Skimmer Pool Software vs Pool Runs
Skimmer handles the basics — scheduling, routing, invoicing, chemical tracking. Pool Runs does all of that and goes further with AI that answers your calls, finds new customers, and gives you instant business insights. Below: what Skimmer covers, what sits behind its higher tier, and what each platform costs as your book of pools grows.
AI Voice Agent
Pool pump inquiry · 1:08
Live transcript
Jessica
Thank you for calling Blue Horizon Pool Care. This is Jessica. How can I help you?
Mike
Hey yeah so my pool pump has been making this really loud grinding noise since this morning. Not sure what is going on.
Jessica
Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. Let me pull up your account real quick. Okay Mike, I can see your property at 4521 Oak Lane. Your last service was on March 3rd. Based on what you're describing it could be the pump bearings. I'd recommend we get a technician out to take a look.
Customer matchedMike
Wait, how did you already know my address and everything?
Jessica
I matched your phone number to your account on file so I have all your details right here. Now, when would be a good time for us to send someone out?
Mike
Oh nice. Uh do you guys have anything available Monday morning? I'll be home all day.
Jessica
Monday morning works great. I've gone ahead and created a work order for a pump inspection at your property. You'll get a text confirmation shortly. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Work order createdMike
No that's everything. That was way easier than I expected. Thanks Jessica.
Jessica
You're welcome Mike! Have a great rest of your day. Bye bye!
With Pool Runs
Call answered in 2 seconds
Customer identified automatically
Work order created on the call
With Skimmer
Call goes to voicemail
You call back when you can
Maybe they already called someone else
What Skimmer pool software does
Skimmer is pool service management software built specifically for the pool trade rather than adapted from general field service software, and that focus shows in the day-to-day work: scheduling and recurring appointments, a route builder with a map view, a technician mobile app on iOS and Android, invoicing with AutoPay, chemical readings and dosage recording, custom checklists, equipment tracking, service photos, and a customer portal. For a route being run out of a spreadsheet today, any of that is a real step up.
The part worth understanding before you buy is the tiering. Skimmer sells three plans — Getting Started, Scaling Up, and Enterprise — and route optimization, quotes, and job management sit on Scaling Up rather than the entry tier. The per-pool rate on that tier is also double the entry rate, so the cost of the features most operators eventually want rises with the size of the book rather than staying flat. Pool Runs takes the other approach: one plan, every feature in it, and a per-property rate that does not change when you turn something on.
The table below sets the two side by side. Where Skimmer limits a capability to a particular tier, we say which tier rather than marking it absent.
Why Pool Service Companies Are Switching
Skimmer works fine until your business grows. These are the pain points that push operators to look for alternatives.
Skimmer Scaling Up: $98 base (49 pools included), $2/pool after · Pool Runs: $45 base (50 pools included), $1.75/pool after
Feature-by-feature comparison
Honest assessment. Where Skimmer limits a feature to a specific tier, we note it.
| Feature | Pool Runs | Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling & Routes | ||
| Drag-and-drop scheduling | ||
| Recurring appointments | ||
| Route optimization | Scaling Up tier | |
| Route builder with map view | ||
| Technician mobile app (iOS & Android) | ||
| Billing & Payments | ||
| Invoicing & auto-invoicing | ||
| AutoPay | ||
| Quotes & estimates | Scaling Up tier | |
| Job management | Scaling Up tier | |
| QuickBooks Online sync | Two-way | One-way |
| Customer portal | ||
| Service & Field | ||
| Chemical tracking & dosage recording | ||
| Custom checklists | ||
| Equipment & parts tracking | ||
| Service photos per visit | Unlimited | 5–20 (by tier) |
| SMS & email notifications | ||
| AI & Automation | ||
| AI Lead Generation | Included | |
| AI Voice Agent (24/7 phone receptionist) | Communications add-on | $99/mo add-on |
| AI Business Assistant (natural-language queries) | Included | |
| Workflow automation & sales pipelines | Engage add-on | |
| Pricing & Plans | ||
| One core plan (no tier gating) | ||
| Unlimited users & technicians | ||
See it for yourself
Start your free trial today.
What Skimmer pool software costs as you grow
$1,110/year
More expensive at every pool count
At 200 pools with full features, Skimmer costs $400/month ($98 base + 151 extra pools × $2). Pool Runs costs $307.50/month ($45 base + 150 extra pools × $1.75). That's $92.50/month — $1,110/year.
Frequent price increases
“I was charged $384 this month. $248 just two months ago in February. There was a letter about tiered pricing. Something about a low tier if you only use for basic route maintenance and a high tier for all the bells and whistles.”
— Skimmer user on Reddit
6 features
Locked behind Skimmer's $98 tier
Route optimization, quotes, job management, productivity reporting, Orenda dosing, and live phone support all require the Scaling Up plan. Pool Runs includes everything in one plan.
Frequently asked questions
See the Features Behind the Comparison
Where the two products differ most once you are past the feature checklist.
This comparison was last checked on and is based on publicly available information. Products change, and we may have missed something or read it wrong.
See something you don’t think is accurate? Tell us and we will fix it. We would rather this be an honest comparison than a flattering one.
Skimmer is a trademark of its respective owner, used here to identify that product for the purpose of comparison. Pool Runs is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Skimmer.
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