Verdict in a Nutshell
- ➤ Choose Joist if you do complex estimates, need to offer financing to homeowners, and want a tool built specifically for trade contractors.
- ➤ Choose Invoice2Go if you run a general small business, need inventory tracking, or want a very polished (but expensive) mobile app experience.
- ➤ Choose VoiceInvoice if you hate typing, work with your hands, and want to get paid fast without a monthly subscription.
Deep Dive: User Experience
Both Invoice2Go and Joist have been around for a long time, and their apps are mature. However, maturity often comes with complexity.
Invoice2Go tries to be everything for everyone. It has banking features, a website builder, and detailed reports. This is great if you sit at a desk, but if you're in a truck users often report it feels "bloated" and takes too many taps to just send a simple invoice.
Joist is laser-focused on trades (HVAC, plumbing, electrical). Its estimating tools are top-tier, allowing you to add photos and markups. However, it pushes its own payment processing and financing options very aggressively, which can be annoying if you just want a simple tool.
The "Price Creep" Problem
Both apps follow a similar trajectory: they started cheap, got acquired (Invoice2Go by Bill.com, Joist by EverCommerce), and then raised prices.
Invoice2Go Pricing
Often requires a yearly commitment for the best rates. The "Basic" plan is severely limited (e.g., only 5 invoices/month).
- • Pro: ~$15/mo (Standard)
- • Premium: ~$35/mo (Advanced)
Joist Pricing
Moved from a largely free model to a subscription model. Still offers a "free" tier but it's very limited and pushes payments heavily.
- • Pro: ~$13/mo
- • Elite: ~$30/mo
Why we built VoiceInvoice
We spoke to hundreds of contractors who said the same thing: "I just want to send a PDF invoice. I don't need a website, I don't need a bank account, and I don't want to type on my phone with dirty hands."
That's why we built VoiceInvoice. It uses AI to listen to you. You say "Invoice Mrs. Smith 500 dollars for fixing the drywall," and we generate the invoice instantly. No typing, no menus, no monthly fees.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Invoice2Go
A veteran in the mobile invoicing space. Packed with features.
Pros
- • Very polished mobile app
- • Supports many payment gateways
- • Good reporting tools
Cons
- • Prices have increased significantly
- • Lowest tier is very restrictive
- • Customer support can be slow
Joist
Built specifically for trade contractors. Focus on estimates.
Pros
- • Excellent for detailed estimates
- • Features for financing customer jobs
- • QuickBooks integration
Cons
- • Can feel clunky for simple jobs
- • Aggressive upselling of financial products
- • No free tier anymore
Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Invoice2Go | Joist | VoiceInvoice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | General Business | Heavy Estimating | Speed & Simplicity |
| Voice Input | No | No | Yes (Native AI) |
| Free Tier | No (Free Trial only) | No (Free Trial only) | Yes (Forever Free) |
| Setup Time | 10-15 mins | 15-20 mins | Instant |
FAQ
Is Invoice2Go or Joist better for contractors?
Do Invoice2Go and Joist have free tiers?
Is VoiceInvoice free?
The Third Option: Voice-First Invoicing
Invoice2Go and Joist are strong legacy apps, but both are typing-first. If you invoice from job sites, voice-first entry can cut invoicing time dramatically.
⚡ Speed
✋ Hands-Free
💰 Price
No credit card required. Free plan available.