DocJoist vs Joist: Free Estimate Templates vs Paid App (2026)
Joist killed its free plan. Here's how DocJoist compares on pricing, features, lien waivers, and trade-specific estimate templates.
Joist removed its free plan in 2023. The cheapest tier is now $10/month, capped at just 5 documents. For the 47% of construction firms that are solo operators or have fewer than 5 employees, monthly software fees stack up fast. DocJoist offers a permanent free tier with trade-specific estimate templates AND lien waiver generation — features Joist doesn't have at any price.
This is an honest, side-by-side comparison. We'll cover features, pricing, where each tool wins, and who should use which. Joist is a solid app with over a million users — but it's not the right fit for every contractor.
Key Takeaways
- Joist killed its free plan — now $10-32/month. DocJoist has a permanent free tier (3 docs/month)
- DocJoist generates lien waivers for all 50 states — Joist doesn't offer lien waivers at all
- DocJoist has trade-specific estimate templates with pre-built line items for 10 trades — Joist starts from a blank estimate
- Joist wins on invoicing — it handles estimate → invoice → payment in one app. DocJoist doesn't do invoicing yet
- Joist has native mobile apps — DocJoist is web-only (mobile-responsive)
Quick Comparison
Before diving into the details, here's the full feature-by-feature breakdown between DocJoist and Joist.
| Feature | DocJoist | Joist |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (3 docs/mo) / Pro $19/mo | $10–32/mo (no free plan) |
| Free trial | Free tier, no credit card | 14-day trial |
| Estimates | Yes | Yes |
| Lien waivers | Yes — all 50 states, all 4 types | No |
| Trade-specific estimate templates | Yes — 10 trades with pre-built line items | No — blank estimate |
| Live PDF preview | Yes | No |
| Invoicing | No (coming soon) | Yes |
| Payments | No | Yes (in-app) |
| QuickBooks sync | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | Web app (mobile-responsive) | iOS + Android app |
| Client management | Dashboard with saved docs | Client database |
| Company auto-fill | Yes | Yes |
| Document limit (cheapest tier) | 3 docs/month (free) | 5 docs/month ($10/mo) |
| Credit card required | No | Yes (after trial) |
$0 vs $120/yr
A contractor creating 3 or fewer documents per month pays nothing with DocJoist — vs $120/year minimum with Joist.
DocJoist and Joist pricing pages, March 2026
Pricing Breakdown
Joist Pricing (2026)
Joist offers three paid tiers. There is no free plan — only a 14-day free trial. Based on reviews from Capterra and G2, the removal of the free plan was the most common complaint from long-time users.
| Plan | Price | Document Limit | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basics | $10/mo ($100/yr) | 5 docs/month | Basic estimates and invoices |
| Pro | $16/mo ($160/yr) | Unlimited | Payment processing, QuickBooks sync |
| Elite | $32/mo ($320/yr) | Unlimited | Homeowner financing (via Acorn), priority support |
Source: Joist pricing page, March 2026
The biggest limitation: Joist's cheapest plan caps you at 5 documents per month. If you send more than 5 estimates or invoices in a month, you have to upgrade to $16/month.
DocJoist Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price | Document Limit | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 3 docs/month | Full access to both generators, no credit card required |
| Pro | $19/mo | Unlimited | No watermark, custom branding, document history |
Source: DocJoist pricing page
DocJoist's free tier gives you 3 documents per month permanently — not a 14-day trial that expires. That includes both estimates and lien waivers. For full details, see our pricing page.
✓ DocJoist wins on pricing
If you need fewer than 3 estimates and waivers per month, DocJoist is free. If you need Joist's equivalent, you're paying $10–16/mo for features DocJoist provides at no cost.
Where DocJoist Wins
Lien Waivers (Joist Doesn't Have Them)
DocJoist generates state-compliant lien waivers for all 50 states and all 4 types — conditional and unconditional, for both progress and final payments. For the 12 states that mandate verbatim statutory language (including California, Texas, and Georgia), DocJoist uses the exact required wording.
Joist has zero document generation beyond estimates and invoices. No lien waivers, no change orders, no contracts. If you're a subcontractor who needs to submit waivers with every pay application, this alone is reason to use DocJoist.
Try the lien waiver generator — it's free, no account required.
✓ DocJoist wins on lien waivers
Joist doesn't offer lien waivers at any price tier. DocJoist generates state-compliant waivers for all 50 states, for free.
Trade-Specific Estimate Templates
DocJoist's estimate templates come pre-loaded with common line items for 10 trades — so you start from a complete estimate, not an empty page. The roofing template includes shingles, underlayment, drip edge, ridge cap, tear-off labor, and more. The plumbing template covers pipe, fittings, fixtures, and labor by task.
Joist starts you with a blank estimate every time. You have to type every line item from scratch or copy from a previous estimate. You're less likely to forget a line item when the template already lists 15–20 common items for your trade.
✓ DocJoist wins on estimate templates
Pre-built estimate templates for 10 trades means faster estimates with fewer missed line items. Joist starts from a blank estimate every time.
Free Tier (Actually Free)
DocJoist's free tier includes 3 documents per month with no credit card required and no trial expiration. It's not a "free trial" that locks you out after 14 days — it's a permanent free plan.
Joist's free plan is gone. Their cheapest option is $10/month after a 14-day trial. For a solo contractor who sends 2–3 estimates per month, that's $120/year for a workflow DocJoist handles for free.
Live PDF Preview
DocJoist shows you exactly what the client will receive as you build the estimate — a live PDF render that updates in real time. You can see the final document before downloading or sending. Joist shows a preview, but it's not a true live PDF render.
Where Joist Wins
Joist has been around since 2012 and has over a million users. It does several things well that DocJoist doesn't do (yet). Here's where Joist is the better choice.
Invoicing and Payments
Joist lets you convert an estimate directly into an invoice and accept payments in-app. The entire workflow — estimate, invoice, payment — lives in one tool. This is Joist's strongest feature and the main reason contractors choose it.
DocJoist is estimates and lien waivers only. There is no invoicing and no payment processing. If you need a single tool for the full estimate-to-payment workflow, Joist handles it. DocJoist doesn't — yet.
Mobile App
Joist has dedicated iOS and Android apps with offline capability. If you're on a job site with spotty service, you can still create and edit estimates. The app has an average 4.7 rating across 18,000+ reviews.
DocJoist is a web app. It's mobile-responsive and works in any browser, but it's not a native app and doesn't work offline. If you do most of your estimating from a phone on the job site, Joist's native app is smoother.
QuickBooks Integration
Joist syncs with QuickBooks Online, so estimates and invoices flow directly into your accounting software. No double entry, no CSV exports. DocJoist doesn't have accounting integrations. If you rely on QuickBooks for bookkeeping, Joist saves you time.
Client Management
Joist maintains a client database across projects. You can store client contact info, view project history, and pull up past estimates by client name. DocJoist's dashboard saves and organizes documents, but it doesn't have a full CRM with client records.
✓ Joist wins on invoicing, mobile, QuickBooks, and CRM
If you need the full estimate-to-payment workflow in one app, Joist is the more complete tool. DocJoist focuses on document generation with estimate templates and lien waivers.
What Changed: Joist's Pricing History
Many review sites still reference Joist's "free plan" — but it no longer exists. Here's the timeline of how Joist's pricing evolved.
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2012–2019 | Joist launches with a free Starter plan. Grows to 1M+ users. Free plan drives massive adoption among solo contractors and small crews. |
| 2019 | EverCommerce acquires Joist. The app joins a portfolio of home services software under corporate ownership. |
| ~2023 | Free plan removed. Basics tier introduced at $10/month with a 5-document cap. Existing free users are migrated to paid plans or lose access to features. |
| 2026 | Three paid tiers: $10/mo (Basics), $16/mo (Pro), $32/mo (Elite). No free option. 14-day trial only. |
Source: Joist pricing page, app store changelog, industry reports
The removal of the free plan is what drove many contractors to search for Joist alternatives. Reviews on G2 and Capterra consistently cite the lost free tier as a top complaint, especially from solo operators who had used Joist for years at no cost.
1M+ users
Joist grew to over one million users during the era of its free plan. Many of those users now face mandatory monthly fees for features they previously accessed at no cost.
Joist marketing materials and app store listings
Who Should Use Which?
Both tools serve contractors, but they solve different problems. Here is the decision guide.
Choose DocJoist if:
- • You need lien waivers (Joist doesn't offer them)
- • You want trade-specific estimate templates with pre-built line items
- • You want a free tool with no trial expiration
- • You create fewer than 3 documents per month
- • You need both estimates AND lien waivers in one place
- • You want a live PDF preview while building estimates
Choose Joist if:
- • You need invoicing and in-app payment processing
- • You want a native mobile app with offline access
- • You need QuickBooks integration
- • You don't need lien waivers
- • You want a single tool for estimate → invoice → payment
- • You need a client database / CRM
Consider Using Both
The two tools don't conflict. Some contractors use Joist for invoicing and payments while using DocJoist for trade-specific estimate templates and lien waivers. If you currently use Joist and just need a lien waiver generator, DocJoist's free tier covers that without replacing your existing workflow.
If you're currently using DocJoist for estimates and need invoicing down the road, Joist is a reasonable add-on — or you can wait for DocJoist invoicing (coming soon).
The Bottom Line
Joist is an excellent all-in-one platform for contractors who need estimating, invoicing, and payment processing in a single app — and with a decade of polish and over a million users, it's earned that reputation. But it's no longer free, it doesn't generate lien waivers, and it starts every estimate from scratch.
DocJoist is newer but offers trade-specific estimate templates with pre-built line items, state-compliant lien waivers for all 50 states, and a permanent free tier. For contractors who need both estimates and waivers, DocJoist is the only tool that does both — and the free tier means you can try it without risk.
Neither tool is universally "better." Joist is better for invoicing and payments. DocJoist is better for document generation with trade-specific estimate templates and lien waivers. The right choice depends on what you actually need.
Try DocJoist free — no credit card, no trial
Estimates with pre-built line items for your trade + lien waivers for all 50 states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joist still free?
No. Joist removed its free plan. The cheapest option is now $10/month (Basics plan), which is capped at 5 documents per month. There is a 14-day free trial, but after that you must choose a paid plan to continue using the app.
What is the best free alternative to Joist?
DocJoist offers a permanent free tier with 3 documents per month, trade-specific estimate templates with pre-built line items for 10 trades, and state-compliant lien waiver generation for all 50 states — features Joist doesn't offer at any price tier. No credit card is required.
Does Joist generate lien waivers?
No. Joist focuses on estimates, invoices, and payments. It does not generate lien waivers or any other construction documents beyond estimates and invoices. DocJoist generates lien waivers for all 50 states and all 4 waiver types (conditional/unconditional, progress/final).
Can I use both DocJoist and Joist?
Yes. Some contractors use Joist for invoicing and payments while using DocJoist for trade-specific estimates and lien waivers. The tools don't conflict and can complement each other depending on your workflow.
Does DocJoist have invoicing?
Not yet. DocJoist currently focuses on estimate generation with trade-specific estimate templates and lien waiver generation. Invoicing is on the roadmap. If you need invoicing now, Joist or QuickBooks are good options.
Is DocJoist available as a mobile app?
DocJoist is a web application that works in any mobile browser. It's fully mobile-responsive but is not a native iOS or Android app. Joist has native mobile apps with offline capability, which may be a better fit if you primarily work from your phone on job sites.
How much does Joist cost per year?
Joist's three tiers cost $100/year (Basics, 5 docs/month), $160/year (Pro, unlimited docs), or $320/year (Elite, unlimited docs with financing features). There is no annual discount — these are monthly charges billed monthly.
What trades does DocJoist have pre-built line items for?
DocJoist offers pre-built line items for 10 trades including roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, painting, landscaping, concrete, carpentry, flooring, and general contracting. Each template includes 15–20 common line items specific to that trade.
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