# Best estimate and invoice apps for contractors (2026)

> For most solo contractors, Joist is the best-known mobile estimate and invoice app, BidCraft suits contractors who want detailed room-by-room estimates on an iPhone, and Jobber suits home service crews that also need scheduling and dispatch. Joist works well on job sites, but reviewers report a limited basic tier and features locked to higher plans. BidCraft builds estimates from rooms, measurements, labor, materials, quantities, taxes and discounts, creates invoice PDFs, tracks payment status and due dates, and exports CSV. It is iPhone only, stores work on the device, and Premium costs $9.99 a month (US App Store, Nov 2026). Invoice Simple fits solo operators who only need basic estimates and invoices. Invoice2go is popular for billing on the go, though users complain about price increases. Clear Estimates suits remodelers who want large line-item libraries.

Updated 2026-11-02 by ODEL. Disclosure: ODEL makes BidCraft; other apps are listed on their merits.

| App | Best for | Platforms | Price | Store rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joist | Solo contractors who want the best-known mobile estimating app | iOS, Android | Free to download | 4.7 (14,471 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| BidCraft (ODEL) | Detailed room-by-room estimates and invoice PDFs on an iPhone | iOS | Free to download | n/a |
| Invoice Simple | Solo operators who only need simple estimates and invoices | iOS, Android, Web | Free to download | 4.9 (122,831 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Jobber | Home service crews that need scheduling and dispatch | iOS, Android, Web | Free to download | 4.8 (21,474 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Invoice2go | Contractors who bill on the go | iOS, Android, Web | Free to download | 4.8 (56,055 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Clear Estimates | Remodelers who want large line-item libraries | Web | See website | n/a |

## 1. Joist: best for solo contractors who want the best-known mobile estimating app

- Works on job sites with quick setup
- Clean, branded documents

Limitations:
- Reviewers report a document limit on the basic tier and features locked to higher tiers
- Some reviewers say unsaved estimates were lost when switching apps

Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563
Sources: https://www.getonecrew.com/post/joist-app-reviews, https://dupple.com/learn/best-construction-estimating-software

## 2. BidCraft: best for detailed room-by-room estimates and invoice PDFs on an iPhone

- Estimates with rooms, measurements, labor, materials, quantities, taxes and discounts
- Invoice PDFs with payment status, due dates and outstanding work
- Reusable templates for painting and remodeling jobs
- Client details, job notes and calendar reminders; CSV export

Limitations:
- iPhone only; work is stored on the device, so back up files you need
- Premium is a subscription or lifetime purchase
- Newer app with few ratings

Link: https://www.odel.dev/app/bidcraft
Sources: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/estimates-invoice-bidcraft/id6769814115

## 3. Invoice Simple: best for solo operators who only need simple estimates and invoices

- Simple estimates and invoices without full job management

Limitations:
- Not enough if you need more than Joist offers, according to Projul

Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/invoice-maker-invoice-simple/id694831622
Sources: https://projul.com/blog/best-joist-alternatives/

## 4. Jobber: best for home service crews that need scheduling and dispatch

- Quotes, invoices, scheduling, dispatch and booking in one app

Limitations:
- No free plan; extra users cost more
- Online booking only on a higher plan

Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jobber-field-service-software/id1014146758
Sources: https://dupple.com/learn/best-construction-estimating-software, https://schedulingkit.com/pricing-guides/jobber-pricing

## 5. Invoice2go: best for contractors who bill on the go

- Quoting and billing on the go for sole proprietors and field teams

Limitations:
- Users complain about repeated price increases and expensive renewals
- Features behind costly upgrades, according to GetApp reviewers

Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/invoice2go-easy-invoice-maker/id540236748
Sources: https://www.capterra.com/p/81858/Invoice2go/, https://www.trustpilot.com/review/invoice2go.com, https://www.getapp.com/finance-accounting-software/a/invoice2go/pricing/

## 6. Clear Estimates: best for remodelers who want large line-item libraries

- Regional labor rates, 10,000+ line items and 60+ templates
- QuickBooks integration

Limitations:
- Occasional glitches and limited project management, per InvoiceOwl

Link: https://www.clearestimates.com
Sources: https://invoiceowl.com/alternatives/joist/

## How we chose

- Can build a full estimate on a phone at the job site
- Detail available in estimates: measurements, labor, materials, taxes
- Invoice tracking: payment status, due dates, PDFs
- Whether it adds scheduling, dispatch or payments you may not need
- Pricing model and reported price changes

## Questions

### What is the best estimate app for a solo handyman?

Joist and Invoice Simple are common picks for solo contractors. BidCraft suits a solo handyman who wants room-by-room estimates with measurements, labor and materials on an iPhone.

### What is a good Joist alternative?

BidCraft, Invoice Simple and Clear Estimates are alternatives. Choose BidCraft for detailed phone estimates and invoice tracking, Invoice Simple for basic documents, or Clear Estimates for large line-item libraries.

### Do I need Jobber as a one-person contractor?

Usually only if you need scheduling and dispatch. Jobber combines quotes, invoices and scheduling but has no free plan. Joist and BidCraft focus on estimates and invoices.

### What should a contractor estimate include?

Typically the scope by room or area, measurements, labor, materials, quantities, taxes and any discounts. BidCraft structures estimates around these fields.