When to choose Powered Now
Consider Powered Now if UK job paperwork and the supplier’s accounting or tax tools are important to your process. Its single-user Business tier and per-user Professional/Premium tiers serve different buying situations. A sole trader should not assume that the entry price covers a growing team. Confirm the specific certificate and tax workflow you need, then compare that plan’s total monthly or annual cost.
When to choose ServiceM8
Consider ServiceM8 if several people need access but your monthly job volume is modest. Paid subscriptions allow unlimited users, so a shared office-and-field workflow does not automatically mean buying a seat for every person. The trade-off is the job allowance: check how your actual monthly workload fits. A solo operator can assess the free plan, but its single-user and job limits matter. Test advanced tasks on the phones your team uses before committing.
Compare the real subscription cost
Powered Now Business starts at GBP 28 per business per month. The published amount excludes VAT. ServiceM8 Free starts at GBP 0 per business per month. The published amount excludes VAT. Compare the plan that covers the work you need, including office and field users, any job allowance and extras. These starting figures do not establish the final bill for the same team or the same scope. Keep currencies and payment commitments separate.
The plan differences that can change the decision
Powered Now: Business has a diary; Premium adds drag-and-drop staff scheduling. Business has job sheets; Professional adds certificates and custom forms. The supplier lists built-in MTD for Income Tax; Professional adds VAT returns. ServiceM8: Recurring jobs are listed across the plans. Purchased forms work on all plans; custom form creation requires Growing or higher. Customers can choose a service, receive a quote and reserve a time. These distinctions are reasons to inspect the workflow during a trial or demo. An unverified item in the table means the checked evidence is incomplete, not that the product cannot perform that task. In particular, establish the exact certificate or accounting transaction needed rather than accepting a broad feature name.
Restrictions and buying questions
Powered Now: Monthly plans exclude VAT. Annual Business costs GBP 280; Professional GBP 320 per user; Premium GBP 400 per user, paid once each year. ServiceM8: The current UK pricing FAQ describes near-identical Android and iOS functionality. UK invoices use reverse-charge VAT treatment; confirm it with your accountant.
What to test before deciding
Create a job sheet or certificate using the exact format you need, then repeat the job with a second user. Check how the document reaches the customer and accounting records, and whether the plan being trialled matches the one being priced. Powered Now: No payment card required. ServiceM8: No payment card required; full feature access. Use a representative sample job rather than customer data you do not need for the test. Ask which trial or demonstration features remain in the plan being quoted, and record any manual steps or extras before deciding.