a customer summary after the job. AI Rewrite tidies rough notes, quote and task descriptions and emails (AroFlo update (opens in a new tab)). Newer features: Check with AroFlo (opens in a new tab) what's live | Not stated on the Lightning page: check with AroFlo (opens in a new tab) |
| Better Half (getbetterhalf.com.au (opens in a new tab)) | AI-first, phone-first. Its site says it's in closed beta | AU: "Aussie tradies", data stored in Sydney. Check NZ availability with Better Half (opens in a new tab) | AI answers calls and holds a booking slot for you. Call transcripts. Invoices | Yes. It holds the slot and you confirm with one tap. You choose which jobs it can book direct |
| Fergus (fergus.com/fergus-ai (opens in a new tab)) | Established app with Fergus AI and Fergus Assistant | Auckland address on its site, with AU and NZ site versions. Check with Fergus (opens in a new tab) what's live for you | Assistant finds information, sets up jobs, builds and reviews quotes, prepares invoices, adjusts the schedule, drafts customer messages and runs reports. Voice-to-text on web; Assistant on the Fergus Go app | Yes. "Before it creates, changes or sends anything, it shows you a confirmation step" |
| Kepd (kepd.app (opens in a new tab)) | AI-first assistant ("Kip") in a full job app | "Job management for AU and NZ trades" | Kip, an AI assistant. Spoken notes become job records. Quotes from job details. Breaks down enquiries. Syncs with Xero or QuickBooks Online | Not stated on its home page: check with Kepd (opens in a new tab) |
| ServiceM8 (servicem8.com (opens in a new tab)) | Established app with AI added | Has an NZ site. For the Phone Agent: Check NZ availability with ServiceM8 (opens in a new tab) | Smart Helper drafts emails and texts, revises messages, drafts quotes and invoices and summarises jobs. ServiceM8 Chat voice assistant. AI Phone Agent answers calls | For invoices, its AI page says you review before sending. For other features, check with ServiceM8 (opens in a new tab) |
| Simpro (simprogroup.com/lightning (opens in a new tab)) | Established job app with an AI layer, "Simpro Lightning" (it calls this an "AI-First Operating Platform") | AU and NZ. Simpro Group's launch release (opens in a new tab) lists "Simpro Lightning (Australia, New Zealand, North America)" | JustAsk answers plain-language questions from your business data. AI agents "available today": FieldReady (trains new techs), JobReady (pre-job brief), JobScribe (captures and transcribes job notes), JobBrief (customer summary after the job). Newer features: Check with Simpro (opens in a new tab) what's live | Not stated on the Lightning page: check with Simpro (opens in a new tab) |
| Struth (struth.app (opens in a new tab)) | AI-first, full job app | "Made in Australia", data in AWS Sydney. Its sign-in page says "Built for Australian and New Zealand tradies". Check NZ availability with Struth (opens in a new tab), including GST, Xero and phone numbers | An AI teammate you can ask anything. Quotes priced from your own price book. Reads bills and splits them across jobs. AI receptionist. Xero and MYOB sync | Not stated on its home page: check with Struth (opens in a new tab) |
| Tradies Line AI (tradiesline.ai (opens in a new tab)) | AI-first ("AI staff") | Two-way texts in Australia. Receptionist speaks "Australian or New Zealand English". Check NZ availability with Tradies Line AI (opens in a new tab) | AI office manager ("Wombo") you type or talk to. Drafts quotes from your price list. AI receptionist answers calls. Booking texts, reminders and follow-ups if you switch them on. Connects to ServiceM8 and Xero | "You check and send every quote and invoice." On paid plans, chat replies and reminders you switch on go out by themselves |
| Tradify (tradifyhq.com (opens in a new tab)) | Established app with AI added (SmartRead, SmartWrite) | Check NZ availability with Tradify (opens in a new tab) | SmartRead turns a supplier invoice into a draft bill. SmartWrite helps write and tidy text, including quote and invoice descriptions. Check which plans include them with Tradify (opens in a new tab) | Not stated on its pricing page: check with Tradify (opens in a new tab) |
No prices here. See current pricing on each official site.
Features checked against each company's official site on 2 Nov 2026. AI features change fast, so confirm before you sign up. We re-check these pages regularly.
Pros and cons of each app
Fergus
Good fit if: you already use Fergus and want an assistant that works inside your jobs, quotes and invoices.
Pros: Fergus AI and Fergus Assistant are listed on fergus.com/fergus-ai (opens in a new tab); confirmation step before it creates, changes or sends anything; works with each person's Fergus permissions.
Check first: check which plans include it, and when it's available to you, with Fergus (opens in a new tab).
ServiceM8
Good fit if: you already use ServiceM8 and want writing help, a voice assistant or an AI phone agent.
Pros: Smart Helper drafts messages, quotes and invoices and summarises jobs; ServiceM8 Chat voice assistant; AI Phone Agent for calls.
Check first: check which features work in NZ, and which plans include them, with ServiceM8 (opens in a new tab). See our Phone Agent setup guide.
Tradify
Good fit if: you already use Tradify and mainly want AI help with supplier bills and writing.
Pros: SmartRead and SmartWrite are listed on its official site.
Check first: check which plans include SmartRead and SmartWrite with Tradify (opens in a new tab).
How AI features fit
- Does my current app already do it? Check your own plan first. See how AI can help an NZ tradie business.
- Does it work in NZ (or my state)? Texts, phone numbers, GST and payments can differ. Ask in writing.
- Who checks before it sends? Look for a confirm step for quotes, invoices and customer messages.
- Can I switch the AI off, or limit it? For example, only after-hours calls.
- Where's my data kept, and can I export it? Read their privacy page. See is ChatGPT safe for business data?.
- Is it in beta? Beta apps can change or stop. Keep your own copies of quotes and invoices.
- Missed calls your main problem? See missed calls, after-hours enquiries and the ServiceM8 AI Phone Agent setup. Tell callers they're speaking to AI.
- ⚠️ AI DRAFTS. YOU CHECK. AI can get prices, scope, GST, compliance wording and customer details wrong. Check every quote, invoice and message before it goes out. This page is not a substitute for regulations, a licensed tradesperson, or legal advice.
Switching tips
- Don't switch just for AI. Your current app may already have enough.
- Check accounting sync (Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks) by testing one invoice in a trial.
- Check you can export your data before you start.
- Run a new app on real jobs side by side with your current one before you move anything.
Next step
Not sure what you need? Take the quiz for a plain-English starting point.
Want help setting it up? See AI setup help.
FAQ
What is an AI-first job management app?
One built around an AI assistant from the start. You talk or type to it, and it drafts quotes, answers calls or chases invoices. Apps like Tradify, ServiceM8 and Fergus have added AI to an existing app.
Do Tradify, ServiceM8 and Fergus have AI now?
Yes, each lists AI features on its own site (checked 2 Nov 2026). Tradify has SmartRead and SmartWrite. ServiceM8 has Smart Helper, ServiceM8 Chat and an AI Phone Agent. Fergus has Fergus Assistant and Fergus AI. AroFlo and Simpro have added an AI layer called Lightning.
Do these AI-first apps work in New Zealand?
Kepd says it's for AU and NZ trades. Simpro Group says AroFlo Lightning and Simpro Lightning cover Australia and New Zealand. Struth's sign-in page mentions NZ. Better Half and Tradies Line AI mainly mention Australia. Ask each one in writing about NZ texts, numbers, GST and payments.
Will the AI send quotes or invoices without me?
It depends on the app and your settings. Fergus says it shows a confirmation step first. Tradies Line AI says you check and send every quote and invoice. Turn on automatic sending only for things you're happy to go out unchecked.
Should I switch apps just for AI?
Not without checking first. Your current app may already have enough AI. Trial a new one on real jobs side by side, and check accounting sync and data export. See job management apps compared.
Which one should I pick?
We don't pick a winner. Features differ, and they change fast. Use the questions above, check each official site, and take the quiz for a starting point.