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On the record · read 1 Oct 2026 · 14 facts

Joist

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What it is

Joist is a contractor app that brings estimates, invoices, online payments, job management and client records together. It is aimed at solo and small home contractors, generally businesses with 1 to 3 employees serving residential customers in the US and Canada. Estimates can include line items, markups, taxes, discounts, photos, branding and digital signatures. Contractors can request online payments, deposits and milestone payments, and accept Tap to Pay, credit cards, ACH and PayPal. Joist Run organizes jobs, schedules visits and connects each job with its estimates, invoices and clients. Invoices and payments can sync automatically with QuickBooks. A PayPal integration can offer PayPal, Venmo in the US and card processing. Joist has Android, iOS and web apps for managing work from a jobsite or while away from the office. There is no free plan, but a 14-day trial provides full access to Joist Run features without requiring a credit card. Basics includes up to five documents per month. The Basics, Pro and Elite plans include email and live chat support; Elite adds priority email response times. Joist says its sites use SSL with a 256-bit Sectigo RSA certificate, and payment providers handle payment data under PCI DSS and NACHA requirements.

For and against

For

  • Estimates support markups, taxes, discounts, photos and digital signatures.
  • Accepts deposits, milestone payments, cards, ACH and PayPal.
  • Joist Run links jobs with estimates, invoices and clients.
  • Invoices and payments can sync automatically with QuickBooks.
  • Available on Android, iOS and web.

Against

  • There is no free plan.
  • Basics allows up to five documents per month.
  • The trial lasts 14 days.

Who it suits

Joist suits solo and small home contractors who need estimates, invoicing, payment collection and job organization in one app. Its stated audience is residential contractors in the US and Canada, generally with 1 to 3 employees.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://www.joist.com/.
  2. Choose a paid plan or start the 14-day free trial.
  3. Use the trial without entering a credit card.
  4. Access Joist through its Android, iOS or web app.

Limits to know

The trial lasts 14 days. The Basics plan allows up to five documents per month; the listed Pro plan includes unlimited documents and clients.

The verdict

Pick Joist if you are a small residential contractor who wants estimates, payments, client records and job scheduling together. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or expect to create more than five documents monthly on Basics.

Questions

Is there a free plan?

No. Joist offers a 14-day free trial with access to Joist Run features and no credit card required.

What platforms are available?

Joist has Android, iOS and web apps.

How much do the plans cost?

The AI Receptionist add-on is $49 a month, billed monthly. Basics is $108.34 a month, Pro is $1714.17 a month, Elite is $3226.67 a month and Run is $7058.33 a month. Those four plans are listed as billed monthly or annually; annual pricing includes 2 months free, and Run also includes 30% off.

Can Joist take online payments?

Yes. Payment options include deposits, milestone payments, Tap to Pay, credit cards, ACH and PayPal.

Does Joist connect to QuickBooks?

Yes. Joist can automatically sync invoices and payments with QuickBooks.

Who is Joist designed for?

It focuses on solo and small home contractors, generally businesses with 1 to 3 employees serving residential customers in the US and Canada.

Facts on the record

Audience
Joist is focused on solo and small home contractors, generally businesses with 1 to 3 employees serving residential customers in the US and Canada.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Basic limit
The Basics plan allows up to five documents per month.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Estimates
Users can create detailed estimates with line items, markups, taxes, discounts, photos, branding, and digital signatures.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario, Canadajoist.com · read 28 Sept 2026
Jobs and scheduling
Joist Run lets contractors organize jobs, schedule visits, and link jobs to estimates, invoices, and clients.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Mobile apps
Joist offers full-featured iOS and Android apps and a web app for managing work from the jobsite or on the go.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Payments
Joist supports online payments, deposits, milestone payments, Tap to Pay, credit cards, ACH, and PayPal.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
PayPal integration
Joist Payments with PayPal offers customers PayPal, Venmo in the US, and card processing through one PayPal integration.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Purpose
Joist brings together estimates, invoices, online payments, job management, and client records in one app built specifically for contractors.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
QuickBooks
Joist can sync invoices and payments automatically with QuickBooks accounting software.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Scale
Joist says more than 1.3 million contractors use it across more than 20 industries and have processed over $85 billion in transactions.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Security
Joist says its sites use SSL with a 256-bit Sectigo RSA certificate, while payment providers handle payment data under PCI DSS and NACHA requirements.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Support
The Basics, Pro, and Elite plans include email and live chat support, while Elite includes priority email response times.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026
Trial
The 14-day free trial provides full access to all Joist Run features with no credit card required.joist.com · read 1 Oct 2026