HVAC Software Pricing in 2026
What HVAC software actually costs once the add-ons land — flat-rate vs per-user vs enterprise, with real monthly totals for 1–10 tech residential shops. No demos required.
The three pricing models
Every HVAC platform on the market uses one of three pricing models. The model — not the feature list — usually decides your monthly bill.
| Model | Starting price | Real cost @ 5 techs | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat monthly | $79–$299/mo | $79–$299/mo | Ratchly, Service Fusion |
| Per-user, tiered | $69–$129/user | $400–$650/mo | Housecall Pro, Jobber |
| Enterprise, quote-only | Quote-only | $1,500–$3,000+/mo | ServiceTitan, FieldEdge |
At 5 techs, the gap between flat-rate and enterprise is roughly $15,000–$30,000/year. That's a journeyman raise, an apprentice's tools and truck, or a real ad budget.
Ratchly pricing
Flat monthly. Unlimited techs on every plan. No per-seat fees, no setup costs, no annual contracts. Cancel any time.
Starter
$79/mo
1–3 techs getting off spreadsheets
Growth
$149/mo
Adding maintenance plans and dunning
Pro
$229/mo
Estimates, memberships, multi-location
Prices in USD per month, billed monthly. Annual billing saves ~17%. SMS and Stripe-powered payments included on every plan (Stripe processing fees apply).
What's included vs metered
The biggest pricing surprise on HVAC software isn't the sticker price — it's the add-on bill. Here's the line-item check most shops wish they'd done before signing.
| Feature | Ratchly | Typical per-user platforms | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited techs | included | per-seat | per-seat |
| SMS reminders | included | metered or add-on | add-on |
| Card payments | included (Stripe) | add-on | add-on |
| Review automation | included | add-on | add-on |
| Maintenance plans | Growth+ | add-on | included |
| Setup / onboarding fee | $0 | $0–$500 | $3,000–$10,000+ |
| Annual contract required | no | no | usually yes |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does HVAC software cost per month?
- Most HVAC software falls into three pricing bands. Flat-rate platforms (Ratchly, Service Fusion) run $79–$299/month for unlimited techs. Per-user platforms (Housecall Pro, Jobber) start at $69–$129 per user per month — a 4-tech shop usually lands at $400–$650/month after add-ons. Enterprise (ServiceTitan, FieldEdge) is quote-only and typically $1,500–$3,000+/month for the same 4-tech shop.
- Is there free HVAC software?
- There is no serious free HVAC software for an operating shop. Free spreadsheet templates and generic free-trial CRMs exist, but none handle scheduling, dispatch, mobile tech apps, recurring maintenance, and invoicing together. The closest substitute is a free trial — Ratchly offers a 14-day free trial with every feature unlocked and no credit card to start.
- Why is HVAC software so expensive?
- Per-user and enterprise pricing models charge for every tech, dispatcher, and office user — and stack add-ons (SMS, payments, marketing, integrations) on top. A 5-tech shop on per-user pricing easily passes $500/month before any add-ons. Flat-rate pricing avoids the per-seat tax and is almost always cheaper for shops under 10 techs.
- Are there setup or onboarding fees for HVAC software?
- Flat-rate platforms generally charge $0 setup and you can be live the same day. Enterprise platforms like ServiceTitan typically charge $3,000–$10,000+ in implementation fees plus a 4–8 week onboarding window. That up-front cost is the single biggest reason small shops get stuck on enterprise software once they sign.
- Does HVAC software pricing include payments and SMS?
- It depends. Flat-rate platforms like Ratchly include unlimited SMS and Stripe-powered card payments in the base price (Stripe still charges its standard processing fee). Per-user platforms usually meter SMS, charge for the payments add-on, and price reviews and marketing as separate modules — read the line items carefully.
- What is the cheapest HVAC software for a small shop?
- For a 1–5 tech shop, flat-rate platforms starting around $79–$99/month are the cheapest workable option. Ratchly's Starter plan is $79/month for unlimited techs with scheduling, invoicing, payments, and SMS reminders included. Per-user pricing is only cheaper if you have exactly one user — and even then, often by less than $20/month.
- Can I cancel HVAC software at any time?
- Modern flat-rate platforms (Ratchly included) are month-to-month with no contract — cancel any time and you keep access until the end of the period. Enterprise platforms often require 12-month annual contracts with auto-renewal clauses. Always check the contract length and cancellation terms before signing.