For crews weighing their options
The free Housecall Pro alternative built for outdoor work.
Housecall Pro runs $59–$329 a month, charges $35 per extra user, and locks good/better/best proposals behind its top tier. MakeHay gives outdoor crews those proposals, satellite site measurement, and weather-aware scheduling — free.
Free forever for one user. Set up in minutes.
Switching? We'll help you move your customer list — support@makehay.io.
Side by side
MakeHay vs Housecall Pro, feature by feature
Housecall Pro is polished and easy to learn — reviewers genuinely like using it. The differences that matter to an outdoor crew are the monthly bill, which features sit in the top tier, and what the software knows about the weather.
| Feature | MakeHay | Housecall Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — no monthly plan | $59–$329/mo + $35/mo per extra user |
| Good/better/best proposals | Free | Top (MAX) tier or paid add-on |
| Recurring service plans | Free | Top (MAX) tier or paid add-on |
| Satellite site measurement | Built in, free | |
| Weather warnings per job site | Automatic on every visit | |
| Quotes with online approval | ||
| Invoices with card + bank (ACH) payment | ||
| Automated review requests | Free |
Comparison reflects Housecall Pro's published pricing at housecallpro.com as of July 2026 (Basic/Essentials/MAX, annual-billing rates from $59/mo); plans and prices change — verify with the vendor. Housecall Pro is a trademark of its owner; MakeHay is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Housecall Pro.
Why crews switch
Software that already knows outdoor work
Measure the site before you drive to it
Pull up any address on satellite view, trace the areas, and measure the runs — square feet and linear feet, straight into your quote. Older imagery is one dropdown away when today's photo hides what you need to see.
Quotes in the units you bid in
Per square foot, per linear foot, per item, or flat — with categories so the customer sees a clean total, good/better/best packages when you want to upsell, and one-tap approval that skips the printer.
Weather watching every job
Every scheduled visit is checked against the forecast for that address. Rain on the job day, a cold snap that stops a cure, snow that triggers a plow route — you get warned first, and pointed to the clearer day.
Scheduling made for outdoor work
Multi-day jobs, split visits, recurring routes — drag them on the calendar, and unscheduled work sits in a tray so nothing gets forgotten.
Paid without the chase
Approved quote to invoice in one click. Card and ACH online, checks recorded in seconds, and automatic follow-ups so overdue money doesn't stay overdue.
One tool, not five — and free
Measuring, estimating, CRM, scheduling, and invoicing in one place, with no monthly subscription. No exporting takeoffs from one app into quotes in another.
An honest note
Housecall Pro is genuinely easy to use, its payment stack is mature, and homeowners like its automated texts — if you're an indoor residential service business, it may fit you well. MakeHay makes the opposite bet: everything in it exists because the work happens outside. If your revenue depends on dry pavement, cure temperatures, or mowing windows, you'll feel the difference — and you'll feel the $0 too.
FAQ
Common questions
Is MakeHay a good Housecall Pro alternative?
For outdoor crews, yes. Housecall Pro is built around residential indoor service calls — HVAC, plumbing, cleaning. MakeHay is built around outdoor work: satellite takeoffs before you drive to the site, quotes in the units you bid (square feet, linear feet, stalls), and a forecast check on every scheduled visit. And it's free instead of $59–$329 a month.
How much does Housecall Pro cost compared to MakeHay?
As of July 2026, Housecall Pro's published plans run $59–$329/month (annual billing), plus $35/month per additional user, and several popular features — sales proposals with good/better/best options, recurring service plans — sit in the MAX tier or cost extra as add-ons. MakeHay is free, including good/better/best packages and recurring jobs.
What does MakeHay have that Housecall Pro doesn't?
Satellite site measurement that flows straight into quote quantities, and weather intelligence on every visit — rain, cure temps, and cure-window warnings tuned to outdoor trades, with a clearer day suggested when the forecast turns. Housecall Pro doesn't do either; it wasn't built for weather-dependent work.
What does Housecall Pro do that MakeHay doesn't (yet)?
It has a mature ecosystem MakeHay hasn't built yet: consumer financing offers, a deep price book, QuickBooks sync, and built-in text messaging. If those are load-bearing for your business today, it's the more complete general platform — at its price.
How do I switch from Housecall Pro to MakeHay?
Create a free account and send your first quote today. Email support@makehay.io with an export of your customer list and we'll help you bring it in and set up your services and pricing.
Ready for software built for the way you work?
Start free today — and if you're switching, we'll help you move in.
Free forever for one user. Set up in minutes.