How to switch from Markate in an afternoon, with undo
The planA small shop can aim for one afternoon of setup followed by one cycle of side-by-side running. Longer histories take more time. Import tools into Apex are demo status and not connected to saving real data, so plan to check by hand.
Before you start
- Export or copy your customer list from the old system.
- Keep Markate open and paid until Apex has run a full cycle [6].
- List your add-ons in use, such as booking, portal, reviews and Zapier [4].
- Note each repeating customer, interval and price.
- Pause automated texts and AI call answering in Markate on cutover day [5].
The steps
- Find the export in your current softwareCheck the vendor help center and confirm what you can download, since the export location and file format were not verified. Do this first, before you touch anything in Apex, and save the files to a folder you control.
- LD16Customer export (CSV) at any time(In progress)
- Check the file by eyeOpen the exported customer list and count the rows. Spot check ten customers against what the old screen shows: phone, address, notes. Fix obvious gaps in the spreadsheet now.
- LD15Customer import from CSV/other software(In progress)
- Import into Apex and compareLoad the customer list into Apex and use the side-by-side check against the original rows. The competitor import tools are demo status, so expect to confirm results by hand.
- OB02Import from competitor with side-by-side check(Rolling out)
- OB04Import from Jobber / HCP / Workiz / ServiceTitan exports(Rolling out)
- Rebuild recurring schedulesCopy repeating work from the schedule screen, since its storage was not verified. Write each repeat customer, interval and price on paper first, then recreate the plan in Apex and compare the next three dates.
- RC01Recurring service plans (weekly/monthly)(Rolling out)
- SC10Recurring jobs auto-generated(In progress)
- Test one request end to endSubmit a test request through the Apex booking page. It arrives pending, you confirm it, and only then does it become a confirmed visit. Check the reminder and the invoice that follow.
- BK11Booking requires owner approval (request mode)(Built)
- CM03Appointment reminders (SMS/email)(Built, rolling out)
- Run both systems for a full cycleKeep the old account open and running one full billing or service cycle, such as a month for monthly customers. New jobs go in Apex while old history stays reachable in the old account.
- OB14Switch protection (never lose data, ledger)(Rolling out)
- Cut over and keep the backupWhen Apex has matched a full cycle, point your website and phone links at Apex. Keep the old export files and Apex's own export somewhere safe for at least a year.
- AD10Data export on cancel(In progress)
Apex status for the import and switch tools is shown beside each step. Status as of 2026-10-07.
Undo plan
In progress
Keep the old account open until Apex has run one full cycle. The vendor page states no contract but also no refunds for early cancellation inside a billing period [6][7], so time your cancellation to the end of a period. Switch protection is demo status and export on cancel is partly built, so keep your own files.
- OB14Switch protection (never lose data, ledger)(Rolling out)
- AD10Data export on cancel(In progress)
Switching questions
Will I pay for both during the switch?
Probably yes for one cycle. Markate states no contract [6] but no refunds inside a billing period [7], so cancel near the end of a period after Apex has matched a full cycle.
Do I lose my old add-ons?
Apex does not copy add-ons. Online booking and request mode are part of its design, while texts and AI need your own provider account or a prepaid wallet that is rolling out.
Can Apex import an old export?
Importing from competitor exports is demo status and not connected to real data. Build the plan around manual checking, and ask about done-for-you migration, which is partly built.
Sources for Markate facts
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.markate.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)