Choosing the right software can streamline operations or create friction, especially when managing quotes, client approvals, product data, and job workflows. Portal.io and Housecall Pro both serve service professionals, but they focus on different workflows and user types. Here's a practical breakdown for integrators comparing these two platforms.
About Portal.io
Portal.io is a cloud-based platform built specifically for AV, IT/MSP, and security system integrators. It combines structured product data with workflow automation to streamline sales and procurement processes.
Key Features:
Aggregated Industry Catalog: 2M+ SKUs with clean metadata, pricing, images, and spec sheets.
Proposal Tools: Offer good-better-best package options that clients can select and pay for directly from the proposal.
Invoicing: Send branded invoices, support field invoicing, allow techs to safely build invoices, and use your own processor to avoid QuickBooks limitations.
Ideal For:
Portal is ideal for A/V, security and IT integrators looking to streamline quoting and handle customer approvals.
About Housecall Pro
Housecall Pro is a field service management platform designed for trades like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpet cleaning, and appliance repair. It offers cloud-based tools for scheduling, invoicing, and mobile job management.
Key Features:
Target Audience: Built for service businesses with field teams focused on routine or repeat work orders.
Proposal Tools: Includes a “Sales Proposal Tool” with good, better, best templates.
Calendar: Drag and drop calendar, technician tracking, and appointment reminders.
Ideal For:
Housecall Pro is best suited for service-based businesses that need to efficiently manage scheduling, dispatch, and field operations. It's particularly strong in industries like HVAC, plumbing, and cleaning, where technicians are constantly in the field, jobs are frequent and short-cycle, and quick customer communication is critical. With tools built around job tracking, mobile workflows, and client payments, it helps field teams stay organized and responsive without requiring extensive back-office setup.
Feature Comparison Chart
Feature | Portal.io | Housecall Pro |
Platform Type | Cloud based | Cloud based |
Product Catalog | 2M+ SKUs included with pricing and metadata | Manual product entry; no shared catalog |
CRM Tools | Basic client tracking plus native integrations with Zoho and Salesforce | Basic client tracking |
AI Capabilities | AI driven proposal builder | — |
Personalized Video Support | Supports Loom-style embedded videos in proposals | — |
Change Orders | Client facing with e-signature | Approval via web app (limited controls) |
Document Handling | Upload specs, drawings, and files | Upload specs, drawings, and files |
Scheduling | — | Built-in Calendar |
Payments | Integrated with QuickBooks Payments, Stripe, and Square | Built-in payment processing |
Mobile Access | Mobile friendly and native iOS app | Field Service mobile app |
Pricing | Starts at $29/month | Starts at $79/month |
Conclusion
Choosing between Portal.io and Housecall Pro really comes down to the type of work your business handles day-to-day.
If you’re an AV, IT, or security integrator dealing with detailed proposals and want to get paid fast, Portal.io is designed for you. It’s a purpose-built platform that simplifies quoting, approvals, invoicing, and procurement, without the baggage of features you don’t need.
Housecall Pro, on the other hand, is a better fit for service businesses doing high volumes of fast-turnaround jobs, especially in trades like HVAC or plumbing. It’s optimized for scheduling and payment collection, not for handling structured product data or multi-phase system builds.