Both Joist and Simple Invoices have the basics of invoicing down but they’re built for different users. Which one is right for you depends on the type of business you run, how flexible your budget is and the features you need.
Joist is a leader in operational features, providing strong data protection with PCI compliance and SSL encryption along with expense tracking, payment reminders and contractor customization. Simple Invoices is very flexible, offering a free plan, support for multiple currencies, internationalization in seven languages, user rights, file uploads and the ability to create custom reports for small teams who need to work together.
Joist has subscription tiers that start at $8 per month for Basics, $15 per month for Pro and $32 per month for Elite; there is no free tier. Only the Pro and Elite tiers include QuickBooks connectivity which is crucial for many small businesses. Simple Invoices supports QuickBooks, Xero and FreshBooks and offers a free plan as well as a $15/month subscription. For budget-conscious consumers that require entry-level accounting integrations, Simple Invoices offers superior value. Payment processing rates can vary greatly. Joist charges 3.49% + $0.49 for card transactions but Stripe users who use Simple Invoices pay a standard fee of 2.9% + $0.30.
Simple Invoices integrates with several accounting platforms and popular CRMs such as HubSpot, Pipedrive and Salesforce. However, Quickbooks is only available to higher-tier users and Joist’s integrations are limited to payment services like PayPal and Stripe. Both services have mobile apps for iOS and Android but Joist’s app includes additional tools for receipt management and expense tracking.
Ideal for freelancers and small to medium contractors especially those in construction, electrical or HVAC, Joist provides job-specific billing and expense tracking. It is justifiable for US-focused project-based work. Simple Invoices is designed for international freelancers and small businesses. It offers a free tier and multilingual capabilities, making it a versatile choice for teams looking for low-cost solutions.
Joist is recommended for contractors needing secure, field-ready tools and automated client follow-up while Simple Invoices is better for globally minded freelancers or small businesses needing affordability, multi-currency support and broader integrations.
| Joist | Simple Invoices | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | ||
| Custom Templates | Multiple invoice & estimate templates available | Yes |
| Send Estimates / Quotations | Yes | Information not available |
| Recurring Billing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | No |
| Time Tracking | No | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No | No |
| Automated Payment Reminders | Yes | No |
| Project-Based Billing | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Handling | Yes | Yes |
| User Permissions / Role Management | No | Yes |
| File Uploads | No | Yes |
| Pricing and Plans | ||
| Free Plan Availability | No | Yes |
| Pricing Range | Basics: $8/month Pro: $15/month Elite: $32/month |
Monthly: $15/month Annual: $149/year (2 months free) |
| Trial Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| User Limits | Not specified | Hosted Platform: Unlimited users Other Subscription: Not specified |
| Client Limits | Unlimited clients | Unlimited clients |
| Storage Limits | Not specified | Information not available |
| Payment Processing Fees | Cards: 3.49% + $0.49 ACH: 1% (max $15) Tap to Pay: 2.79% + $0.49 PayPal Pay Later: 4.99% + $0.49 |
Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 per card charge PayPal: 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction |
| Ease of Use | ||
| User Interface | Simple | Simple |
| Onboarding Experience | Yes | Forum, User Guides, Installation & Setup Guides |
| Mobile App Availability | Both iOS and Android | Both iOS and Android |
| Mobile App Functionality | Yes | Invoice creation, estimates, receipts, expense tracking |
| Integration | ||
| Payment Gateways Supported | PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH | Credit cards, PayPal |
| Accounting Software Compatibility | QuickBooks Online (Pro & Elite plans only) | QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks |
| CRM Integration | Not specified | HoneyBook, Pipedrive, Salesforce |
| API Availability | Not specified | Invoice Ninja (alternative tools with API) |
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Bank Connections | Limited | No |
| Pre-Built Financial Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Report Creation | Not specified | Yes |
| Security & Compliance | ||
| Dashboard Metrics | Yes | Yes |
| Data Encryption | PCI-compliant payments; SSL encryption | No |
| GDPR Compliance | Not stated | No |
| Backup Options | Automatic | Manual backups |
| Customer Support | ||
| Support Channels | Email & live chat | Community forums, Documentation |
| Help Center / Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | No | No |
| Adaptability | ||
| Multi-Currency Support | No | Yes |
| Localization | English only | English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese |
| Industry-Specific Customization | Yes | No |
| Scalability | Best for freelancers & small-to-medium contractors | Freelancers & Small Businesses |
| Read Joist Review | Read Simple Invoices Review |
