Skimmer vs Pool Brain: Which Pool Service Software Should You Choose?
Per-pool vs per-tech pricing, features on each plan, and which company size each one suits.
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| Tool | Best for | Starts at | Free trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skimmer | Route-based pool service companies of any size | $49/mo (up to 49 locations) | 30-day money-back guarantee; first month free on Scaling Up via promo links | See pricing |
| Pool Brain | Established companies with five or more technicians that want every feature on one plan | $325/mo (5-tech minimum) + base office fee | Free trial | See pricing |
Skimmer and Pool Brain are the two pool-specific apps most owners compare. Both are built for weekly routes. The biggest difference is how they charge.
Pricing in one sentence each
- Skimmer charges per serviced location: $1 per pool on the entry plan (from $49) and $2 on Scaling Up (from $98), with unlimited technicians.
- Pool Brain charges $65 per active technician with a minimum of five ($325 a month), plus a base office fee, with all features on one plan.
When Skimmer makes more sense
- You have fewer than 50 pools, where $49 a month covers everything on the entry plan.
- You have many part-time or seasonal techs, since technician seats are free.
- You want to try it risk-free: Skimmer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
When Pool Brain makes more sense
- You already run five or more technicians, so the minimum doesn’t cost you anything extra.
- Each tech runs a dense route, so per-tech pricing works out lower than per-pool.
- You want every feature without choosing a tier.
- You want setup done for you: Pool Brain includes free setup.
How to decide
Count your pools and your active techs. Multiply pools by $2 for Skimmer Scaling Up (or $1 under 50 pools). For Pool Brain, multiply techs by $65, using at least five, and add its base fee. The lower number, adjusted for which app your techs find faster at the pool, is your answer.
Skimmer
Best for: Route-based pool service companies of any size
Pricing
- Getting Started: $1 per location/mo, from $49/mo (0–49 pools)
- Scaling Up: $2 per location/mo, from $98/mo (50–1,000 pools), first month free
- Enterprise: custom, 1,000+ pools
- Add-ons: AI Phone $99/mo, Marketing Suite $150/mo, Bookkeeping from $198/mo
How it's priced
Per serviced location per month; unlimited technicians
Trial
30-day money-back guarantee; first month free on Scaling Up via promo links
Strengths
- Unlimited techs and admins on every plan
- Price scales with pools, not headcount
- Route builder, invoicing, online payments and customer portal on the entry plan
- Route optimization, quotes and LSI dosing calculator on Scaling Up
Watch out for
- Per-location rate doubles on Scaling Up
- Quotes, job management and route optimization are not on the entry plan
- Service texts cost extra on the entry plan ($0.029 per message)
Pool Brain
Best for: Established companies with five or more technicians that want every feature on one plan
Pricing
- $65/mo per active field technician, minimum 5 technicians ($325/mo)
- Base office fee not published on the pricing page
How it's priced
Base office fee (unlimited office users) plus $65 per active field technician, minimum 5 technicians
Trial
Free trial
Strengths
- All features on one plan
- Free setup
- Unlimited office users
Watch out for
- 5-technician minimum makes it expensive for small companies
- Full price is only visible in the calculator
- Per-tech pricing adds up for large crews