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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 active quotes, 5% fee) No; 14-day free trial, then paid only
Pricing (paid) Pro £29/mo (2% fee) | Scale £79/mo (0.5% fee) From ~$9 AUD/mo to $379 AUD/mo
Payments Stripe Connect; deposits and full payments Stripe; invoice payments
UK-focused Yes; GBP, VAT, British English, UK address formats Australian origin; global focus
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 Google Ads pack, website builds, guided onboarding 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.

Genuinely free for sole operators

Move and Store's Free plan is not a trial: it is free forever. You get the quoting wizard, CRM, customer portal, storage management and Stripe payments with up to five active quotes and a 5% transaction fee. There is no credit card required and no expiry date. ServiceM8 offers a 14-day free trial, after which all plans are paid.

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 is an Australian product with a global focus. It works in the UK, but small details like date formats, tax handling and default currency sometimes reveal its non-UK origins.

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% 5 active quotes, quoting wizard, CRM, customer portal, storage management, Stripe payments
Pro £29/mo 2% Unlimited quotes, automated follow-ups, automated Google Review requests
Scale £79/mo 0.5% Unlimited everything, free website build, free onboarding

ServiceM8 pricing

ServiceM8 uses tiered pricing in Australian dollars. As of early 2026, plans range from roughly $9 AUD per month (Lite) to $379 AUD per month (Premium Plus). Converted to GBP, the mid-tier plans most removals businesses would need sit around £15 to £50 per month. There is no free tier; only a 14-day trial.

At first glance, ServiceM8's lower tiers look cheaper than Move and Store's Pro plan. However, Move and Store's Free plan means a sole operator pays nothing at all, and the transaction fee model means you only pay when you are earning. Once you factor in the cost of separate tools for storage management, Google Review collection and removals-specific quoting that ServiceM8 does not include, the total cost of ownership often tips in Move and Store's favour.

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.
  • Guided Onboarding: one-to-one setup support to get your account configured and your team trained, included free on Scale.

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 genuinely free option that covers the essentials without a trial expiry
  • 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

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

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.

Ready to streamline your business?

Move and Store is free for removals operators and storage businesses. No card required.