Joist App Reviews: Honest Breakdown of Features and Pricing 

Joist app reviews consistently highlight its strength in mobile invoicing for small contractors. 

With over 1 million users, this contractor invoice app has earned a 4.5-star rating by focusing on quick estimates and payment collection. 

However, like any construction invoice app, Joist works better for certain types of jobs than others. Let's break down what contractors really think about Joist's features, pricing, limitations, and how OneCrew might be the better option for you.

What is Joist?

Joist is a mobile-first invoicing and estimating app built specifically for trade contractors. The platform helps contractors create professional estimates, send invoices, collect payments, and manage basic client information from their phone or tablet.

Here's who typically uses Joist software:

• Small general contractors doing residential projects like bathroom remodels, decks, and home repairs
• Specialty trade contractors, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and painters
• Landscaping contractors handling lawn care, tree service, and outdoor installations
• Home improvement contractors focused on roofing, siding, flooring, and kitchen renovations
• Handyman services managing multiple small jobs across different trades
• Solo operators and small crews (typically 1–10 employees) who need simple invoicing without complex project management

Joist vs. OneCrew: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference is that Joist focuses on quick invoicing and payments for small service jobs. OneCrew handles complex project management for paving contractors, from takeoffs to job costing.

Joist

Joist is basically the mobile invoicing solution for small contractors. If you're doing quick residential jobs around town like plumbing repairs, electrical work, or home improvements, it keeps your estimates and payments organized on your phone.

OneCrew

OneCrew is a platform designed specifically for asphalt and concrete contractors managing project-based jobs. It covers every step from lead to invoice, including PDF plan takeoff, blueprint measurement, crew assignments, and customer communication.

Which one should you choose?

• Pick Joist if you're doing mostly quick service jobs with small crews; think home repairs and maintenance work, not managing multi-crew construction projects.
• Choose OneCrew if you're the type of paving contractor who gets handed blueprints and needs to figure out exactly how much asphalt, labor, and equipment it'll take to complete parking lots or road projects.

Joist App Features

Joist keeps things simple with features designed for contractors who need to create estimates and collect payments quickly. Here's what the platform actually offers:

Estimate creation

Joist estimates let you build professional quotes using pre-saved materials and labor rates. You can organize estimates by room or project phase, add photos, and include deposits or payment schedules. The app calculates totals automatically as you add line items.

Mobile invoicing

Generate and send invoices directly from job sites using your phone or tablet. Joist invoices can include your company logo, payment terms, and custom messages. The app tracks which invoices clients have viewed and reminds you about overdue payments.

Payment processing

Accept credit card and PayPal payments directly through invoices. Clients can pay online without downloading the app, and funds typically arrive in your bank account within 2 to 3 business days. Payment processing fees apply based on the payment method.

Client management

Store customer information, project history, and communication in one place. You can access client details from any device and export data to other programs. The app also tracks payment history and outstanding balances for each customer.

Contract and signature collection

Attach contracts to estimates and collect electronic signatures on-site. This feature helps you secure approvals quickly and reduces paperwork. Signed contracts are automatically saved to client profiles.

QuickBooks integration

Sync jobs and client data with QuickBooks Online to eliminate double entry. This integration helps with bookkeeping, but only works with QuickBooks Online, not desktop versions or other accounting programs.

Homeowner financing

Offer financing options through Acorn Finance to help customers fund larger projects. This feature can increase job conversion rates, especially for expensive home improvement projects. Contractors don't handle the financing directly.

Note: For contractors interested in specific equipment needs, check out our paving equipment guide and information about parking lot striping businesses.

What Real Users Are Saying: Joist App Reviews

Recent Joist reviews on Capterra reveal what actual users think about this contractor software in 2025. Below are direct quotes reflecting positive experiences and common complaints.

Positive feedback

• According to Joist app reviews on Capterra, a user highlighted: My favorite feature of Joist is its easy-to-use smartphone app. When I'm working and able to access it from my phone, I can generate estimates, retrieve client data, and even process payments. It has greatly improved my appearance as a business and gives me full confidence for the future. (Capterra, January 7, 2025)
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• Another Joist app reviewer on Capterra states: Our company used Joist for a couple of years, and overall, it was a solid tool, especially when we were just starting out. Creating and sending estimates and invoices was fast and simple. (Capterra, June 12, 2025)
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• As seen in another Joist app review from Capterra, a user said: I like the non-overcrowded dashboard, the simplicity, and how easy it is to use for customers. (Capterra, January 20, 2025)

Common complaints

• Joist app reviews on Capterra reveal pain points: Subscription price plans. Some features are not available to lower-tier plans, which is a shame. (Capterra, January 7, 2025)
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• Another user described their frustration in their Joist app reviews on Capterra: Joist does not work reliably. Access is unavailable at times, hindering our ability to send billing invoices, estimates, change orders, and get payments for days. And customer support is seriously lacking. Joist auto-debits your account for renewal over 30 days before it is due. The company rebills you every 11 months for a year subscription. (Capterra, June 2, 2025)
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• One of the Joist app reviewers on Capterra simply says: I did not like the fact that Joist was not able to automatically sequence invoices. (Capterra, February 22, 2025)

Joist App Pricing in 2025

Joist offers three pricing tiers with different feature limitations:

Cost comparison 

Processing fees for payments are separate from subscription costs. Unlike OneCrew's seat-based pricing model that scales with your team size, Joist charges per account regardless of how many people use it.

Pricing limitations

You can't customize your plan or pay for only the features you need. Joist's all-or-nothing approach means you either get basic features or pay for the full package, even if you only want one or two advanced capabilities.

Joist Pros and Cons

Here's what contractors actually experience when using Joist for their business operations:

Pros

• Easy mobile interface that works on job sites. Joist is well known for its simple design and mobile functionality. You can create estimates, send invoices, and collect payments without carrying a laptop or returning to the office.
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• Quick setup and minimal learning curve. Most contractors can start using Joist within minutes of downloading the app. The interface is intuitive enough that even less tech-savvy users can navigate features without extensive training.
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• Professional-looking documents that impress clients. Joist templates help small contractors appear more established and organized. Users appreciate getting clean, branded invoices instead of handwritten quotes or basic Word documents.

Cons

• Limited project management capabilities for complex jobs. Joist works well for simple estimates but struggles with multi-phase projects that require scheduling, crew assignments, or detailed job costing. It's an invoicing app, not a project management platform.
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• App loses unsaved work when switching between programs. There are some frustrating issues where estimates get deleted if you leave the app to copy information from other sources. This forces you to recreate work you've already completed.
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• Payment processing can be slow and unreliable. Report delays getting paid through Joist's payment system is another con. Funds often take longer than promised to reach their bank accounts. Customer service primarily relies on chat support.

Joist Alternatives for Contractors

Different contractors need different tools depending on their business type and project complexity:

OneCrew stands out as the best alternative for contractors who need more than invoicing. 

Although Joist handles basic estimates and payments, OneCrew manages complete project workflows from takeoff to job costing. Paving contractors especially benefit from OneCrew's blueprint measurement tools and crew scheduling features.

Note: For contractors exploring other platforms, check out our guides on Buildertrend alternatives and concrete estimating platforms.

Who Should Use Joist vs. OneCrew?

Choosing between these platforms depends on your business model and project complexity. Small service contractors have different needs than project-based construction companies.

Joist is right for:

• Solo contractors and small teams doing quick residential jobs
• Service businesses that need simple invoicing without complex project tracking
• Contractors who work mostly on hourly or fixed-price jobs that don't require detailed scheduling
• Businesses looking for an affordable way to accept online payments and look more professional

OneCrew is right for:

• Paving contractors managing project-based jobs from blueprints
• Companies that estimate from site maps, assign multiple crews, and track job profitability
• Growing paving businesses ready to upgrade from basic invoicing to complete project management
• Contractors who need PDF takeoff tools and integration with QuickBooks for job costing

QuickBooks is right for:

• Contractors who already have operations figured out but need better accounting
• Businesses focused on financial reporting, payroll, and tax preparation
• Companies that need recurring billing but not field management tools

Note: If you're starting a new paving business, our guide on how much it costs to start an asphalt business covers the essential steps beyond selecting the right platform.

Ready to Go Beyond Invoices? Try OneCrew 

When comparing contractor apps, it comes down to what type of work you do. Joist excels at simple invoicing. QuickBooks handles accounting. But if you're estimating from plans, managing crews, and running complex projects? That's where OneCrew delivers.

OneCrew was built specifically for project-based paving contractors. It replaces the patchwork of tools that slow you down and gives you everything in one platform. Here's what you can accomplish with OneCrew:

• Create detailed estimates from PDF plans or maps using configurable line items for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors.
• Assign crews and track project phases with clear accountability and real-time updates across pre-construction, production, and billing.
• Manage customer relationships through a dedicated portal for proposal approvals, payments, photo sharing, and project communication.
• Sync financial data with QuickBooks to keep your invoicing and payment information organized without double entry.
• Access everything from mobile or desktop so your team stays connected whether they're in the office or field.

Book a free demo and see how paving contractors are simplifying their operations. You don't need five different apps to run your paving business. You need one platform that handles project-based work from start to finish.

FAQs

1. What does the Joist app do?

The Joist app creates estimates and invoices for contractors while accepting online payments from clients. It's designed primarily for small trade contractors who need professional-looking documents and mobile payment processing.

2. What is the best Joist alternative?

OneCrew is the best alternative for contractors who need project management beyond invoicing. While Joist focuses on billing, OneCrew handles complete workflows, including estimating from blueprints, crew scheduling, and job costing for paving contractors.

3. Who should use the Joist app?

Small contractors doing residential service work should use Joist. It works best for electricians, plumbers, handymen, and home improvement contractors who need quick estimates and payment collection without complex project tracking.

4. Who should use OneCrew instead?

Paving contractors managing project-based jobs should use OneCrew. If you estimate from blueprints, coordinate multiple crews, or need detailed job costing, OneCrew provides the project management features that Joist lacks.

5. Does Joist integrate with QuickBooks or other accounting tools?

Joist only integrates with QuickBooks Online, not desktop versions. The integration syncs job and client information, but doesn't transfer detailed job costing data. For more accounting integrations, contractors typically need more robust platforms.

6. Does OneCrew include estimating and invoicing?

Yes, OneCrew includes both estimating and invoicing as part of its complete platform. Unlike Joist's focus on simple invoices, OneCrew handles complex estimates from PDF takeoffs and connects them to job costing and crew management throughout the project lifecycle.