Jobber is one of the biggest names in field service software globally. HiveSuite is the UK-focused challenger with AI built in, designed for mobile service businesses and contractors. Which one actually suits your business?
This comparison cuts through the marketing. We'll cover what each platform does well, where they fall short, and help you decide which is right for your mobile service or trade business.
The Quick Summary
| Category | HiveSuite | Jobber |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | UK mobile service businesses and contractors wanting AI assistance + affordable pricing | North American contractors wanting a mature, feature-rich platform |
| Pricing | From £24.99/month (1 user) to £499.99/month (50 users) WINNER | From $49/month (~£39) to $249/month (~£199), plus per-user fees |
| AI Features | HiveIntel AI assistant built-in WINNER | Basic automation only (no AI) |
| Mobile App | HiveCrew PWA (mobile-first) | Native iOS/Android apps (polished) WINNER |
| Market Maturity | Newer (2024 launch) | Established (2011) WINNER |
| UK Focus | Built for UK contractors WINNER | Canadian company (North American focus) |
| Currency/VAT | Native GBP, UK VAT handling WINNER | USD pricing, VAT requires workarounds |
Pricing: A Significant Gap
This is where the platforms differ dramatically—and where UK contractors need to pay attention.
HiveSuite Pricing (in GBP)
- Starter: £24.99/month (Release Special, price locked for 12 months, first 100 sign-ups) then £34.99/month — 1 user
- Small Team: £89.99/month — up to 5 users
- Growing Business: £149.99/month — up to 10 users
- Professional: £249.99/month — up to 20 users
- Enterprise: £499.99/month — up to 50 users
- 30-day free trial, no credit card required
- Pricing in GBP—no exchange rate surprises
Jobber Pricing (in USD)
- Core: $49/month (~£39) - 1 user, basic features
- Connect: $129/month (~£103) - up to 5 users
- Grow: $249/month (~£199) - up to 15 users, all features
- Additional users: Extra fees on top of base plans
- 14-day free trial
- Billed in USD—exchange rates fluctuate
The Hidden Cost for UK Contractors
Jobber prices in USD. When you pay from a UK bank account, you'll face:
- Exchange rate fluctuations (your bill varies monthly)
- International transaction fees (typically 2-3%)
- Less predictable accounting for your business
That $129/month "Connect" plan might actually cost you £110-120 after fees and exchange rates.
Verdict: Pricing
HiveSuite wins decisively for UK contractors. Not just because it's cheaper, but because it's priced in pounds. No exchange rate surprises, no international fees, predictable costs.
For a team of 5, you're looking at £89.99/month with HiveSuite versus £110-120/month with Jobber (after exchange and fees).
Core Features Comparison
| Feature | HiveSuite | Jobber | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Management | Full job tracking, stages, notes, history | Comprehensive job management, mature system | Tie |
| Quoting | Template-based, AI-assisted suggestions | Advanced quoting, line items, optional items | Tie |
| Scheduling | Calendar view, drag-drop, team assignments | Advanced scheduling, route optimisation, recurring | Jobber |
| Invoicing | Professional invoices, payment tracking, UK VAT | Advanced invoicing, batch invoicing, tips | Tie (HiveSuite for UK VAT) |
| Client Hub/Portal | Not available | Full client hub (approve quotes, pay online, request work) | Jobber |
| AI Assistant | HiveIntel (natural language queries for your business data) | None (basic automations only) | HiveSuite |
| Online Booking | Not available | Full online booking system | Jobber |
| GPS Tracking | Basic location features | Real-time GPS, route optimisation | Jobber |
| Reporting | Visual query builder, custom dashboards, AI insights, automated delivery | 40+ report types, custom reports | HiveSuite |
| Learning Curve | Simple, intuitive (up and running in 10 mins) | Feature-rich = steeper learning curve | HiveSuite |
The AI Difference: HiveIntel
This is where HiveSuite separates itself. Jobber is traditional software—you put data in, you get data out. HiveSuite's HiveIntel lets you query your business data using natural language:
- "How much did I earn from electrical work this quarter?"
- "Which customers haven't paid yet?"
- "Show me my most profitable jobs last month"
- "What's my average job value for bathroom refits?"
Instead of clicking through reports and filters, you just ask. HiveIntel understands your question and pulls the answer from your data instantly.
Jobber has automations (send an email when X happens), but no conversational AI. You can't ask it questions about your business.
Verdict: AI Features
HiveSuite wins outright. Jobber has zero AI capabilities. If you want software that helps you understand your business (not just record it), HiveSuite is the only choice.
The UK Factor
This matters more than you might think.
HiveSuite: Built for UK Contractors
- VAT handling: Native UK VAT calculations, Making Tax Digital ready
- UK payment methods: Stripe, bank transfers, optimised for UK banking
- UK terminology: "VAT" not "sales tax", "postcode" not "zip code"
- UK support hours: 9am-6pm GMT, same-day responses
- UK compliance: Built with HMRC requirements in mind
- GBP pricing: Pay in pounds, no exchange rate surprises
Jobber: North American Focus
- VAT: Workarounds required (designed for US/Canadian sales tax)
- Payment processing: Stripe available, but some features US-only
- Terminology: American English throughout
- Support hours: Edmonton, Canada timezone (6-8 hours behind UK)
- Features: Some features (like certain payment options) US/Canada only
- USD pricing: Exchange rates add uncertainty
Real Talk: Jobber's UK Limitations
Jobber works in the UK. Thousands of UK contractors use it. But it wasn't built for you:
- VAT isn't native—you'll configure workarounds
- Support is awake when you're asleep (or finishing your day)
- New features often launch in North America first
- Community and resources skew heavily American/Canadian
None of these are dealbreakers. But they add friction.
Mobile Experience
You're on site more than you're at a desk. Mobile matters.
HiveSuite: HiveCrew (PWA)
- Progressive Web App (browser-based installation)
- Real-time sync across all devices
- Mobile-first design (built for phone, scales to desktop)
- Lightweight (doesn't eat phone storage)
- Update jobs, add photos, send invoices from site
Jobber: Native Apps
- Polished iOS and Android apps
- Full offline capability
- GPS tracking, route optimisation built in
- 14 years of mobile development
- Integrates deeply with phone features
Verdict: Mobile Experience
Jobber wins on maturity. Their native apps have had over a decade of refinement. Features like route optimisation and real-time GPS tracking are genuinely useful for contractors covering large areas.
HiveCrew is excellent for a PWA—and the "no download" approach is convenient—but native apps still feel smoother for heavy mobile users.
Integrations
| Integration | HiveSuite | Jobber |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | QuickBooks | QuickBooks, Xero |
| Payments | Stripe | Stripe, Jobber Payments, consumer financing |
| Communication | Email, SMS, two-way texting, Mailchimp | |
| Marketing | Basic | Google Local Services, Thumbtack, home advisor integrations |
| Other | Growing integration library | Zapier, Google Calendar, Outlook, 20+ native integrations |
Note: Some Jobber integrations (like Google Local Services Ads, Thumbtack) are US/Canada only. Check availability for UK before assuming you'll use them.
What HiveSuite Does Better
HiveSuite Advantages
- UK-Built: Native VAT, GBP pricing, UK support hours
- AI Features: HiveIntel lets you query your data in plain English
- Pricing: Significantly cheaper, especially for teams
- No Currency Risk: Pay in pounds, predictable costs
- Simplicity: Easier to learn, faster to set up
- Support Timezone: UK hours, same-day responses
HiveSuite Limitations
- Newer platform (less battle-tested)
- Fewer integrations currently
- No client portal
- No online booking
- No GPS route optimisation
- Smaller user community
What Jobber Does Better
Jobber Advantages
- Maturity: 14+ years, proven at scale
- Feature Depth: More advanced scheduling, routing, booking
- Mobile Apps: Native apps are very polished
- Client Hub: Full self-service portal for customers
- Online Booking: Customers book directly
- GPS & Routing: Real-time tracking, route optimisation
Jobber Limitations
- Expensive for UK contractors (USD + fees)
- No AI features whatsoever
- North American focus (VAT workarounds)
- Support timezone issues for UK
- Some features US/Canada only
- Steeper learning curve
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose HiveSuite if:
- You're a UK mobile service business or contractor (it's built specifically for you)
- Budget matters—you want the best value for money
- You want to query your business data using natural language
- You value simplicity over feature complexity
- You want to pay in pounds with predictable costs
- UK-timezone support is important to you
- You're growing and want affordable team pricing
Choose Jobber if:
- You need the most mature, feature-complete platform available
- Online booking and client self-service portal are essential today
- You need advanced GPS tracking and route optimisation
- You have complex scheduling needs (recurring jobs, route planning)
- You're already integrated with North American systems
- Budget is less of a concern than feature depth
- You don't mind working around VAT limitations
The Honest Truth
Both platforms work. Thousands of contractors use each successfully.
But for UK contractors specifically, HiveSuite makes more sense in most scenarios:
- Cost: HiveSuite is significantly cheaper after exchange rates and fees
- Compliance: Native UK VAT handling vs workarounds
- Support: UK timezone vs Canadian timezone
- Intelligence: Natural language queries vs traditional software
Jobber wins if you need features HiveSuite hasn't built yet (client portal, online booking, GPS routing). But you'll pay a premium for them.
The Bottom Line
Jobber is excellent software. It's been around since 2011, it's polished, and it has features HiveSuite is still building. If you're a large operation that needs every bell and whistle today, and you're happy paying USD prices, Jobber delivers.
But for most UK mobile service businesses and contractors? HiveSuite is the smarter choice.
You get AI capabilities Jobber doesn't offer. You pay in pounds. You get UK support during UK hours. And you save money—potentially hundreds of pounds per year for a team.
Jobber has features HiveSuite doesn't (client portal, online booking). But HiveSuite lets you query your business data conversationally—something Jobber simply can't do.
Try both. They both offer free trials. But if you're a UK mobile service business or contractor looking for the best value and the most intelligent software? Start with HiveSuite.
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