mHelpDesk vs Housecall Pro
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — plus the free alternative both platforms fail to match.
The Short Answer
mHelpDesk is the legacy option — longer in market, older interface. Housecall Pro is the modern option at a lower price point. Kaldr Tech is the free option that skips legacy and beats price.
mHelpDesk
$169/mo
Long-time users of legacy desktop field service tools.
Housecall Pro
$65/mo
Modern home service crews wanting clean mobile UX.
Kaldr Tech
$0/month
Every feature free. Unlimited users. 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction, no contracts.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | mHelpDesk | Housecall Pro | Kaldr Tech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $169/month | $65/month | $0/month |
| Per-user pricing | Yes | Yes | No — unlimited users |
| Annual contract | Annual typical | Month-to-month | No — month to month |
| Setup fee | Setup fee | $0 | $0 |
| Scheduling & dispatch | Included | Included | Free, included |
| Invoicing & payments | mHelpDesk Payments | Included | Free. 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Virtual receptionist (24/7) | Not included | Not included | Free, included |
| Customer financing | Not included | Wisetack add-on | Free, built-in |
| Fleet/GPS tracking | Not included | Integration | Free, included |
| Website builder | Not included | Not included | Free, included |
| Reporting & analytics | Included | Included | Free, included |
| Mobile app | iOS/Android | iOS/Android | Free on iOS, Android, web |
← swipe to see all columns →
mHelpDesk
Pros
- +Mature product with long track record
- +QuickBooks integration
- +Desktop dispatcher view
Cons
- −Dated interface compared to modern tools
- −Higher entry price
- −Annual contract typical
Housecall Pro
Pros
- +Modern mobile-first UX
- +Lower entry price
- +Month-to-month billing
Cons
- −Still per-user monthly
- −No virtual receptionist
- −Features gated in higher tiers
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, mHelpDesk or Housecall Pro?
Housecall Pro at entry ($65 vs $169 per month). Both charge monthly. Kaldr Tech is $0/month.
Is mHelpDesk still being developed?
Yes, but the pace has slowed. For a modern free alternative, Kaldr Tech is the replacement.
Can I switch from mHelpDesk without losing history?
Kaldr includes a guided import for customer lists, job history, and invoices.
Which has a better mobile app?
Housecall Pro's mobile app is more modern. Kaldr Tech's mobile experience is also mobile-first and free.
Do either have call answering?
No. Kaldr Tech includes a 24/7 virtual receptionist.
Skip the paid-vs-paid debate. Go free.
Kaldr Tech gives you everything mHelpDesk and Housecall Pro charge for — dispatch, invoicing, payments, fleet, virtual receptionist — at $0/month. 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction, no contracts, unlimited users.