Free Pool Service Software Options 2026
If you are searching for "free pool service software," you have likely discovered that truly free professional software is rare. The reality is that running a pool service business requires robust tools, and quality software development costs money. However, there are legitimate ways to minimize costs: free trials, freemium tiers, per-pool pricing that starts low, and DIY alternatives.
In this guide, we will examine what "free" actually means in the pool service software market, compare the most affordable options, and help you determine the best path forward for your business. Whether you are just starting out with a handful of pools or looking to reduce software costs, we will cover all your options.
Quick Comparison: Free and Low-Cost Options
| # | Option | Free Component | Paid Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PoolDial Top Pick | Free Trial | $2/pool/mo | Best Value |
| 2 | Skimmer | Free Trial | $1-2/pool/mo | Low Starting Cost |
| 3 | Jobber | 14-day Free Trial | $39+/mo | Multi-Service |
| 4 | Housecall Pro | 14-day Free Trial | $59+/mo | Growing Teams |
| 5 | GorillaDesk | 14-day Free Trial | $49+/mo | Route-Based |
| 6 | Spreadsheets | Completely Free | $0 | DIY Option |
Detailed Reviews: Best Low-Cost Pool Software Options
PoolDial
Best value with AI receptionist included
While PoolDial is not free after the trial, it offers the best value for pool service businesses looking to minimize costs. At $2/pool/month, a 30-pool route costs just $60/month. What makes PoolDial stand out is the 24/7 AI receptionist included at no extra cost. This feature alone would cost $200-500/month with third-party services.
For a business starting with 10 pools, that is $20/month for professional pool service software with AI phone answering, route optimization, chemical tracking, and billing. As you grow, costs scale proportionally. This per-pool model means you are never paying for capacity you do not need.
The free trial lets you test all features before committing. No credit card required to start, and no contracts lock you in. This is our top recommendation for businesses that want professional tools without breaking the bank.
What You Get
- Free trial with full feature access
- 24/7 AI receptionist included (huge value)
- Pay only for pools you service
- Route optimization included
- No contracts, cancel anytime
- Pool-specific features (chemicals, equipment)
Considerations
- Not free after trial period
- Newer platform (launched 2024)
- Building integration ecosystem
Skimmer
Established per-pool pricing option
Skimmer is an established pool service software with per-pool pricing that keeps costs low for smaller operations. Their basic tier starts at $1/pool/month, though full features require the $2/pool tier. This makes Skimmer one of the most affordable professional options available.
The platform is pool-specific with features like chemical tracking, dosage calculators, and water test integration. The iOS app is particularly well-regarded. However, Android users have reported stability issues, and route optimization is only available at the higher price tier.
For businesses primarily using iPhones and wanting the absolute lowest starting cost, Skimmer's $1/pool basic tier is attractive. Just be aware you may eventually need to upgrade to access features like route optimization.
What You Get
- Lowest starting price ($1/pool basic)
- Free trial available
- Pool-specific features
- Strong iOS app
- Chemical dosage calculators
Considerations
- Full features require $2/pool tier
- Android app has reported issues
- Route optimization only at higher tier
- No AI features included
Jobber
14-day free trial, then monthly pricing
Jobber offers a 14-day free trial to test their comprehensive field service management platform. After the trial, pricing starts at $39/month for their Core plan. This flat monthly rate can be more cost-effective than per-pool pricing if you have a large route (70+ pools).
As a general field service platform, Jobber is not pool-specific. You will not find chemical tracking or water test integration built in. However, if you offer multiple services (landscaping, spa maintenance, etc.) or want a highly-rated platform with excellent customer support, Jobber is worth considering.
The 14-day trial is fully featured, giving you time to explore scheduling, invoicing, client management, and team coordination tools. Reliable mobile apps work well on both iOS and Android.
What You Get
- 14-day free trial
- Flat monthly pricing (good for large routes)
- Excellent customer support
- Reliable mobile apps
- Multi-service support
Considerations
- Not pool-specific (no chemical tracking)
- $39/mo minimum after trial
- Higher tiers needed for advanced features
- No water test integrations
Housecall Pro
14-day free trial with marketing tools
Housecall Pro provides a 14-day free trial to explore their popular field service platform. With nearly 3,000 reviews on Capterra and a 4.7/5 rating, it is one of the most well-regarded options. Post-trial pricing starts at $59/month.
The platform excels at marketing features like automated review requests and online booking. If growing your customer base is a priority, these tools add value beyond basic scheduling and invoicing. Mobile apps are reliable on both platforms.
Like Jobber, Housecall Pro is not pool-specific. Chemical tracking and pool equipment databases are not built in. The higher starting price ($59 vs $39) means it is less attractive for very small operations looking to minimize costs.
What You Get
- 14-day free trial
- Excellent user reviews
- Marketing and growth tools
- Polished interface
- Strong customer support
Considerations
- Not pool-specific
- $59/mo minimum after trial
- No chemical tracking features
- Higher cost than per-pool options
GorillaDesk
14-day free trial for route-based services
GorillaDesk offers a 14-day free trial with flat monthly pricing starting at $49/month. Originally designed for pest control, it has expanded to support route-based service businesses including pool service. The route optimization features are particularly strong.
With a 4.8/5 Capterra rating, GorillaDesk has earned positive reviews for ease of use and reliability. The mobile apps work well on both iOS and Android, and the flat monthly pricing may benefit businesses with larger routes.
Like other general-purpose platforms, GorillaDesk lacks pool-specific features like chemical tracking and water test integration. If route optimization is your primary concern and you are comfortable tracking chemicals separately, it is a solid option.
What You Get
- 14-day free trial
- Strong route optimization
- Reliable mobile apps
- Good customer support
- Competitive flat pricing
Considerations
- Not pool-specific
- No chemical tracking
- $49/mo minimum after trial
- Pest control focus in some features
DIY: Spreadsheets and Basic Tools
Completely free but requires manual work
For businesses servicing just a handful of pools, free tools like Google Sheets, Google Calendar, and basic invoicing apps can work. You can create a spreadsheet to track customers, chemical readings, and service history. Google Calendar can handle scheduling. Free invoicing apps like Wave or PayPal invoicing handle billing.
This DIY approach is truly free but comes with significant limitations. You will spend more time on administrative work, have no mobile-optimized field app, and miss out on features like route optimization, automated customer communication, and chemical dosage calculators.
The DIY approach makes sense if you are servicing fewer than 10 pools and want to test the business before investing in software. However, most professionals find that dedicated software pays for itself in time savings once they reach 15-20 pools.
What You Get
- Completely free ($0 cost)
- Full control over your data
- No contracts or commitments
- Works for very small operations
- Good for testing the business
Significant Limitations
- Time-consuming manual entry
- No mobile field app
- No route optimization
- No chemical dosage calculators
- No automated customer communication
- Unprofessional appearance to customers
- Difficult to scale past 10-15 pools
DIY Free Alternatives: An Honest Assessment
If you are determined to avoid software costs entirely, here is how you can piece together free tools:
Customer Management
Use Google Sheets or Airtable (free tier) to create a customer database. Include columns for name, address, phone, email, pool type, equipment, and service frequency. This works but requires manual updating and does not integrate with other tools.
Scheduling
Google Calendar is free and functional. Color-code routes by day, set recurring appointments, and share with employees if needed. The main limitation is no route optimization. You will manually plan the most efficient order to visit pools.
Chemical Tracking
Create a Google Sheet with columns for date, pool, pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and chemicals added. This provides a record but no automatic dosage calculations. You will need to reference chemical charts separately or use free online calculators.
Invoicing
Wave Accounting offers free invoicing. PayPal and Square also provide free invoicing options. These work fine but are not connected to your customer database or service history.
The Reality Check
While this DIY approach costs $0, it typically requires 30-60 extra minutes daily compared to dedicated software. At 20 hours monthly of extra administrative work, you are effectively paying yourself below minimum wage to save $20-60 in software costs. Most professionals conclude that dedicated pool service software pays for itself quickly.
There is no truly free professional pool service software that we can recommend. However, per-pool pricing models offer the lowest barrier to entry for pool service businesses. PoolDial at $2/pool/month provides the best overall value because it includes a 24/7 AI receptionist that would otherwise cost $200-500/month separately.
For a 20-pool route, that is just $40/month for professional software with AI phone answering, route optimization, chemical tracking, and billing. Skimmer offers an even lower starting point at $1/pool for basic features. Take advantage of free trials to test these platforms before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any completely free pool service software?
No professional pool service software is completely free long-term. You can use free trials (typically 14-30 days) or piece together free tools like Google Sheets and Calendar. However, dedicated pool service software with features like route optimization, chemical tracking, and mobile apps requires a paid subscription.
What is the cheapest pool service software?
Per-pool pricing models offer the lowest costs for small operations. Skimmer's basic tier at $1/pool/month and PoolDial at $2/pool/month are the most affordable options. For a 20-pool route, that is $20-40/month. Flat-rate software like Jobber ($39/mo) becomes more cost-effective at around 40+ pools.
Can I use spreadsheets to run a pool service business?
Yes, for very small operations (under 10 pools). Use Google Sheets for customer data and chemical tracking, Google Calendar for scheduling, and Wave or PayPal for invoicing. However, this requires significant manual work and lacks features like route optimization and mobile field apps. Most professionals upgrade to dedicated software once they reach 15-20 pools.
Which free trial should I try first?
We recommend starting with PoolDial's free trial because it includes AI phone answering and is specifically designed for pool service. This lets you experience pool-specific features like chemical tracking and equipment databases. If you need multi-service support, also try Jobber's 14-day trial to compare general field service tools.
Is per-pool pricing or monthly pricing better for new businesses?
Per-pool pricing is almost always better for new businesses. At $1-2/pool, you start with minimal costs that scale as you grow. Monthly pricing ($39-99) makes sense only when your route exceeds 40-50 pools, at which point the flat rate becomes cheaper than per-pool fees.
Do free trials require a credit card?
It varies by platform. PoolDial does not require a credit card to start a free trial. Jobber, Housecall Pro, and GorillaDesk typically ask for payment information but do not charge until the trial ends. Always check the specific terms when signing up.