‍TL;DR: Should you use Simpro?

Yes, IF:

• You’re a trades business (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) with standard job-to-invoice workflows
• Job costing and quoting are your main priorities
• You have a dedicated admin team to manage the system
• You’re comfortable signing a multi-year contract

No, IF:

• Your work mixes different service types (maintenance, inspections, repairs, compliance)
• You want to test the software before committing
• You do not want a 3-5 year lock-in contract
• You need the mobile app to work reliably in the field

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‍Simpro is one of the most used field service platforms in Australia. It’s also one of the most complained about.

If you’re looking at Simpro for the first time, or already using it and wondering if there’s a better option, this page gives you a straight comparison. No spin.

What are the key differences?

Contracts and pricing

Simpro pricing is not listed publicly; you’ll have to request a quote. Users report being offered 3-year and 5-year lock-in contracts with annual price increases of 8-12%. One reviewer paid over £5,000 to exit their contract after the implementation failed.

FieldEx has no lock-in contracts; you choose between a month-to-month subscription or an annual plan. If you decide the software isn't the right fit, you simply leave at the end of your term – no exorbitant exit fees required.

Setup and implementation

Simpro requires a mandatory setup fee and a dedicated implementation consultant. The process typically takes 60 days or more. There is no free trial. You pay before you see the system working for your business.

FieldEx offers a done-for-you setup included in your first month. Our team configures your workspace, imports your data, builds your top work types, and trains your people. You go live in 2-4 weeks. If we don’t hit the agreed go-live milestones, you get a full refund.

Mobile app

Simpro's mobile app has a history of issues. Users report constant crashes, syncing errors and data being lost when the app fails to sync. One reviewer noted the Android version went 18 months without an update and had a 1.6-star rating.

FieldEx's mobile app is built for field technicians first. Offline mode, on-site PDF generation, and photo capture work without a signal. Data syncs when the connection returns.

Flexibility

Simpro was built by an electrical contractor for electrical contracting. The system works well if your business fits that model. If it doesn’t, you’ve got a problem. The whole system runs on purchase orders. Using variable-price suppliers like Amazon or Screwfix is difficult. Customizing workflows is limited.

FieldEx is built for service businesses with more complex operations: mixed work types, multiple asset categories, meter-based maintenance schedules, compliance inspections, and dynamic checklists that trigger follow-up jobs automatically.

Reporting

Simpro has a built-in reporting module, but multiple users report it is consistently 2 days out of date due to syncing delays. Custom reporting requires either advanced skills or third-party tools.

FieldEx includes a direct Power BI connector. Your data is live. You build the reports you need without needing a data analyst.

Feature comparison: FieldEx vs Simpro

What real users say about Simpro

These are direct quotes from verified reviews on Capterra, Trustpilot and G2.

"You will be sold a dream ... My trainer did mention that Simpro sales people had been promising things that weren't able to be met."
– Brad E, Electrician, (Capterra)‍

"It cost us over £5k to exit the contract."
– Dean Ward (Trustpilot, April 2024)‍

"The mobile platform is rubbish. Constant crashing and syncing errors ... Paper would be faster and more efficient some days."
– Shane B, Manager (Capterra)‍

"The reporting is a total mess and completely broken. BI Reporting is always broken with syncing delays constantly. As a rule, it's 2 days out of date."
– Tom (Trustpilot)‍

"They will take your money, roll you into a contract and not let you go even when it's their system that's the problem."
– Carl (Trustpilot, November 2025)‍

"Another software update. Another problem. I've never had an app that needs reinstalling after every update."
– G F (Trustpilot, August 2025)‍

Simpro rates 4.0 on Capterra and 4.1 on G2, where reviews are often solicited. On Trustpilot, where reviews are unprompted, the rating is 2.2 out of 5.  84% of Trustpilot reviews are 1-star.

Who is FieldEx built for?

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FieldEx is a field service management (FSM) platform for service businesses with complex operations.

That means: multiple types of work (planned maintenance, repairs, compliance inspections), multiple asset categories across customer sites, and field teams dispatched daily to external locations.

Current customers include Chubb Fire and Security Malaysia (100+ licenses, tracking technician journeys and reducing fraudulent claims) and Coffex Coffee (service and maintenance of coffee machines across multiple sites).

If your work is straightforward trades jobs (quote, do the job, invoice), Simpro may be a better fit. FieldEx is for businesses whose operations are more complex than single-trade FSM tools can handle.

How to make the switch from Simpro

If you're currently on Simpro and want to leave, here's what switching to FieldEx looks like: 

1. Book a discovery call. We look at your current setup – what you use, what is not working, what you need.
2. We build your workspace. Our team configures FieldEx to match your workflows. You do not do this yourself.
3. We import your data. Asset records, customer sites, PM schedules. Migrated for you.
4. We train your team. Office staff and field technicians, at your pace.
5. You go live. Typically within 2-4 weeks of signing.

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No setup fee. No lock-in contract. If we don't deliver the agreed go-live milestones, you get a full refund of your first month's licenses.

Want to see FieldEx in action? Book a free demo, or simply reach out to learn more. We're here to help.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Simpro offer a free trial?

No. Simpro does not offer a free trial or self-serve access. You go through a sales consultation and pay a setup fee before you can see the system working for your specific business.

Can you cancel a Simpro contract?

Exiting a Simpro contract before the term ends can be expensive. Users have reported paying thousands in exit fees. The contract terms vary, but reviewers consistently describe them as inflexible.

How long does Simpro implementation take?

Simpro's own documentation puts the typical implementation at around 60 days. Multiple reviewers report the training had gaps and required additional paid sessions.

Is Simpro good for small businesses?

Most reviewers do not recommend Simpro for businesses without dedicated admin staff. The system is complex and the cost is high relative to what smaller trade businesses need.

Does Simpro work offline?

Yes. Simpro's mobile app downloads a full data set on first login and works offline. Syncing issues have been reported by some users.

Does Simpro support meter-based maintenance scheduling?

Partially. Simpro's Maintenance Planner supports calendar-based PM scheduling. Explicit meter-based scheduling (triggered by machine hours or usage readings) is not clearly documented in the product.

What is the difference between Simpro and FieldEx for complex operations?

Simpro was built for trades workflows driven by purchase orders and job costing. FieldEx is built for operations that mix planned maintenance, compliance inspections, and repairs across multiple asset types. If your operations are more complex than a standard trades job, FieldEx handles that without requiring your business to change its processes to fit the software.