Werx vs. Joist: When Invoicing Isn't Enough
Updated for 2026
Werx and Joist compared on price, features, and fit.
Joist is a simple, cheap estimating and invoicing app for solo trades. Quote on your phone, turn it into an invoice, and collect payment. Plans run about $10/mo to $32/mo, and it is genuinely good at that one job. But it is an invoicing app, not construction management. There is no job costing, no AIA-style or progress billing, no retainage, no lien waivers, and no real multi-user support. Its only integration is QuickBooks Online, and users report the sync is inconsistent. Werx starts at $49/mo with AIA billing, progress and T&M invoicing, budget-to-actual job costing, lien waivers, and reliable two-way QuickBooks, plus crew users at $6 each. Honest take: if you are a solo handyman who just needs to quote and bill from your phone, Joist is cheaper and a fine fit. The day you need to track job costs or bill a GC, you have outgrown it. That is Werx.
What you actually pay
Joist is cheaper, but it does far less. Here is the real trade-off.
Werx starts at
/mo · listed price, no contract
Every feature on every plan. AIA-style billing, job costing, lien waivers, two-way QuickBooks, and the field app included. Add crew users at $6/mo each. No caps. Cancel anytime.
Joist starts at
/mo (Basics, billed annually)
Basics is about $10/mo (up to 5 documents). Pro is about $15/mo for unlimited estimates and QuickBooks sync. Elite is $32/mo and adds change orders and basic reports. No job costing, no AIA-style billing, and no multi-user support at any tier.
✦ The Werx Win
- Joist is cheaper, but it is estimating and invoicing only. Werx is full construction billing and job costing.
- Werx includes AIA-style and progress billing, retainage, and lien waivers. Joist has none of these.
- Werx tracks job costs so you know your margin. Joist has no job costing at any price.
- Werx supports your whole crew at $6/user. Joist has no real multi-user support.
- Werx's two-way QuickBooks Online sync is reliable. Joist users report sync friction.
Werx vs. Joist at a glance
Joist quotes and invoices. Werx runs the whole job.
| Core Feature | Werx Construction | Joist |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Contractors who bill projects | Solo trades & handymen |
| Estimates & Invoices | Included | Included (core strength) |
| Online Payments & Financing | Included | Included |
| AIA-style G702/G703 Billing | Included | Not supported |
| Progress Billing (SOV + retainage) | Included | Not supported |
| Job Costing | Included (budget-to-actual) | Not supported |
| Lien Waivers | Supported | Not supported |
| Change Orders | Included (every plan) | Elite plan only ($32/mo) |
| Multi-User / Crew | Yes ($6/user) | No multi-user support |
| QuickBooks Sync | Two-way (Online), reliable | Online only, reported friction |
| Starting Price | $49/mo (everything) | $10/mo (Basics) |
| Free Trial | 14 days, no card | 14 days |
Where Joist stops and Werx keeps going
Bill the way contractors get paid
Joist sends estimates and plain invoices. Werx adds AIA-style G702/G703 pay applications, progress billing with schedule of values, retainage, T&M invoicing, and lien waivers, the billing a GC actually expects.
Know if the job made money
Joist has no job costing, so you can't see which jobs are profitable. Werx tracks budget against actual cost on every plan, so you catch overruns before the job closes.
Room to grow your crew
Joist has no real multi-user support and you outgrow it past 2 to 3 people. Werx adds crew users at $6/mo each with no caps, so the tool grows with you.
Industry-specific wins
Werx is built for contractors who bill by the project.
Electrical
Multi-phase work with change orders and AIA-style billing per phase. Track labor by cost code from the field.
Plumbing
New construction and repipes, not just service calls. Bill progress draws and log crew time by job.
HVAC
Big installs need progress billing. Job costing on every plan shows margin before the job closes.
Roofing
Material-heavy jobs with retainage and lien waivers. Bill stored materials on any pay application.
General Contractors
Manage subs, track costs by trade, and send pay apps your GC accepts first time.
Remodeling
Kitchens, baths, and additions. Handle allowances and T&M overages without spreadsheets.
Common questions about Werx and Joist
What contractors ask when comparing Joist and Werx.
What does Joist cost?
Is Joist cheaper than Werx?
Can Joist do AIA-style or progress billing?
Does Joist have job costing?
How does the QuickBooks integration compare?
Should I switch from Joist to Werx?
See the difference for yourself
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