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Dave

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."

$33/month when billed annually

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
$32/month for invoicing and estimates only

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

Complete Contractor Software Comparison

See how Dave compares to all major contractor software platforms including Joist, Jobber, Buildertrend, and more.

Dave Features Overview

Learn more about Dave's features for estimates, invoicing, project organization, and marketing.

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 with clarity and run with confidence.

Join the other pros using Dave to quote faster, stay organized, and stack wins on every job.