‍TL;DR: Should you use AroFlo or FieldEx?

Choose AroFlo IF:

• You're an Australian or New Zealand trade contractor (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire).
• You want end-to-end quoting, job management and invoicing in a single AU-built platform.
• You source parts from Australian wholesalers and need live supplier catalogue pricing.
• You rely heavily on responsive phone support and want a team that can get into your system with you.

Choose FieldEx IF:

• Your operations span multiple service types or asset classes across a complex environment.
• You need meter-based or hybrid preventive maintenance (PM) scheduling triggered by actual equipment usage.
• You have SLA obligations and need the system to track and enforce response times.
• You need full offline capabilities in the field – not just read-only access.
• You want to start without paying setup fees or committing before you've seen results.

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AroFlo is a legitimate platform with a strong track record in Australian trade businesses, boasting over 20 years of history. Founded by an electrician and built for trades workflows, it comes with a mature job lifecycle feature set and good support. For the right kind of ANZ trades business, it absolutely earns its place.

However, before evaluating its features, businesses need to understand the ownership structure. AroFlo is owned by Simpro Group, a private equity-backed roll-up that also owns Simpro, ClockShark and BigChange. While AroFlo continues to operate as its own brand, it sits inside the same private equity structure. Businesses making a 5-to-10-year platform decision must factor this ownership trajectory into their long-term strategy.

What AroFlo does well

We're not going to pretend the competition doesn't have strengths. Here’s where AroFlo genuinely shines:

• End-to-end job lifecycle: AroFlo handles quoting through scheduling, job tracking, purchasing, invoicing and accounting integration. Multiple reviewers cite having one login for the full workflow as their primary reason for choosing the platform.
• Mature recurring maintenance: AroFlo’s "Periodics" feature is well-built for maintenance-heavy businesses, handling complex recurring jobs with dynamic frequencies, seasonal variations, and auto-assigned compliance forms.
• 600+ AU supplier catalogues: It offers real-time pricing from over 600 integrated AU/NZ wholesalers directly into quotes and purchase orders – a massive operational advantage for local trade businesses.
• Responsive phone support: Users consistently praise the ability to reach a real person quickly via phone and live chat. Support staff can even access the user's environment directly to troubleshoot.
• Competitive ANZ pricing: AroFlo undercuts several competitors while offering similar core functionality, making it a meaningful consideration for cost-conscious businesses.
• Built by a tradesperson: Founded by an Australian electrician, the platform’s product language and workflow assumptions reflect its trades origin.

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Where AroFlo falls short

The following are documented issues raised by real AroFlo customers. 

Overcomplicated interface that can't be simplified

Too many fields with no option to hide or turn off the ones you don't use. Platform updates increase the number of steps required to complete common tasks. A recurring frustration for businesses using only a portion of AroFlo's features.

^{(Source: Capterra review – John H, Director, Facilities Services)}

Inventory management is basic

No ability to set stock reorder levels – only minimum stock alerts. Per-van stock tracking is not properly supported, making it difficult for field technicians carrying large parts inventories to manage what they have.

^{(Source: Capterra review – Robert L, National Service Manager)}

Reporting is limited and hard to customize

No access to the full database for custom reports. No multi-project Gantt view. No foreign currency support. Operations managers and finance teams needing analytical depth hit this ceiling quickly.

^{(Source: Capterra review – Peter J, Procurement and Office Manager)‍}

Document and template creation is painful

Creating professional invoices, forms, quotes and RTF templates is described as extremely difficult – even AroFlo's own support staff struggle with it. Any business that needs polished client-facing documents will feel this.

^{(Source: Capterra reviews – Robert L, Chris L)}

Accounting integration issues

Tax rounding calculations differ from MYOB, causing reconciliation problems. Inventory deducts stock at material creation rather than job booking, making figures inaccurate. Xero invoices change format when pushed through, breaking auto-reminder features.

^{(Source: Capterra reviews – Allison C, Jess M)}

UI changes without warning

Menu locations change, colour schemes reset, and established workflows break – forcing teams to relearn and retrain. The development team is described as resistant to customer feature requests.

^{(Source: Capterra reviews – Chris L, Peter S, Robert L)}

Offline mode is still immature

Offline mode only launched in beta in 2025, after years of user requests. It is currently view-only – technicians can see task info, notes and documents, but cannot record labor, add materials or complete forms without connectivity.

^{(Source: Capterra review – Tara S)}

High setup cost to get started

AroFlo charges an upfront onboarding fee to get started, plus hourly rates for additional training. One reviewer reported spending significantly more than expected on third-party training on top of AroFlo's own onboarding costs.

^{(Source: Capterra review – Alex R, Director, Construction)‍}

Feature Comparison: FieldEx vs AroFlo

(Note: Where a feature is not documented in AroFlo's public materials, we've marked it accordingly rather than guessing.)

Who AroFlo is actually for

AroFlo is a fantastic fit if you're an Australian or New Zealand trade contractor (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire). It's built for businesses that want end-to-end quoting, job management, and invoicing in a single AU-built platform. If you source parts from Australian wholesalers, need live supplier catalogue pricing, and want deep AU accounting integration (Xero, MYOB), AroFlo delivers.

Who FieldEx is actually for

FieldEx is built for complex, multi-trade service operations. It's a better fit if your operations span multiple service types or asset classes. If you need meter-based or hybrid PM scheduling triggered by actual equipment usage, SLA obligations tracked and enforced, and full offline capability in the field, FieldEx handles it. It is also the stronger choice if you need a direct Power BI connector for your field operations data.

Switching & Migration

This section is most relevant if you're currently using AroFlo and evaluating a move. 

Why people consider leaving AroFlo

The most common triggers for switching from AroFlo are reporting limitations, interface instability after updates, inventory gaps for multi-van operations, and high onboarding costs relative to output.

What switching to FieldEx looks like

If you’re looking to switch, FieldEx’s transformation package handles the entire move in 2 to 4 weeks. There are no setup fees. 

We guarantee:

• Your workspace configured to your operation
• Your existing data imported
• Your top 3 work order types and PM schedules built
• Your team trained on the mobile app
• At least 10 live work orders processed by your technicians

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The FieldEx promise: If we don't hit those milestones, you get a full refund.

What real FieldEx customers say

“After implementing FieldEx, there’s proper information being recorded down and we are able to delegate jobs much easier.” – Bryan, After-Sales Specialist Technician, Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company

“FieldEx has enabled us to collect and analyze data from forms, checklists, notes, photos, and digital signatures. We have also empowered our technicians to create and resolve issues via the FieldEx mobile app, which has been a value add to our customers.” – Troy DiDomenico, Head of Operations, Hills Limited 

"With FieldEx, it’s much easier for me to perform my daily tasks. Updating progress in the app is simple, fast and it’s user-friendly." – Putera Muhd Aziq, Machine Specialist, Agri Sumber Prestari

“FieldEx gives us the reminders we need to make sure all this is done ... so as to not interrupt our work and slow it down.” – Stephen Macpherson, Country Manager, AlanDick Brunei 

“I encourage companies that are looking for a Field Service Management system to consider using FieldEx. We've been successful in simplifying our team's work processes, increasing our efficiency and communications and FieldEx has played a big role in it.” – Sam Kuek, Technical Manager, Coffex Coffee

"The Reports module in FieldEx significantly simplifies our reporting process. It automatically creates the reports we need and sends them out based on the schedule we set. All reports are on time and up to date. We no longer do manual reporting!" – Customer: Magnum

“If you’re managing field teams & equipment (sold or rented) and need visibility, structure and actionable insights, FieldEx is the way to go.” – Mizhar Mustafa Kamal, Central Planner, Sime Industrial

The bottom line

AroFlo is a well-built platform for its intended audience: Australian and New Zealand trade contractors who want end-to-end job management from a tradesperson's perspective. Its strengths in supplier catalogue integration and mature job lifecycle management are real and meaningful.

The limits appear as operations grow in complexity. Reporting requires workarounds, offline mode is still incomplete, and the interface has a track record of changing without warning. Furthermore, AroFlo sits inside a private equity roll-up – businesses choosing a platform for the next five years should make that choice with their eyes open.

If your operations are relatively straightforward, Australia-based, and single-trade, AroFlo is worth a serious look. If you need SLA management, true meter-based PM, full offline field capability, or a platform built for multi-trade complexity, FieldEx is the stronger choice.

Want to see FieldEx in action? Book a free demo today, or simply reach out – we’re here to help.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does AroFlo cost? 

AroFlo charges per user per month on an annual billing cycle, and the price scales with your team size. They require an upfront onboarding fee to get started, plus optional hourly rates if you need additional training. They do not offer a free trial, only a product demo.

Does AroFlo's mobile app work offline? 

AroFlo launched an offline mode beta in 2025, but it's currently strictly 'view-only'. Technicians can view task information and notes, but they cannot record labor, add materials, or complete compliance forms without an internet connection. FieldEx, on the other hand, offers full offline data-entry capabilities in the field.

Who owns AroFlo and why does it matter? 

AroFlo was acquired by Simpro Group in 2021 as part of a private equity investment by K1 Investment Management. This means AroFlo and Simpro are now owned by the exact same parent company. Businesses making a long-term platform choice should factor this private equity ownership structure into their 5-to-10-year strategy.

Does AroFlo integrate natively with Power BI? 

No. AroFlo does not have a native Power BI connector. You have to use third-party data warehouse staging tools like SyncHub or Tugger, which adds both cost and complexity. FieldEx includes a native Power BI connector directly out of the box.

What is the main difference between AroFlo and FieldEx? 

AroFlo is an excellent, end-to-end platform built primarily for single-trade contractors in Australia and New Zealand who want deep AU accounting integrations and local supplier catalogues. FieldEx is built for businesses with complex, multi-trade service operations that span multiple asset classes.

How long does it take to implement FieldEx? 

FieldEx takes exactly two to four weeks to go live. Instead of forcing you to self-implement, FieldEx includes a done-for-you transformation package where their team configures your workspace, imports your data, and trains your staff.

Are there any setup fees or lock-in contracts with FieldEx? 

No. FieldEx does not charge an upfront setup fee, and there are no forced lock-in contracts.

What happens if the FieldEx implementation fails? 

FieldEx guarantees specific go-live milestones: configuring your workspace, importing your data, building your top 3 work order types and PM schedules, training your team on the mobile app, and successfully processing at least 10 live work orders. If they do not hit those exact milestones, you get a full refund.

Can FieldEx handle complex SLA tracking and meter-based maintenance? 

Yes. FieldEx is engineered specifically for complex environments, offering full SLA tracking to enforce response times, as well as true meter-based or hybrid PM scheduling triggered by actual equipment usage.