Comparison · prices checked November 2026
Joist alternatives for contractors
Seven tools to use instead of Joist for estimates, signatures, deposits and invoices, with what each one costs and where Joist is still ahead.
What is the best alternative to Joist?
Joist is an estimating and invoicing app for one contractor with a phone. Its pricing page lists no free plan. Basics is $10 a month and stops at 5 documents a month, Pro is $17 a month with unlimited documents, change orders start on Elite at $32 a month, and scheduling is on Run at $70 a month (an introductory price; $100 regular). Its help center says an account is set up for a single user with one login. Card payments cost 3.49% + $0.49 on US cards.
People look for an alternative for four reasons: the free plan is gone, the 5-document cap on Basics, the single login, and the card fee. Which tool fits depends on the reason.
For signed proposals, deposits and change orders with more than one login, Numulo is $9 a month, or $15 a month for up to five logins, and change orders are on every plan. For a free plan with scheduling, look at ServiceM8 or Contractor+. For free invoicing with bookkeeping, look at Wave or Zoho Invoice.
Joist and 7 alternatives, side by side
| Product | Starts at | Crew logins | Signature on estimates | Deposits | Change orders | Card fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joist the one you are replacing | No free plan. Basics $10/mo (5 documents a month), Pro $17/mo, Elite $32/mo, Run $70/mo introductory | One login per account, per its help center | Yes, every plan | Deposit and milestone payments, every plan | Elite and Run | 3.49% + $0.49 on US cards; bank transfer 1%, capped at $15 |
| Numulo | Free invoice generator with no account; a free account sends 3 proposals and 3 invoices a month. Pro $9/mo, 1 login | Team: $15/mo, up to 5 logins | Yes: typed or drawn, with a permanent acceptance record | On Pro: the deposit invoice goes out when the customer accepts | Every plan, free included | On Pro you connect your own Stripe account and pay Stripe's fees. Numulo adds nothing |
| Contractor+ | Free plan: 1 user, up to 5 estimates or invoices a month. Pro Team $98/mo with 2 users (about $58/mo billed yearly) | $29/mo per extra user on Pro Team | Contracts and e-signatures from Pro Team | From Pro Team | From Pro Team | 2.9% per card transaction; bank transfer 1%, capped at $10 |
| ServiceM8 | Free plan: 1 user, 30 jobs a month. Starter $29/mo, 50 jobs a month | Unlimited users on every paid plan | Yes: electronic signature and online quote acceptance, every plan | Yes, every plan | Not listed on its pricing page | Not listed on its pricing page |
| Jobber Numulo vs Jobber | No free plan listed. Core $49/mo with no commitment (about $29/mo billed yearly), 1 user | Connect: $199/mo for 5 users | Yes: quotes with signature approvals | Not on its pricing page; its help center described required deposits on quotes when we checked in October 2026 | Not listed on its pricing page | 2.9% + $0.30; bank transfer 1% |
| Invoice Simple Numulo vs Invoice Simple | Essentials $6.99/mo (3 invoices a month), Plus $14.99/mo (10 a month), Premium $21.99/mo (unlimited) | Not listed on its pricing page | Client signatures on Premium only | Accept deposits on Premium only | Not listed on its pricing page | Not listed on its pricing page |
| Wave Numulo vs Wave | Starter is free: unlimited estimates and invoices. Pro $19/mo or $190/yr | Adding users needs Pro | Not listed on its pricing page | Deposits through estimates, with online payments turned on | Not listed on its pricing page | Starter: 2.9% + $0.60 per card payment |
| Zoho Invoice Numulo vs Zoho Invoice | Free, with caps: 2 users, 500 invoices a year, Zoho branding on documents | 2 users at most | Customers accept quotes in a portal; e-signature through Zoho Sign | Not listed on its pages | Not listed on its pages | Not listed on its pages |
Prices and features from each product's own pricing and feature pages, checked November 2026: Joist, Contractor+, ServiceM8, Jobber, Invoice Simple, Wave, Zoho Invoice. US list prices in US dollars. Joist's card and Tap to Pay rates are from its payments page and its single-login statement is from its help center. Joist's Run price is marked introductory, with no end date shown. Jobber and Contractor+ show lower prices on yearly billing; we quote the monthly price first. "Not listed" means we could not find it on the pages we read, not that the product cannot do it. Promotions come and go, so verify current numbers before deciding. Numulo is our product.
Which one to pick
- The free plan is why you used Joist: Wave Starter and Zoho Invoice are free for invoices and estimates. ServiceM8 and Contractor+ have free plans for one user with a monthly cap. Numulo's invoice generator is free with no account, and a free account sends 3 proposals a month.
- You hit the 5-document cap: Joist Pro removes it for $17 a month. Numulo Pro is $9 a month with unlimited invoices, estimates and proposals.
- You have a partner or an office person who needs a login: Numulo Team gives up to five logins for $15 a month. ServiceM8 has unlimited users from $29 a month. Joist accounts are one login each.
- Jobs change after the customer signs: Change orders are on every Numulo plan, free included. On Joist they start on Elite at $32 a month.
- You want Tap to Pay or financing in a phone app: Stay with Joist. Numulo has neither, and no iPhone app yet.
Where Joist is still the better choice
Joist is built for one person working from a phone. It has iPhone and Android apps, Tap to Pay at 2.79% + $0.49, digital signatures and deposits on every plan, and scheduling on its Run plan. Numulo has an Android app and a web app that works on any phone, no iPhone app yet, no Tap to Pay and no scheduling. If you take most payments in person on your phone, Joist fits better.
Where Numulo fits
- More than one login. Up to five logins on one business for $15 a month, each with full access or view only.
- Change orders on every plan. The customer signs the change online and the unpaid balance invoice updates itself. See change orders.
- Options the customer picks. A proposal can carry optional add-ons. The customer ticks the ones they want and the total follows. See proposals.
- Your own card processor. On Pro you connect your own Stripe account. Customers pay by card or bank transfer from the invoice, and Numulo takes no percentage. See getting paid.
- Warranty follow-through. Coverage dates and callbacks are tracked from paid invoices. See warranty tracking.
The honest verdict
Stay on Joist if you are one person who quotes and takes payment from a phone and the price suits you. Move if you need a second login, change orders without paying for Elite, or a lower card fee. Numulo covers those for $9 or $15 a month. If what you miss is the free plan, Wave, Zoho Invoice, ServiceM8 and Contractor+ each have one, with the limits in the table.
See Numulo pricing → or try the live demo (no signup).
Frequently asked questions
Is Joist still free?
Joist's pricing page lists no free plan as of November 2026. The lowest plan is Basics at $10 a month, limited to 5 documents a month, with a 14-day trial. Pro is $17 a month with unlimited documents.
What is a free alternative to Joist?
Wave Starter is free with unlimited estimates and invoices. Zoho Invoice is free for up to 2 users and 500 invoices a year, with Zoho branding on documents. ServiceM8 and Contractor+ each list a free plan for one user with a monthly cap. Numulo has a free invoice generator with no account, and a free Numulo account sends 3 proposals and 3 invoices a month.
Which Joist alternative works for a crew?
Joist accounts are set up for a single user, per its help center. Numulo Team covers up to five logins for $15 a month. ServiceM8 includes unlimited users on its paid plans from $29 a month, and Jobber Connect is $199 a month for five users. Prices checked November 2026.
Which Joist alternatives have e-signature and deposits?
Numulo has a typed or drawn signature on proposals on every plan and sends the deposit invoice on acceptance on Pro. ServiceM8 lists electronic signature and deposits on every plan. Contractor+ lists e-signatures and deposits from Pro Team. Invoice Simple lists client signatures and deposits on Premium only.
Does Numulo have an iPhone app like Joist?
No. Numulo has an Android app on Google Play and a web app that works in any phone browser. Numulo has no iPhone app yet and no Tap to Pay. Joist has both.