Are you struggling to manage your field operations? Field service comes with a host of challenges, from scheduling and dispatching to tracking and reporting, and they can quickly overwhelm even the most dedicated managers if they don’t have the right tools to track and manage everything.
Field service apps can alleviate your administrative burden. These apps are designed to simplify your workflow, improve communication, and help projects run smoothly.
Still, choosing the best field service app isn’t easy. There are a ton of options out there, so we’ve done the legwork for you. We’ve analyzed tons of field service apps for 2024 to bring you the most robust, user-friendly, and effective ones.
Our selection criteria include ease of use, customer reviews, feature set, and cost-effectiveness. We also consider how well these apps integrate with other tools commonly used in construction, such as project management software and accounting systems.
So, whether you’re looking to streamline your scheduling process, improve team communication, or gain better insights into your field operations, one of these seven apps will have you covered.
Let’s get started. ⬇️
Top Picks
Below, you’ll find a summary of each app we’ve reviewed, with our scores, each app’s ideal use cases, its pricing, the availability of any free trials or free tiers, and the platforms on which the app is available. Each app has been thoroughly investigated and analyzed for users like you, with pros and cons, key features, integrations, and real user reviews.
Let’s take a look…
EDITOR’S NOTE: We created Workyard – the first app reviewed here – to address issues we encountered while struggling to track and manage construction payrolls for over 700 workers in over 50 construction businesses. We built the Workyard app from the ground up to support construction companies like yours, with industry-essential features like the industry’s most accurate time clock app with GPS and geofencing, intuitive contractor scheduling, construction cost tracking tools, and more.
Learn more about how Workyard works on our main website, or sign up for a 14-day free trial today to see what Workyard can do for your business.
Key Features
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Precise GPS time tracking and geofencing
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Simplified job costing
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Streamlined payroll processing
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Robust reporting tools
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Integrations with key construction apps
One of the most precise GPS tracking apps
Advanced job costing features
Comprehensive and customizable reporting options
No native integrations for CRM systems like Salesforce
Fewer customizations than other field service apps
May require training and onboarding for team comfort
Highlights
Workyard offers a suite of features tailored for field service management.
One of its standout capabilities is GPS-based time tracking, which enables accurate logging of employee hours. This feature provides precise data on employee locations and work times.
The job costing feature in Workyard allows detailed tracking of labor costs on a per-project basis.
This functionality helps construction companies maintain budget control. Integration with popular payroll and accounting software keeps financial data up-to-date and easily accessible.
In terms of scheduling and dispatch, Workyard provides tools to quickly assign tasks and manage workloads efficiently. The app’s interface allows admins to adjust schedules as needed, accommodating any emergencies that arise.
Precise GPS Time Tracking and Geofencing
With Workyard’s GPS time tracking, employees can log their hours accurately, using real-time location data to confirm when and where they are working. This feature minimizes the risk of time theft and ensures fair compensation for employees.
Geofencing takes this a step further by creating virtual boundaries around job sites.
When employees enter or leave these designated areas, the app automatically records their time. Geofencing helps to log work hours only when employees are actually on site.
Admins can monitor employee locations in real-time, allowing for better oversight and quick responses to any issues. The combination of GPS time tracking and geofencing also supports compliance with labor regulations by providing detailed records of employee work hours and locations.
Simplified Job Costing
By allowing detailed recording of labor costs on a per-project basis, Workyard enables construction companies to maintain precise control over their budgets. This feature is crucial for making sure projects remain financially viable and profitable.
Admins can input labor rates and track hours worked by employees on specific tasks, providing a granular view of where resources are being allocated. Real-time updates and accurate data entry allow the financial aspects of projects can be continuously monitored and adjusted.
Workyard also integrates with popular accounting software, making it easy to sync job costing data with broader financial management systems (more on this later).
By simplifying job costing, Workyard allows construction companies to focus more on their core operations and less on administrative tasks.
Streamlined Payroll Processing
Workyard streamlines payroll processing by offering seamless integrations with various popular payroll software. Its ability to connect with tools like QuickBooks, ADP, and Gusto make payroll management a more efficient process.
By accurately logging employee hours using GPS-based data, Workyard ensures all time entries are reliable and verifiable. It simplifies the preparation of payroll by organizing and consolidating time data into a format that can be easily imported into payroll software.
Furthermore, Workyard’s comprehensive reporting tools provide detailed insights into labor costs and work hours. Admins can generate reports that highlight key payroll data, offering a clear view of expenses and helping to maintain budget control.
Let’s take a look at how these reports work…
Robust Reporting Tools
With Workyard, you can generate comprehensive reports on labor costs, time tracking, project progress, and employee productivity.
Let’s take a look at labor cost reports, for example. Admins can track labor expenses on a per-project basis, allowing for precise budget management and cost control. These reports help identify areas where projects might be exceeding budgets.
Workyard’s time tracking reports compile data from GPS-based logging and geofencing. As we mentioned earlier, these reports will show exactly when and where employees worked.
In addition to labor and time tracking, Workyard’s reporting tools include project progress reports. These reports offer a clear overview of the current status of ongoing projects, highlighting completed tasks, upcoming deadlines, and any potential delays.
Integrations with Key Construction Apps
As we mentioned, Workyard integrates with popular accounting software like Quickbooks. These integrations enable automatic syncing of financial data, keeping job costs, payroll information, and expense tracking consistently up-to-date.
For time tracking and payroll, Workyard connects with payroll services such as ADP and Gusto. These integrations facilitate the direct transfer of time-tracking data to payroll systems, ensuring timely and accurate employee compensation.
Reviews
At the top of each app review, we feature aggregate user scores. At the time of publication, Workyard had the following ratings:
On the iOS App Store, Ken M. said Workyard helped them improve time tracking…
Better than most ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I just wanted to write this to share that I finally found a time clock app for my company that does something you would expect from all of them. IT WORKS. We were using another app to clock employee hours until out of the blue it started deleting hours. Ended up losing all my information and the company told me there was nothing to do about getting them back. I almost went back to paper but decided to give Workyard a try. We’ve been using it for a few months and it’s been rock solid. It’s been so reliable…”
Randy J. said the Android version of Workyard’s app is “amazing.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It allows me, as a technician, if I accidentally forget to sign in to a customer, to have proof I was there with the GPS location. It overall makes it easier on management because they can see where all the techs are and, when new customers call in, they’re able to call the nearest tech to pick up more business. Overall, a very needed app for any business that has several techs or employees who are mobile. And it makes tracking hours easy.”
In April 2024, project manager Bishop B. said the app has good customer support…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My overall experience on a 1-10 scale is a 10. Customer support was prompt. I look forward to doing more business with you guys… I like being able to track my money, how it’s being spent, what it’s being spent on, what hours are used for, driving hours, and being able to track my employees.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
14-day trial with no credit card required
Time Tracking
Annual: $6 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $8 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Workforce Management
Annual: $13 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Monthly: $16 / mo. per user + $50 base fee
Try the most accurate field service workforce management solution
See how it worksKey Features
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Optimized workforce scheduling
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Real-time inventory management
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Comprehensive field service reporting
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Mobile access
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Preventive maintenance tracking
Detailed asset tracking and lifecycle management
Utilizes AI for predictive maintenance
Extensive mobile features
Complex customizations not suited for small businesses
Requires significant IT resources and infrastructure
Mobile app has limited offline capabilities
Highlights
ServiceMax is field service management software that provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to optimize field operations and improve service delivery.
ServiceMax has many different products, but we’ll focus on their field service app, ServiceMax Go, for this review.
One of ServiceMax’s primary features is its scheduling and dispatching tool. The app allows admins to allocate resources, assign tasks, and manage workloads. Its intelligent scheduling system takes into account technician availability, skill sets, and location, making sure the right person is assigned to the right job.
ServiceMax also provides real-time visibility into field operations. Through its intuitive dashboard, admins can monitor job statuses, track technician locations, and receive updates on task completion.
Another notable feature is ServiceMax’s inventory management system. This tool helps track parts and materials, giving technicians the necessary resources to complete their tasks.
Lastly, ServiceMax offers comprehensive analytics and reporting tools. These tools enable admins to generate reports on KPIs, such as job completion rates, technician performance, and customer satisfaction.
Reviews
Mobile reviews for ServiceMax Go are generally poor. Many users report dealing with bugs or glitches.
Capterra reviews, which tend to come from admins rather than frontline workers, are slightly more positive.
An anonymous iOS user said ServiceMax is not intuitive or efficient…
⭐
“My employer has had a variety of case management systems over the years. We were told this is the “industry standard…” It’s not intuitive or efficient in any way… We see change over the years and there are typical “growing pains” when starting something new. This is not that. We’re a year into it and it is still by far the worst experience ever…””
Android user Abhishek D. said he struggles using many of the core features…
⭐
“This app is overhyped. Many essential key product functions are struggling in this app, like synchronization of records, custom SFM actions, and external links. Records roll back to the old value after sync instead of loading the updated record from the server. Full of bugs. Had multiple cases with ServiceMax, they still cannot pinpoint the issue.”
Solution Architect Greg B. said the custom code delivered to his business by ServiceMax was not up to par…
⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The negative point of Servicemax is resource hunger. The package, when installed in Salesforce, seems to take up a large amount of space. The custom code delivered in our implementation (by Servicemax or their trusted partners) was not the best commented, so it was difficult for a programming novice to amend for code coverage purposes.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
No.
Subscription Cost
No pricing information available online.
Contact ServiceMax for more information.
Key Features
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Intelligent scheduling and dispatch system
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Real-time job tracking dashboard
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Mobile app access for technicians
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Comprehensive inventory management
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User-friendly customer portal
Fully integrates with Salesforce CRM
Uses AI for scheduling and predictive maintenance
Extensive customization options
Expensive licensing fees
Complex implementation can take several months
Interface can be overwhelming without training
Highlights
Salesforce is a CRM platform known for its capabilities in managing customer interactions, sales, and marketing efforts.
Salesforce Field Service, a specialized module within the Salesforce ecosystem, extends these capabilities to manage field operations. It’s tailored for businesses that need to optimize their mobile workforce and enhance service delivery in the field.
One of Salesforce Field Service’s primary features is its advanced scheduling and dispatching system.
This system leverages artificial intelligence to optimize schedules, assigning the appropriate job to technicians. The system considers various factors, such as technician skills, location, and availability, when making its assignments.
Real-time tracking is another significant feature of Salesforce Field Service. The platform provides admins with real-time visibility into field operations, allowing them to monitor technician locations, job statuses, and completion times.
With Salesforce Field Service’s mobile app, technicians can access job details, customer information, and inventory levels directly from their mobile devices.
The mobile app supports offline functionality, allowing technicians to continue working even in areas with poor connectivity. Salesforce Field Service also helps with inventory management.
Integration with the broader Salesforce CRM platform enhances the overall functionality of Salesforce Field Service. This integration allows for a flow of information between customer service, sales, and field operations, providing a unified view of customer interactions and service history.
Reviews
Salesforce Field Service has mixed reviews. While mostly positive, some frontline users report the app being slow and glitchy.
iOS user Joe said the app is frustratingly slow…
⭐
“App is SLOW. Very, very slow. What would normally be a 20-30 minute job is turned into an hour waiting for the different steps to load. Just yesterday I waited 15 minutes for a service report to be generated so I could get a signature. Talk about a dip in productivity. I cannot believe my company went to this for service over what we had before.”
Android user Tony M. said recent updates to the app have made him miss notifications…
⭐
“Ever since the update, I don’t get any notifications for new appointments. This is very troublesome because I don’t notice till the last second on some new appointments. I have to keep looking every five minutes.”
On Capterra, CEO Drew W. said Salesforce Field Service helped him scale his business. He also mentioned the learning curve was steep…
⭐⭐⭐⭐
“As with all things salesforce, it is not simple to understand out of the box. Many items are customized, and these are natural adjustments to the users. The implementing company you partner with is critical to getting things off the ground. It also requires at least one individual who is confident enough to tinker in the software and mobile application as small issues arise during implementation.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
30 days
Dispatcher
$165 user/month
Technician
$165 user/month
Contractor & Contractor Plus
$50 – $75 user/month
Field Service Plus
$220 user/month
Einstein 1 Plus
$600 user/month
Key Features
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Job management dashboard
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Integrated CRM
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Comprehensive reporting and analytics
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Real-time scheduling and dispatch
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Invoicing and payment processing system
Intuitive interface
Includes an integrated CRM
Automated follow-up reminders for clients and staff
Limited integration options
Reporting and analytics are less advanced
May not scale for large enterprises with complex needs
Highlights
Kickserv offers a range of features that streamline scheduling, invoicing, and customer management.
One of Kickserv’s primary strengths is its user-friendly interface. The app is intuitive and easy to navigate, which helps reduce the learning curve for new users.
Kickserv also excels in scheduling and dispatching. Admins can quickly assign jobs to technicians based on their availability and skill sets. The calendar view provides a clear overview of scheduled tasks, making it easy to manage workloads and adjust schedules as needed.
Kickserv also allows businesses to create and send invoices directly from the platform, streamlining the billing process. Integration with payment gateways enables customers to pay online, which can speed up the payment cycle.
Customer relationship management is another area where Kickserv excels. The app keeps detailed records of customer interactions, service history, and preferences. The CRM features are particularly useful for managing repeat customers and building long-term client loyalty.
While Kickserv offers features for small to mid-sized businesses, it may not be as comprehensive as some larger, enterprise-level field service management solutions.
For instance, its reporting and analytics capabilities are relatively basic compared to those offered by more advanced platforms. Businesses with more complex needs might find these limitations restrictive.
Another potential drawback is the integration options. While Kickserv does integrate with several popular tools and platforms, its integration ecosystem is not as extensive as some of its competitors.
Reviews
Kickserv reviews are mixed. While many administrators and managers have positive experience using the app, many frontline workers experience glitches and bugs…
One anonymous iOS user said the app doesn’t work very well for his business…
⭐
“I have been a loyal user for over 3 years and while the desktop version is okay, l’d say 3 stars the app is at most 1 star. The app works for us about 30% of the time. It’s glitch city every time you want to use it. Stuff won’t load or it just won’t load right or sometimes like right now I can’t even access the app altogether. And for the record I have the latest iPhone with up to date software and the app is up to date as well—it just literally doesn’t work half the time.”
Android user Aaron E. said the map leads him to the wrong location…
⭐⭐⭐
“It’s decent. I like that I can view my schedule, see the times, address but the only thing I do not like is that I can’t set reminders for myself. Also the whole maps thing with latitude and longitude is ridiculous especially today it lead me twice to a wrong address.”
Office Manager Tiffany H. said the mobile app wasn’t user-friendly…
⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I mostly suggest the technician app be updated. I have found that 100% of my technicians are great at labor work, but not so great at navigating apps and using phones. Maybe even just offering more education/user guides for techs would help. Also, wish there was more of a way to have intercommunication between departments; assign tasks to office team, to do lists, etc.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Free tier up to 2 users
Lite (5 users)
Annual: $47 / month
Monthly: $59 / month
Standard (10 users)
Annual: $95 / month
Monthly: $119 / month
Business (20 users)
Annual: $159 / month
Monthly: $199 / month
Premium (Unlimited users)
Annual: $239 / month
Monthly: $299 / month
Key Features
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Advanced scheduling and dispatch
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Integrated asset management
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Real-time work order tracking
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Predictive maintenance capabilities
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Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Integrates with other Microsoft products
Uses AI and IoT for predictive maintenance
Customizable reporting and interactive dashboards
Requires training and expertise to utilize all features
High licensing costs vs. other field service solutions
Implementation can be lengthy and complex
Highlights
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service is a component of the larger Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite, which integrates CRM and ERP capabilities into a single platform. This integration allows businesses to leverage the full range of Microsoft tools, including Office 365, Power BI, and Azure.
One of Dynamics 365 Field Service’s standout features is its advanced scheduling and dispatching capabilities. The platform uses AI-driven scheduling to optimize resource allocation, assigning technicians to jobs based on skills, availability, and proximity.
Real-time tracking and monitoring are also notable strengths of Dynamics 365 Field Service. The platform provides real-time visibility into field operations, allowing managers to track technician locations, job statuses, and inventory levels.
Dynamics 365 Field Service can also connect to IoT-enabled equipment, allowing for predictive maintenance and proactive service. This capability helps in identifying potential issues before they become critical.
Customer engagement tools are robust within Dynamics 365 Field Service. The platform integrates seamlessly with Dynamics 365 CRM, providing a comprehensive view of customer interactions and service history.
However, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service can be complex to implement, particularly for businesses that are not already using the Microsoft ecosystem. The initial setup and customization require a significant investment of time and resources.
Additionally, the cost is high for smaller businesses, as the platform is geared more towards medium to large enterprises.
Reviews
Dynamics 365 Field Service has mixed reviews.
An overwhelming number of reviews come from administrators and business owners on Capterra, which are generally positive. However, frontline workers seem to be mostly unhappy with the app’s performance…
A user on the iOS app store said the app constantly glitches…
⭐
“For the amount of money that has been invested into this app it is appalling that the app has as many issues as it does. Almost every time entry I have tried to submit has resulted in me having to redo it because the app freezes and loses all my progress before I even have a chance to save.”
On the Google Play Store, user J. Given also said bugs made the app hard to use…
⭐
“Unreliable and flakey. Not reliable enough to be a mandatory business app. Flakes out and has had to be removed and reinstalled twice in a day. Totally dependent on a wifi connection. Newest version is exponentially worse.”
Capterra users don’t have the option to review Dynamics 365 Field Service individually. Rather, all the reviews focus on Dynamics 365 as a whole. Still, manager Cindy G. said the CRM left much to be desired…
Not an ideal CRM ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I don’t feel that Dynamics is the best CRM solution out there by any means. Microsoft is not a CRM provider; they just offer a CRM solution. If given the choice, I would go with a CRM from a provider that specializes in CRM software. Dynamics does not have the capabilities or functionality we need at my organization, but we chose it because it is a Microsoft product and integrates well with other Microsoft products. That being said, the user experience and admin experience are both lacking, and I would not recommend this product to others looking for a robust CRM.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
30 days
Dynamics 365 Field Service Contractor
$50 user/month
Dynamics 365 Field Service
$95 user/month
Scoring
Key Features
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Comprehensive project management tools
-
Integrated CRM system
-
Real-time inventory tracking
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Automated invoicing and billing
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Customizable reporting and analytics
Modular system to add features as needed
Open-source
Highly customizable (many modules and integrations)
Extensive customizations can be overwhelming
Customer support quality can be unreliable
Initial setup and configuration are complex
Highlights
Odoo is a comprehensive open-source ERP platform that offers a wide range of applications to manage various business functions. Its modular design allows businesses to customize their setup according to their specific needs.
One of Odoo’s standout features is its extensive range of integrated applications.
These apps cover everything from CRM and project management to inventory and accounting. For field service management, Odoo provides tools to handle scheduling, dispatching, and real-time tracking.
The scheduling feature in Odoo allows admins to assign tasks to technicians based on their skills and availability. The calendar view offers a clear overview of appointments, making it easy to manage and adjust schedules as needed.
Odoo’s inventory management system is another key strength. It helps technicians track parts and materials.
However, one of the main challenges with Odoo is its complexity. The platform offers a vast array of features, which can be overwhelming for new users. Initial setup and customization are time-consuming, requiring a significant investment of both time and resources.
Another potential drawback is the cost. While the open-source community version is free, the enterprise version, which offers more advanced features and support, comes with a high subscription fee.
Reviews
While Odoo has somewhat positive reviews, an overwhelming number of complaints outline poor customer support experiences.
One anonymous user said they had issues with customer service…
⭐
“I see why they get such poor ratings. My first interaction with the human at this company was to tell me that their website charged the wrong amount, and they want to charge double or they’re going to immediately erase everything we’ve done.To justify it, they said that their terms of service say that you have to pay more unless specified in writing. However, the website did specify in writing exactly how much I was paying.”
Android user also Sean A. was also not impressed with their customer service…
⭐
“Terrible customer service. Well, more specifically, very unfriendly and very unhelpful. The pricing, although it says “free,” is misleading. To use any of the features the cost starts over $20 per user per month, per service. Example, “Sales” is one service, “Projects” is one service. For a small business trying to grow, the pricing is unattainable.”
Negative customer service experiences seem to reach across all platforms. Vice President Dayana V. had multiple issues with Odoo…
Cheaper always comes at a cost ⭐⭐⭐
“The customer service is horrible. You have 0 access to people on the phone. It’s ONLY by email. The system doesn’t work with Square. The person who sold me the product did not explain everything correctly to match my business needs. There are glitches with the system that sometimes require an internal Odoo developer to fix. You have to pay for implementation but there is no training based on your company needs. The worst is not being able to talk to someone. You are getting bills that no one can explain the details of.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
Free tier
Standard
Annual: $24.90 user/month
Monthly: $31.10 user/month
Customer
Annual: $37.40 user/month
Monthly: $46.80 user/month
Key Features
-
Intelligent dispatching system
-
Integrated CRM
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Real-time job tracking dashboard
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Automated invoicing and payment processing
-
Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Comprehensive reporting and analytics
Integrated CRM to tracks customer interactions
Automated invoicing and payment processing
Subscription fees can be prohibitive for small businesses
Extensive features can be overwhelming
Limited offline capability
Highlights
ServiceTitan is a field service management platform designed specifically for home and commercial service businesses.
One of ServiceTitan’s standout features is its robust scheduling and dispatching system. This system allows admins to easily assign jobs to technicians based on their availability, skills, and location.
ServiceTitan excels in customer relationship management. The platform integrates customer data seamlessly, providing a complete view of each customer’s history, preferences, and past interactions.
ServiceTitan also offers comprehensive reporting and analytics tools. These tools provide detailed insights into various aspects of business performance, including job completion rates, technician productivity, and customer satisfaction.
However, ServiceTitan is primarily designed for larger service businesses, so smaller companies might find it overly complex and costly.
The implementation process is time-consuming and may require significant training for staff to fully utilize its features. Additionally, some businesses may need custom integrations, which can add to the cost and complexity.
Reviews
ServiceTitan reviews primarily come from mobile users. Most negative experiences come from issues with syncing.
One of the primary issues with ServiceTitan seems to be its syncing issues, as stated by this anonymous iOS user…
App not optimized for mobile⭐
“The company I work for has struggled to find an effective app that suits both technicians in the field as well as office personnel. While this app does provide a decent medium for technicians and offices to enter job details, it is plagued by poor mobile development. Just about every day I struggle with losing a well thought out description of work performed as the app loves to just close the current sheet you attempt to fill out… Currently they are having an issue with data sync where it gets stuck in an endless loop and never syncs.”
Longtime ServiceTitan customer Chuck N. said he also has issues syncing and loading times, despite good internet connectivity…
⭐
“Been using service titan for about 10 years now. As of today’s date I’m able to login from one device to another in about 10 minutes of wait time. I’ll have full 5G service or even be connected to Wi-Fi, but somehow still have unrealistic wait times. Always get cloud sync errors, regardless of 5G internet or Wi-Fi. Videos take forever to load, it’s not even worth utilizing that feature.”
Administrative Manager Emily V. said, while the software was beneficial to their company, the communications delays were a hindrance…
⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Ideas take a long time to turn into new features. The system will randomly crash and there’s a delay in communication for when the functionality will be restored. The certified admin course is a bit like reading the dictionary to take a spelling test. Some features aren’t where you think they’ll be and there are “hidden” settings that can make large impacts.”
Pricing
Free Trial?
No.
Subscription Cost
No pricing information available online.
Contact ServiceTitan for more information.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right field service app is crucial for construction companies aiming to streamline their operations and boost efficiency.
Each of the apps we’ve highlighted offers unique features and capabilities designed to address specific aspects of field service management.
However, Workyard stands for field service because of its robust job costing, GPS time tracking, and seamless payroll processing capabilities. Its user-friendly interface and real-time visibility make it an excellent choice for construction companies looking to enhance their field operations.
By integrating with key construction apps, Workyard also provides a cohesive and efficient workflow.
If you’re looking to improve your field service management and make your projects run smoothly, give Workyard a try.
Sign up for a free trial today and experience firsthand how Workyard can help you achieve greater operational efficiency and better project outcomes.
Our Scoring System Explained
Our 8-part scoring system was created to help you understand the potential value of any software we review simply and fairly.
We created it after reviewing dozens of software products, which we covered in depth, but without providing a direct and simple way for readers to compare products on their merits – without spending a lot of time looking through our articles for the information they needed to make an informed decision.
Every app we review will include Customer Support and Company scores, which we’ll explain in more detail below. Many of the factors reviewed in this article will also be consistent across most (or all) of our software reviews, with some differences:
The 8 factors assessed and their contribution to a product’s overall score may differ slightly from product to product based on various factors, such as the use case we’re reviewing for, the type of business these products are tailored to, and other considerations. However, all reviews will feature an 8-part score, weighted and combined to calculate each product’s overall score.
How We Score Software
All factors in our reviews are scored on a 10-point scale – technically 11 points – from 0-10. However, we only give products a score of 0 if it does not include an essential feature at all, and we try to avoid giving out 0 scores if a product can demonstrate any functionality in line with the specific factor being reviewed.
In general, the 0-10 range translates as:
- 9.0 – 10 – One of the absolute best in its category (amazing).
- 7.5 – 8.9 – Very good, but with some minor issues (very good).
- 6.0 – 7.4 – Mediocre performance with notable shortcomings (average).
- 3.0 – 5.9 – This feature is not ready for prime time (borderline).
- 1.0 – 2.9 – This feature actually makes its product worse (unacceptable).
- 0 – The product doesn’t include this important feature at all.
How We Calculate Overall Scores
The 8 factors reviewed are weighted based on an overall total of 100%:
- Ease of Use: 20%
- Time Tracking Accuracy: 20%
- Scheduling Features: 15%
- Job Tracking: 15%
- Integrations: 10%
- Customer Support: 15%
- Company: 5%
Methodology for Each Factor
Ease of Use
We evaluate a product’s ease of use based on three main considerations:
- How easy is it to set up this app?
- How easy is it for managers to use the backend dashboard?
- How easy is it for frontline workers to use the (mobile) app?
These three considerations cover the main ways you and your team would use the software being reviewed – when you first obtain it, when someone (a manager, executive, team leader, or similar role) needs to use it to manage people, money, data, and other things, and when workers you’re tracking use the app (usually a mobile version of the software designed for frontline and/or field team members) to clock in, clock out, record time worked, or address other day-to-day needs.
Time Tracking Accuracy
Every minute matters when you’re trying to control payroll costs. This factor accounts for various features and common needs in time-tracking apps, such as…
- How accurate or precise is its GPS tracking capability?
- How accurate – and how customizable – is its geofencing feature?
- How accurate is its travel and mileage tracking (if available)?
- Can it automatically clock workers in and out based on the above?
- Can you set and/or restrict rules for clocking in and out?
- Can the app continue tracking workers while offline?
- How easy is its mobile app and/or kiosk for frontline workers?
Scheduling Features
Many construction businesses prefer to manage as many aspects of employee labor activity as possible in a single app, which is why many time-tracking apps also include worker scheduling as a core feature.
When we consider a product’s scheduling features, we look at:
- Its dashboard customizability (daily, weekly, or monthly views).
- Its project-based scheduling and visibility.
- Its real-time updates and notifications for workers.
- Its real-time map views of worker locations for best-fit scheduling.
- Its recurring schedule (copies to subsequent weeks, etc.) functionality.
Job Tracking
This factor helps you understand if the software can also provide insight into specific projects, which is particularly handy when your business deals with many customers or clients who generally need shorter-term work. Effective job tracking typically also includes accurate job costing functionality for construction companies.
We assess several things when calculating a product’s job tracking score:
- Its project-based tracking for multiple projects per day/week/etc.
- Its ability to track multiple / many projects simultaneously.
- Its use of (and your ability to customize) construction cost codes.
- Any built-in job costing views.
- Any integrations for cost coding (QuickBooks etc.)
Integrations
No business can operate on a single app, which is why integrations with other apps and tools are such important aspects of modern business software.
To calculate a product’s integration score, we’ll examine:
- How many native integrations (the simplest connection) does it offer?
- How effective and easy-to-use are its integrations with payroll software?
- Does it have robust data import and export features?
Customer Support
Learning how to use a new app can be frustrating, even if it’s meant to be the most user-friendly app around. That’s why great customer support is so essential when considering which time-tracking app to use.
Customer support scores are calculated based on:
- Live support channels available (phone, email, chat, etc.).
- Live support hours (business hours only, 24/7, etc.).
- The strength of the product’s online help center and/or FAQs.
- What other users say about support in online reviews.
Company
A great company with a highly customer-friendly approach can often make up for shortcomings in their software products – at least up to a point.
When assessing this score, we’ll examine:
- Transparency (easy-to-find pricing, etc.)
- Trial period (duration, feature availability, credit card requirements, etc.).
- Subscription flexibility (contracts, required durations, etc.).
- Ease of cancellation or pausing subscriptions.
- Customer perceptions (online product reviews).
- Website (a minor consideration, but great companies tend to have great websites).
Any questions about our scoring system? Have any suggestions on how we could make it even better? Click here to send us your feedback – we’d love to hear from you!
A field service app is a software solution designed to help businesses manage their field operations efficiently. It typically includes features for scheduling, dispatching, time tracking, invoicing, and customer management, allowing businesses to streamline tasks and improve productivity. These apps are essential for industries like construction, HVAC, plumbing, and other field service sectors, providing real-time visibility and coordination of mobile workforces.
Workyard is considered one of the best field service apps with a free trial, offering a comprehensive set of features designed to optimize field operations. With precise GPS time tracking, efficient job scheduling, and seamless payroll processing, Workyard helps businesses improve productivity and streamline their workflows. Its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities make it a valuable tool for construction companies and other field service providers.
To choose a field service app, start by identifying your specific business needs and the features that are most important to you, such as scheduling, time tracking, or CRM. Evaluate different apps based on their ease of use, integration capabilities, and customer reviews. Consider the scalability of the app to ensure it can grow with your business. Additionally, take advantage of free trials to test the app in real-world scenarios and assess its effectiveness before making a final decision.