ServiceTitan vs Housecall Pro for Small HVAC Shops: Honest Comparison
Both platforms target different markets. Here is which one actually fits a 3-10 technician HVAC shop, with specific pros and cons.
The Real Question
ServiceTitan is the enterprise player. Housecall Pro targets smaller shops. But which one actually fits a 3-10 technician HVAC operation?
The answer depends on your growth trajectory, technical comfort, and budget.
ServiceTitan: The Enterprise Option
Pros
- Deep feature set for complex operations
- Strong reporting and analytics
- Good for shops planning rapid growth
- Integration ecosystem is extensive
- Marketing features included
Cons
- Expensive ($250-400+ per tech per month)
- Complex implementation (4-8 weeks typical)
- Overkill for simple operations
- Steep learning curve
- Contract lock-in
Best For
HVAC shops with 15+ technicians, multiple locations, or aggressive growth plans. If you need complex dispatching, detailed reporting, and can afford dedicated admin staff to manage the system.
Housecall Pro: The SMB Option
Pros
- Lower price point ($49-199 per user per month)
- Easier to learn and implement
- Good mobile app for field techs
- Quick setup (days, not weeks)
- Month-to-month available
Cons
- Basic routing (manual drag and drop)
- Limited equipment tracking
- Generic design (not HVAC-specific)
- Reporting is adequate but not deep
- Scales awkwardly past 10 users
Best For
Small HVAC shops (1-8 techs) who need basic scheduling, invoicing, and customer management without enterprise complexity.
The 3-10 Tech Sweet Spot
The problem: 3-10 technician shops fall between these two options.
ServiceTitan is too much. You are paying for features you will not use, dealing with implementation complexity you do not need, and locked into contracts that hurt if growth slows.
Housecall Pro is not enough. You need better routing as you add techs. You want HVAC-specific features like equipment tracking. You outgrow the basic reporting.
This gap is why many mid-size HVAC shops feel stuck. They chose Housecall Pro early, grew, and now need more. But ServiceTitan feels like overkill.
Feature Comparison for Mid-Size Shops
| Feature | ServiceTitan | Housecall Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Route optimization | Good (add-on) | Basic |
| Multi-option estimates | Yes | Limited |
| Equipment tracking | Detailed | Basic |
| Pricebook | Comprehensive | Simple |
| AHRI integration | Yes | No |
| Rebate management | Yes | No |
| Mobile offline | Partial | Partial |
| Price (5 techs) | $1,500+/mo | $500-800/mo |
What Mid-Size Shops Actually Need
Based on conversations with dozens of 3-10 tech HVAC shops:
- Route efficiency - Not just a map, but actual optimization
- Multi-option estimates - Good/Better/Best pricing that works on mobile
- Equipment database - AHRI integration, not manual entry
- Modern architecture - Clean sheet design, not decades of patches
- Quick implementation - Days, not weeks
- HVAC focus - Not generic field service software
Neither ServiceTitan nor Housecall Pro perfectly fits this list for mid-size residential HVAC.
Making Your Decision
Choose ServiceTitan if:
- You have 15+ techs or plan to grow there fast
- You need complex multi-location management
- You have admin staff to manage the system
- Budget allows $3,000+/month for software
Choose Housecall Pro if:
- You have 1-5 techs and plan to stay small
- You need basic scheduling and invoicing
- You want quick, low-cost implementation
- You are comfortable with generic features
Consider alternatives if:
- You have 3-10 techs and need more than Housecall Pro offers
- ServiceTitan complexity and cost feel excessive
- You want HVAC-specific features without enterprise baggage
The Third Option
This is why we built Plenum. Not to compete with ServiceTitan at the enterprise level. Not to compete with Housecall Pro for solo operators. To serve the 3-10 tech HVAC shop that needs real routing optimization, multi-option estimates, and equipment intelligence without enterprise complexity.
Clean sheet design. Complete operating system. HVAC-specific from the ground up.
If that sounds like what you need, check out our comparison pages or join the waitlist.
Related Resources
- ServiceTitan Comparison - Full head-to-head analysis
- Housecall Pro Comparison - Detailed feature breakdown
- ServiceTitan Alternatives - Options for mid-size shops
- Housecall Pro Alternatives - When simple tools hit their ceiling
- What ServiceTitan Gets Wrong - Enterprise mismatch at small scale