PestPro CRM vs GorillaDesk: Which Is Better for Small Pest Control Operators?
GorillaDesk and PestPro CRM are both built for small pest control companies. Unlike PestPac or FieldRoutes, neither platform is trying to serve enterprises with 50 trucks and a dedicated dispatch team. Both are focused on making life easier for solo operators and small crews.
That makes this comparison more nuanced. You are choosing between two platforms that understand your world — but they take different approaches to solving your problems.
Where GorillaDesk and PestPro Overlap
Both platforms offer the core features small pest control operators need:
- • Customer management with service history and property notes
- • Scheduling with recurring service support
- • Invoicing and payment collection
- • Basic reporting and business metrics
- • Mobile-friendly interfaces for field use
If you are coming from spreadsheets or paper, either platform is a massive upgrade. The differences show up in how each platform handles communication, intelligence, and pricing.
Where They Differ
SMS Messaging
GorillaDesk offers customer communication features, but native two-way SMS messaging as a built-in daily workflow tool varies by plan and may require additional configuration or costs.
PestPro CRM includes two-way SMS messaging in every plan, including the free tier. Text customers directly from their profile. Send appointment reminders, follow-ups, payment links, and review requests — all as text messages. Every conversation is logged in the customer profile.
The difference matters because SMS is not a marketing channel for pest control operators. It is an operational tool. When you need to tell a customer you are running 20 minutes late, or when a customer needs to reschedule, texting is how that conversation happens. Having it built into your CRM means nothing falls through the cracks.
AI Integration
GorillaDesk does not currently include native AI integration. Any AI-assisted workflows would require external tools.
PestPro CRM integrates Claude AI directly into the platform. Draft customer messages in seconds based on service history. Analyze which customers are at risk of churning. Get plain-English insights about your revenue trends. Ask questions like "What is my average job value for quarterly treatments?" and get an answer from your real data. For a solo operator who is the CEO, technician, bookkeeper, and customer service rep all at once, AI is not a luxury — it is a force multiplier.
Pricing and Free Tier
GorillaDesk offers tiered pricing plans. Their basic plan starts at a monthly fee per route. There is no free plan — only a trial period.
PestPro CRM is free for up to 15 customers with no credit card required and no time limit. This is not a trial. It is a permanent free tier with full access to scheduling, invoicing, CRM, SMS, and AI features. You upgrade to Premium when your business grows past 15 customers.
Pest Control Focus
GorillaDesk serves multiple field service industries including pest control, lawn care, and cleaning services. This means some features are generalized across industries.
PestPro CRM is built exclusively for pest control. Service types, treatment tracking, pest type documentation, and seasonal scheduling patterns are all designed specifically for how pest control businesses operate. You will not find lawn care templates or cleaning checklists cluttering your interface.
Comparison Table
Feature information based on publicly available data as of early 2026. Verify current details with each vendor.
The Bottom Line
GorillaDesk is a solid platform for small field service companies. If you run a multi-service business — pest control plus lawn care, for example — GorillaDesk's multi-industry approach might appeal to you.
But if pest control is your business, PestPro CRM offers three clear advantages: built-in SMS messaging on every plan, Claude AI integration for smarter communication and business insights, and a genuine free tier that lets you start without risk. Both platforms understand small operators. PestPro CRM goes deeper on the tools that matter most: communication and intelligence.
What Switching Looks Like
If you are currently on GorillaDesk and considering PestPro CRM, here is the realistic transition process.
Export your customer list
Export your customer list from GorillaDesk as a CSV. PestPro can import customer names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and basic service information.
Sign up for PestPro's free plan
Import your data. This takes about 15 minutes. You now have your customer base in PestPro without losing anything in GorillaDesk.
Run both systems in parallel
Schedule new appointments in PestPro. Send follow-ups via PestPro's SMS. See how the AI features work with your real customer data.
Decide
Most operators who test PestPro alongside GorillaDesk find that the SMS and AI features alone justify the switch. You are not downgrading — you are moving to a platform with capabilities GorillaDesk does not offer.
The free plan means this entire process costs you nothing but a few hours of your time. There is zero financial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PestPro as mature as GorillaDesk?
GorillaDesk has been in the market longer. PestPro is newer but was built with modern technology — including AI and native SMS — that older platforms are still working to add. Sometimes starting fresh means building it right.
Can PestPro handle lawn care or other services too?
PestPro is built specifically for pest control. If you run a multi-service business across different industries, a general platform like GorillaDesk or Jobber might be a better fit. If pest control is your focus, PestPro's specialization is an advantage.
What if I like GorillaDesk but want AI features?
There is no easy way to add Claude AI integration to GorillaDesk. PestPro includes it natively. You could run PestPro alongside GorillaDesk during a transition period using the free plan.
Do I lose anything by switching from GorillaDesk to PestPro?
The main features GorillaDesk offers that PestPro does not are multi-industry support and some specific route optimization features. If you do not use those, you gain SMS, AI, and free pricing by switching.
Try PestPro CRM Free — No Credit Card Required
Built-in SMS, Claude AI, and pest-control-specific features. See how PestPro CRM compares with your own data.