Ascora

Overview

Ascora is field service management software for trade businesses, particularly contractors coordinating office staff and technicians across electrical, plumbing or HVAC jobs. It is a strong fit when job progress, scheduling and inventory need to work together; the per-user charges and feature limits make plan choice important.

Developed since 2010 and publicly launched in 2012, Ascora follows work from booking to completion, with assigned teams, checklists, photos, attachments and live status updates. Estimates, dispatch, recurring inspections, contracts, equipment records and billing extend its reach beyond job tracking.

Key features

Jobs, scheduling and inventory

Job records keep work details and progress together, giving office teams visibility while technicians carry out assigned tasks. A visual drag-and-drop scheduler helps coordinators arrange work, and inventory tracking spans warehouses and vans. That combination suits businesses that need to plan both people and materials across field jobs.

Accounting, integrations and security

Integrations with Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks connect Ascora with accounting and payroll workflows. Other listed connections include EzzyBills, Groundplan, Stripe, eWay, Reece maX and vControl; an open API and Zapier connector provide additional integration routes.

Ascora says its cloud service runs in Microsoft data centres across multiple geographic regions, with communications to central data protected by 2,048-bit encryption. It also says it undergoes annual PCI DSS audits. These are relevant assurances for businesses handling payment workflows, though they do not remove the need to assess security against a company's own requirements.

Pricing

Ascora is paid software, with a 14-day free trial that requires no credit card and can be cancelled at any time. Plans are billed per user per month, so costs rise with team size.

• Essentials: $45 a month, per user, aimed at trade startups. It covers the entry point, but excludes equipment servicing, custom electronic forms and stage-based project jobs. Those omissions matter if the business depends on those workflows.
• Elite: $59 a month, per user, for teams of up to 30 technicians. It includes equipment servicing, custom electronic forms and stage-based project jobs, making it the more suitable tier for teams that need those capabilities.
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for trade companies with 30+ technicians. It includes the features listed for Elite, plus priority support and a dedicated onboarding specialist; larger teams must get a tailored quote.

Email and live chat support are included on all plans. Since the published prices are per user, Essentials may be more manageable for a small startup than for a growing crew; compare the total seat cost with the value of Elite's additional workflows.

Platforms

Ascora works on the web and has native apps for Android and iOS. Mobile apps make it suitable for field teams who need access away from the office, while coordinators can use the web platform.

Who it's for

Ascora is best suited to trade contractors who coordinate recurring or one-off field work and want jobs, dispatch, stock and billing in one platform. Startups can consider Essentials if they do not need its excluded workflows; teams with up to 30 technicians needing equipment servicing, custom forms or staged project jobs have a clearer case for Elite. Businesses with more than 30 technicians can consider Enterprise, but should assess the custom price. Ascora is less compelling for buyers who need those Elite features but cannot justify the higher per-user rate.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Job records combine assignments, checklists, photos, attachments and live status, helping office and field staff keep work context together.
• Pro: Scheduling and inventory cover both technician coordination and stock in warehouses and vans.
• Pro: Accounting integrations include Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks, alongside an open API and Zapier connector.
• Con: Essentials excludes equipment servicing, custom electronic forms and stage-based project jobs, so some businesses will need the higher tier.
• Con: Per-user monthly billing means costs scale with headcount, and Enterprise requires custom pricing.

Alternatives

For a wider shortlist, see Security System Installer Software.

• SedonaOffice is another paid option, with Android, iOS, web, Windows, API and self-hosted platforms.
• Ember Software is a paid Android, iOS and web alternative with custom pricing.
• HiveSuite has no free plan and supports Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows; its Solo plan is £34.99 a month, including VAT, for one admin and two crew, with all features.
• Uptick is a paid option across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, with monthly platform-fee billing.
• Micro Key Solutions offers paid software with customized pricing and Android, iOS, web, Windows, API and self-hosted platforms.
• SecurityTrax has no free plan or trial and supports Android, iOS, API and web; active customer storage is $0.15 a month per record and counts toward a $250 monthly minimum.
• ServiceTrade is a paid alternative with Android, iOS, API and web access; its Select plan includes unlimited office users, a technician app, dispatch board and map scheduler, and service and job tracking.
• simPRO is a paid Android, iOS, API and web option with a Base Plan and separately priced add-ons.

Verdict

Choose Ascora if your trade business needs coordinated job records, scheduling and inventory, with accounting connections and mobile access for technicians. Its clearest drawback is the per-user cost alongside meaningful Essentials exclusions; compare Elite or Enterprise carefully if equipment servicing, custom forms or stage-based jobs are central to your work.