Joist vs. Jobber vs. OneCrew: Which Is Best for Contractors?

OneCrew wins for paving contractors running project-based work, whereas Joist excels for solo contractors needing simple invoicing, and Jobber fits growing service teams.

I've tested all three platforms extensively and found each serves different contractor needs. The right choice depends on whether you need quick estimates and invoices or full project management from blueprints to final billing.

You'll discover which platform matches your workflow, saves the most time, and delivers real ROI for your specific trade.

Joist vs. Jobber vs. OneCrew: At a Glance

Choosing between these three platforms comes down to your business type and growth stage. Here's how they stack up:

When to choose each platform:

• Choose Joist if you're a solo contractor or small team focused primarily on creating professional estimates and invoices without complex scheduling needs.
• Choose Jobber if you run a growing service business with multiple technicians doing recurring maintenance, repairs, or installations.
• Choose OneCrew if you're a paving contractor managing multi-day projects, estimating from blueprints, and coordinating crews on asphalt or concrete work.

Meet Joist: Features and Highlights

Joist is an invoicing and estimating app designed for contractors who want to create professional documents quickly from their phone or computer.

You get customizable estimate templates, digital signatures, online payment processing, and homeowner financing options through Acorn. The platform focuses on financial paperwork rather than full business management.

Joist includes basic client management features. You can store customer information, track payment history, convert estimates to invoices instantly, and send automated payment reminders. The app syncs across devices and integrates with QuickBooks Online for bookkeeping.

Meet Jobber: Features and Highlights

Jobber is a field service management platform built to help service businesses manage scheduling, client communication, quotes, invoicing, and payments.

You get drag-and-drop scheduling, GPS tracking for teams, automated appointment reminders, a client hub for approvals and payments, and built-in Jobber app cost tracking and reporting features.

Jobber provides CRM functionality that tracks leads through conversion. You can generate professional quotes with optional services, schedule recurring jobs, manage team timesheets, and pull reports on profitability and performance.

Meet OneCrew: Features and Highlights

OneCrew is a purpose-built platform for paving contractors handling project-based asphalt and concrete work. It manages everything from lead capture through final invoicing with tools designed specifically for paving workflows.

You can handle PDF takeoff estimating, site mapping, crew scheduling by project phase, and margin-based pricing in one system. The customer portal allows clients to approve proposals, pay invoices, share documents, and message your team directly.

OneCrew integrates with QuickBooks Online for invoicing and payment sync. The platform replaces spreadsheets and disconnected apps with one unified system built for how paving contractors actually work.

Joist vs. Jobber vs. OneCrew: Feature Breakdown

Estimating and invoicing

• Joist: Quick template-based estimates with homeowner financing options, but limited customization for complex projects
• Jobber: Professional quotes with optional services and instant invoice conversion, though not designed for material takeoffs
• OneCrew: PDF takeoff and blueprint estimating with configurable pricing workflows, but specifically for paving projects 

Winner: OneCrew is the best platform for complex project estimating, though Joist wins for simple service quotes.

Scheduling and dispatch

• Joist: No scheduling features; focuses purely on financial documents and payment processing
• Jobber: Drag-and-drop calendar with route optimization and automated reminders, perfect for service calls
• OneCrew: Project-based scheduling that assigns crews to job phases, built for multi-day work rather than appointments 

Winner: Jobber offers the most comprehensive scheduling for service businesses.

Customer management (CRM)

• Joist: Basic client storage with payment history and contact info, limited Joist CRM capabilities
• Jobber: Full CRM with lead tracking, automated follow-ups, and detailed customer histories
• OneCrew: Customer portal with project-specific interactions, approvals, and communication tools 

Winner: Jobber has the most robust CRM features for managing customer relationships.

Crew and equipment management

• Joist: No crew management features; designed for solo contractors or very small teams
• Jobber: GPS tracking, timesheets, and team scheduling with mobile apps for field workers
• OneCrew: Crew assignments by project phase with role-based access and field data capture 

Winner: OneCrew is purpose-built for managing construction crews on project sites.

Pricing and value

• Joist: Most affordable at $8–32/month with a free plan available; best value for basic needs
• Jobber: Mid-range at $39–599/month with comprehensive features, good value for service teams
• OneCrew: Seat-based pricing for paving contractors; premium investment for specialized features 

Winner: Joist has the best value for solo contractors, though OneCrew delivers ROI for paving businesses.

Note: For more insights on starting your paving business, check out our guide on how to start an asphalt business.

What Real Users are Saying

We went through authentic user feedback from verified reviews on G2, Capterra, GetApp, and Trustpilot from 2025. These reviews provided insight into the experiences of actual software users exploring Jobber software reviews and Joist app functionality.

Joist pros

• Professional mobile functionality: A user from Capterra praised the mobile app's professional capabilities and how it enhanced their business’s image. (Capterra review, January 7, 2025)
• Simple invoicing functionality: A user from GetApp highlighted the app's clean interface and customer-friendly design. (GetApp review, January 20, 2025)
• Time-saving capabilities: A reviewer on Software Advice emphasized how Joist accelerated the estimate and invoice creation process. (Software Advice review, June 2025)

Joist cons

• Pricing tier limitations: A user from Capterra expressed frustration with feature restrictions based on subscription levels. (Capterra review, January 7, 2025)
• Reliability concerns: Another reviewer on Capterra reported significant downtime issues affecting critical business operations. (Capterra review, June 2, 2025)
• Invoice sequencing issues: A user on Software Advice noted their frustration at how Joist did not sequence invoice automatically. (Software Advice review, February 2025)

Jobber pros

• Business transformation capabilities: A user from Trustpilot described how switching to Jobber completely transformed their business operations and professional appearance. (Trustpilot review, September 4, 2025)
• Thorough business support: Another Trustpilot reviewer highlighted Jobber's detailed administrative features and excellent customer support. (Trustpilot review, September 4, 2025)
• Long-term business value: A user shared their decade-long positive experience with Jobber's scheduling and billing capabilities. (Trustpilot review, August 25, 2025)

Jobber cons

• Privacy and payment concerns: A user from Trustpilot reported serious concerns about unauthorized payment processing and privacy protection. (Trustpilot review, August 28, 2025)
• Constant platform changes: A Trustpilot reviewer expressed frustration with frequent platform updates requiring workflow adjustments. (Trustpilot review, August 25, 2025)
• Specialized workflow limitations: Another user from Trustpilot noted that general contractors may need workarounds to optimize Jobber for their specific needs. (Trustpilot review, September 3, 2025)

Note: If you’re interested in learning more about construction app solutions, you should check out our article on Joist app reviews.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Your choice between Joist vs. Jobber vs. OneCrew depends on your business model and growth trajectory. The decision should be based on finding the platform that matches how you actually work.

Joist is better for:

• Solo contractors and small trade teams doing quick jobs with simple billing needs
• Contractors who primarily need professional estimates and invoices without complex scheduling
• Businesses wanting affordable Joist payment processing with homeowner financing options
• Trades people transitioning from paper to digital with minimal learning curve
• Joist competitors often overwhelm small contractors with features they don't need

Jobber is better for:

• Growing service businesses with 2–15 employees doing recurring maintenance or repairs
• Teams needing comprehensive scheduling, CRM, and automation to reduce admin work
• Companies wanting integrated marketing tools and customer communication features
• Businesses ready to invest in professional field service management
• Service contractors looking for proven scalability as they add more technicians

OneCrew is better for:

• Paving contractors managing project-based asphalt and concrete work
• Companies estimating from blueprints and coordinating multiple crew phases
• Businesses wanting industry-specific features rather than generic contractor tools
• Contractors ready to replace disconnected spreadsheets with unified project management
• Growing paving companies needing better visibility into project profitability

My Final Verdict

Look, if you're laying asphalt or pouring concrete, OneCrew is the only platform here built for your actual workflow. Joist handles simple invoicing well. Jobber excels at service scheduling. But neither understands the complexity of paving projects.

OneCrew cuts estimating time by 75% because it's designed for takeoffs and crew coordination on multi-day jobs. You won't force square pegs into round holes trying to make generic tools fit paving work.

For solo contractors who need basic invoicing, Joist delivers excellent value. Growing service teams benefit from Jobber's comprehensive features. But paving contractors need OneCrew's purpose-built approach.

Note: For detailed platform comparisons, see our guides on Jobber alternatives and Jobber vs. ServiceTitan. 

Ready to Try OneCrew?

When comparing Joist vs. Jobber vs. OneCrew, it's about which fits how you run your work. If you're estimating from plans, assigning crews, and managing real paving projects – that's where OneCrew comes in.

OneCrew was built for project-based paving contractors. It replaces the patchwork of tools that slow you down. Here's what you can do with OneCrew:

• Estimate from PDFs or maps incorporating labor, material, equipment, and sub-line items with built-in calculators
• Assign crews and roles to specific job phases for better clarity and accountability
• Track project status with updates across pre-construction, production, and billing phases
• Work with customers through a portal for approvals, payments, and shared documents
• Sync financials with QuickBooks to keep invoicing and payments organized without double-entry

You don't need five different apps to run your paving business. You need one platform that ties project management together from takeoff to final invoice. Book a free demo and learn how OneCrew helps you take control of your jobs from start to finish.

FAQs

1. What is the best contractor app for small businesses?

The best contractor app for small businesses depends on your specific needs. OneCrew serves paving contractors with specialized project features, Joist excels for simple invoicing with its $8/month starter plan, and Jobber provides comprehensive service management starting at $39/month.

2. Does Joist integrate with Jobber?

Joist and Jobber don't integrate directly since they're competing platforms serving similar markets. Both integrate with QuickBooks Online for accounting, but you'd typically choose one platform or the other based on your business needs.

3. Can OneCrew replace both Joist and Jobber?

OneCrew can replace both platforms for paving contractors doing project-based work with asphalt or concrete. However, for general service contractors or those focused purely on invoicing, Joist or Jobber might better match your specific workflow and budget requirements.

4. What's the pricing difference between Joist, Jobber, and OneCrew?

The pricing difference is that Joist offers the most affordable entry at $8–32/month with a free plan available, Jobber ranges from $39–599/month depending on team size and features, whereas OneCrew uses seat-based pricing tailored to paving contractors. Joist customer service and Jobber both offer free trials to test features.

5. Which platform is best for handling customer payments?

OneCrew provides portal-based payments integrated with project workflows for paving contractors. Joist includes homeowner financing options through Acorn, whereas Jobber offers instant payouts and automated payment reminders. All three platforms process payments effectively.