# Joist vs Backflow Pro

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Joist at 14K against Backflow Pro's 1. Joist also leads on chart position (#15 vs unranked). Backflow Pro's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Joist sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Backflow Pro sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Backflow Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Joist has 14K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, Backflow Pro every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Joist | Backflow Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backflow-pro/id1643496459/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 62.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#15** | — |
| Size | 193 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joist Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/512868153) | [Time Lock Documentation, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1196195710) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Backflow Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backflow-pro/id1643496459)

This app digitizes backflow prevention documentation, creating secure, visual records with time-stamped photos and GPS data. It streamlines compliance letters, invoices, and repair tracking for building and facility professionals.

**Highlights:** Digital backflow prevention program creation, Time-stamped and GPS-stamped photo embedding, Electronic signature capture, Automated compliance letters and invoices, Cloud syncing across multiple devices, Scheduling calendar with push notifications, Organized file storage by project and client

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stand Alone Plan | $3.99 | per month |
| Bronze Plan | $29.99 | per month |
| Silver Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| Gold Plan | $71.99 | per month |
| Platinum Plan | $80.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Joist free?

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

### Is Backflow Pro free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Joist or Backflow Pro?

Backflow Pro is rated higher. Joist averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while Backflow Pro averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Joist or Backflow Pro have ads?

Neither Joist nor Backflow Pro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Joist or Backflow Pro?

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, and Backflow Pro every 3 weeks. Most recently, Joist was updated on October 21, 2026 and Backflow Pro on October 19, 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.*