Question 1

Is Pool Runs a good alternative to PoolBrain?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially for small and mid-size operations. Both platforms cover scheduling, routing, invoicing, chemical tracking, work orders, and a mobile app. Pool Runs costs significantly less ($45/month flat vs PoolBrain's $55/tech/month) and offers AI features PoolBrain does not have. PoolBrain's edge is automatic chemical dosage calculations and enforced technician workflows — if those are critical to your operation, PoolBrain may be the better fit.

Question 2

How does pricing actually compare?

Accepted Answer

Pool Runs: $45/month flat with unlimited users and technicians (additional properties beyond 50 are $1.75/month each). PoolBrain: $10/month base plus $55 per technician per month. A 5-tech team costs $285/month. A 10-tech team costs $560/month. Pool Runs stays at $45/month regardless of team size. The optional Pool Runs AI Suite is $50/month extra.

Question 3

What does PoolBrain do better than Pool Runs?

Accepted Answer

PoolBrain has automatic chemical dosage calculations and enforced step-by-step technician workflows. If auto-dosing with Orenda/LaMotte integration is critical to your operation, that is a genuine advantage. Pool Runs tracks chemical readings and dosages but does not auto-calculate recommendations.

Question 4

Can I migrate my data from PoolBrain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Export your customer data from PoolBrain as CSV, then use Pool Runs' import wizard to map and import customers, properties, and contacts. Our support team can assist with the migration. Most companies are fully running on Pool Runs within a day.

Question 5

What is the AI Suite?

Accepted Answer

The AI Suite is an optional $50/month add-on that includes the AI Voice Agent (a 24/7 AI phone receptionist that answers calls, looks up customers, and creates work orders) and the AI Business Assistant (ask questions about your business data in plain English). AI Lead Generation (satellite-powered pool discovery) is included in the base plan at no extra cost.

Question 6

Does Pool Runs have a technician minimum?

Accepted Answer

No. Pool Runs has no per-technician fees. You can use it as a solo operator or with a team of any size. The price is the same: $45/month with unlimited users. PoolBrain charges $55 per technician per month on top of a $10/month base fee.

Question 7

Why are PoolBrain users switching?

Accepted Answer

The most common reasons: per-technician pricing that becomes unsustainable as teams grow ($55/tech adds up fast), no AI features for capturing leads or handling customer calls, and wanting a more modern platform without rigid workflows for every service stop.

Feature	Pool Runs	PoolBrain
AI & Automation
AI Lead Generation	Included
AI Voice Agent (24/7 phone receptionist)	AI Suite add-on
AI Business Assistant (data queries)	AI Suite add-on
SMS broadcast campaigns
Billing & Payments
AutoPay with retry logic
Automatic monthly invoicing
Down payment & deposit invoicing
Multiple tax zones		Via QuickBooks
Quotes with approval workflow
QuickBooks Online sync	Two-way	Two-way
Customer portal
Operations
Shopping list (parts & chemicals needed)
Recurring work reminders		Filter/salt cell only
Customer import	CSV + QuickBooks	QuickBooks only
Service completion reports with photos
Scheduling & Routes
Drag-and-drop scheduling
Route optimization
Technician mobile app
Chemical readings & cost tracking
Equipment & parts tracking
Work order management
Integrations & Reporting
Stripe Connect payment processing		Unspecified processor
6 report types (revenue, chemical, route, etc.)		Basic graphs
Role-based user permissions
Pricing
Per-technician fees	None	$10/mo + $55/tech
Unlimited users

Pool Runs vs PoolBrain

Why Pool Service Companies Are Switching

Two different pricing models — you decide which is fairer

Professional invoicing and billing built in

Pool Runs is built for modern pool service companies

Feature-by-feature comparison

Frequently asked questions

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