# Joist vs Thumbtack for Professionals

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Joist at 61% against Thumbtack for Professionals's 13%. Joist also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Thumbtack for Professionals's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ratings volume (66K vs 15K). On price, update cadence 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. Thumbtack for Professionals asks for nothing beyond the download.

Joist holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15K and 66K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Joist's written reviews are positive against 13% of Thumbtack for Professionals's.

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, Thumbtack for Professionals weekly. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Joist | Thumbtack for Professionals |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joist-estimate-invoice-maker/id592163563/reviews)** | [4.4 (66K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thumbtack-for-professionals/id908795016/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 15K | **66K** |
| Positive reviews | **61.3% of reviews** | 12.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | #182 |
| Size | 194 MB | 254 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joist Software Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/512868153) | [Thumbtack, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/852703303) |

## 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 tools for creating professional estimates and invoices, managing jobs, and accepting secure payments. Keep all client and job details organized in one place, accessible from any device.

**Highlights:** Create professional estimates and invoices, Manage jobs and client information, Schedule work and track workload, Accept credit card and PayPal payments, Customize with company logo, Convert estimates to invoices, Export data to accounting programs

**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


### Thumbtack for Professionals

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thumbtack-for-professionals/id908795016)

**Currently charting:** #182 Top Free · Business (US App Store)

Connect with clients seeking home services like cleaning and moving. This platform helps professionals fill their calendars with quality jobs, manage bookings, and set lead budgets. Integrate with existing tools for a streamlined workflow and grow your business.

**Highlights:** Find home care jobs, Fill your calendar, Integrate with partner tools, Set lead prices and budgets, Connect with ready customers, Grow online presence

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for finding gigs
- 👍 Good for connecting with people for future parties

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Ridiculously expensive
- 🤑 Charges for every quote request
- 🤦‍♀️ Customers don't respond after first message
- 💸 Leads rarely result in actual jobs
- 🔍 Potential clients are just shopping around

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect location targeting
- Inconsistent lead quality and responsiveness

**Requested features**

- Charge only for confirmed and paid jobs
- Allow pros to review customers before accepting leads
- Provide more transparency on lead quality and pricing
- Improve customer service and refund policies
- Implement better safeguards against fake leads and abuse


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Joist free?

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

### Is Thumbtack for Professionals free?

Thumbtack for Professionals is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Joist or Thumbtack for Professionals?

Joist is rated higher. Joist averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while Thumbtack for Professionals averages 4.4 from 66K ratings.

### Do Joist or Thumbtack for Professionals have ads?

Thumbtack for Professionals shows ads; Joist does not.

### Which is updated more often, Joist or Thumbtack for Professionals?

Joist ships an update every 2 weeks, and Thumbtack for Professionals weekly. Most recently, Joist was updated on November 10, 2026 and Thumbtack for Professionals on November 10, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Joist or Thumbtack for Professionals?

Joist currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Thumbtack for Professionals at #182. 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.*