Tradify just switched on AI. It's called SmartTools, and the ads make it sound like it'll do your paperwork for you.
Here's the honest version — what it does, what it costs, and whether a one-person crew should care.
What SmartTools actually is
Two things, really.
SmartRead for Bills. Snap a photo of a supplier docket and it reads the bill and drops the costs straight onto the job. No typing. No lost dockets in the ute. This one's a genuine time-saver if you're buried in supplier invoices.
AI writing. It'll turn your line items into a tidy job description, fix your spelling, soften a blunt message. Handy — but your phone already does this free with ChatGPT or Claude.
The catch
SmartTools only comes on the Plus plan — the dearest one. Rough Aussie money, per user, per month, ex GST:
Lite about $48
Pro about $52
Plus about $62
So the AI isn't a cheap add-on. It's the jump to the top tier — roughly $14 a user a month more, forever. (Heads up: Tradify prices in US dollars and locks your AUD rate at sign-up, so check the real number in the free trial before you commit.)
The bigger catch
Tradify's a closed box. No Zapier, no open connection, no way to wire it into an AI agent. Remember ServiceM8 from a couple of issues back? You can plug that straight into Claude or ChatGPT. Tradify — what you get is what you get.
The 30-second test
Ask where your admin actually hurts:
Bills piling up, and you're already on Plus? SmartRead earns its keep. Use it.
On Lite, and the AI's the only reason you'd move up a tier? Save the money. Use a free chatbot for the writing.
The verdict
Tradify's a good job tool — easy to learn, and strong on Android where ServiceM8 is weak. But the AI is narrow, locked to the priciest plan, and can't be extended. SmartRead's the one keeper, and only if you're already paying for Plus. The AI isn't the reason to buy Tradify.
Full breakdown on video (4 min): youtu.be/CS7TIqFVPlo
— The Offsider
We take no money from Tradify. No affiliate links. Just the honest version.