
Hiveage and Joist are two popular invoicing solutions that differ in feature depth, pricing flexibility and target audience. While both platforms provide essential invoicing functionalities, they cater to distinct types of users.
Both Hiveage and Joist are programs for managing invoices and estimates but Hiveage is superior because it has other capabilities like file uploads, user permissions, time and mileage monitoring and role administration. Hiveage is the better choice in terms of functionality because of these features which make it a more complete solution for service providers who need precise billing and access control.
Hiveage has flexible pricing with a free plan for up to five clients and paid plans for freelancers that cost $19, $29 or $49 per month. Joist doesn’t have a free plan. Its lowest-priced plan starts at $8 and its Pro plan costs $15 and its Elite plan costs $32. Joist’s plans are usually cheaper but the fact that there isn’t a free option might turn off users who are on a tight budget. Both platforms offer a 14-day free trial but Joist lets you have as many clients as you want on all of its plans. Hiveage limits the number of clients you can have based on the tier you choose.
In order to accommodate new freelancers, Hiveage offers a flexible pricing structure that starts with a free plan for up to five clients and premium tiers of Basic, Pro and Plus. Joist doesn’t have a free plan. Basics is $8/month, Pro is $15/month and Elite is $32/month. The lack of a free option may discourage consumers on a tight budget even if Joist’s plans are often more reasonable. Both platforms offer a 14-day trial. However, Hiveage restricts the number of clients based on the chosen tier while Joist allows unlimited clients across all tiers.
PayPal, Stripe, Square and Authorize.net are just a few of the payment gateways that Hiveage supports. Advanced users can also access the API. Zapier is essential to its CRM and accounting system integrations. Joist only accepts a smaller number of payment methods including PayPal, Stripe and ACH transfers. QuickBooks Online connectivity is only available for higher membership levels. Hiveage offers more overall payment options while Joist’s integrated sync with QuickBooks is advantageous for current users.
Joist is only available in English and does not support several currencies, it is primarily intended for contractors in the United States. In contrast, Hiveage offers strong support for foreign users with multilingual and multi-currency functionality. Joist is different for tradesmen who require unique processes because it provides some industry-specific customization which Hiveage views as limiting.
Freelancers, consultants and small business owners that require features like time tracking, multi-currency support and a wide range of payment options—especially for foreign clients—are advised to use Hiveage. Joist is perfect for US-based contractors or tradespeople with a focus on field service firms who are looking for simplicity, cost and QuickBooks integration. Hiveage is superior in terms of versatility whereas Joist is superior in terms of ease and contractor suitability even though both include invoicing features.
| Hiveage | Joist | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | ||
| Custom Templates | Multiple professional invoice templates available | Multiple invoice & estimate templates available |
| Send Estimates / Quotations | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring Billing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Time Tracking | Yes | No |
| Mileage Tracking | Yes | No |
| Automated Payment Reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Project-Based Billing | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Handling | Yes | Yes |
| User Permissions / Role Management | Yes | No |
| File Uploads | Yes | No |
| Pricing and Plans | ||
| Free Plan Availability | Yes | No |
| Pricing Range | Free: $0/month Basic: $19/month Pro: $29/month Plus: $49/month |
Basics: $8/month Pro: $15/month Elite: $32/month |
| Trial Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| User Limits | Free/Basic: 1 user Pro: 5 users Plus: 10 users |
Not specified |
| Client Limits | Free: 5 clients Basic: 50 clients Pro: 250 clients Plus: 1000 clients |
Unlimited clients |
| Storage Limits | Not specified | Not specified |
| Payment Processing Fees | Varies by payment gateway | Cards: 3.49% + $0.49 ACH: 1% (max $15) Tap to Pay: 2.79% + $0.49 PayPal Pay Later: 4.99% + $0.49 |
| Ease of Use | ||
| User Interface | Simple and intuitive | Simple |
| Onboarding Experience | Easy setup and customization | Yes |
| Mobile App Availability | Yes | Both iOS and Android |
| Mobile App Functionality | Invoicing, expense & mileage tracking | Yes |
| Integration | ||
| Payment Gateways Supported | PayPal, Stripe, Square, Authorize.net, and more | PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH |
| Accounting Software Compatibility | Limited native integrations (Zapier support) | QuickBooks Online (Pro & Elite) |
| CRM Integration | Limited (via Zapier) | Not specified |
| API Availability | Yes | Not specified |
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Bank Connections | No | Limited |
| Pre-Built Financial Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Report Creation | No | Not specified |
| Security & Compliance | ||
| Dashboard Metrics | Yes | Yes |
| Data Encryption | Yes | PCI-compliant, SSL encryption |
| GDPR Compliance | Not stated | Not stated |
| Backup Options | Not specified | Automatic |
| Customer Support | ||
| Support Channels | Email, Chat, Knowledge Base | Email & live chat |
| Help Center / Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | No | No |
| Adaptability | ||
| Multi-Currency Support | Yes | No |
| Localization | Supports multiple languages | English only |
| Industry-Specific Customization | Limited | Yes |
| Scalability | Freelancers & small businesses | Freelancers & contractors |
| Read Hiveage Review | Read Joist Review |