Yamate vs Fergus at a glance
We're biased and we'll say so: we make Yamate. Every Fergus figure below is dated and linked to their own pricing page, and the table says where they beat us.
| Yamate | Fergus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Yamate$19/mo flat | Fergus~A$53–$77/month, plus from $26/month per timesheet user, as at August 2026 (see pricing) |
| Pricing model | YamateFlat — one business | FergusTiered plans, plus a per-user timesheet add-on |
| Built for | YamateSolo tradies & sole traders | FergusTrade businesses with staff & jobs to manage |
| Job workflow | YamateNo job board, no staff scheduling | FergusFull job-management (Status Board, scheduling) |
| Texts to customers | YamateUnlimited, included (fair use) | FergusSMS charged (around $15 per 100), as at September 2026 |
| Compliance / certs | YamateHelper included | FergusCertificates typically an add-on |
| AU-native | YamateGST, ABN, PayID & bank details baked in | FergusAU/NZ made, GST-ready |
When Fergus is the better choice
Two things it does that Yamate does not, and both matter once you run people:
- The whole job workflow. Managing jobs from enquiry to invoice — scheduling a team, tracking job stages on a board, flowing supplier bills through to Xero. That is what the Status Board is for, and it is a real strength. Yamate has no job board and no staff scheduling.
- Depth for a growing trade business. Plumbing, electrical and building outfits with staff or subbies get workflow depth and support to match. For a growing operation, that structure pays off, and it is worth the learning curve.
For a one-person operation that just needs the money side handled, that same depth is more platform than you'll use. That is the whole difference between the two apps.
Where Yamate wins for a sole trader
- One price per business. $19/mo covers you and up to three people, so the cost does not climb just because the software is capable. A bigger crew moves to the Company plan at $79/mo for ten people, $15/mo a head after that.
- Far less to learn. Yamate is quote → invoice → get paid → chase. No job board to set up, no workflow to configure, you're sending real quotes the same day.
- Texts included. Auto-chasing and reminders are built in with no per-message charge, and your PayID or bank details sit on every invoice.
- Made for one. You're not paying for (or navigating) team job-management features you don't need solo.
- Works with no signal. Quote in a basement, invoice in the driveway, core records are stored locally on the device, not fetched from a website you have to reach. Exactly what works offline.
- $19/mo while you stay subscribed if you sign up before 30 September 2026 — the price rises after that. No lock-in, cancel anytime.
FAQ
Is there a cheaper alternative to Fergus?
For a solo tradie, Yamate is $19/mo for the business — three people included, no per-seat fee at that size — covering quoting, invoicing, getting paid and auto-chasing. Fergus starts at around A$53–$77/month (as at August 2026), so for a one-person business Yamate is usually the cheaper option. Timesheet users are extra, from $26/month as at August 2026.
Does Yamate do job management like Fergus?
Not to the same depth, by design. Yamate covers quoting, scheduling, invoicing and getting paid for a solo tradie, but it doesn't have Fergus's full team job-management workflow (status boards, staff scheduling, supplier bill flows). If you need those, Fergus is the better fit.
Can I switch from Fergus to Yamate?
Yes — Yamate sets up in minutes, so you can run it on a few real jobs alongside Fergus before you decide.
See also
ServiceM8 alternative · Tradify alternative · Getting paid as a tradie
Sources and the fine print
Competitor details as of July 2026 — check fergus.com for current pricing and features, sourced from fergus.com/au/pricing. General information only. Fergus is a trademark of its owner; Yamate is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Fergus. Pricing and features change — verify on their site.