Compare
Spreadsheets, texts, or a CRM that actually fits the trades
Honest outcome comparison — what you get day to day. We don't name other brands. We name the mess you already know.
Capability matrix
Same jobs. Three ways to run them. ProjectMaxx is built so owners want to open the app — not dread another login.
| Capability | Spreadsheets & texts | Generic CRM | ProjectMaxx |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimates | Rebuild the same sheet every job | Forms if you set them up | Photo + natural language drafts you can send |
| Invoices | Copy-paste numbers, chase payment by text | Basic invoices; portal varies | Invoices + customer portal + payments in one flow |
| Crew time | Group texts and honor system | Often a separate time app | GPS clock-in tied to the job |
| Payroll | Export hell at week's end | Add-on or not trades-aware | Hours and pay live with the crew (Professional+) |
| Contracts & e-sign | PDF in email, hope they print it | Generic docs if included | State-aware contracts and e-sign in-app |
| AI in the workflow | None — you are the AI | Chat bolted on, not job-aware | Proprietary assistant for estimates and ops |
| Client portals | Attachments in a thread | Sometimes; rarely jobsite-polished | Professional docs customers open with pride |
| Mobile field use | Phone camera of a laptop screen | Desktop-first web apps | PWA-friendly — run the business from the truck |
Why owners switch
Not because software is exciting — because the juggling act stops being worth it.
- One app, not five tabsLeads, estimates, invoices, crew, and contracts stay connected — so you stop rebuilding the same job in three places.
- Looks sharp on siteCustomers see a portal and documents that feel established, not a forwarded spreadsheet.
- AI that knows the jobNatural language and photo → estimate drafts that live inside your real pipeline — not a chatbot that forgets the work order.
Try the trades stack on your next job
45-day free trial. No credit card. Same app from estimate to crew pay.