FreshBooks vs Joist

Both FreshBooks and Joist have great invoicing features but they are made for different types of users. Knowing what they are good at and what they are bad at can help you save time and money.

FreshBooks has more features than Joist such as time tracking, mileage tracking, user permissions and file uploads. It also has basic features like estimates, recurring billing and expense tracking. This is why FreshBooks is especially useful for businesses that charge by the hour or need to manage a team. Joist is simpler for solo contractors who might not need these extra features.

Joist’s entry-level plan costs $8 per month which is less than FreshBooks’ Lite plan which costs $10.50 per month. This may be appealing to people who are on a tight budget. FreshBooks has a tiered pricing structure that can help businesses grow. Plans range from Lite to Premium. Joist’s Elite plan costs the same as FreshBooks’ Premium plan which is $32 per month. FreshBooks gives you 30 days to try it out while Joist only gives you 14 days. Also, Joist’s payment processing fee of 3.49% + $0.49 is higher than FreshBooks’ 2.9% + $0.30 which could have a big effect on businesses that do a lot of business.

FreshBooks works with many platforms such as QuickBooks, Xero, HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive and more than 11,000 banks. It also has a public API and lets you make custom reports. Joist only lets its Pro and Elite plans connect to QuickBooks Online and it isn’t clear how the integration will work. For businesses that need connected technology, FreshBooks is the better choice.

FreshBooks works with many currencies and languages, so it’s good for businesses that do business around the world. Joist only works in English and doesn’t support multiple currencies which makes it less useful in markets outside the US. People like Joist because it can be customized for specific industries which makes it a great choice for contractors and trade businesses because it has workflows that are tailored to their needs.

FreshBooks is great for freelancers, consultants and small to medium-sized businesses that need a full-featured platform with integrations, reporting and lower transaction fees. Joist is better for independent contractors and small trade businesses because it has a simple interface and easy invoicing but it doesn’t work with as many other programs and costs more.