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The ServiceM8 alternative for fire protection contractors

Fire work built in, not assembled from forms and add-ons.

ServiceM8 is a well loved, easy to use job app for general trades. Fire contractors outgrow it when the work becomes AS 1851 maintenance: recurring work is handled generically, fire paperwork is built yourself from the paid forms add-on, purchase orders and job costing are paid add-ons, and tiers are metered by jobs and SMS. traqR is built for fire protection from the start, at a flat price by team size.

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Why fire contractors look beyond ServiceM8

AS 1851 out of the box

Monthly to five-yearly routines, a fire asset register and testing against it on the phone, without building forms.

No per-job metering

ServiceM8 tiers meter jobs and SMS with overages. traqR is a flat price by team size, however many inspections you run.

POs and job costing included

Both are paid add-ons in ServiceM8. In traqR they are on every plan, with inventory and financial reporting.

AFSS and the owner portal

The NSW AFSS workflow and a client portal for building owners are built in.

Where ServiceM8 is strong

Polished, intuitive iOS app that tradies find genuinely easy to use.
Excellent client communication: "on the way" texts, reminders and online booking.
Low entry cost, including a free plan for solo operators.

ServiceM8 is best for: iOS-first solo operators and small teams who live in the Apple ecosystem and want polished client communication.

What to look for in a ServiceM8 alternative

AS 1851 routines by frequency
Monthly, six-monthly, yearly and five-yearly visits planned for the whole contract term when the client approves.
An asset register you can test against
Every asset with QR tags, its history, what is due and open defects, imported from your existing spreadsheet.
Testing on the phone
Pass, defect or N/A per asset, critical or non-critical defects with photos, compliance questions and a signature.
Defects into quotes
Failed items on a test report become a remedial quote in one step.
Annual statements
The NSW AFSS built in: measures register, readiness, practitioner and owner e-signatures. Other states’ records kept the same way.
Somewhere for the building owner
A client portal with assets, reports, quotes, invoices, card payments and the AFSS signature.
The commercial side
Quoting, invoicing, purchase orders, inventory, timesheets and job costing in the same system.
A price you can see
Flat monthly tiers by team size from $149/month, every feature included, and a 14-day free trial with no credit card.
See traqR and ServiceM8 feature by feature

Switching from ServiceM8 to traqR

  1. STEP 1
    Bring the asset register across

    Export the register from your current system as a spreadsheet and import it from Excel or CSV, including workbooks with several sheets. Columns are matched automatically, and anything that does not match is kept as custom fields or notes.

  2. STEP 2
    Import clients, staff and stock

    Clients come in from CSV, Excel, Numbers or ODS with a preview of every row before anything is added. Staff and stock lists import from spreadsheets too.

  3. STEP 3
    Set up the service contracts

    Build each contract in the guided service contract quote: sites, AS 1851 services and frequencies, pricing and renewal terms. On approval every visit for the term is planned and the invoices are scheduled.

  4. STEP 4
    Tag the assets and start testing

    Print QR tags in your branding, and technicians test against the register in the field app from the first visit.

ServiceM8 alternative: FAQ

What is a good ServiceM8 alternative for fire protection?

traqR, if your work is AS 1851 maintenance: routine schedules, fire asset registers, testing on the phone, defect quoting, the NSW AFSS and a client portal, with purchase orders and job costing included.

Does traqR work on Android?

The traqR field app is on the App Store now, and Android is coming to Google Play.

Can I move my jobs and clients from ServiceM8?

Export your clients and assets as spreadsheets and import them into traqR, with a preview before anything is added.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. 14 days free, no credit card.

Other alternatives
Uptick Alternative Simpro Alternative AroFlo Alternative FireMate Alternative

Try traqR beside ServiceM8

Every feature, free for 14 days, no credit card. Import a real register, run a real AS 1851 visit, and decide on the evidence.

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