# Joist vs Handoff Construction Estimator

Joist and Handoff Construction Estimator both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 84% of Handoff Construction Estimator's written reviews are positive against 61% of Joist's. Handoff Construction Estimator also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). Joist's advantage is ratings volume (14K vs 1.9K) and chart position (#15 vs #109). On price, rating, 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 Handoff Construction Estimator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Joist against 4.8 for Handoff Construction Estimator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Joist has 14K ratings behind it against 1.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of Joist's written reviews are positive against 84% of Handoff Construction Estimator's.

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, Handoff Construction Estimator every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Joist | Handoff Construction Estimator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handoff-construction-estimator/id6470666320/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 1.9K |
| Positive reviews | 61.3% of reviews | **84.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#15** | #109 |
| Size | 193 MB | 178 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joist Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/512868153) | [1Build, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713955916) |

## 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


### Handoff Construction Estimator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handoff-construction-estimator/id6470666320)

**Currently charting:** #109 Top Grossing · Business (US App Store)

This AI-powered app helps construction professionals create accurate project estimates and proposals quickly. Streamline project management, improve client communication, and accelerate business growth with efficient lead management and invoicing tools.

**Highlights:** AI-driven project estimates, Intuitive CRM for project tracking, Easy invoicing and financing options, Lead generation platform integration, Streamlined client communication

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starter Monthly Subscription | $49.00 | per month |
| Flex Monthly Subscription | $149.00 | per month |
| Business Monthly Subscription | $149.00 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and accurate estimates
- 👍 Easy to use and customize
- 💡 Helpful AI assistant
- 🚀 Quick response and professionalism
- 👍 Streamlines the estimating process

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription costs
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable performance
- 🔒 Lack of integration with existing tools

**Reported bugs**

- Constant overwriting of manual changes
- Random repopulation of removed items
- Login issues and app crashes

**Requested features**

- Ability to add customer name on estimates
- Incorporate photo analysis for estimates
- Invoicing and receiving features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Joist free?

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

### Is Handoff Construction Estimator free?

Handoff Construction Estimator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Joist or Handoff Construction Estimator?

Handoff Construction Estimator is rated higher. Joist averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while Handoff Construction Estimator averages 4.8 from 1.9K ratings.

### Do Joist or Handoff Construction Estimator have ads?

Neither Joist nor Handoff Construction Estimator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Joist or Handoff Construction Estimator?

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, and Handoff Construction Estimator every 5 days. Most recently, Joist was updated on November 1, 2026 and Handoff Construction Estimator on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Joist or Handoff Construction Estimator?

Joist currently peaks at #15 in the App Store charts, and Handoff Construction Estimator at #109. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*