Housecall Pro alternatives for a one-person service business
By Jackson Main, founder of SolveX
Updated
SolveX is $99 a month for booking at your prices, a custom website I build and maintain for you, and your business number with calls, texts, website messages and quote requests in one inbox. Website work and phone setup begin with your first paid month; texting starts after carrier approval.
I'm Jackson, the person who made SolveX. Everything about Housecall Pro on this page comes from their own website. A question mark means I could not verify a feature from their public pages; it does not mean Housecall Pro lacks it, so ask them before you decide.
The plan in 30 seconds
What SolveX includes,next to Housecall Pro.
SolveX is $99 a month, $20 a month more than Housecall Pro Basic at $79 paid monthly with no commitment. On Basic, a business phone number, missed-call replies and a website are add-ons. SolveX includes your custom website, business number and one inbox after setup.
These are paid-plan features. SolveX's no-card trial is for the app and booking, with email reminders. The custom website and business number start with your paid month, and texting needs carrier approval. Payment methods have their own eligibility rules and processing fees.
SolveX is $20 more a month than Housecall Pro Basic, but gives you 1 thing you won't find in Housecall Pro Basic.
| What you get | Housecall ProBasic$79 a month |  SolveX$99 a month |
|---|---|---|
| Your website, built and maintained for youJackson builds your custom site, connects your web address and handles hosting, HTTPS and updates | ||
| A custom website built and maintained for you | Check firstWebsites add-on, on top of your plan | YesBuilt by Jackson; work begins with your first paid month |
| A business website is included | Check firstWebsites add-on; confirm its price | YesCustom website built by Jackson |
| Connect your existing web address | Not verified | Yes |
| Website hosting and HTTPS / SSL security included | Not verifiedConfirm with the Websites add-on | Yes |
| Request a website change and have it done within a day | Not verified | YesHours, services, photos and other site changes |
| Your business number and one inboxCalls, texts, website messages and quote requests together after setup | ||
| Your own business phone number | Check firstVoice, an add-on | YesStarts with your paid month; texting needs carrier approval |
| Call customers from your business number | Check firstVoice, an add-on | YesAfter phone setup |
| A missed caller gets a text reply | Check firstAn answering add-on takes calls and chats; confirm missed-call texts | YesAfter texting setup and carrier approval |
| Calls, texts, website messages and quote requests in one inbox | Not verified | YesPhone features after setup |
| People waiting on a reply go to the top, and turn red if they wait too long | Not verified | Yes |
| One tap writes a reply for you to check and send | Not verified | Yes |
| Booking at your pricesCustomers choose a service and time while you work | ||
| Customers book online by themselves, any time | Yes | Yes |
| Customers add extras when they book, like pet hair removal | Not verified | Yes |
| See all your bookings on one calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Mark the areas you drive to on a map | Not verifiedTheir booking uses service areas | Yes |
| Bookings from outside your areas wait for you to say yes | Not verified | Yes |
| Offer recurring visits with automatic paymentsOnly with SolveX | No | YesRequires a connected payment account ready to take payments |
| Reminders and review requestsWhat customers receive, with setup and permission in place | ||
| Customers get booking confirmations and reminders by text | Yes | YesEmail during trial; texts after carrier approval |
| Send a text saying you are on the way | Yes | YesAfter texting setup |
| Ask customers for a review after eligible jobs | Yes | YesOnline-booked jobs after setup and customer agreement |
| Send past customers a link to book again | Check firstCampaigns add-on; confirm what it sends | YesTexting setup and customer agreement required |
| Getting paidSolveX payments require a connected account ready to take payments; processing fees apply | ||
| No extra app fee on top of your payment provider's fee | Check firstLists its own rates, from 2.59% a card payment | YesSolveX takes no cut; provider fees apply |
| Take a payment in person without a card reader | YesTap to Pay on a phone | YesCustomer scans your QR code and pays online |
| Email a bill the customer pays online | Yes | Yes |
| Offer digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay | YesTheir page says digital wallets | Check firstEligible account, customer, country, currency and payment method |
| Take cash or a check and keep a record of it | YesDeposit checks in their app | Yes |
| Customers pay from their bank account | Yes1% a payment | Check firstEligible account, customer, country, currency and payment method |
| Customers split the price into smaller payments | Check firstTheir own financing, from $500, 3.9% fee to you | Check firstEligible account, customer, country, currency and payment method |
| See every payment and tip you have received | Yes | Yes |
| Download your payments for your accountant at tax time | Not verified | Yes |
| Send payment records to QuickBooks or Xero | NoQuickBooks Online; Xero isn't named | Check firstSeparate app connected through your payment provider; fees may apply |
| Customer history and helpersKeep records of the work and the people you serve | ||
| See what each customer has spent | Yes | Yes |
| Save before and after photos of each job | Check firstPhoto reports start on Essentials | Yes |
| Save a video of each job | Check firstCustomers can send you videos | Yes |
| Invite helpers to the app and let them take payments | Check firstBasic includes 1 user | YesAs many helpers as you want; connected payments required |
| Trial, setup and cancellationTry the app first; website work and the phone number begin with your paid month | ||
| Try the app free for 14 days without a card | Yes | YesBooking and email reminders; owner chooses when to start paying |
| Help setting up your services, prices and booking hours | Check firstA dedicated onboarding specialist on MAX | YesWith Jackson, no setup fee |
| Choose a monthly plan with no annual commitment | Yes | YesCancel in the app; paid access lasts through your paid month |
YesConfirmed no on this planNot verifiedCheck before you sign
I checked Housecall Pro's website on November 4, 2026, starting with their prices page. The prices are paid month to month. Paid for a year up front, they're $59, $149 and $299 a month. Prices can change, so look at theirs before you decide.
Pick SolveX if
- You want a person to build and maintain your website. I build it for your business and connect your web address, with hosting and HTTPS / SSL security included. Text me changes to hours, services or photos and I make them within a day. On Housecall Pro, a website is an add-on.
- You want your business number and messages together. Calls, texts, website messages and quote requests are in one inbox. Missed callers get a text reply after phone setup and carrier approval.
- You work alone or with a helper. Customers see your prices, choose extras and book a time. Invite as many helpers as you want, with no extra SolveX user charge. Basic includes 1 user, and Essentials is $189 a month for 5.
- You want help getting started. I help set up your services, prices and hours, with no setup fee. On Housecall Pro, a dedicated onboarding specialist comes with MAX.
How to pickthe right one.
- Step 1
Add up what you'd really pay each month
Start with the plan that has what you'd use every week, not the cheapest one. On Housecall Pro, Basic has online booking, reminder texts and review requests. A business phone number, a call answering add-on and a website are listed beside the plans on their prices page, so ask what each one costs and add it. Then add what you'd pay for somewhere else. Compare the totals, not just the plan prices.
Card fees add up too. If customers pay you $3,000 a month by card, every extra half a percent costs you $15 a month. Housecall Pro's card fees start at 2.59%, so ask what yours would be. SolveX takes no cut, though your payment provider's fees still apply.
- Step 2
Count everyone who'll use it
Housecall Pro's Basic plan is 1 user. Essentials includes 5 for $189 a month, and MAX includes 8, with each one after that $35 a month. Their page doesn't say what more users cost on Basic or Essentials, so ask. If a helper needs to see the schedule or take a payment, count them. With SolveX, you can invite as many helpers as you want, with no extra user charge.
- Step 3
Try each one by booking yourself
During Housecall Pro's free trial, pretend to be a customer: book a job on your phone, pay, and check which texts you get. Their trial opens every MAX feature, so write down which ones you'd lose on the plan you'd really buy.
In SolveX's 14-day no-card trial, add services, prices and hours, then try booking on your phone. Check the package price, extras, available times and customer record. Reminders go by email during the trial.
You choose when to start your first paid month. Nothing is charged automatically when the trial ends. Website work and your business number begin after your first payment. The website usually goes live about 7 to 10 days later; texting starts after carrier approval, usually about a week, sometimes two. Missed-call replies cannot be tested during the email-only trial. Taking customer payments also needs a connected payment account ready to accept them.
- Step 4
Ask these questions before you pay
Copy this message and send it to each company. Their answers will tell you what you'd really pay.
"Hi, I run a service business on my own and I'm comparing booking apps. How much would I pay each month for online booking, reminder texts, review requests, a business phone number and a website? Which of those are add-ons, and what does each one cost? What do you charge on card payments? How much is each extra user? What can I test before paying? Can I cancel any month, or is it a yearly contract? Can I take my customer list with me if I leave?"
What aboutJobber?
Jobber is the other big name, and like Housecall Pro it's made for home service businesses from one person up to big crews. Paid month to month for one user, its Core plan is $49 a month and has online booking, but reminder texts start on Connect, at $139. Review requests need Jobber's Reviews add-on, so ask what it costs.
I compared Jobber with SolveX row by row in Jobber alternatives, from Jobber's own website on November 4, 2026.
When Housecall Pro is the better fit.
Choose Housecall Pro if you need written quotes, crew routes, job checklists or an app in Spanish. Those are established parts of Housecall Pro that SolveX does not offer today.
Questions detailers ask
- How much does Housecall Pro cost?
- Paid month to month, Basic is $79 a month for 1 user, Essentials is $189 for 5 users and MAX is $329 for 8, and MAX adds users at $35 a month each. Paid for a year up front, they're $59, $149 and $299 a month. These were the prices on November 4, 2026.
- Is there a cheaper alternative to Housecall Pro?
- Housecall Pro's cheapest plan, Basic, is $79 a month paid monthly, or $59 a month paid for a year up front. Basic costs less on its own. SolveX is $99 a month, month to month, and includes your custom website, business number and one inbox after setup. On Basic, a business phone number, missed-call replies and a website are add-ons.
- Does Housecall Pro have a contract?
- No. Their prices page says Housecall Pro doesn't require a long-term contract, and its lower prices are for paying a year up front. SolveX is month to month: you cancel in the app, and paid access lasts through your paid month.
- What's the difference between Housecall Pro and Jobber?
- Both are made for home service businesses, from one person up to big crews. Paid month to month for one user, Housecall Pro starts at $79 and Jobber at $49. Housecall Pro's cheapest plan sends reminder texts and asks customers for reviews; Jobber's reminders start on its $139 Connect plan, and its review requests need its Reviews add-on.
- Does Housecall Pro build your website?
- Yes, as an add-on on top of your plan, in 1, 5 or 15 page sizes. With SolveX, I build and maintain your website as part of the $99 a month. Work begins with your first paid month, and when you text me a change to your hours, services or photos, it's done within a day.
Want it set up for you?
Try SolveX free for 14 days, no card needed. Or ask me anything first.