- Invoicing and Estimates: Users can create professional invoices and estimates that look clear and detailed.
- Online Payments: Clients can pay directly online, which helps businesses get paid faster.
- Client Management: The system stores client details and organizes records for easy tracking.
- Work Orders: Contractors can turn estimates into work orders and keep projects organized.
- Change Orders: Users can adjust project details and costs when changes happen.
- Expense Tracking: Businesses can keep track of costs and see how they affect profits.
- Reports and Insights: Joist provides simple reports that show business performance and finances.
- Mobile Access: The app works on phones and tablets, which gives contractors flexibility on the go.
Joist
Joist helps contractors create invoices, estimates, and manage payments for projects.
Updated February 27, 2026
Joist Overview
Joist is a business invoicing and project management software designed for contractors and service professionals. It allows users to quickly create and send professional estimates and invoices, track payments, and manage clients from one place.
The platform also supports scheduling, expense tracking, and detailed reporting, which helps streamline daily operations. With its user-friendly interface and mobile accessibility, Joist simplifies financial management and improves overall workflow efficiency for growing businesses.
Key Features
Pricing
| Plan Name | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Inclusions (per official site) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basics | $8 /mo | $80 /yr | Up to 5 documents per month; homeowner financing; online payments |
| Pro | $15 /mo | $150 /yr | Everything in Basics, plus unlimited documents & clients; logo display; line items & document photos; track client activity; generate work orders |
| Elite | $32 /mo | $320 /yr | Everything in Pro, plus business reports; change orders; advanced line item organization |
Pricing link: https://www.joist.com/pricing/
Pros
| Competitor | Pros of Joist |
|---|---|
| Housecall Pro | Joist is simpler to use and has a lower entry cost. It focuses on core invoicing, estimates, and payments, which is less overwhelming for small contractors who may not need the broader scheduling and dispatching features of Housecall Pro. |
| Jobber | Joist is more affordable and easier to learn for beginners. Its straightforward invoicing and estimates help contractors focus on closing jobs without paying for extra features that smaller businesses may not require. |
| QuickBooks | Joist has a cleaner, contractor-focused design. It allows tradespeople to quickly create estimates and invoices without going through accounting-heavy menus. It also provides flexible mobile access for on-site work, which feels more tailored for contractors. |
| Invoice2go | Joist provides better tools for project management, such as work orders and change orders, which Invoice2go lacks. Contractors benefit from features that match the realities of construction and repair jobs, rather than just simple billing. |
Cons
| Competitor | Cons of Joist |
|---|---|
| Housecall Pro | Joist lacks advanced features like full scheduling, dispatching, and marketing tools. Larger service businesses may outgrow Joist and need more automation and integration options. |
| Jobber | Joist does not provide as many advanced scheduling, routing, and client communication tools. Jobber is stronger for businesses with multiple employees who need organized workflows. |
| QuickBooks | Joist cannot replace full accounting software. QuickBooks offers payroll, tax tracking, and deep financial reports, which Joist does not. Businesses looking for all-in-one accounting will find Joist limited. |
| Invoice2go | Joist is less flexible when it comes to international features such as multi-currency support. Invoice2go is stronger in providing invoice customization and global-friendly options. |
Reviews
- Software Advice Review (Rating: 4.1/5): One contractor praised the professional look of documents and valued the ability to collect digital signatures and payments directly through the platform. Another reviewer called it a “great experience” for estimating and invoicing at a reasonable cost. A long-time user expressed frustration after waiting over an hour on chat support and being told access to eight years of estimates and records required paying for a subscription.
- Trustpilot Review (Rating: 4.4/5): Several business owners credit Joist with streamlining estimation and invoicing, with one noting clients use the PayPal integration on nearly 90% of invoices. Teams describe it as “Simple, Fast and Dependable,” and one user said it cut estimate prep from hours down to something quick and easy. Another reviewer highlighted high reliability, stating the app has never crashed, while one suggested credit card processing fees should automatically pass to customers.
- Capterra Review (Rating: 4.1/5): A reviewer labeled the experience “Excellent,” highlighting the very user-friendly interface and clean, professional-looking estimates and invoices. The option for customers to pay by credit card or electronically adds to its appeal.
- joistapp.com Review: The help article explains that after an invoice gets fully paid, clients automatically receive a prompt to leave a Google Review. It walks through steps like tapping “Enable Reviews” and confirms the feature requires a Joist Elite plan and a Google Business profile in the US or Canada.
- GetApp Review (Rating: 4.1/5): Budget-conscious companies highlight strong value, with one executive calling it “the perfect solution for a company on a budget” thanks to features like integrating photos, saving frequently used items, and easy export. Others describe it as cost-effective and suitable for agreements, while the value-for-money score sits at 3.9 and integrations such as QuickBooks Online and PayPal receive positive mentions.
- Google Play Review: The Play Store page emphasizes tools that calculate material and labor costs, attach contracts, collect signatures on the spot, and accept credit card payments directly in the app. It also promotes cloud access across devices, exporting data to accounting programs, and live chat support available seven days a week.
- apple.com Review: The App Store listing promotes fast support through email and in-app live chat, with customer service available seven days a week. Recent updates repeatedly reference “bug fixes and performance improvements,” signaling ongoing maintenance and stability efforts.
