Joist vs Contractor+

PayPal

Jobber

QuickBooks Online

PayPal provides an end-to-end suite of tools that can integrate with a business's existing systems and service providers. Its network of shoppers and businesses provides AI-driven data insights to help businesses reach new customers and drive results.

Jobber is field service management software that helps home service businesses stay organized and deliver great customer experiences. With AI tools like Jobber Copilot and automated marketing features, teams can manage more work while delivering five-star service.

QuickBooks Online is an all-in-one online business software designed to help manage business finances. The platform is built to scale businesses, unlocking insights and providing the functionality of a larger team, all on one integrated platform.

Joist is a billing and invoicing platform, which assists contractors in insulation, masonry, drywall, electrical, fencing, flooring, carpentry, and other sectors with customer management, online payments, work orders, and more. Professionals can create estimates with cost markups, deposit requests, payment schedules, and job images.

Accounting

Client Management

Cost Database

For Remodelers

Invoice Creation

Invoice History

Mobile App

Online Invoicing

Payment Processing

Quotes/Estimates

Scheduling

Takeoff

Work Order Management

Joist

Android

Web-based

iPhone

iPad

Contractor+

Housecall Pro

Basics

Pro 

Elite

General manager

We use it to send invoices for remodeling and construction projects to our clients and their insurance adjusters.

Not enough options like project managing, customer portal, messaging, no calendar, no integrations with marketing suite.

Owner

They increase the price while they hold your information hostage and customer support when present is a chat screen that is hit and miss hours or days of AI style support with a serious breakdown in communication like talking to a bot

OFFICE ADMIN

It helped us stay organized and operate efficiently. While we eventually outgrew it and moved to a more advanced system, we still believe Joist is a great option for small to mid-sized contractors looking for a simple and effective invoicing and estimating app.

Software will allow you to setup client profile yet to manage assignments is not there yet.

One stop shop for accounting, invoices, estimates, reviews, payments.

admin assistant

some of the features feel a little bit limited compared to other websites or programs that have more advanced accounting softwares.

Growing into a bigger company we needed more, like: calendar, more accounts (so installers will see their schedule)

Owner CEO

Seriously wow who does that?! And whats even sadder the $96.00 only covers sending estimates something you were already doing and then allowing to accept payments from clients through their company so you can pay them also to get your own money and oh lets add that you dont need nor do you want those services but are being made to do so if you want to access your account that you have had for 8 yrs. And then to not even give someone the option to delete & deactivate their own account is something I will never understand.

They auto debit your account for renewal over 30 days before it is due they rebill you every 11 months for a year subscription.

owner

Its good it saves previous work but when every job consists of different details it inputs too much info not related or needing to be switched and updated.

Quickly make and send out invoices, no more pushing them off because its a hassle.

Unfortunately, we had to change to something that would work for our business in project management as that seriously lacked.

I really like how joist is very user friendly and it is very easy to send clients estimates to see how much a project is going to cost.

I wish Joist  had an option to set up reoccurring jobs so that I can get reminder reminders on when my services are due

We have been with them since beta with three of our companies hoping for the promised improvement and it has only been more glitches piled up on the already hit or miss foundation

Ability to collect payments, create invoices, and integrate

You know nothing about it you go to log into to type up & send an estimate & 3 plans pop up above it states choose a plan or log out.

owner operator

they have helped us manage workflow very easily.

Creating and sending estimates and invoices was fast and simple.

Manager

Then when you ask them how can you get into the account at least to get all of your information off of it and the delete and deactivate the account they tell you

Easy to use, could make estimates in person.

Sales Manager

Joist has been a reliable and efficient tool for managing estimates and invoices.

It also seems to add updates regularly that are beneficial to the software functioning.

Office Manager

I did not like the fact that Joist was not able to automatically sequence invoices.

Human Resources Specialist

Higher upfront cost it has limited reporting features and complex navigations.

Admin officer

It's a great starter invoicing software that is helping my small enterprise grow and work efficiently

Excellent for managing client details and project tracking.

I found Joist is an easy to use software that simplifies the "office" part for, on the go contractors.  

There are other ways to send estimates for free and not have to pay to do so.

As our company grew, we started to feel limited by Joist.

This app is BEYOND user friendly. Both me and my customers appreciate the fact that the invoice can be paid straight from the invoice.  

Customer support also wasn’t always responsive when we had technical questions.

This app is ruining my business taking all my time and stalling my operations.

Owner said

I don’t like there being the only one payment processors connected, Paypal is alright but not my favorite.

Graphic Designer

Some features are not available to lower tier plans, which is a shame.

director

We had our brake in ....someone change our password in joist and we cannot get it back with 3 month communication joist refuse to give us access to our account  we lost 3 weeks off our time somehow get all information backtechnical support could do it 2 click on the buttons  ......

It's very easy to use, infinitely customizable, and reasonably priced.

We will continue to use their service for years to come.

My favorite feature of Joist is their easy-to-use smartphone app. When I'm working, and able to access it f.

Carpenter

When they started charging for estimates beyond the initial sign up.

I've used Joist for free-lance work and I really like the speed and ease of use the software provides.

Accountant

My client uses Joist which is how I started using it, they are a small business with not much accounting experience and this app is perfect for them.  

it has greatly improved my appearance as a business and gives me full confidence for the future.

Its ease of use and accessibility have streamlined my workflow significantly.

The thing I like most about Joist is their user-friendly mobile app.

It is sad to take advantage of people especially at a time like this during an inflation.

It’s a lifesaver when I'm on job sites.

Invoicing

Account Management

Customer Support

Pricing

Email Estimates

Integrations

Project Tracking

Optimization Challenges

Payments

Freelancers

Small Business

KickServ

QuickBooks Enterprise

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is an accounting software for small businesses which provides users with real-time access to customer, employee, and vendor information. The software includes tools for managing inventory, shipping, sales orders, pricing, tasks, invoicing, reporting, and more.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is accounting software that helps small business perform accounting tasks, conduct invoicing, manage expenses, and more.

Contractor+ ia a mobile app for field service contractors. Manage your client relationships. Send estimates & invoices. Get paid. Manage your job schedule and collaborate with your team in real-time.

Accounting Integration

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

Alerts/Notifications

Asset Tracking

Billing & Invoicing

Calendar Management

Calendar Sync

Client Portal

Contractor Management

Cost Estimating

Customer Database

Customer History

Customer Management

Customizable Branding

Customizable Fields

Customizable Forms

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Dispatch Management

Document Management

Drag & Drop

Electrical Estimating

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Email Management

Employee Management

Estimating

Expense Tracking

For AEC Industry

For Commercial and/or Industrial Electrical Contractors

For Handyman Industry

For Plumbing Industry

For Residential

Inventory Management

Invoice Management

Job Management

Job Scheduling

Job Tracking

Mobile Access

Mobile Alerts

Mobile Payments

Mobile Signature Capture

Multi-Location

Project Management

Project Planning/Scheduling

QuickBooks Integration

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Notifications

Reminders

Reporting & Statistics

SMS Messaging

Team Management

Third-Party Integrations

Time & Expense Tracking

Timer

Timesheet Management

Time Tracking

Work Order Creation

By industry, Contractor+ reviewers are most commonly professionals in construction (86%). The most frequent use case for Contractor+ cited by reviewers is billing and invoicing (72% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Most reviewers indicate Contractor+ delivers strong value for money, citing affordable pricing and accessible tiered plans. Some users report higher costs for additional users or features, and a few feel the free trial is too short.

Value for money

Contractor+ is a billing and invoicing program with key features that include quotes and estimates, mobile access, invoice creation, billing and invoicing, online invoicing, scheduling, and more.

Service Fusion

AccuLynx

PRO TEAM

FREEDOM

Like i previously mentioned, this is a software for your back office teams like a Billing Manager, Project Manager, Client Manager, CEO, Field Workers and it also has a feature to allow your clients to view their documents and project info which is absolutely amazing.

Contractor+ has made this a seamless effort to send estimates, invoices, collect payment, schedule jobs and connect with clients easier than ever!

Owner and Opperator

Some of the restrictions for new companies make certain things difficult: in particular not being able to have card payments without any reviews as a brand new business.

President

Too many premium features without offering some more functionality of tools to use within app for documentation or readings or scope of work information.

Simplifies my contactor business and saves me a lot of time with the AI estimator feature!

The ability to schedule jobs and have it’s nice to be able to use estimate tool to help with pricing.

Accounting Manager

This keeps our PMs and customers free to operate outside of the normal chain of command for easy fixes and invoicing.  

maintenance tech

Considering I have taken no formal business related class, just learned from watching my father who has formally training, Contractor plus has all the software you would need to become  a successful contractor all in one location

Can duplicate Material list so identical jobs or materials you use frequently speeds up estimate times

Estimates, invoicing, and payments are similar to others, but it's the details in options is what sets them apart

Owner Operator

Sometimes I end up leaving money on the table by forgetting about clients request for quotes on additional services or not following up from being so busy, but now I can enter tasks to complete, client request, schedule planned maintenance reminders, my clients can recieve automated payment reminders, and more so its like I have a secretary, dispatcher and accountant just with implementing thia software.

It is chock full of features that minimize efforts with creating estimates, invoices, and communicating with clients.

They have the box store prices like Lowe’s Home Depot also I like that your adding abc supply and more

Its a great all in one app from getting leads for your business to accepting payments from customers, creating invoices, and managing inventory. If you own a bussiness this is what you need to EASILY run it.

It's pretty much an all-in-one app without having to pay for additional add-ons that end up driving up the cost of the CRM.

Joist vs Contractor+ Comparison (2026)

Joist

Contractor+

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives