4 of the best route-planning apps for 2024

4 of the best lawn care route-planning apps for 2024

As a lawncare business scales, business operations grow in complexity. Google Maps works for a time. But, the best route planning software on the market provides the tools companies need to maximize efficiency. For business owners considering route-planning software, four applications provide the functionality needed and much more.

 GreenPal’s dynamic route-planning software and unmatched demand generation propel successful businesses 

The GreenPal Pro for Vendors application is the operating system for business professionals looking to drive business from more than 300,000 users. GreenPal is still the only application on the market that handles demand creation and allows for a bidding process. 

So, what’s the benefit? 

Imagine an algorithm determining a business’s payout. Wild, right? Many tools provide set prices for their demand generation with no bidding process. GreenPal places decision-making back in the hands of vendors. It’s a win-win. Customers receive excellent service, and lawn care professionals land new clients. 

GreenPal’s suite of tools includes route planning software at no additional cost. GreenPal Pro for Vendors allows owners to communicate with clients easily by providing easy-to-access contact information. 

For many lawn care professionals, growing an online presence is a challenge. Marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and customer relationship management (CRM) software add up to an expensive tech stack. GreenPal helps owners optimize their routes and is the only software capable of providing hot leads and the power to scale within one ecosystem. 

How? GreenPal provides a page for each vendor that bolsters their digital presence. This page can be shared with clients and within campaigns the business is running. GreenPal shines in this category by increasing a business’s visibility. The software also allows customers to communicate with their service provider regarding any questions and concerns.

Additionally, lawn care professionals using GreenPal Pro for vendors can invite their current clients to use GreenPal and keep all their invoicing and route planning in one place. 

Other key features of the GreenPal Pro for Vendors application include: 

• Client leads in your area

• Exclusive bidding for new client onboarding

• Invoicing and billing

• Public reviews from your lawn care clients

• Free lawn care business guides and information

 Circuit provides a solid set of tools to get the job done 

Circuit claims it's "the fastest route planner that saves you an hour a day."

Circuit optimizes your routes and can be used with popular navigation applications like Waze, Apple Maps, and Google Maps. Automatic customer notifications provide an accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA), boosting communication with clients and improving customer service. 

In addition to those features, Circuit provides some of the following: 

• Delivery analytics

• Multiple drivers

• Dispatcher view and driver 

• API and integrations

An investment in route planning software is just the beginning. Long-term cost-effectiveness and flexibility should also affect a purchasing decision.

Circuit has dynamic pricing plans that scale with businesses based on the number of routes and functionality needed. When evaluating pricing plans, consider how the number of users, included features, and scalability combine to make it a good value in the long term. Look for software that offers a combination of affordability and flexibility so it continues to be well worth the investment as the business grows. 

 Feature-rich Jobber receives high praise 

Jobber’s all-in-one managerial program helps lawn care professionals schedule jobs, track time, send and take payments, and communicate with customers. Let's take a look at some of the software's core features:

Schedule and Dispatch
Jobber lets owners quickly set appointments and assign tasks to team members for maximum efficiency on the job.

Quotes and Invoices
Jobber makes it simple to create a quote, send an invoice, or get paid online. Their tools help create professional-looking estimates, send invoices, and accept online payments.

Communication with client
In any business that services customers, good communication is crucial. Jobber allows lawn care professionals to set up appointment reminders or other notifications and gives users a way to reach out to clients via automatic email campaigns, improving both customer satisfaction and retention.

Track jobs
As business grows, job tracking features help keep track of work orders and monitor the status of current jobs from start to finish. 

 LMN makes the list and provides a high-end suite for business operations 

At the higher end, route-planning software like LMN provides a one-stop shop for lawn care business operations. How steep is the pricing? LMN starts at $335 per month. 

At this level, users receive a suite of tools that cover many use cases. In addition, the LMN software can provide estimates for irrigation, turf, construction, maintenance, and snow removal surfaces. 

The platform provides customer relation management (CRM) capabilities — allowing owners to track leads, expansion deals, and sales performance. 

A fundamental characteristic to consider when choosing any software is ease of use. One review of the software noted that they had considered LMN but have yet to transition due to a fear that its massive feature set seems complex. Many LMN users shared no such concern; their high praise of the software included gratefulness for its ease of use.

Each professional must weigh their needs and what they consider the best route planning software for their operations. Lawn service professionals are always on the go, and having intuitive software is essential. Look for software with a user-friendly interface and straightforward navigation. Also, software that shortens the learning curve helps professionals use the software quickly and proceed to what they do best. 

Quick Summary

Route planning is a crucial component of business operations. The software used by lawn care professionals handles many problems. LMN, Circuit, and Jobber provide highly functional tools while GreenPal continues providing all the above plus demand generation and marketing tools. From CRM to GPS tracking, the applications mentioned help owners accomplish more and reach their goals.