Overview
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 exclusively on providing software for home service businesses across various industries.
Whereas, Boss LM (Landscape Management) was developed specifically for the landscaping industry. The company has been providing software solutions for landscape professionals since 1994, giving them deep industry expertise.
Key Features
Both Jobber and Boss LM offer comprehensive feature sets for field service management, but with some differences in their strengths and capabilities:
Jobber Key Features:
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Scheduling and dispatching
- Quoting and invoicing
- Job tracking and management
- Mobile app for field use
- Route optimization
- Time tracking
- Reporting and analytics
- Online booking
- Client portal
- Payment processing
- QuickBooks integration
Boss LM Key Features:
- Customer management
- Scheduling and dispatching
- Estimating and bidding
- Job costing
- Inventory management
- Route planning
- Time and attendance tracking
- Reporting
- Mobile app
- QuickBooks integration
While there is significant overlap, Jobber offers more general-purpose features for various home service industries, while Boss LM focuses more deeply on landscaping-specific needs like job costing and inventory management.
User Interface and Ease of Use
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.
Boss LM's interface is functional but may be less intuitive compared to newer cloud-based solutions like Jobber. Some users report a steeper learning curve, particularly for more advanced features. However, its deep landscaping-specific functionality can be advantageous for users in that industry once they become familiar with the system.
Pricing
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.
Boss LM does not publicly disclose pricing on their website. Based on industry sources, their pricing is typically higher than Jobber's, reflecting their more specialized focus on the landscaping industry. Pricing is customized based on the size of the business and specific needs.
For both platforms, you'll need to contact sales for an accurate quote tailored to your specific requirements.
>Target Users
Jobber caters to a wide 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.
Boss LM is specifically designed for landscaping businesses, including:
- Landscape contractors
- Lawn care companies
- Snow removal services
- Irrigation specialists
It's particularly well-suited for medium to large landscaping operations with complex needs.
Mobile Capabilities
Jobber 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.
Boss LM also offers a mobile app for field use. While functional, some users report that it's less fully-featured compared to Jobber's offering. The Boss LM app allows users to:
- View schedules
- Access customer details
- Track time and attendance
- Update job status
Integration Capabilities
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.
Boss LM's integration options are more 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.
Customer Support
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.
Boss LM provides customer support through email and phone during business hours. They also offer training and certifications via Boss University, but these are only available to paying users. While generally responsive, their support resources are not as extensive as Jobber's.
Unique Selling Points
Some key differentiators for Jobber 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
Boss LM's unique features include:
- Deep landscaping expertise: Software designed specifically for the needs of landscaping businesses
- Advanced job costing: Detailed tracking of labor, materials, and equipment costs
- Inventory management: Robust tools for managing landscaping materials and equipment
- Industry-specific reporting: Reports tailored to landscaping business metrics
User Reviews and Ratings
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
In contrast, Boss LM has fewer public reviews available compared to Jobber. On Software Advice, it has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 14 reviews.
Pros mentioned by users include:
- Strong landscaping-specific features
- Robust job costing capabilities
- Good for complex landscaping operations
Cons include:
- Steeper learning curve
- Higher price point
- Less user-friendly interface compared to some competitors
Conclusion
Both Jobber and Boss LM offer valuable tools for managing field service businesses, but they cater to slightly different needs:
Jobber may be the better choice if:
- You run a home service business outside of landscaping
- You prioritize ease of use and quick implementation
- You need strong mobile capabilities for field teams
- You value extensive third-party integrations
- You're looking for a more affordable solution with transparent pricing
Boss LM might be the better fit if:
- You run a medium to large landscaping business
- You need advanced job costing and inventory management specific to landscaping
- You require deep industry-specific functionality
- You're willing to invest in a more specialized (and potentially more expensive) platform
Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific business needs, size, budget, and growth plans. It's recommended to take advantage of demos or trials 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://www.softwarereviews.com/products/jobber?c_id=262 [2] https://connecteam.com/reviews/jobber/ [3] https://getjobber.com/academy/jobber-customer-service/ [4] https://getjobber.com/contact/ [5] https://www.softwareadvice.com/field-service/jobber-profile/reviews/ [6] https://getjobber.com/comparison/jobber-vs-boss-lm/ [7] https://www.bosslm.com/client-advocacy/
