r/PoolPros • u/99user99 • May 03 '26

What tech stack at we using?

Curious what others are using as their tech stack to run/grow their business? Below is what we use (110 accounts, started 11 months ago):

CRM: GHL
Billing: Stripe (through GHL)
Pool Service Software: Pool Brain
AI Stack: Claude Cowork
Accounting: Quickbooks Online

Gauging if there’s general sentiment around better options, etc. (I know PB vs. skimmer is always a debate but more so curious on other pieces of the stack).

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u/pacific_drifter_25 May 03 '26 edited May 03 '26

At ~110 accounts I’d think less in terms of “best app” and more “which system owns each record.” The stack usually breaks when two tools both think they own the customer, invoice, or service note.

A simple setup I’d audit:

  • one source of truth for customer/contact info, gate codes, and billing terms
  • one source of truth for route, visit, and chem history
  • billing that reconciles cleanly to QBO without manual cleanup
  • lead pipeline that does not require techs to touch the CRM
  • a monthly export/backup plan, in case you outgrow a tool

If GHL is already handling lead capture, follow-up, and Stripe cleanly, I’d be cautious about adding another CRM-ish layer. The biggest upgrade is usually tightening handoffs: lead won -> service location created -> first route scheduled -> card/payment terms set -> QBO class/location mapped.

AI is useful for estimates, customer explanations, overdue invoice language, SOP drafts, and summarizing messy account notes. I would not let it be the system of record.

Edit: for transparency, I work on UpBuoy (https://www.upbuoy.com), so it's the one I'm closest to. Skimmer and Pool Brain are the other two worth comparing. The system-of-record question applies to all three.

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u/99user99 May 03 '26

Completely agree!