The honest comparison:
SimplyWise vs Joist
SimplyWise vs Joist is simple. A jobsite photo becomes an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Joist starts from typed notes. Here is the row-by-row proof.
★★★★★ 4.8 on the App Store • 7-day free trial
★★★★★4.8 App Store (40,000+ ratings)
★★★★★4.7 Trustpilot
SimplyWise pricing vs Joist in 2026
SimplyWise Cost Estimator is $29.99 a month or $239.99 a year, with every feature in one plan. Only SimplyWise turns a jobsite photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds.
Check Joist’s current pricing. Basics caps you at 5 documents a month. Joist starts from typed line items.
Three things Joist can’t do yet
Built mobile-first, for a contractor standing on a jobsite with a phone.
Photo to estimate in seconds
Photograph the job and get an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Joist’s assistant drafts an estimate from notes or voice; photos are attachments, there is no photo-to-estimate feature published.
LiDAR room measurement
Scan a room with LiDAR on a Pro iPhone. Or upload blueprints. Joist lists neither.
Live local material pricing
Material prices come from the nearest Home Depot to your zip. Joist does not list live material pricing.
SimplyWise vs Joist: feature by feature
SimplyWise vs Joist across 10 rows: SimplyWise leads 7 and ties 3. Checked October 9, 2026.
| Feature | SimplyWise | Joist |
|---|---|---|
| Photo to itemized estimate | About 6 seconds | Not published |
| LiDAR room scan on a Pro iPhone | Yes | Not listed |
| Blueprint upload to materials | Yes | Not listed |
| Live local material pricing | Yes, nearest Home Depot to your zip | Not listed |
| Before and after renders | Yes | Not listed |
| Smart upsell suggestions | Yes | Not listed |
| Every feature in one plan | Yes, no feature gating | Features split across 4 tiers; Basics caps at 5 documents a month |
| Phone-first jobsite use | Yes | Yes |
| Client signs to approve | Yes | Yes |
| Estimate converts to an invoice | Yes, with deposit on the invoice | Yes |
Sources: https://www.joist.com/pricing and https://www.joist.com/features/estimates, read October 9, 2026; https://www.joist.com/features, read October 9, 2026.
Skip the typing
SimplyWise starts from a jobsite photo. It hands back an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, with material, labor, and fee lines filled in.
Start From a Photo Free →
Free to try · 4.8 on the App Store
“The prices it’s putting out are what we should be making. I wish everyone used it. Could actually make money in this business.”
What contractors are saying
Verified 5-star reviews from contractors using SimplyWise Cost Estimator on the jobsite.
★★★★★
“I started using SimplyWise to help with estimates. I didn’t have experience doing estimates. The ease of access was amazing.”
★★★★★
“I run a business that uses this estimator tool daily. A task that used to take me hours now takes minutes, and I can get an estimate to a client and contract signed within the same visit.”
★★★★★
“4.5 stars. It works great. Definitely beats writing estimates on my own.”
How SimplyWise stacks up against every major estimating tool
Put one estimate through it today
Reading comparisons gets you close. One real bid gets you there: photograph the job, review the numbers, and send a branded quote from your phone.
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Quick answers
Write your first photo estimate in seconds
Try SimplyWise free for 7 days. See what a photo estimate feels like.
Joist Alternatives for Contractors
Looking past Joist? Here are six options, with SimplyWise first.
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1
SimplyWise Cost Estimator
Photo to itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. LiDAR room scan on a Pro iPhone, plus voice and blueprint input. $29.99 a month or $239.99 a year (about $20/mo on annual). 7-day free trial.
Best for: Solo contractors and small crews who need fast on-site estimates and invoices.
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2
Jobber
Field service management with scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and CRM.
Best for: Service crews with recurring jobs.
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3
Buildertrend
Full project management for residential builders and remodelers.
Best for: Mid-size remodeling and home-building firms.
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4
Houzz Pro
Lead generation plus project management for design-build firms.
Best for: Designer-led firms that use Houzz for leads.
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5
Square Invoices
Free invoicing tied to Square Payments.
Best for: Solo handymen who already use Square.
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6
Contractor Foreman
All-in-one construction management platform.
Best for: Contractors who want one platform for everything.
Getting licensed to bid in a new state is another decision. Our verified guide to what a contractor license costs in all 50 states covers every fee, bond, and threshold.
The real SimplyWise vs Joist test is one estimate
SimplyWise is free to try. Snap the jobsite photo, check the material, labor, and fee lines, and send a branded quote in minutes.
Try It on a Real Estimate →
7-day free trial · 4.8 on the App Store
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Joist alternatives for contractors?
SimplyWise Cost Estimator is the best Joist alternative for fast on-site photo estimates. It is $29.99 a month, or about $20/mo on annual. Jobber, Buildertrend, Houzz Pro, Square Invoices and Contractor Foreman serve other needs.
Are there apps like Joist that are free?
Square Invoices has a free plan. SimplyWise is free to try for 7 days with every feature. Then it is $29.99 a month or $239.99 a year (about $20/mo on annual). Joist has no free plan. Check Joist’s current pricing.
What is the best alternative to Joist for solo contractors?
SimplyWise, because it adds photo to estimate on top of the quote and invoice workflow. It also scans rooms with LiDAR on a Pro iPhone. It is $29.99 a month or about $20/mo on annual.
How does SimplyWise compare to Joist on price?
SimplyWise is $29.99 a month or $239.99 a year (about $20/mo on annual), with every feature in one plan. Joist splits features across Basics, Pro and Elite tiers, so check Joist’s current pricing. Both offer free trials.
Why do contractors switch from Joist to SimplyWise?
Three reasons. They skip typing line items, because SimplyWise builds the estimate from a photo. They get live local material pricing. And they scan rooms with LiDAR on a Pro iPhone for remodels.