# Buildertrend vs Joist

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Buildertrend at none against Joist's 10. Joist's advantage is review sentiment (61% vs 28%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Joist sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Buildertrend asks for nothing beyond the download.

Joist holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.1K and 14K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of Buildertrend's written reviews are positive against 61% of Joist's.

Buildertrend ships an update weekly, Joist every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Buildertrend | Joist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buildertrend/id504370616/reviews) | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5.1K | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | 28.3% of reviews | **61.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#15** |
| Size | 232 MB | 193 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Buildertrend Solutions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/504370619) | [Joist Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/512868153) |

## What reviewers say

### Buildertrend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buildertrend/id504370616)

Streamline construction projects and business operations. This platform helps professionals reduce delays, minimize communication errors, and enhance client satisfaction. Manage projects, finances, and team collaboration from anywhere.

**Highlights:** Project Management, Client Relationship Management, Financial Management, Scheduling, Estimates & Bids, Invoicing, Document Storage

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app and software
- 👍 Helps manage projects and organization
- 💡 Comprehensive features and functionality
- 🚀 Streamlines business processes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy, crashes, and freezes
- 👎 Not user-friendly, unintuitive interface
- 💰 Expensive, poor value for money
- 🔒 Lacks security and data control for clients

**Reported bugs**

- Daily log issues, including time stamp problems
- Frequent app crashes and login failures
- Syncing and data loading problems across devices
- Unreliable notifications and messaging

**Requested features**

- Improve login and authentication process
- Add more customization and configuration options
- Enhance mobile app functionality and stability
- Improve communication and notification features


### Joist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563)

**Currently charting:** #15 Top Grossing · Business (US App Store)

Streamline your contracting business with this app. Create professional estimates and invoices quickly, accept payments, and manage client information all from your mobile device. Save time and win more jobs with organized project management.

**Highlights:** Create professional estimates and invoices, Accept credit card and PayPal payments, Manage client information, Convert estimates to invoices, Attach photos and contracts, Export to accounting software

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Quickbooks Sync Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Joist Basics Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Joist Pro Monthly | $16.99 | per month |
| Joist Elite Monthly | $31.99 | per month |
| Quickbooks Sync Annual | $90.99 | per year |
| Joist Run Monthly | $99.99 | per month |
| Joist Basics Annual | $99.99 | per year |
| Joist Pro Annual | $169.99 | per year |
| Joist Elite Annual | $319.99 | per year |
| Joist Run Annual | $999.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Professional-looking invoices
- 🚀 Convenient for small businesses
- 🚀 Helpful for organizing estimates and invoices
- 🚀 Great customer service

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔒 Security and payment processing issues
- 💰 Expensive subscription fees
- 🔒 Locking users out of their data
- 🤯 Removing previously free features

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing when removing photos
- Estimates and invoices not being delivered
- Inconsistent behavior across devices
- Issues with payment processing and funds being held

**Requested features**

- Offline mode
- Ability to customize invoices and estimates
- More payment options
- Integration with accounting software
- Better organization and search for past invoices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Buildertrend free?

Buildertrend is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Joist free?

Joist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Buildertrend or Joist?

Joist is rated higher. Buildertrend averages 4.5 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while Joist averages 4.7 from 14K ratings.

### Do Buildertrend or Joist have ads?

Neither Buildertrend nor Joist shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Buildertrend or Joist?

Buildertrend ships an update weekly, and Joist every 2 weeks. Most recently, Buildertrend was updated on October 29, 2026 and Joist on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*