Buildertrend vs Joist
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and use-case fit. Updated 2026-05-20.
Buildertrend
Construction project management for builders and remodelers
- Starting price
- From $199/mo
- Aggregate rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Best team size
- 5-100
- Free trial
- No
Joist
Estimating and invoicing app for solo contractors
- Starting price
- Free tier available
- Aggregate rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Best team size
- 1-3
- Free trial
- 30 days
Quick verdict
Buildertrend: Custom home builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors running multi-month projects.
Joist: Solo contractors and small 1-2 person operations needing only estimates and invoicing.
User ratings favor Joist (4.5 vs 4.4).
Joist has a lower starting price (Free tier available).
Pricing side-by-side
| Tier | Buildertrend | Joist |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Essential — $199/mo | Free — Free |
| Tier 2 | Advanced — $499/mo | Pro — $13/mo |
| Tier 3 | Complete — $799/mo | Pro+ — $26/mo |
Feature comparison
Only in Buildertrend
- + project management
- + scheduling
- + selections
- + change orders
- + client portal
- + subcontractor management
- + daily logs
- + rfi management
Both have
Only in Joist
- + estimates
- + invoicing
- + credit card payments
- + client signatures
- + photo attachments
Integrations
Only in Buildertrend
- + quickbooks
- + xero
- + the home depot
- + lowes
Both integrate with
— No common integrations —
Only in Joist
- + quickbooks online
- + intuit payments
Both support these trades
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Buildertrend or Joist?
Neither is universally better — they target different buyers. Custom home builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors running multi-month projects. Solo contractors and small 1-2 person operations needing only estimates and invoicing. The right pick depends on your team size, budget, and vertical.
Is Buildertrend cheaper than Joist?
Joist has a lower starting price (Free tier available vs From $199/mo). However, total cost depends on team size, features needed, and tier — see the full pricing breakdown above.
Can Buildertrend and Joist integrate with QuickBooks?
Buildertrend integrates with QuickBooks. Joist integrates with QuickBooks.
Do Buildertrend or Joist offer a free trial?
Buildertrend: no free trial advertised; demo on request. Joist: 30-day free trial.
Need a deeper look?
See our full reviews with detailed pricing tiers, integration depth, and weaknesses.