Comparison
PocketBoss vs Joist
Joist is a free estimating and invoicing app for contractors. PocketBoss also invoices for free, and then covers the rest of a one-person business. If invoices are all you need, read the "pick Joist" paragraph first.
Competitor details were read from their own published pricing and help pages on 15 July 2026 and may have changed since — check their site before you decide. Facts about our apps are current as of 24 September 2026.
Side by side
| PocketBoss | Joist | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for the whole business (one login). Boss $14.99/mo, flat, up to 5 logins. | Free invoicing and estimates; paid features — check their site. |
| Estimates and invoices | Unlimited quotes and invoices, PDFs, email with a pay link, free. | Yes — this is what Joist is for. Details on their site. |
| Scheduling and a booking page | Schedule, calendar, checklists, job photos, time on the job and a public booking page, free. | Check their site. |
| Card payments | Direct charges to your own Stripe account. No PocketBoss fee; Stripe bills its card fee to you. We never hold funds. | Check their site for the processor, rates and payout terms. |
| Expenses and mileage | Expenses with receipt photos and a mileage log free; automatic drives on Android with Boss. | Check their site. |
| Reminders | Email reminders, payment chasers and quote follow-ups free. Texts sent from your own phone in one tap; app-number texts are currently limited (see the PocketBoss page). | Check their site. |
| Users | Free: 1. Boss: up to 5 logins, no per-seat charge. | Check their site. |
| Platforms | Android and web. iPhone planned, no date. | Check their site. |
Who should pick which
Pick Joist if…
All you want is to write an estimate on the spot, turn it into an invoice and get paid, and you already keep your calendar and customers somewhere else. Joist is built for exactly that and it is free; check its site for platforms and paid features.
Pick PocketBoss if…
You want the invoice to be the end of a job that started as an online booking, sat on your schedule with the customer's address and gate code, and had its hours and miles recorded along the way — all in one app, free, with the extras at $14.99 flat.
Try PocketBoss
The Free plan needs no card. Read what PocketBoss does and what it costs, or open it now.