AI agents for your trade business. 14-day free trial.

AI agents vs manual software

Jobber helps you manage your business manually. Sterling gives you AI agents that run your back office while you focus on the work.

RECOMMENDED

Sterling Crew

AI-powered trade business platform

$149/mo flat
6 AI agents that run your back office
Set up in 30 minutes
All features included at every tier
Month-to-month, cancel anytime
100+ trades supported
Trade-specific AI configurations
J

Jobber

Manual field service management

$39/mo (1 user)
No AI agents — everything is manual
Texting and automation locked behind Grow ($199/mo)
$29/user/month for additional users
No equipment or inventory tracking
~50 trades supported
Generic configuration for all trades

What you actually pay: 5-person team

Annual cost comparison including all features your team needs.

Sterling Crew Starter
$1,788 /year

All AI agents and features included.

Monthly fee (5 users)$149/mo
AI agentsIncluded
Texting & automationIncluded
Review managementIncluded
Year 1 total$1,788
Jobber Grow (for comparable features)
$2,388 /year

Grow plan required for texting and automation.

Monthly fee (Grow, 15 users)$199/mo
AI agentsNot available
Texting & automationIncluded (Grow only)
Review managementIncluded (Grow only)
Year 1 total$2,388

Bottom line: Sterling costs $600 less per year than Jobber Grow — and includes 6 AI agents that answer calls, generate quotes, and collect payments automatically. With Jobber, you still do all of that manually.

The fundamental difference

Jobber is a digital clipboard. Sterling is an AI team that runs your office.

Jobber approach

You get a clean interface to organize your work. But you still do all the work.

1You answer every call or miss the lead
2You type estimates manually in the app
3You drag jobs onto the schedule yourself
4You create invoices and chase payments
5You remember to ask for reviews
6You plan your own marketing (or don't)

Sterling approach

You get 6 AI agents that handle these tasks autonomously. You focus on the work.

Front Desk Agent answers every call 24/7
Quoting Agent builds estimates from voice input
Dispatch Agent optimizes your daily schedule
Collections Agent auto-invoices and follows up
Reputation Agent requests reviews after every job
Marketing Agent runs campaigns when work slows down

Feature-by-feature comparison

Every feature, side by side.

Feature
Sterling
Jobber
AI & Automation
AI Front Desk Agent (24/7 call answering)
AI Quoting Agent (voice-to-quote)
AI Collections Agent
AI Reputation Agent
AI Dispatch Agent (route optimization)
AI Marketing Agent (seasonal campaigns)
Autonomous back office
Core Operations
Scheduling & dispatch
CRM / customer management
Invoicing & payments
Estimates & proposals
Mobile app
GPS tracking
Pricebook management
Limited
Online booking
Communication & Marketing
Two-way texting
Grow+
Automated follow-ups
Grow+
Email campaigns
Grow+
Review management
Grow+
Marketing automation
AI-drafted campaigns
Trade Coverage
Trades supported
100+
~50
Trade-specific AI agents
Service agreements
Grow+
Equipment tracking
Inventory management
Permit tracking
Pricing & Setup
Starting price
$149/mo flat
$39/mo (1 user)
5-user plan cost
$149/mo
$119/mo (Connect)
Full features plan
$299/mo
$199/mo (Grow)
Additional user cost
$0 (up to plan limit)
$29/user/mo
Setup time
30 minutes
1-2 weeks
Free trial
14 days
14 days
Contract required
QuickBooks integration

Who should use what

Choose Sterling if you...

Want AI to handle calls, quotes, and payments
Are tired of doing admin work after hours
Want to grow without hiring office staff
Need trade-specific AI that knows your industry
Want all features included at every price tier
Operate in a niche trade beyond the basics

Consider Jobber if you...

Prefer to manage everything manually
Only need basic scheduling and invoicing
Are a solo operator with minimal admin needs
Don't want or need AI automation
Are comfortable with limited features on lower tiers
Want the lowest possible starting price

What contractors say about switching

"I used Jobber for 2 years. It's fine for scheduling but I was still answering every call and typing every quote. Sterling's AI does all of that now."

Pest Control Operator — Tampa, FL

"Jobber's Grow plan was $199/month and I still had to do everything myself. Sterling costs less and the AI actually handles my calls and follow-ups."

Electrician — Denver, CO

"I'm a 2-person shop. I can't afford a receptionist. Sterling's Front Desk Agent answers my phone 24/7 and books jobs while I sleep. Jobber never did that."

Plumber — Nashville, TN

Frequently asked questions

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