Pay The Pool Man vs Skimmer 2026: Which Is Better for Pool Service?
Choosing between Pay The Pool Man and Skimmer for your pool service business? Both platforms serve field service professionals, but they take different approaches to scheduling, invoicing, and mobile tools.
This comparison breaks down everything pool service professionals need to know: pricing, features, mobile apps, and which platform is better suited for your specific needs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pay The Pool Man | Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Capterra Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Best For | Pool service billing platform | Pool service management platform |
| Mobile App | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Route Planning | Available | Available |
| Invoicing | Built-in | Built-in |
What Sets Pay The Pool Man Apart
Pay The Pool Man has built its reputation on specific strengths that matter to field service businesses. Here's what users consistently highlight:
Pay The Pool Man Strengths
- Excellent customer service and responsiveness
- Comprehensive billing and invoicing features
- Good value for solo operators and small teams
- LaMotte SpinTouch and Orenda integration
- Saves significant time on billing tasks
- ACH and credit card payment processing
- Payroll tracking included
- Customer portal for clients
What Sets Skimmer Apart
Skimmer differentiates itself with features that appeal to businesses looking for specific capabilities:
Skimmer Strengths
- Excellent customer support with live phone help
- Easy to use, intuitive interface
- Pool-industry specific (not generic FSM)
- Professional service emails impress customers
- Offline mode works without internet
- Unlimited users (no per-tech fees)
- Route optimization saves time
- Strong chemical tracking features
Pay The Pool Man Limitations
No software is perfect. Based on user reviews and our analysis, here's where Pay The Pool Man falls short:
Areas for Improvement
- Clunky, outdated user interface
- Mobile app frequently crashes and freezes
- Route optimization produces inefficient routes
- Limited customization for invoices
- Emails often go to customer spam folders
- App has bugs and sync issues
- Can't process payments without cell signal
- Learning curve can be steep
Skimmer Limitations
Similarly, Skimmer has some weaknesses to consider:
Areas for Improvement
- Recent 100% price increase upset many users
- Android app has stability issues (crashes, freezes)
- Pushing users toward Skimmer billing vs QuickBooks
- Some features locked behind higher tiers
- Photo quality issues reported by some users
- Time tracking can be unreliable
Mobile App Experience
For pool service professionals, the mobile app is critical—you're in the field all day. Here's how both platforms stack up:
- Excellent customer service and responsiveness
- Comprehensive billing and invoicing features
- Good value for solo operators and small teams
- Excellent customer support with live phone help
- Easy to use, intuitive interface
- Pool-industry specific (not generic FSM)
Looking for Pool-Specific Software?
PoolDial is built specifically for pool service professionals with chemical tracking, water testing integration, and a 24/7 AI receptionist included at no extra cost. Simple $2/pool pricing with no contracts.
See How PoolDial ComparesWho Should Choose Pay The Pool Man?
Pay The Pool Man is likely the better choice if you:
- Excellent customer service — Excellent customer service and responsiveness
- Comprehensive billing and — Comprehensive billing and invoicing features
- Good value for — Good value for solo operators and small teams
- LaMotte SpinTouch and — LaMotte SpinTouch and Orenda integration
Who Should Choose Skimmer?
Skimmer might be better if you:
- Excellent customer support — Excellent customer support with live phone help
- Easy to use, — Easy to use, intuitive interface
- Pool-industry specific (not — Pool-industry specific (not generic FSM)
- Professional service emails — Professional service emails impress customers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for pool service, Pay The Pool Man or Skimmer?
It depends on your priorities. Pay The Pool Man excels at excellent customer service and responsiveness, while Skimmer is stronger for excellent customer support with live phone help. For pool-specific features like chemical tracking and water testing, consider dedicated pool software like Skimmer or PoolDial.
Can I switch from Pay The Pool Man to Skimmer (or vice versa)?
Yes. Both platforms allow data export. Customer records, service history, and basic job data can typically be migrated. The complexity depends on how much historical data you need to transfer.
Do either have pool-specific features like chemical tracking?
Most general field service software doesn't include pool-specific features like chemical tracking, LSI calculations, or water testing integration. If these features are important to your business, look at pool-specific platforms like Skimmer or PoolDial.
Which has better customer support?
Both platforms generally receive positive feedback about their support teams. Check recent reviews for the most up-to-date information about response times and helpfulness.
Our Verdict
Choose Pay The Pool Man if: You prioritize excellent customer service and responsiveness.
Choose Skimmer if: You prioritize excellent customer support with live phone help.
For pool service specifically: Consider pool-specific software like Skimmer or PoolDial that includes chemical tracking, water testing integration, and pool industry features that general FSM software lacks.
For deeper reviews, read our complete Pay The Pool Man review or Skimmer review. Or explore our Best Pool Service Software guide for a broader comparison.