Best Joist alternatives for contractors and one-person trade businesses (2026)
What are the best Joist alternatives for contractors and one-person trade businesses in 2026?
The best Joist alternatives are BidCraft for detailed estimates with rooms, measurements, labor and materials on an iPhone, Invoice Simple for solo operators who just want simple estimates and invoices, Invoice2go for invoicing with card payments on iOS, Android and the web, Jobber for crews that need scheduling and dispatch, and Clear Estimates for remodelers who want large line-item libraries on the web. People look for alternatives because Joist moved from free to a monthly fee, and reviewers report its Basic plan is limited to 5 documents a month, with features locked to higher tiers and estimates lost when switching apps. BidCraft is free to download, with Premium at $9.99 monthly, $29.99 yearly or $249.99 lifetime (US App Store, Nov 2026); it is iPhone only, stores work on the device and is a newer app with few ratings.
Disclosure: ODEL makes BidCraft. We list other apps on their merits, say where they are the better choice, and link our sources. Store ratings and prices are from the public App Store listing on the date shown.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Price | Store rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BidCraft (ours) | Solo contractors who quote detailed jobs from an iPhone | iOS | Free to download | n/a |
| Invoice Simple | Solo operators who want simple estimates and invoices | iOS, Android, Web | Free to download | 4.9 (122,823 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Invoice2go | Contractors who want invoicing with card payments on any device | iOS, Android, Web | Free to download | 4.8 (56,057 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Jobber | Home service crews that need scheduling and dispatch | iOS, Android, Web | Free to download | 4.8 (21,477 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Clear Estimates | Remodelers who want large line-item libraries and regional rates | Web | See website | n/a |
1. BidCraft: best for solo contractors who quote detailed jobs from an iPhone
BidCraft (by ODEL) is best for solo contractors who quote detailed jobs from an iPhone. Estimates with rooms, measurements, labor, materials, quantities, taxes and discounts. Reusable templates for recurring work such as painting and remodeling. Invoice PDFs with payment status and due dates; CSV export. Client details and job notes with calendar reminders for follow-ups. The main limitations: iPhone only; work is saved on the device, so back up files you need; Card payments, scheduling and team features are not among its listed features; Newer app with few ratings.
Why we picked it
- Estimates with rooms, measurements, labor, materials, quantities, taxes and discounts
- Reusable templates for recurring work such as painting and remodeling
- Invoice PDFs with payment status and due dates; CSV export
- Client details and job notes with calendar reminders for follow-ups
Limitations
- iPhone only; work is saved on the device, so back up files you need
- Card payments, scheduling and team features are not among its listed features
- Newer app with few ratings
Sources: apps.apple.com
2. Invoice Simple: best for solo operators who want simple estimates and invoices
Invoice Simple (by Zenvoice Inc.) is best for solo operators who want simple estimates and invoices. Simple estimates and invoices without full job management. Available on iOS, Android and web. The main limitation: Not the answer if you need more features than Joist, per Projul.
Why we picked it
- Simple estimates and invoices without full job management
- Available on iOS, Android and web
Limitations
- Not the answer if you need more features than Joist, per Projul
Sources: projul.com
3. Invoice2go: best for contractors who want invoicing with card payments on any device
Invoice2go (by Invoice2Go, LLC) is best for contractors who want invoicing with card payments on any device. Quoting and billing on the go for contractors and field teams. Card payments, on iOS, Android and web. The main limitation: Reviewers report frequent price increases and features behind costly upgrades.
Why we picked it
- Quoting and billing on the go for contractors and field teams
- Card payments, on iOS, Android and web
Limitations
- Reviewers report frequent price increases and features behind costly upgrades
Sources: capterra.com, getapp.com, trustpilot.com
4. Jobber: best for home service crews that need scheduling and dispatch
Jobber (by Octopusapp Inc) is best for home service crews that need scheduling and dispatch. Quotes, invoices, scheduling, dispatch and booking in one app. The main limitations: No free plan; extra users cost extra; Online booking only on the Connect plan.
Why we picked it
- Quotes, invoices, scheduling, dispatch and booking in one app
Limitations
- No free plan; extra users cost extra
- Online booking only on the Connect plan
Sources: dupple.com, schedulingkit.com
5. Clear Estimates: best for remodelers who want large line-item libraries and regional rates
Clear Estimates is best for remodelers who want large line-item libraries and regional rates. Regional labor rates, 10,000+ line items and 60+ templates. QuickBooks integration. The main limitations: Web-based rather than a phone-first app; Reported glitches, higher cost on advanced tiers and limited project management.
Why we picked it
- Regional labor rates, 10,000+ line items and 60+ templates
- QuickBooks integration
Limitations
- Web-based rather than a phone-first app
- Reported glitches, higher cost on advanced tiers and limited project management
Sources: invoiceowl.com
How we chose
- Works on the job site from a phone
- Estimate detail: rooms, measurements, labor and materials
- Invoices, payment tracking and PDF output
- Price model and document limits, as reported by reviewers or the store
- Fit for one person versus a crew
Questions
Why are contractors leaving Joist?
Joist moved from free to a monthly fee, and reviewers report the Basic plan is limited to 5 documents a month, with features locked to higher tiers. Alternatives include BidCraft, Invoice Simple and Invoice2go.
What is the best Joist alternative for a solo handyman?
For detailed quotes on an iPhone, BidCraft builds estimates with rooms, measurements, labor and materials and shares them as PDFs. For the simplest possible invoices, Invoice Simple is a common pick.
Which Joist alternative works on Android?
Invoice Simple, Invoice2go and Jobber run on Android. BidCraft is iPhone only.
Do I need Jobber instead of Joist?
Only if you run a crew and need scheduling, dispatch or online booking. For estimates and invoices alone, BidCraft, Invoice Simple or Joist itself are lighter options.