--- description: Review of Essential Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs on Software Advice New Zealand. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/software_advice/og_logo-55146305bbe7b450bea05c18e9be9c9a.png title: Essential | Reviews, Pricing & Demos - SoftwareAdvice NZ --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Inspection Software](/directory/4573/inspection/software) > [Essential](/software/533202/Essential) # Essential Canonical: https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/533202/Essential Page: 1 / 2\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/533202/Essential?page=2) > Essential is a software platform designed to support fire protection businesses in managing their operations. It helps automate administrative tasks, organize inspection schedules, and streamline payment collection processes for companies specializing in fire extinguishers, alarm systems, suppression systems, emergency lighting, and other fire safety equipment. The software includes automated inspection tracking that updates due dates based on completed work, ensuring accurate scheduling even when services occur earlier or later than planned. Its quoting system uses customizable rules to create proposals efficiently, while the scheduling system optimizes technician routes using traffic data. Inspection reporting is simplified by saving property and asset details, reducing repetitive data entry. Draft invoices are generated automatically based on completed work. Essential automates customer communication, including appointment reminders and follow-ups for quotes and unpaid invoices. It integrates with accounting software to reduce manual data entry and maintain accurate financial records. Data migration of historical records is included, allowing businesses to transition without losing previous information. > > Verdict: Rated **4.9/5** by 8 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.9/5** | 8 Reviews | | Ease of Use | 4.9/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Customer Support | 5.0/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Value for Money | 5.0/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Features | 4.8/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Recommendation percentage | 90% | (9/10 Likelihood to recommend) | ## About the vendor - **Company**: Essential Trades Software ## Commercial Context - **Starting Price**: US$159.00 - **Pricing model**: Per User - **Target Audience**: 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+ - **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Linux (Desktop), Chromebook (Desktop), Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile), iPad (Mobile) - **Supported Languages**: English - **Available Countries**: Aruba, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States ## Features - AI Copilot - API - Activity Dashboard - Activity Tracking - Ad-hoc Tasks - Alerts/Notifications - Appointment Management - Approvals - Audit Management - Audit Trail - Barcode/Ticket Scanning - Code Enforcement - Compliance Management - Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) - Customer Database - Customisable Forms - Customisable Reports - Customisable Templates - Data Import/Export - Dispatch Management ## Integrations (52 total) - NetSuite - NetSuite Excel Add-in - NetSuite SuiteProjects Pro - QuickBooks Bi-Directional Synchronizer - QuickBooks Enterprise - QuickBooks GoPayment - QuickBooks Money - QuickBooks Online - QuickBooks Online Accountant - QuickBooks Online Advanced - QuickBooks Payroll - QuickBooks Solopreneur - QuickBooks Time - Quickbooks Power BI Connector - Sage 100 ... and 37 more integrations ## Support Options - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat ## Category - [Inspection Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4573/inspection/software) ## Related Categories - [Inspection Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4573/inspection/software) - [Field Service Management Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4540/field-service/software) ## Alternatives 1. [MaintainX](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/116409/maintainx) — 4.8/5 (1076 reviews) 2. [Mitti (by SafetyCulture)](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/113670/iauditor) — 4.6/5 (355 reviews) 3. [ZenFire](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/442002/zenfire) — 4.7/5 (28 reviews) 4. [Inspection Support Network](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/220540/inspection-support-network) — 4.7/5 (328 reviews) 5. [Whip Around](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/162580/whip-around) — 4.7/5 (578 reviews) ## Reviews ### "User-Friendly with Excellent Support" — 5.0/5 > **Todd** | *24 August 2026* | Construction | Recommendation rating: 9.0/10 > > **Pros**: One of the best features for me—mainly because it’s the one I use most—is how easy it is to integrate our older inspection reports into Essential. I can simply upload a PDF of an existing report, and Essential reads the information and transfers it directly into the system. > > **Cons**: The thing I like least about Essential is that there is no way for a technician to create a service ticket within the app for an after-hours service call. In those situations, the technician has to complete a paper ticket instead, which makes the process less convenient and efficient. > > My overall experience with Essential has been great. Anytime I’ve had an issue or question, the staff has been easy to reach and quick to respond. Everyone I’ve worked with has been knowledgeable, helpful, and a pleasure to work with. ----- ### "A Streamlining Dream" — 5.0/5 > **Shawn** | *14 September 2026* | Public Safety | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: Everything\! Customer support is phenomenal. Value is beyond impressive. The product is extremely easy to use and has continued to just get easier. It has completely streamlined our inspections and service. > > **Cons**: I have literally no complaints or any cons to state about the product. It's consistently making things easier and easier. > > Working with the team at Essential has been an absolute blessing. Almost every single feature we have suggested has now been implemented. The rate at which enhancements are added to the product has also been beyond impressive. Essential has completely streamlined our inspections and service. Our business has been able to expand rapidly with the use of it. Whether in the office or in the field, Essential is extremely easy to use. We couldn't imagine doing business without it. ----- ### "Essential Truth" — 4.0/5 > **Harris** | *28 August 2026* | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: Technicians can do paperless tickets. I get all the tickets as soon as the jobs are completed. Scheduling is easy. The support team is always available for questions and help. > > **Cons**: In-complete jobs and completed jobs do not merge together. If the jobs, with multiple tickets are completed, maybe it should move from incomplete. Lately, I have not been able to add more than three jobs to a technician's day without putting them in the backlog. There should be a way that administrators can add jobs using the app. After hours calls cannot be added without a computer. > > It is a good tool to use. I see a lot of potential. The more I use it, the better it is. Essentials is always being improved. ----- ### "Service Excellence" — 5.0/5 > **Robert** | *3 September 2026* | Utilities | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: The thing that I liked the most about Essential is the customer service. They are almost always available, ready to resolve issues with urgency, with an email or instant message via the suite. I also loved that they were willing to build the platform to you and your business, incorporating changes quickly without question. They even made some suggestions on top of mine which made some things even better\! > > **Cons**: I don't like that we can't take or store videos on the platform. Live picture and spoken word is perhaps the best way to communicate deficiencies/issues during an inspection. > > My overall experience with Essential has been great. I foresee a long relationship with them and the use of their platform for my business going forward. ----- ### "Software that makes our job easier\!" — 5.0/5 > **Anonymous User** | *12 November 2025* | Facilities Services | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: The biggest benefit is that everything is finally in one place. Before Essential, we had different parts of the business running on different systems, and things slipped through the cracks. Now the process flows very well. Their AI for scheduling and follow ups is a huge time saver. It reaches out to customers automatically, which has helped increase the number of inspections we complete each month. Also, no setup fees or long contracts, and support is fast with actual real people. > > **Cons**: Nothing major. A few features are still being built, but the team is quick to respond and they actually listen. Any small issue we ran into was addressed right away. > > Our overall experience has been great. Essential just works the way we need it to. It has reduced the back and forth with scheduling and follow ups, and we’re saving a lot of time. It’s great to use software that delivers what it promises. ----- Page: 1 / 2\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/533202/Essential?page=2) ## Links - [View on SoftwareAdvice](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/533202/Essential) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | en | | | en-AU | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-NZ | | ----- ## Structured Data