Skimmer and GorillaDesk both serve pool service businesses, but with different approaches. Skimmer is built exclusively for pool professionals with deep chemical tracking features. GorillaDesk serves pest control, lawn care, and pool service with a more flexible platform.
This comparison helps you decide between a pool-only specialist and a multi-service platform that can handle pool—along with other services if you offer them.
Quick Comparison
Feature
Skimmer
GorillaDesk
Industry Focus
Pool-only
Pool, pest, lawn care
Pricing Model
Per-pool ($1-2/pool)
Flat rate ($49-149/mo)
Chemical Tracking
✓ LSI calculator, Orenda
Basic logging only
Water Testing Integration
✓ LaMotte Bluetooth
✗ Not available
Route Optimization
✓ One-click
✓ Built-in
QuickBooks Integration
Available
✓ Push to QBO
Offline Mode
✓ Full offline
Limited (sync issues reported)
Customer Portal
✓ Included
✓ Included
Free Onboarding
✓
✓ Unlimited training
User Satisfaction
4.9/5 (Capterra)
4.8/5 (Capterra)
Pricing Comparison
The pricing models differ significantly. Skimmer charges per pool, while GorillaDesk uses flat monthly tiers. Depending on your pool count, one may be dramatically cheaper.
Skimmer
Getting Started: $1/pool/month ($49 min)
Scaling Up: $2/pool/month ($98 min)
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Unlimited users. Route optimization in Scaling Up tier.
Example: 100 Pools
100 pools × $2$200/mo
Total Monthly Cost$200/mo
GorillaDesk
Basic: $49/month
Pro: $99/month
Growth: $149/month
Flat rate regardless of pool count. 14-day free trial.
Example: 100 Pools
Pro plan (flat)$99/mo
Total Monthly Cost$99/mo
Pricing Sweet Spot
GorillaDesk is dramatically cheaper for larger operations. At 100 pools, you'd pay $200/mo with Skimmer vs $99/mo with GorillaDesk. At 200 pools, Skimmer costs $400/mo while GorillaDesk stays at $99-149/mo. But if you have fewer than 50 pools, Skimmer's $1/pool tier ($49 minimum) is competitive.
Pool-Specific Features
This is where Skimmer has a clear advantage. While GorillaDesk supports pool service, Skimmer was built specifically for it.
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Chemical Tracking & Water Testing
Skimmer
Orenda-powered LSI calculator with real-time water balance calculations. LaMotte Bluetooth integration syncs test results automatically. Chemical dosing recommendations and shopping lists built in.
GorillaDesk
Basic chemical application logging through custom fields. No LSI calculator, no dosing recommendations, no water testing equipment integration. Sufficient for simple logging but lacks advanced pool-specific calculations.
Scheduling & Route Management
Both platforms offer solid scheduling, but with different strengths.
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Calendar & Routing
Skimmer
Calendar view with unscheduled work bin. Route Builder with one-click optimization (Scaling Up tier). Dashboard for team assignments. Pool-centric workflow design.
GorillaDesk
Drag-and-drop calendar praised as "most robust on the market." Built-in route optimization. Quick job reassignment. Recurring job scheduling with flexible patterns.
Users consistently praise GorillaDesk's calendar as particularly intuitive. One pool service user noted: "The calendar is the most robust on the market for our pool service business. Scheduling and reassigning jobs is quick and easy."
Support & Onboarding
Both platforms are highly rated for customer support, with GorillaDesk offering notably generous onboarding.
Skimmer Support
Pool industry expertise
Responsive support team
30-day risk-free trial
Knowledge of pool-specific workflows
GorillaDesk Support
Free onboarding sessions
Unlimited training included
Extensive video library
"I was navigating confidently within a day"
Mobile App Experience
Skimmer Mobile Strengths
Full offline mode with auto-sync
iOS rated 4.8/5
Pool-specific data entry
LaMotte integration on mobile
Skimmer Concerns
Android stability issues reported
Some crash reports on recent updates
GorillaDesk Mobile Strengths
iOS and Android apps (~4.5/5)
Full-featured field access
User-friendly design
GorillaDesk Concerns
~20% of users report sync issues
Limited offline capability
Occasional data delays
What Users Say
About Skimmer
"Customer service is top notch. Even when the questions seem silly they still take the time to help and explain!"
Skimmer
GorillaDesk
About GorillaDesk
"User-friendly design makes it easy to navigate and learn, even for new employees. Minimal training needed."
"GorillaDesk provides free onboarding, unlimited training, and a video library. I was navigating the system confidently within a day."
Who Should Choose Skimmer?
Chemical-focused operations — You need LSI calculations, dosing recommendations, and water testing integration
Smaller pool counts — Under 50 pools makes per-pool pricing competitive
Pool-only business — 100% focused on pool service
Offline requirements — Full offline mode is critical for rural areas
Who Should Choose GorillaDesk?
Larger operations — Flat pricing saves money at 75+ pools
Multi-service businesses — Also offer pest control, lawn care, or other services
Budget-conscious — $49-149/mo vs $200+ for larger pool counts
New to software — Praised for ease of use and free unlimited training
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper for 100 pools?
GorillaDesk is significantly cheaper. At 100 pools, Skimmer costs $200/mo (at $2/pool). GorillaDesk's Pro plan is $99/mo regardless of pool count. The gap widens with more pools.
Does GorillaDesk have pool chemical tracking?
Basic logging only. GorillaDesk lets you record chemical applications through custom fields, but there's no LSI calculator, dosing recommendations, or water testing equipment integration like Skimmer offers.
Which has better offline support?
Skimmer has more reliable offline mode. About 20% of GorillaDesk users report sync issues, while Skimmer's offline mode is consistently praised (though their Android app has other stability concerns).
Can I run a multi-service business on Skimmer?
Not effectively. Skimmer is pool-only. If you offer pest control, lawn care, or other services alongside pool, GorillaDesk or another multi-service platform is a better fit.
Which is easier to learn?
GorillaDesk gets higher marks for ease of use. Users report being "up and running within a day" with free unlimited training. Skimmer has a slightly steeper curve due to its pool-specific features.
Our Verdict
Choose Skimmer if pool-specific features like LSI calculations, water testing integration, and chemical dosing recommendations are essential to your operations. The specialized tools save time and reduce errors.
Choose GorillaDesk if you want an affordable, easy-to-use platform for larger pool operations, or if you offer multiple service types. The flat pricing makes it dramatically cheaper for businesses with 75+ pools.
Looking for Pool-Specific + Affordable?
PoolDial offers premium pool-focused features at $2/pool—plus a 24/7 AI receptionist that answers your phone, included at no extra cost. Compare pricing and see if it's right for your business.
