The best maintenance software for upstream oil and gas: Comparing the top seven CMMS platforms

It’s easy to get lost in a maze of Google searches, articles, and ChatGPT recommendations when evaluating maintenance software. While information has never been more accessible, it’s also never been so overwhelming. That’s why the feedback from your peers is still the best way to find the right software for your maintenance team. Their words are unbiased and their experiences match yours.

That’s why we analyzed hundreds of reviews from maintenance professionals at upstream oil and gas facilities to put together this comparison of maintenance software. We looked at the features they love, the results they’re getting, and what they don't like so much. Then we put it all together to build a list of the top computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) along with the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Read on to see an in-depth comparison based on the words of other maintenance teams.

One more important note before your continue

This article evaluates maintenance software for upstream oil and gas production facilities. The information below was collected from maintenance teams that maintain heavy machinery used in the extraction of oil and gas and the upkeep of these facilities. While some of the information can be helpful for those working in downstream oil and gas operations, there are several tools and platforms designed specifically for the unique situations those teams face.

Key takeaways

• MaintainX is the best maintenance software for upstream oil and gas facilities because it is designed for frontline adoption, keeps work and equipment history organized in one place, and adds field-ready context so production issues get resolved fast.
  
  
• Upstream teams should look for a CMMS with strong work order management and traceability, multi-level asset management capabilities, mobile and offline execution, and easy-to-use reporting.

• Ease of use and adoption are critical to get the most value from your CMMS as it allows technicians to consistently log work, close out tasks, and capture the data needed for compliance, planning, and uptime improvement.

Comparing seven maintenance software for upstream oil and gas: Key features and customer feedback

MaintainX

Key features

• Extremely easy to set up and use for frontline workers: Users describe it as easy to set up and run work orders, procedures, and schedules, helping standardize day-to-day work.
  
  
• Preventive maintenance reminders and scheduling: Reviewers like setting reminders and organizing planned maintenance to keep equipment health and compliance tasks on time.
  
  
• Asset management with location context: Teams highlight tracking assets and knowing exactly where an issue is, which helps keep production moving in the field.
  
  
• Inventory and parts tracking: Reviewers mention controlling inventory, tracking parts, and keeping equipment records organized in one central system.
  
  
• Contractor and cross-team collaboration: Users note the platform is interactive with contractors and requesters, supporting smoother handoffs and accountability.

What to watch out for

• Notifications can be hard to manage at scale: Some users struggle to filter and keep up with updates, especially when trying to monitor a specific team’s work.
  
  
• Bulk actions are limited in a few areas: Some users mention friction with mass editing assets or parts, and certain admin views could be more complete.
  
  
• A few workflow limitations: Examples include wanting more advanced inventory methods or meter-based notifications for vehicles.

What reviewers say

• “The thing I liked most is that it tells you the exact location of where the leak or problem is to help us keep our production going.” — Wayne, Pipeline Tech
  
  
• “The best thing about MaintainX is the functionality and ease of use. We are now able to keep track of so much information in one central location as a company.” — Emily, Manager
  
  
• “I like the ability to document maintenance and set up reminders and schedules for tasks.” — Jordan, Director
  
  
• “I like the mobile app, which allows me to create a work order for a broken asset from anywhere in the shop.” — Benito, supervisor
  
  
• “With MaintainX, we’ve eliminated the problem of work being dropped and maintenance being overlooked.” — Robb, Plant/Field Foreman

Fiix

Key features

• Fast work order execution in the field: Reviewers say it’s easy to complete work orders from start to finish in the field with the mobile app, which helps them be aligned and efficient.
  
  
• Simple navigation for busy maintenance teams: Multiple reviewers emphasize that the platform is easy to navigate, user-friendly, and makes it easy to find information quickly.
  
  
• Planning and schedule visibility that keeps teams organized: The calendar and scheduling views helps reduce confusion around timing between shifts and between maintenance and operations.

What to watch out for

• Work order close-out friction and workflow quirks: Some reviewers report that closing work can be clunky or glitchy, creating extra clicks when technicians are trying to wrap jobs quickly. “Sometimes, there are glitches and it’s not as easy as I’d like to close work orders. I wish there was an easier way” - Verified G2 User in Oil and Energy
  
  
• Asset hierarchy and findability can break down: Reviewers mention confusion in distinguishing a whole unit versus a component, which slows troubleshooting in the field. “Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out which selection is the entire unit, and not just part.” - John C., Control technician
  
  
• Reporting and customization can require technical skill: Reviewers describe reporting as needing knowledge of coding and spending many hours trying to build specialized reports, making reporting a bottleneck. “When wanting customized reports or templates you have to have a decent knowledge of coding”- Verified G2 User in Oil and Energy
  
  
• Edits and changes can be hard to make: Users report difficulty deleting relationships or correcting location mistakes after parts are received, forcing workarounds that can leave messy data over time.
  
  
• Connectivity and performance issues: Reviewers call out slow loading and needing internet for some tasks, which can be a real problem for remote upstream sites. “You can not work with Fiix without internet.” - Jose, electrical technician

Limble

Key features

• Rapid rollout and fast data onboarding: Reviewers describe importing hundreds of assets and thousands of parts and PMs in weeks.
  
  
• The ability to create strong work instructions: Maintenance planners like how detailed PM work instructions can get, including adding photos and documents

• Preventive maintenance scheduling: Reviewers highlight PM scheduling and drag-and-drop schedule changes, which is useful for upstream operations.
  
  
• Centralized maintenance operations: Users call out having everything on one platform with visibility into open, completed, and next-up work.

What to watch out for

• Reporting and KPI depth can be limiting: Reviewers point to gaps in core reporting and KPI configuration, making it difficult to run reliability reviews and measure performance. “They lack basic reports such as open work orders and asset lists.” - Mark, Inventory Shipping Manager
  
  
• Role-based permissions are not granular enough: Reviewers note limitations in setting custom privileges by role, which can be a real issue when you need to separate permissions for compliance activities.
  
  
• PM scheduling controls lack precision for real-world exceptions: Reviewers want the ability to skip specific dates without awkward workarounds, which matters for upstream schedules that change due to weather, access, or permit windows.
  
  
• Setup and data entry can be heavy even with imports: Some reviewers describe initial setup, tagging, and asset entry as extensive or tedious. “The initial setup, tagging and asset entry was extensive.” - Ben, Production Foreman
  
  
• Mobile and offline experience can create friction for field crews: Reviewers report offline mode issues and inconsistent usability between desktop and mobile. “Offline Mode doesn’t always seem to work very well.” - Logan, Maintenance Planner

Upkeep

Key features

• Work orders that cut out paperwork: Reviewers describe replacing paper forms with in-app requests, instant notifications, and real-time tracking.
  
  
• Preventive maintenance scheduling with reminders: Reviewers highlight upcoming due date notifications, calendar support, and schedules that keep inspections from slipping.
  
  
• Asset and inventory tracking: Reviewers note strong history and tracking of repairs, parts, and inventory counts, useful for upstream fleets with many equipment types.

What to watch out for

• Reliability issues can block day-to-day execution: Some teams report persistent technical problems that make the system hard to trust for core PM and work order workflows. “We are dealing with a lot of technical issues on a regular basis…It has not operated without issues since we started using it.” - Chris, Site Manager
  
  
• Analytics and downtime tracking fall short: Reviewers say key metrics can be approximated and downtime tracking cannot handle manual events, limiting usefulness for root-cause and uptime management. “Downtime tracking is a very important tool, but can’t be used with manual events.” - Lindsey, Maintenance Manager
  
  
• Asset hierarchy depth is limited, making complex equipment structures painful: Users note you cannot create child hierarchies past one level, which becomes cumbersome when modeling multi-level assets.
  
  
• Offline and low-connectivity operation is a weak point: Reviewers say the app becomes unusable without service, which is a major risk for remote upstream locations. “If there is no service then the app is useless to use.” - Clancy, Mechanic
  
  
• Reporting is not intuitive: Users call reporting “clumsy”, creating friction for supervisors trying to run consistent weekly operations reviews.

eMaint

Key features

• Configurable CMMS: Reviewers highlight that it is “easy to customize” while still being able to take software upgrades.
  
  
• Maintenance documentation that improves traceability: Users like that you can track assets and document maintenance, supporting audit-ready history.
  
  
• Centralized compliance and PM scheduling: Oil and energy users emphasize support for regulatory and compliance PMs, with scheduling and critical notes that help standardize inspections.

What to watch out for

• Support experience can be inconsistent and slow: One reviewer flags that support “is really lacking,” and another notes holidays and weekends as a pain point for facilities that run nonstop.
  
  
• Mobile experience is not a true app for field work: For maintenance teams that live on phones at remote sites, reviewers note it “isn’t a true app,” which can limit adoption for technicians in the field.
  
  
• Scheduling maintenance work can be harder than it should be: Multiple reviewers point to scheduling and grouping work as not straightforward, which can slow PM rollout and standardization. “The scheduler ease of use is not what we expected.” - Gamaliel, Maintenance Planner
  
  
• Implementation can be complex: Reviewers describe setup as difficult to follow with so many configuration choices, requiring significant time and resources for internal teams. “With all the options it is difficult to follow through the setup… a lot of group brainstorming has been needed.” - Travis, Maintenance Manager:

Maximo

Key features

• Highly configurable platform: Multiple reviewers emphasize that Maximo is “highly configurable” and “very easy to configure and tweak.”
  
  
• Comprehensive asset hierarchies: Users call out being able to build asset trees to track components and lifecycle for granular visibility.
  
  
• Inventory and procurement controls: Reviewers point to strong inventory visibility and reorder points, plus procurement tracking from approval through closing.

What to watch out for

• Implementation is complex and requires a heavy lift: Reviewers warn that deployment is complex and often needs specialist consulting to succeed, which can slow time-to-value. “High complexity. Expert advice required for successful implementation.” - Daniel, Lead consultant
  
  
• Limited best-practice guidance can lead to years of trial and error: A reviewer notes a lack of guidance for using the software, forcing organizations to learn through “growing pains” when scaling across fleets or regions.
  
  
• Performance and usability issues hurt frontline adoption: Multiple reviewers mention slow loading and weak usability, which is painful for technicians executing work. “It’s not user friendly. It takes a long time to load documents in the system.” - Selva, Planning
  
  
• Mobile, reporting, and reliability workflows have gaps: Reviewers ask for stronger mobile capability for field operations, improved reporting variety, and better reliability tooling.

Fracttal One

Key features

• Fast adoption: Reviewers repeatedly describe Fracttal as simple and intuitive, helping teams get productive quickly.
  
  
• Work order traceability: Users highlight that work orders move to maintenance without manual manipulation, while keeping a permanent record of equipment history.
  
  
• Flexible preventive maintenance planning: Reviewers call out the ability to create maintenance plans with different frequencies, checklists, and automated organization.

What to watch out for

• KPIs and dashboards are hard to configure: Reviewers report that dashboards for metrics are complicated to set up, which can slow reliability reporting. “It is complicated to configure the MTTR, MTBF, and other indicator charts.” - Daniel G
  
  
• Work order and reporting flexibility can be constrained: Users call out limitations in customizing work orders and inflexible report formatting, which can be a blocker when standardizing procedures.
  
  
• Offline and connectivity limitations can hurt remote field operations: Reviewers mention you cannot use it without internet and mobile can be slow, which is a real risk for remote upstream locations.
  
  
• Inventory and warehouse workflows can be cumbersome: Several reviewers cite difficulty with warehouse related actions, like requesting materials or creating parts tied to equipment types, which can slow wrench time when parts are critical.

The best maintenance software for upstream oil and gas

What makes MaintainX the best CMMS for upstream oil and gas facilities

• Designed for field and frontline adoption: Reviewers consistently highlight how intuitive MaintainX is, which matters when you need field teams to log work without slowing down operations.
  
  
• Reliable equipment history and service tracking: Teams use it to track services and maintenance completion, helping ensure critical work is not dropped across assets and crews.
  
  
• Keeps work visible without constant check-ins: Real-time updates and notifications reduce the need to chase status, supporting faster decisions during reactive work.
  
  
• Scales from small crews to larger organizations: Reviews mention that the platform is great at scaling as small teams grow and suits larger oil and gas operations from the beginning with its flexible setup for work orders, procedures, and assets.

• Top caliber compliance tracking and audit readiness capabilities: Customers highlight how easy it is to create audit trails, build safety procedures, and capture all the information needed to streamline regulatory compliance activities.

What is maintenance software for upstream oil and gas?

Maintenance software for upstream oil and gas facilities is a digital platform used by maintenance teams to plan, execute, and prove the work needed to keep wells, pads, compressors, pumps, and other assets running safely and reliably. Maintenance software, often called a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or enterprise asset management (EAM) system,  often replaces spreadsheets, whiteboards, and paper work orders with one place to manage assets, work orders, preventive maintenance, parts, and history.

A solid CMMS helps teams create and prioritize work requests, schedule preventive maintenance, assign work orders, attach photos and documents, track labor and parts, and maintain a searchable equipment record over time. For supervisors, it adds visibility into backlog, performance metrics, and compliance documentation so the team can manage reliability, safety, and uptime across remote sites.

10 essential CMMS features, according to over 300 reviews

1. Work order management with clean history and traceability: Create, assign, close, and audit work easily while keeping a permanent equipment record for future troubleshooting, PMs, and compliance.
   
   
2. Preventive maintenance planning with flexible scheduling: Strong PM programs are a must, including recurring schedules, reminders, and the ability to manage changes to the schedule, like urgent work or holidays.
   
   
3. Asset hierarchy and asset management at scale: It’s critical to be able to build multi-level asset trees and attach attributes so you can manage complex equipment, fleets, and facilities.
   
   
4. Mobile access built for field execution: Technicians need a true mobile experience to create and complete work, capture photos and videos, and work smoothly across devices.
   
   
5. Offline capability for remote operations: Upstream oil and gas teams often work in low-connectivity areas, so offline work execution and reliable sync should be a core expectation.
   
   
6. Parts and inventory management tied to work: Teams should look for accurate inventory counts, reorder points, and the ability to link parts to assets and work orders.
   
   
7. Reporting, dashboards, and reliability KPIs: Maintenance leaders need quick visibility into backlog, open work orders, asset lists, mean time to repair (MTTR), mean time between failures (MTBF), and performance trends without heavy manual setup.
   
   
8. Configurable workflows and business process control: Teams should value flexibility to tailor the system to their workflows while having strong permissions.
   
   
9. Integrations and APIs to connect the maintenance stack: Oil and gas organizations want the CMMS to connect cleanly with ERP, accounting, BI tools, and other systems so data flows between platforms while triggering action.
   
   
10. Implementation support and training that drives adoption: Beyond the software, teams consistently value responsive support, learning resources, and guided implementation to get technicians, planners, and supervisors productive fast.

Seven benefits of maintenance software for upstream oil and gas facilities

1. Reduced downtime on critical equipment

A CMMS helps teams move from reactive to planned work by scheduling preventive maintenance, triggering work orders automatically, and keeping backlogs visible so issues do not fall through the cracks. Mobile execution and notifications also shorten response time when something breaks in the field.

2. Lower maintenance costs

Maintenance costs often creep up because of rushed work, repeat repairs, and missing parts. A CMMS improves planning with standardized SOPs and clear work instructions. Teams can also reduce stockouts, emergency purchases, and excess spares by using a CMMS to do better inventory tracking, set min and max levels, and tie parts to assets.

3. Streamlined regulatory compliance and audits

Maintenance software centralizes records, PM completion evidence, and equipment history so audits are not a scramble. Checklists, photos, and documented work order sign offs also create a defensible trail for regulators

4. Improved safety

By using consistent PM routines, structured work instructions, and approval flows where needed, teams reduce the chances of missed steps, incomplete closeouts, or unsafe workarounds. Clear visibility into overdue work and recurring failures also supports proactive risk reduction.

5. Higher efficiency

A good CMMS cuts wasted time spent chasing information, searching for equipment history, or coordinating work through calls and emails. With assets, manuals, and job details in one place, technicians can complete work faster. Planners can schedule and assign work more smoothly using calendars, triggers, and backlog management, even across remote sites.

6. Longer asset life and better reliability performance

Upstream oil and gas assets often operate in harsh conditions. Maintenance software supports reliability by tracking failure history, standardizing PMs, and enabling KPI monitoring like MTTR, MTBF, and work order compliance. Over time, teams can spot patterns, prioritize the right corrective actions, and reduce repeat failures, extending asset life.

7. Clear metrics for continuous improvement and accountability

Dashboards, reporting, and KPI tracking provide maintenance leaders the visibility they need to help their teams set goals, measure progress, and continuously improve how maintenance is executed site by site.

The final word: The best maintenance software is the one that fits your team

Maintenance software is a tool. And like any other tool, it’s only valuable if it’s being used and being used in the right way. That’s why there’s no single software that fits every team. Rather, the right software is the one that your team feels most comfortable using, fits into your existing workflows, and most effectively solves the problems that your frontline team is experiencing.

This is why it’s crucial to test several CMMS software in everyday scenarios. Only then can you tell if your team will be able to pick up the software easily and if the system will empower your team instead of burdening them. Ultimately, adoption is the ultimate indicator of good maintenance software, which is why ease of use and frontline capabilities should be at the top of your list of must-haves.