# Joist vs Buildwise

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Buildwise at 100% against Joist's 62%. Buildwise also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10). Joist's advantage is chart position (#14 vs unranked). 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. Buildwise asks for nothing beyond the download.

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, Buildwise every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and July 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Joist | Buildwise |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 62.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | — |
| Size | 191 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | +4 | 17+ |
| Developer | [Joist Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/512868153) | [Buildwise](https://appshunter.io/developer/1733212287) |

## What reviewers say

### Joist

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

**Currently charting:** #14 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


### Buildwise

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buildwise/id6478543147)

Streamline construction project management by automating the tracking of job site time, material receipts, and invoices. This app simplifies manual coding and provides real-time project analytics through its web-based platform, drawing on extensive industry experience.

**Highlights:** Track job site time by cost code, Upload material receipts by cost code, Upload trade invoices by cost code, Minimize manual coding, Real-time project analytics, Web-based platform access

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Joist free?

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

### Is Buildwise free?

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

### Do Joist or Buildwise have ads?

Neither Joist nor Buildwise shows ads.

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

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, and Buildwise every 3 weeks. Most recently, Joist was updated on September 27, 2026 and Buildwise on July 23, 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.*