Comparison

Contacts Journal CRM vs ServiceM8

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Contacts Journal CRM

This app helps you manage customer relationships by tracking conversations, organizing contacts, and scheduling follow-ups. It allows you to store notes, files, and documents, and offers features like contact mapping and email templates to build stronger connections and never miss opportunities.

Highlights
  • Track last interaction with contacts
  • Manage follow-ups and reminders
  • Organize contacts with tags and filters
  • Store notes, files, and documents
  • Map contacts and plan meetings
  • Create personalized email templates
  • Link contacts to company accounts
Features
Read full description

Stay on top of your relationships with a powerful, easy-to-use CRM. Contacts Journal gives you the tools to track conversations, manage follow-ups, and organize your contacts—so you can build stronger relationships and never miss an opportunity. With Contacts Journal, you can: • Always know your last interaction with each contact, so you’re prepared for any conversation • Stay consistent with timely follow-ups, reminders, and tasks • Organize contacts using tags, groups, and filters • Keep all relevant notes, files, and documents in one place • Plan smarter meetings by seeing who’s nearby and where opportunities are • Maintain a private, secure address book fully under your control • Reach out faster with personalized emails using templates or AI TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS WHO MANAGE RELATIONSHIPS: • sales professionals and account managers • small business owners • freelancers, consultants, and independent operators • real estate agents, lawyers, and other client-facing roles • individuals who want to stay intentional about their personal network KEY FEATURES: LOGS, TODOS AND FILES Keep notes for each meeting with Logs; create follow-ups and reminders with ToDos; attach images and documents with Files IMPORT CONTACTS You can easily import your contacts from the Contacts app, or from a CSV file ORGANIZE CONTACTS Categorize and visualize your contacts list with Contact Tags, Favorite Contacts, Groups and Filters COMPANY ACCOUNTS Link multiple contacts to a Company Account, to track interactions at the organization level DUPLICATE DETECTION AND MERGE Detect and merge duplicate contacts CUSTOM FIELDS Extend the app by defining and creating your own custom fields MAP YOUR CONTACTS Turn your contacts into a map of opportunities. See who’s nearby, plan smarter meetings, and spot patterns with color-coded locations BUSINESS CARD SCANNER [requires a Teams plan] Quickly convert business cards into contacts EMAIL TEMPLATES Create email templates with personalization tags, to send prepared emails quickly with a personal touch AVAILABLE ON iOS AND MAC Contacts Journal is available on iOS and Mac App Store, with seamless syncing via iCloud so your data is always up to date across devices. POWERFUL FEATURES • Share Extension to save notes, links, and images from other apps • Siri Shortcuts for faster workflows and automation • Home and Lock Screen widgets for quick access • Group Emails to reach multiple contacts at once • Visual charts to track your relationship activity GREAT FOR PRIVACY No account signup needed. Your data stays fully under your control, and we never have access to it UNLIMITED PERSONAL PLAN: • The app is initially limited to 20 Logs, ToDos, Files, Custom Fields, etc. To add unlimited entries, please purchase the “Unlimited Personal Plan” • The Unlimited Personal Plan is a one-time purchase • You can purchase the "Unlimited Combined Plan" to unlock both iOS and Mac apps together CONTACTS JOURNAL FOR TEAMS: • Share your Contacts Journal data with others using iCloud accounts • Real-time, automatic syncing between multiple users • Create multiple teams to share different information with different users • Includes a Business Card Scanner Contacts Journal For Teams requires a monthly or annual subscription that is purchased through the app. The subscription will automatically renew unless canceled within 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial will be forfeited if you purchase a subscription. Terms of Service: https://contactsjournal.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015780571 Privacy Policy: https://contactsjournal.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015414291 Please send us your suggestions and feedback at support@zaal-llc.com

About

ServiceM8

This app helps trade contractors and home service businesses manage jobs, clients, and staff efficiently. It digitizes workflows from scheduling and quoting to invoicing and payments, reducing paperwork and improving service delivery. Field staff can access all job details on their mobile devices, while office staff can manage operations online.

Highlights
  • Digital job cards
  • Scheduling and dispatch
  • Online quotes and invoicing
  • Client communication tools
  • Staff location tracking
  • Mobile payments
  • Digital forms and asset management
Features
Read full description

ServiceM8 is job management software for trade contractors & home service businesses, such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC & refrigeration contractors, locksmiths, cleaners & gardeners — any kind of small business which manages jobs & staff in the field. ServiceM8 is a job, staff & client management solution, with everything to run your day-to-day in one place — digital job cards, scheduling, quotes, staff locations, client emails & texts, job notes & photos, online bookings, forms, asset management, invoicing & payments. You’ll cut paperwork, get more jobs done, provide amazing service & get paid faster. Field staff use the ServiceM8 app for iPhone & iPad. Office staff can access the ServiceM8 dashboard online via web browser on Mac or PC. Download the app & tap ‘Try Demo’ — no sign-up required. Who is ServiceM8 for? ServiceM8 is a simple, easy tool for contractors & field service businesses with a high-turnover of short jobs, ranging in size from sole operators up to 20 staff. Industries such as: • Plumbing • Electrical • Solar • HVAC & Refrigeration • Pest Control • Appliance Repair • Locksmithing & Security • Cleaning • Pool Care • Lawn Mowing & Gardening Businesses • IT • Property Maintenance • Fire Protection • Carpet & Flooring Job Management Software • Manage jobs from start to finish • Access all client & job details in the field • Ensure job quality & consistency with built-in checklists • Capture electronic signatures Communication & CRM • Email & text clients directly from the app • Save time with email & text templates • Send On-the-Way text messages to clients • Automate booking confirmations, reminders & follow-ups to clients Scheduling • View your schedule & job info, anywhere • See a real-time map view of staff & job locations • Dispatch jobs & urgent work, instantly • Receive push notifications about schedule changes Quoting & Invoicing • Generate professional PDF quotes, estimates & invoices on site • Email or text quotes & invoices to clients from the app • Clients can view quotes & pay invoices online Time tracking & Timesheets • Track travel time & time on site, for billing purposes • Track shift & break time, for payroll purposes • Export payroll time sheets to Xero or QuickBooks Online Mobile & Online Payments • Accept contactless payments with Tap to Pay on iPhone • No extra dongles, terminals or hardware needed — just your iPhone Digital Forms & Assets • Complete digital reports, procedures & certificates on site, through the app • Create custom forms for your business & industry • Catalogue client assets & view their service history Job History • Access a full history of work done for every client • Attach notes, photos, videos, emails & messages to jobs • Automatic back-up & secure cloud storage Accounting Integrations • Connect to Xero or QuickBooks Online • Sync invoices & payments from ServiceM8 • Streamline invoicing, payments & accounting Pricing • A range of monthly plans to suit your business & requirements • Plans bundle jobs, SMSs & add-ons into a single monthly price • No contracts, setup fees, or ‘per-user’ fees. • Unlimited users & storage • 14-day free trial Support • Free, 24/7 email & chat support • Self-serve Help Centre with articles & videos • Global network of ServiceM8 Partners offering setup services In-App Purchase Terms When you subscribe to a plan through the ServiceM8 app, payment will be charged to your Apple ID on a recurring monthly basis. Your monthly subscription will automatically renew unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date. You can manage your subscription in the ServiceM8 app in More > Settings > ServiceM8 Account. Any unused portion of your free trial is forfeited after purchase. Terms of Service: www.servicem8.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: www.servicem8.com/privacy-policy The ServiceM8 application uses background location. Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease battery life.

Screenshots

Contacts Journal CRM4 screens
ServiceM84 screens

Verdict

The call

Contacts Journal CRM and ServiceM8 both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 91% of Contacts Journal CRM's written reviews are positive against 65% of ServiceM8's. Contacts Journal CRM also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Contacts Journal CRM sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and ServiceM8 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Contacts Journal CRM against 4.6 for ServiceM8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.4K and 833 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Contacts Journal CRM's written reviews are positive against 65% of ServiceM8's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Contacts Journal CRM ships an update weekly, ServiceM8 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Contacts Journal CRM versus ServiceM8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterContacts Journal CRMServiceM8
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.4K ratings) — better4.6 (833 ratings)
Positive reviews90.6% of reviews — better65.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2.4K — better833
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB134 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerzaal LLCEroldawn Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Contacts Journal CRM

All ratings2,414 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.1%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews627 reviews
Positive90.6%
Neutral3.3%
Negative6.1%

ServiceM8

All ratings833 ratings
Positive89.0%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews283 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral12.4%
Negative22.6%

User reviews

Contacts Journal CRM

From 2.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Efficient contact management
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 💡 Customizable fields and tags
  • 🗓️ Seamless calendar integration
  • 📸 Ability to attach files and photos

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Syncing issues with iCloud
  • 🔍 Limited search functionality
  • 🗓️ Inflexible scheduling and repeat options
  • 🎨 Outdated visual design
  • 🔀 Difficulty managing duplicate contacts

ServiceM8

From 833 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💻 Powerful and feature-rich
  • 🚀 Streamlines business operations
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly
  • 💰 Affordable pricing
  • 🔥 Constantly improving with new features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
  • 🤖 AI assistant could be improved
  • 🔍 Search functionality could be better
  • 📁 Limited file management options
  • 🗓️ Calendar view could be more user-friendly

Bugs and requests

Contacts Journal CRM

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes after recent updates
  • Issues with deleting or restoring contacts
  • Inconsistent behavior across devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Group messaging and email capabilities
  • Advanced reporting and analytics
  • Deeper integration with other productivity apps
  • More flexible scheduling and repeat options
  • Ability to customize the visual appearance

ServiceM8

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Syncing issues between mobile app and desktop
  • Crashes when trying to open PDF files
  • Calendar view reverting to old dates
  • Inability to assign tasks to specific employees
  • Payment processing problems

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to track equipment repairs
  • Customizable invoice templates
  • Improved routing and scheduling tools
  • Automated monthly statements for clients
  • Better integration with Android devices
Show 1 more
  • More flexible job costing and margin tracking

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Contacts Journal CRM

Subscriptions6
  • 1 User14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 5 Users14 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • 20 Users14 Days trial$49.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • 1 User14 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • 5 Users14 Days trial$249.991 Year
  • 20 Users14 Days trial$399.991 Year
One-time4
  • Unlimited Plan - Legacy UserFree
  • Unlimited Plan - iOS Add-On$19.99
  • Unlimited Personal Plan$24.99
Show 1 more
  • Unlimited Plan - iOS + Mac$69.99
4 purchases

ServiceM8

Subscriptions4
  • Lite1 Month trial$8.991 Month
  • Starter$28.991 Month
  • Growing$78.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Premium$149.991 Month

Questions

Is Contacts Journal CRM free?
Contacts Journal CRM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ServiceM8 free?
ServiceM8 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Contacts Journal CRM or ServiceM8?
Contacts Journal CRM is rated higher. Contacts Journal CRM averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while ServiceM8 averages 4.6 from 833 ratings.
Do Contacts Journal CRM or ServiceM8 have ads?
Neither Contacts Journal CRM nor ServiceM8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Contacts Journal CRM or ServiceM8?
Contacts Journal CRM ships an update weekly, and ServiceM8 monthly. Most recently, Contacts Journal CRM was updated on September 22, 2026 and ServiceM8 on September 24, 2026.

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