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Comparisons5 February 20269 min read

ServiceM8 Alternative for Removals: Why Operators Switch

We switched from ServiceM8 to Move and Store for our removals business. Here is what improved: quoting speed, storage tracking, deposit collection and Google Reviews automation.

If you run a removals or self-storage business in the UK, you have probably come across ServiceM8 during your search for job management software. It is a well-known platform, and for good reason. But is it actually the right fit for a removals operator?

In this comparison we put Move and Store head to head with ServiceM8 across the features that matter most to removals and storage businesses: quoting, storage management, payments, Google Reviews, pricing, and growth tools. We will be fair about where each platform excels and where it falls short.

Quick feature comparison

Here is a side-by-side summary before we dig into the detail. If you want the full breakdown, keep reading below the table.

Feature Move and Store ServiceM8
Built for removals Yes; purpose-built for UK removals and storage No; general field-service platform
Room-by-room quoting Yes; quoting wizard with inventory, auto pricing and deposit collection Basic quoting; no room-by-room inventory
Customer quote portal Yes; customers view, accept and pay deposits online No dedicated portal; quotes sent via email/PDF
Storage management Yes; included on all plans (including Free) Not available
Automated Google Review requests Yes; Pro and Scale plans (see our guide) No; requires third-party add-on
Free tier Yes; free forever (5% transaction fee) Yes; £0/month for 1 user and 30 new jobs per month
Pricing (paid) Pro £29/mo (2% fee) | Scale £79/mo (0.5% fee) Starter £25/mo; Growing £59/mo; Premium £119/mo; Premium Plus £269/mo (GBP, excluding VAT)
Payments Stripe Connect; deposits and full payments Stripe; invoice payments
UK-focused Yes; GBP, VAT, British English, UK address formats UK plans priced in GBP; general field-service platform
Native mobile app Progressive web app (any device, browser-based) Yes; mature iOS and Android apps
Integrations Stripe, email; more planned Extensive: Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB, Zapier
Growth services Booked Jobs Package, website builds, guided in-product setup Not offered
Maturity Newer platform, purpose-built Established since 2010

Where ServiceM8 wins

Let us be upfront: ServiceM8 is a solid product with genuine strengths. If you are comparing platforms honestly, here is where ServiceM8 has the edge.

Maturity and stability

ServiceM8 has been around since 2010 and serves tens of thousands of businesses globally. It is battle-tested, with a large user community, extensive documentation and a proven track record. If you value stability and a well-trodden path, ServiceM8 delivers.

Native mobile apps

ServiceM8 offers polished native apps for iOS and Android with strong offline capability. For crews who spend all day on the road and need to log jobs, capture photos and collect signatures without reliable signal, ServiceM8's mobile experience is hard to fault.

Integrations ecosystem

ServiceM8 connects to Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, Stripe and Zapier out of the box. If your accounting workflow depends on a specific integration, ServiceM8 likely supports it already. The Zapier connection alone opens up hundreds of additional automations.

Multi-trade versatility

If you run a removals business alongside other trades (cleaning, handyman services, general labour hire), ServiceM8's generic job management approach handles all of them in one system. It is not specialised for any single trade, which is either a strength or a weakness depending on what you need.

Where Move and Store wins

Move and Store was built from the ground up for one purpose: helping UK removals and self-storage businesses quote, manage and grow. That focus shows in every feature.

Purpose-built quoting for removals

The Move and Store quoting wizard walks your customer through a room-by-room inventory, calculates a price based on your rules and lets them accept and pay a deposit online through the customer quote portal. ServiceM8's quoting is template-based and generic; it does not understand rooms, inventory items or the way removals quotes actually work. For most removals operators, this single feature saves hours every week.

Storage management on every plan

This is the biggest differentiator. If you offer self-storage alongside removals (or plan to), Move and Store's storage management handles unit tracking, occupancy, customer agreements and payment reminders in the same platform you use for removals jobs. ServiceM8 has no storage management at all; you would need a completely separate system. Move and Store includes storage management on every plan, including Free.

Automated Google Review collection

On Pro and Scale plans, Move and Store automatically sends Google Review requests to customers after a completed job. Reviews are the lifeblood of local SEO for removals businesses (we wrote a full guide on why Google Reviews matter for removals companies). ServiceM8 does not offer this natively; you would need a third-party review management tool and the extra monthly cost that comes with it.

Both platforms offer free plans

Move and Store's Free plan has no monthly subscription and includes quoting, CRM, the customer portal, storage management and Stripe payments, with a 5% platform transaction fee on payments collected through Move and Store. ServiceM8's UK Free plan is £0/month for 1 user and 30 new jobs per month. Its separate 14-day free trial gives access to all features. Compare the ongoing plan limits and payment charges for your business before choosing.

UK-first design

Move and Store is priced in pounds, uses British English, and is designed around UK business norms: VAT handling, GBP invoicing and UK address formats. ServiceM8 also serves UK businesses with plans priced in GBP. Test each platform's quoting, invoicing and tax settings against the way your business works.

Pricing comparison

One of the first questions any business owner asks: what does it cost? Here is a straightforward breakdown. For full details, see the Move and Store pricing page.

Move and Store pricing

Plan Monthly cost Transaction fee Key inclusions
Free £0 forever 5% Quoting wizard, CRM, customer portal, storage management, Stripe payments
Pro £29/mo 2% Automated follow-ups, automated Google Review requests, team seats
Scale £79/mo 0.5% Unlimited everything, lower fees, priority support

ServiceM8 pricing

ServiceM8 offers free and paid UK plans in GBP. The standard monthly prices below were checked on 19 October 2026 against ServiceM8's UK pricing page.

ServiceM8 UK planMonthly price (GBP)UsersNew jobs per month
Free£0130
Starter£25Unlimited50
Growing£59Unlimited150
Premium£119Unlimited500
Premium Plus£269Unlimited1,500+

ServiceM8's UK prices exclude VAT. SMS, payment processing and some add-ons can cost extra; for example, the Free plan lists SMS at 5p each. A new job card uses a job credit, including one that starts as a quote. Check the provider's current terms and included features rather than comparing monthly subscriptions alone.

Both providers offer free plans. The right choice depends on your job volume, team size, payment volume and the features you need. Include platform transaction fees, payment processing, SMS and any extra tools in your comparison.

Growth tools: something ServiceM8 does not offer

Move and Store goes beyond software. If you need help actually growing your removals business, Move and Store offers add-on services that ServiceM8 simply does not:

  • “Phones Ringing” Google Ads pack (£50/mo): a managed Google Ads campaign designed specifically for removals businesses, set up and optimised by the Move and Store team.
  • Website Fast Rebuild: a professionally built website for your removals business, included free on the Scale plan or available as a paid add-on.
  • Self-serve setup: guided in-product setup and optional founder walkthrough videos let you configure the account without waiting for a demo call.

ServiceM8 is purely a software platform. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you are a smaller operator who wants a partner to help with marketing and online presence as well as job management, Move and Store offers that in one place.

Who should choose which?

Choose ServiceM8 if:

  • You run multiple trades (not just removals) and want one tool for everything
  • You depend on specific integrations that ServiceM8 already supports (Xero, MYOB, Zapier)
  • You want a platform with a 15-year track record and a large global community
  • Your crews need a polished native mobile app with offline capability

Choose Move and Store if:

  • You are a UK removals operator and want software built specifically for your trade
  • You offer (or plan to offer) self-storage alongside removals
  • You want room-by-room quoting with a customer portal and online deposit collection
  • You want automated Google Review collection without bolting on a third-party tool
  • You want a free plan with quoting, CRM and storage management for removals
  • You need growth services: Google Ads management, website builds, hands-on onboarding

The bottom line

ServiceM8 is a good product. It is mature, reliable and works well for general field-service businesses. We are not going to pretend otherwise.

But if removals and storage are your core business, ServiceM8 was not built for you. It does not understand room-by-room quoting, it has no storage management, and it will not chase Google Reviews on your behalf. You would need to bolt on extra tools to fill those gaps, and that adds cost, complexity and friction.

Move and Store was built for exactly this: UK removals and storage businesses, from sole operators to growing teams. The Free plan means there is zero risk in trying it. Sign up for free and see how it compares to what you are using today.

Still weighing up your options? Read our roundup of the best removals software in 2026 or find out why spreadsheets are holding your business back.

Frequently asked questions

Does ServiceM8 have a free plan in the UK?

Yes. As checked on 19 October 2026, ServiceM8's UK Free plan is £0/month for 1 user and 30 new jobs per month. It also offers a separate 14-day free trial with access to all features. Check ServiceM8's UK pricing page for current limits, features and extra charges.

Is Move and Store really free?

Yes. The Free plan is free forever with no trial period. It includes the quoting wizard, CRM, customer portal, storage management and Stripe payments. The only cost is a 5% transaction fee on payments collected through the platform. Paid plans reduce that fee and unlock features like automated follow-ups and Google Review requests.

Can I switch from ServiceM8 to Move and Store easily?

Move and Store supports CSV import for customer and job records, so you can export your data from ServiceM8 and bring it across. Most small businesses complete the switch in under an hour. The Free plan means you can run both side by side while you transition.

Does ServiceM8 offer storage management?

No. ServiceM8 is a general field-service platform and does not include storage unit tracking, occupancy management or storage billing. If you run removals and storage together, you would need a separate tool alongside ServiceM8. Move and Store includes storage management on every plan, including Free.

Which platform has better mobile apps?

ServiceM8 has mature, well-reviewed native iOS and Android apps with strong offline capability. Move and Store is a progressive web app that works on any device through the browser with offline support for core features. ServiceM8 has the edge on native mobile experience; Move and Store has the edge on cross-device flexibility.

Frequently asked questions

Does ServiceM8 have a free plan in the UK?
Yes. As checked on 19 October 2026, ServiceM8's UK Free plan is £0/month for 1 user and 30 new jobs per month. It also offers a separate 14-day free trial with access to all features. Check ServiceM8's UK pricing page for current limits, features and extra charges.
Is Move and Store really free?
Yes. The Free plan is free forever with no trial period. It includes the quoting wizard, CRM, customer portal, storage management and Stripe payments. The only cost is a 5% transaction fee on payments collected through the platform. Paid plans reduce that fee and unlock features like automated follow-ups and Google Review requests.
Can I switch from ServiceM8 to Move and Store easily?
Move and Store supports CSV import for customer and job records, so you can export your data from ServiceM8 and bring it across. Most small businesses complete the switch in under an hour. The Free plan means you can run both side by side while you transition.
Does ServiceM8 offer storage management?
No. ServiceM8 is a general field-service platform and does not include storage unit tracking, occupancy management or storage billing. If you run removals and storage together, you would need a separate tool alongside ServiceM8. Move and Store includes storage management on every plan, including Free.
Which platform has better mobile apps?
ServiceM8 has mature, well-reviewed native iOS and Android apps with strong offline capability. Move and Store is a progressive web app that works on any device through the browser with offline support for core features. ServiceM8 has the edge on native mobile experience; Move and Store has the edge on cross-device flexibility.

Purpose-built for removals and storage: £29 per month

Move and Store Pro brings removals quoting, storage management, automated follow-ups and review requests together for £29 per month, plus platform transaction fees and payment processing.

Start Pro at £29/month

Or start free with quoting, CRM, jobs, invoicing, and storage built for removals operators. Get started free