How to switch from ServiceM8 in an afternoon, with undo
The planA small business can often move customers and open jobs in an afternoon. Years of job history, forms and certificates take longer, and may be best left in the old account as an archive. Import from the old system into Apex is rolling out and still demo status, so check what lands.
Before you start
- Keep your old account open until Apex has run a full cycle.
- Note which accounting link you use, such as Xero or QuickBooks Online [7].
- List open quotes and unpaid invoices that must be finished in the old system.
- Record recurring job schedules by customer.
- Pause automated texts from the old account on cutover day.
The steps
- Find the old system's exportCheck the vendor's own help center for client and job exports. We did not verify the file format [1]. Download everything available and store a dated copy outside the old account.
- LD16Customer export (CSV) at any time(In progress)
- Inspect the fileOpen it in a spreadsheet and look for blank addresses, merged names and duplicates. Decide which history you really need in Apex, since old jobs and forms can stay in the archive.
- LD15Customer import from CSV/other software(In progress)
- Import and compareLoad a sample into Apex and compare ten customers to the old screens, including address, phone and notes. Import is demo status, so use the first run as a test only.
- OB02Import from competitor with side-by-side check(Rolling out)
- OB04Import from Jobber / HCP / Workiz / ServiceTitan exports(Rolling out)
- Rebuild recurring workRecreate repeating jobs with their days and crews. Look at each one on the calendar. Recurring job generation is partly built, so confirm the dates by hand.
- SC10Recurring jobs auto-generated(In progress)
- SC01Drag and drop calendar (day/week/month)(Rolling out)
- Test a request end to endSend a test request from the booking page, see it arrive pending, confirm it as the owner, then cancel it. This checks the whole path before a real customer uses it.
- BK11Booking requires owner approval (request mode)(Built)
- BK24Reschedule / cancel link for customer(Built, rolling out)
- Run both, then cut overKeep billing and dispatch in ServiceM8 for one cycle while Apex mirrors it [1]. When the two agree, move over and keep your downloaded files as a backup.
- OB14Switch protection (never lose data, ledger)(Rolling out)
Apex status for the import and switch tools is shown beside each step. Status as of 2026-10-07.
Undo plan
In progress
Keep ServiceM8 open until Apex has run a full cycle; ServiceM8's page lists no lock-ins and lets plans change any time [6], so staying costs little. Apex can export customers as CSV, and export on cancel is partly built. Switch protection is demo status, so there is no automatic rollback.
- OB14Switch protection (never lose data, ledger)(Rolling out)
- AD10Data export on cancel(In progress)
- LD16Customer export (CSV) at any time(In progress)
Switching questions
How do the two price structures compare?
Compare your own numbers. ServiceM8 lists plans from $0 to $349 a month, sized by jobs [2][3]. Apex is priced by users, from $59 a month for one user, with texts and AI extra.
Will my forms and certificates move over?
Do not assume so. Forms and certificates are listed as ServiceM8 features [8], and Apex import is demo status. Keep the old account as an archive for anything you cannot verify after import.
Does Apex have a native phone app?
No. ServiceM8 lists iOS and Android apps [8]. Apex installs to the phone home screen as a web app, so check that your crew is comfortable with that before you switch.
Sources for ServiceM8 facts
- www.servicem8.com/ (read 2026-10-07)
- www.servicem8.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.servicem8.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.servicem8.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.servicem8.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.servicem8.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)
- www.servicem8.com/ (read 2026-10-07)
- www.servicem8.com/pricing (read 2026-10-07)