Comparison
Level vs Decimal
Decimal is modern outsourced bookkeeping with optional controller services for any small business. Level is a fractional CFO built for service businesses, especially trades, with a proprietary 2,200-contractor benchmark dataset behind every recommendation.
Decimal is modern outsourced bookkeeping with controller services. Level is a fractional CFO with proprietary contractor benchmarks.
How Level and Decimal compare
Side-by-side on the dimensions that actually matter for contractors.
| Capability | Level | Decimal |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | Service businesses, trades, restaurants, healthcare, ecommerce, agencies, startups | All small businesses, horizontal |
| Proprietary benchmark data | ✓Yes, 2,200+ contractors, $13.25B revenue analyzed | No proprietary external benchmark dataset |
| Job costing for contractors | Job-level profitability with labor burden, retainage, AIA, WIP | General bookkeeping; contractor specifics depend on team assignment |
| FSM integrations | ✓BuildOps, ServiceTitan, Jobber, Housecall Pro, FieldEdge, productized | Generic integrations via accounting system; not contractor-specific |
| Bookkeeping tier | $99-$500/mo Bookkeeping clean-data layer | Bookkeeping plans starting ~$355/mo (varies) |
| Operating layer tier | $1,500-$5,000/mo Scale; Platform custom | Controller / advisory add-ons |
| Cash forecasting + benchmarking | Rolling forecast + peer comparison every month | Cash visibility; less industry-specific benchmarking |
| Tax-ready year-end | Included; we coordinate with your CPA when formal statements are required | Included |
Use Level if you are
- You're a service business, especially a trade, and want a team that speaks your business
- You want benchmarks against peer contractors on every monthly review
- You're running a field service platform and want it tied to your accounting cleanly
- You want a CFO, not just a bookkeeper and a controller
Use Decimal if you are
- You're a horizontal small business that doesn't need vertical depth (general retail, software-only, no operational complexity)
- You specifically want a tech-forward bookkeeping product without industry specialization
- Your problem is data entry, not strategy
Vertical depth wins on contractors.
A horizontal bookkeeping service can do contractor books, but doesn't know that 85.1% is the median collection rate, that SA pull-through under 9% is bottom-quartile, or that bottom-decile contractors run 22%+ over budget. Level does.
Pricing on-ramp.
Level's Bookkeeping tier is $99-$500/mo. Decimal's bookkeeping is typically in the same premium-accounting range. For a $1-3M contractor, the real question is whether the numbers create decisions, not just clean statements.
Both can be right at different stages.
Decimal is a fine choice for horizontal SMBs without operational complexity. Level wins when the business has jobs, technicians, properties, or service agreements, anywhere bookkeeping alone misses the picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decimal a CFO service?
Decimal offers bookkeeping and controller-level services. CFO advisory is added through specific engagements. Level is a fractional CFO from the start, strategy, benchmarking, and forecasting are core, not add-ons.
Can I use both?
Possible but redundant, Level's tiers include bookkeeping. Most clients choose one.
Does Level have an AI-first product like Decimal?
Level is AI-leveraged, not AI-led, humans handle judgment, AI handles volume (bank rec, classification, variance flags, weekly KPIs). The CFO is a person, not a chatbot.
Other comparisons
Simple pricing
Three tiers, one ladder.
$99-$500/mo
Bookkeeping
The clean data layer: monthly books, reconciliations, and organized financials AI can work with.
$1,500-$5,000/mo
Scale
The full AI operating layer: custom agents, weekly actions, and benchmarks to grow margin per hour.
Custom
Platform / Multi-Office
Multi-branch benchmarking and scorecards for PE-backed and multi-location groups.
Ready to see what your crew has already earned?
Free profit audit, we connect your field ops to your books and show you the margin and cash gaps in 48 hours. Free audit included.
No commitment. Real numbers, not generic advice.