# Joist vs ArboStar Plus

The clearest difference is rating: Joist at 4.7 against ArboStar Plus's 3.1. Joist also leads on ratings volume (14K vs 21) and review sentiment (61% vs 42%). ArboStar Plus's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Joist holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Joist has 14K ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Joist's written reviews are positive against 42% of ArboStar Plus's.

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, ArboStar Plus every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Joist | ArboStar Plus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563/reviews)** | [3.1 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arbostar-plus/id6447995102/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 21 |
| Positive reviews | **61.5% of reviews** | 41.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#16** | — |
| Size | 193 MB | 107 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joist Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/512868153) | [INNOVATION SYSTEMS CORP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1494526915) |

## What reviewers say

### Joist

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

**Currently charting:** #16 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


### ArboStar Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arbostar-plus/id6447995102)

This cloud-based business management platform helps tree care and landscaping companies streamline operations. It centralizes lead tracking, estimates, invoices, and work order scheduling. The tool is designed to be user-friendly, saving companies time and money.

**Highlights:** Lead management, Estimate creation, Invoice generation, Work order scheduling, Automated features, Analytical features

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Joist free?

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

### Is ArboStar Plus free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Joist or ArboStar Plus?

Joist is rated higher. Joist averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while ArboStar Plus averages 3.1 from 21 ratings.

### Do Joist or ArboStar Plus have ads?

Neither Joist nor ArboStar Plus shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Joist or ArboStar Plus?

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, and ArboStar Plus every 3 weeks. Most recently, Joist was updated on October 25, 2026 and ArboStar Plus on October 25, 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.*