Digitalization

Craftsman apps in comparison

February 3, 2023
Laura Sophia Hauck
Apps make individual work steps in the craft business easier, but the range is huge. Which app is the best for business organization and communication? We compared three well-known apps with each other. Read here how they fared.

Frequently asked questions and answers about craftsman apps

Why are craftsman apps important?

‍Tradesmenapps are central for plant managers and staff to Organise their work more efficiently. For example, work hours can be recorded, assignments planned, processes mapped and information exchanged directly on the cell phone.

What are the universal handyman apps?

There are a variety of handyman apps that are used across industries. Among the best known are:

  • Craftnote
  • HERO Pro
  • Meisterwerk App
  • Plancraft
  • Tooltime

Perhaps you know it from your private life: The calendar function on your cell phone reminds you of important appointments, chat programs keep you in touch with your circle of friends, and online banking also works smoothly on your cell phone. These apps make our everyday lives easier - including those of many Tradesmen and women! In the course of the digitalization of the skilled trades, applications for the smartphone are playing an increasingly important role. But what exactly is possible with craftsman apps?

Why you need craftsman apps

Craftsman apps help you to speed up work processes and thus become more efficient. From digital helpers for your accounting, Job processing, invoicing or time tracking, there are a variety of options in the App and Play Store. 

You can use handyman apps for this purpose:

  • Access files and information digitally from anywhere
  • Your office is always in your pocket
  • You exchange information with colleagues in real-time
  • Customise project planning on the go
  • Photo documentation of construction progress or defects
  • For working time recording
  • As a spirit level, flashlight or protractor
  • Place product Jobs
  • ...and much more

With Handwerker Apps you have your office with you always and everywhere.
With Handwerker Apps you have your office with you always and everywhere.

The possibilities are almost endless. But for which trades are the apps most suitable?

These trades benefit most from tradesman apps

These professionals derive the greatest benefit from everyday helpers such as installation calculators, building material searchers, visualization and cold and heat protection calculators:

  • installer(s) in the field of plumbing, heating & air conditioning
  • House technician(s)
  • Electrician(s)
  • Cleaning specialists
  • Telecommunication Tradesmen (inside)
  • Gardener(s)
  • Carpenter(s)
  • Roofers (inside)
  • Painter(s)
  • Drywaller(s)
  • Plant mechanic(s)

Time tracking apps and apps for managing processes, Jobs and appointments, such as the Meisterwerk app, on the other hand, offer advantages to all Tradesmen, regardless of the industry!

But which of the apps on the market do you really need? We have compared three well-known apps.

Craftsman apps in comparison

The most important thing for Tradesmen and women is practicality. Can an app be easily integrated into existing processes and is it intuitive to use? These questions are always user-specific, which is why we have primarily compared the functions and technical data of the following apps here:

  • Craftnote
  • HERO Pro
  • Plancraft
  • Tooltime

Which apps really help Tradesmen and women with daily tasks?
Which apps really help Tradesmen and women with daily tasks?

1. craftnote

Craftnote describes itself as a "digital construction file" and implements precisely this claim in an app. Tradesmen and women can conveniently on their cell phones:

  • Fill out Digital Forms (for example timesheets)
  • Use the chat function to exchange information with colleagues
  • Drop files

Technical data:


  • Supported operating systems: iOS, Android
  • Costs (monthly and annual contract period):
  • Basic: free of charge (Attention: only chat, file management and project report creation available)
    Pro: from 11,90 Euro/month per user (with monthly payment)Premium: from 25,90 Euro/month per user (with monthly payment)
  • Compliance: For smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCsDSGVO compliant

2. HERO Pro

The HERO Pro app is one of the so-called "complete solutions" among the tradesmen apps. This means that it includes functions that plant managers also need in the office:

  • Time tracking
  • Employee Management
  • Construction documentation
  • Invoicing
  • Document creation
  • Project and customer management

Technical data:


  • Supported operating systems: iOS, Android
  • Cost:
  • Starter: 15 Euro/month per user (with 12-month term)
    Pro: 30 Euro/month per user (with 12-month term)
    Free version available with limited features
  • Compliance: For smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs
    GoBD compliant
  • SSL encryption


3. plancraft

Plancraft promises tradesmen and women, above all, relief from office tasks that often distract them from the actual work on the construction site. The focus here is on quotation and invoicing. The functions include:

  • Project folders 
  • Calculations 
  • Position search
  • Financial Management
  • Project related chat
  • Time tracking

Technical data:


  • Supported operating systems: iOS, Android
  • Costs (monthly and annual contract period):
  • Office users: 39 Euro/month per user (with monthly payment)
    Mobile assembler: +9 Euro/month per user (with monthly payment)
  • Compliance: For smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs
    DSGVO compliant
  • Server location Germany

4. tooltime

Tooltime bundles all work steps in the craft business in one program - from quotation creation to Job planning to accounting. There is no need for additional software for accounting and billing, for example, with this complete solution. The following functions are included in Tooltime:

  • Employee, schedule and project planning
  • Mobile documentation via app
  • Complete accounting
  • Free customer service

Technical data:


  • Supported operating systems: iOS, Android
  • Costs (monthly and annual contract period):
  • 35 Euro/month per user (with two-year payment)
    45 Euro/month per user (with monthly payment)
    additional user licenses only for the mobile app from 25 Euro/month per user
  • Compliance: For smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs
    DoGB and DSGVO compliant

Which app is the best?

All four apps offer plant managers and their employees many functions for digitizing work steps and processes. Of course, you know best which of the apps is ideal for you. After all, you know your business, your projects, and your employees, and you know where you need the most digital support. 

So depending on the special functions you need, a different craftsman app comes into question, as it focuses on different areas. An app that helps you with general organization between the office and the workforce and thus covers almost all areas of business management is the Meisterwerk app!

5. Meisterwerk app: all functions in one application

The Meisterwerk app simplifies planning and coordination in the trade!
The Meisterwerk app simplifies planning and coordination in the trade!

With the Meisterwerk app, Tradesmen and women finally have a software solution for their business organization. Not only does the app ensure digital Job and employee planning, it also enables real-time messaging with the workforce. Business managers also benefit from the simple documentation of receipts as well as invoices. This makes administration easier and more efficient. 

All functions at a glance:


  • Resource planning: deadlines, Jobs, employees
  • Exchange of information between the office and the employees
  • Customised processes: Customise workflows
  • Vacation and sick leave: view, release, document
  • Time clock: Enter working times easily for payroll accounting

Technical data:


  • Supported operating systems: iOS, Android
  • Costs (monthly and annual contract period):
  • Free 30 days trial
    Pro: 13,40 Euro/month per user (charged monthly)
  • Compliance: For smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs
    DoGB and DSGVO compliant
  • SSL encrypted
  • German server

A clear view for tradespeople: these are the most important insurance policies
Read article
Why a construction diary helps with the organization + template to download
Read article
7 advantages of digital construction site planners for the trade
Read article
How trade businesses write a good job ad
Read article
GoBD-compliant accounting in the skilled trades: everything you need to know
Read article
What is the difference between partial invoice and progress bill?
Read article
Acceptance protocol in the craft sector: This is what counts!
Read article
Tips and information on warranty in the craft
Read article
How to quickly turn new employees into productive colleagues
Read article
Safely through everyday working life: The best workwear in the craft sector
Read article
How to create the logo for your craft business in 4 steps
Read article
Mini-jobs in the skilled trades: Worth knowing and innovations
Read article
The most important changes for trade businesses in 2023
Read article
Personnel requirements planning in the skilled trades: Here's how to proceed
Read article
Selling a craftsman's business: How to make your business worth more later on
Read article
What does an operations manager do in the skilled trades? Tasks and requirements
Read article
Invoicing programs for trade businesses: our three favorites
Read article
Beer on the construction site: Does the craft sector drink too much alcohol?
Read article
1x1 of the offer preparation for the handicraft
Read article
Factoring in the craft sector
Read article
Craftsman app
craftsman app test
craftsman app for Jobs
Craftsman App organization
craftsman app time tracking