Overview
Customer Factor was developed specifically for service businesses like window cleaners, pressure washers, and other home service providers. The company emphasizes that their software was "built by a business owner, for business owners," giving them insight into the needs of small service companies.
On the other hand, Jobber was founded in 2011 and has grown to become one of the leading field service software platforms. The company is based in Edmonton, Canada and focuses on providing software for home service businesses across various industries.
Key Features
Both Customer Factor and Jobber offer features for managing service businesses, but with some differences in their capabilities:
Customer Factor Key Features:
- Customer management
- Scheduling
- Calendars
- Invoicing
- Payment processing
- Reporting
- Custom fields
- Expense tracking
- Automated follow-up systems
Jobber Key Features:
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Scheduling and dispatching
- Quoting and invoicing
- Job tracking
- Mobile app for field use
- Route optimization
- Time tracking
- Reporting and analytics
- Online booking
- Client portal
- Payment processing
- QuickBooks integration
While there is significant overlap, Jobber tends to offer more advanced features like route optimization and a client portal, while Customer Factor focuses on core scheduling and invoicing capabilities with an emphasis on automated follow-ups.
User Interface and Ease of Use
Customer Factor aims for simplicity in its interface design. The software uses a straightforward layout that is easy to navigate. Some users report that certain functions can be hard to find at first, but overall the learning curve is not steep.
Jobber is known for its clean, intuitive interface. Users frequently praise its ease of use, especially for field teams using the mobile app. The desktop interface uses a modern design with clear navigation. New users can typically get up and running quickly with minimal training required.
Pricing
Customer Factor does not publicly disclose pricing on their website. Based on third-party sources, their pricing is reported to be more affordable than some competitors, potentially starting around $30-$40 per month. However, specific pricing details are not available without contacting sales.
In contrast, Jobber offers three pricing tiers:
- Core: $49/month for 1 user
- Connect: $129/month for up to 7 users
- Grow: $249/month for up to 30 users
All plans include unlimited customers and invoicing. Higher tiers add features like online booking, expense tracking, and QuickBooks sync.
For both platforms, you'll need to contact sales for an accurate quote tailored to your specific requirements.
Target Users
Customer Factor is designed specifically for small service businesses, particularly:
- Window cleaners
- Pressure washers
- Carpet cleaners
- Gutter cleaners
- Other home service providers
It's particularly well-suited for solo operators or very small teams.
Meanwhile, Jobber caters to a wider range of home service businesses, including:
- Cleaning services
- Landscaping and lawn care
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Handyman services
- Pest control
It's well-suited for businesses with 1-30 employees, though larger organizations can be accommodated.
Mobile Capabilities
Customer Factor offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. The apps allow users to view schedules, access customer information, and create invoices. However, some users report that the mobile experience is not as robust as Jobber's.
Jobber also offers a robust mobile app for iOS and Android. Key features include:
- View and update schedules
- Access customer information
- Capture photos and notes
- Track time and expenses
- Create and send invoices
- Collect signatures and payments
The app works offline, syncing data when a connection is restored.
Integration Capabilities
Customer Factor's integration options are limited. They do offer QuickBooks integration, which is crucial for many service businesses. However, their ecosystem of third-party integrations is not as extensive as Jobber's.
Jobber offers integrations with several popular business tools, including:
- QuickBooks Online
- Stripe
- Square
- Mailchimp
- Zapier
These integrations allow for seamless data flow between Jobber and other key business systems.
Customer Support
Customer Factor provides customer support through email and phone during business hours. They also offer an online help center with articles and guides. While generally responsive, their support resources are not as extensive as Jobber's.
Jobber is known for its excellent customer support. They offer:
- 24/7 email and chat support
- Phone support during business hours
- Extensive online knowledge base
- Video tutorials
- Webinars and training sessions
Users frequently cite Jobber's responsive and helpful support team as a key advantage.
Unique Selling Points
Some key differentiators for Customer Factor include:
- Built-in marketing tools: Email marketing capabilities to reach out to customers
- Simplified interface: Designed for easy adoption by less tech-savvy users
- Affordable pricing: Generally lower cost for small businesses and individuals
- Automated follow-up systems: Helps prevent lost revenue by automatically following up with customers
Jobber's unique features include:
- Route optimization: Automatically plan efficient routes for field teams
- Client portal: Allow customers to view quotes, approve work, and pay invoices online
- Extensive reporting: Over 20 built-in reports to analyze business performance
- Jobber Academy: Free educational resources for growing a service business
User Reviews and Ratings
Customer Factor has fewer public reviews available compared to Jobber. On their website, they showcase several positive testimonials from users praising the software's ease of use and effectiveness for small service businesses.
Jobber has a large number of user reviews across various platforms. On Software Advice, it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on over 1,300 reviews.
Pros frequently mentioned by users include:
- Ease of use
- Comprehensive feature set
- Excellent mobile app
- Strong customer support
- Time-saving automation
Cons include:
- Higher price point for some small businesses
- Occasional syncing issues with QuickBooks
Conclusion
Both Customer Factor and Jobber offer valuable tools for managing field service businesses, but they cater to slightly different needs:
Customer Factor may be the better choice if:
- You're a very small service business or solopreneur looking for a simple, affordable solution
- You primarily need basic scheduling, invoicing, and customer management features
- You value built-in marketing tools and automated follow-ups
- You prefer a more streamlined, less complex interface
Jobber might be the better fit if:
- You need a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for managing your service business
- Route optimization and advanced scheduling are important to you
- You value extensive reporting and analytics capabilities
- You're willing to invest in a more robust (and potentially more expensive) platform
Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific business needs, budget, and growth plans. It's recommended to take advantage of free trials or demos of both platforms to get a hands-on feel for which one aligns best with your workflows and requirements.
Remember that implementing any new software requires careful planning and change management. Whichever platform you choose, be prepared to invest time in training and setup to fully leverage its capabilities and improve your field service management processes.
Sources: [1] https://www3.technologyevaluation.com/solutions/54183/jobber [2] https://getjobber.com/comparison/jobber-vs-the-customer-factor/ [3] https://connecteam.com/reviews/jobber/ [4] https://www.crazyegg.com/blog/jobber-review/ [5] https://www.thecustomerfactor.com [6] https://www.thecustomerfactor.com/features/ [7] https://constructioncoverage.com/construction-project-management-software
