Dave vs Joist
Which Contractor Software is Right for Your Business?
Here's our honest comparison to help you choose the right platform for your contracting business.
Quick comparison:
Dave
All-in-one contractor platform
$33/month
Joist
Invoicing and estimates
$32/month
DaveOUR SOLUTION
All-in-one contractor platform
Dave is built specifically for small to medium contractors who want professional results without complexity. It combines estimates, invoicing, project organization, and marketing tools in one simple app.
Dave's key features:
- •5-minute setup with no training required
- •Professional estimate templates that win jobs
- •Easy to use on-the-go perfect for job sites
- •Integrated invoicing and payment processing (coming soon)
- •Built-in project organization tools
- •Job-site photos and notes
- •Google Reviews integration to collect 5-star reviews
- •Outstanding customer support from real contractors
"Dave has everything I need in one place. The estimates look professional, invoicing is simple, and I can track projects without getting overwhelmed. It's built for how contractors actually work."
Strengths:
- ✓Designed specifically for contractors
- ✓No steep learning curve
- ✓Professional results without complexity
- ✓Mobile-first approach for job sites
- ✓Affordable pricing for small contractors
- ✓Built-in marketing tools
- ✓All-in-one solution
Limitations:
- •Newer platform (less established)
- •Focused on core features vs extensive add-ons
Best for:
Small to medium contractors who want professional results without the complexity and high costs of enterprise solutions
Get organized, win jobs, and wow customers.
Try Dave for 14 days to see how easy running your business can be.
Joist
Invoicing and estimates
An invoicing and estimate app for home service contractors. Offers basic estimates and invoicing functionality with limited project management capabilities.
Joist's key features:
- •Basic estimate templates
- •Invoice creation and management
- •Payment processing integration
- •Mobile app for job sites
- •Basic customer management
- •Time tracking
Strengths:
- ✓Straightforward interface
- ✓Basic functionality
- ✓Mobile-friendly
- ✓Simple invoicing process
Limitations:
- •Limited project management features
- •Expensive for what you get
- •Minimal customization options
- •Basic reporting and analytics
- •No marketing tools
- •Limited project organization
Best for:
Contractors who only need basic estimates and invoices
Key Differences: Dave vs Joist
Pricing
Dave: $33/month when billed annually
Joist: $32/month for invoicing and estimates only
Similar pricing, but Dave offers much more value with project organization, marketing tools, and comprehensive contractor features.
Feature Set
Dave: All-in-one platform with estimates, invoicing, project organization, and marketing tools
Joist: Focused primarily on estimates and invoicing
Dave provides a complete contractor solution, while Joist is more limited in scope.
Project Management
Dave: Built-in project organization tools, job-site photos, and notes
Joist: Limited project management capabilities
Dave helps you stay organized throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Marketing Tools
Dave: Google Reviews integration and built-in marketing tools
Joist: No marketing features included
Dave helps you grow your business with built-in marketing tools, while Joist focuses only on estimates and invoicing.
How to Choose Between Dave and Joist
The choice between Dave and Joist depends on your specific needs and business goals:
Choose Dave if you:
- • Want an all-in-one contractor solution
- • Need project organization tools
- • Want to collect Google Reviews
- • Need marketing tools to grow your business
- • Want professional estimate templates
- • Need job-site photo and note capabilities
- • Want to stay organized throughout projects
Choose Joist if you:
- • Only need basic estimates and invoicing
- • Don't need project management features
- • Prefer a simple, focused tool
- • Don't need marketing tools
- • Have other systems for project organization
More Contractor Software Resources
Ready to Try Dave?
Join the other contractors who've simplified their business with Dave. Start your free trial today and see the difference.
Build a smarter,
stronger
business
Win Jobs
Send estimates fast, look professional, and stand out from the first impression.
Stay Organized
Stay confident and in control with photos, notes, and files exactly where you need them.
Get Paid
Send branded invoices in seconds, track when they're seen, and get paid fast.
Build Reputation
Be the contractor that clients remember. Send review links with photos in seconds.
Built by contractors,
for contractors
We worked side by side with real contractors who were tired of bouncing between multiple tools and bloated apps. Dave cuts the clutter so you can run your jobs in one place.



Build with clarity and run with confidence.
Join the other pros using Dave to quote faster, stay organized, and stack wins on every job.