Joist details were checked against public sources on 2026-10-28. Prices and features change; confirm on Joist's site.
Joist is a contractor estimating and invoicing app with a long track record among residential contractors and remodelers. It is one of the closest products to ForgeBill.
The differences come down to what happens between the estimate and the invoice, and what you pay to get paid online.
Choose Joist if
- You already know Joist and your workflow is estimate, then invoice, with nothing in between.
- You want a tool that remodelers in your area already use and recommend.
- You rely on a Joist feature ForgeBill does not list, such as a specific integration.
Choose ForgeBill if
- You want work orders with photos and customer sign-off between the quote and the invoice.
- You want to choose who covers ForgeBill's 0.5% online payment fee on Free, or absorb payments without a ForgeBill fee on Pro.
- You want automatic email reminders and reports included in one plan.
Side by side
| ForgeBill | Joist | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Trades and field service | Residential contractors and remodelers |
| Estimates or quotes | Yes, with an online approval page | Yes |
| Work orders with photos and sign-off | Yes | Work orders on Pro and up, as a crew copy with prices and signatures removed; photos on estimates and invoices |
| Online card payments | Stripe processing; Free always adds a 0.5% ForgeBill fee. On Pro, that fee applies only when passed to the client | Cards up to 3.49% + $0.49; US bank (ACH) 1%, capped at $15 |
| Automatic payment reminders | Yes, by email | Yes, for upcoming and late payments |
| Document limits | Free: 3 sends a month; unlimited on Pro | Basics: up to 5 documents per month; Pro and up: unlimited |
| Starting price | Free plan ($0); Pro $19.99/month | Basics $10/month, Pro $17/month, Elite $32/month, Run $100/month before its introductory discount, billed monthly (USD); annual billing gets 2 months free |
| Try before you pay | Free plan: 3 sends a month, no card | Free trial: 14 days, no card required |
Where Joist is stronger
Joist has been focused on contractor estimates for years and is familiar to many remodelers. Its lower plans may cost less per month than ForgeBill Pro, so check current pricing if monthly cost is your main concern.
Where ForgeBill fits better
Card fees add up on large invoices. Before you choose, compare the total you would pay to collect a typical invoice, not just the subscription. ForgeBill payments use Stripe's standard processing fees. On Free, the 0.5% ForgeBill fee always applies, either paid by the client or deducted from your payout. On Pro, the ForgeBill fee applies only when you pass it to the client.
Read how contractors can accept credit card payments for how fees and surcharges work.
What ForgeBill does
ForgeBill covers one job from first price to final payment: a quote with an online approval page, a work order with photos and customer sign-off, then an invoice with an optional Stripe payment link for card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and supported bank payments. Automatic email reminders follow up on unpaid invoices, and reports show what is quoted, invoiced, collected, and outstanding.
It runs on iPhone, Android, and the web, and the mobile app keeps working offline for supported records. Pro is $19.99/month or $199.99/year, and you can start with the free plan: 3 sent invoices or quotes a month, no credit card.
Frequently asked questions
Which has lower card fees?
It depends on the payment. Joist lists US card payments at up to 3.49% plus $0.49, and US bank payments at 1% capped at $15. ForgeBill uses Stripe's standard pricing. Free always adds a 0.5% ForgeBill fee, paid by the client or deducted from your payout; Pro adds that fee only when passed to the client. Check both before deciding.
Can I use ForgeBill for remodeling jobs?
Yes. Quotes, work orders, change notes, photos, and invoices all work for remodeling. ForgeBill does not include cost databases or takeoff tools.
Sources
Other comparisons: ForgeBill vs Jobber · ForgeBill vs Invoice Simple · ForgeBill vs Housecall Pro