The pricing philosophy, feature depth and target business types for billing and invoicing are different between Joist and Wave. Upon closer inspection, they differ significantly even though they both provide essential features like automated payment reminders, expense tracking, recurring billing, custom invoice templates and iOS and Android mobile apps.
Joist and Wave have very different prices. Wave is more affordable for independent contractors with a free Starter plan and a $9.50/month Pro plan. Joist offers a 14-day free trial but no free tier. Plans range from $8 to $32 per month. Payment processing fees also differ. Joist charges a credit/debit rate of 3.49% + $0.49, ACH at 1% capped at $15 and Tap to Pay at 2.79% + $0.49 which may be advantageous to companies with high ACH volume. Wave charges 2.9% + $0.60 per transaction.
Joist offers estimates and quotations and has benefits for project-based billing which makes it perfect for contractors. Wave has features like file uploads, user permissions, mileage tracking, support for multiple currencies and CRM integration. In contrast to Joist which does not make clear its position on the issue, Wave also guarantees GDPR compliance.
Both platforms have similar mobile app capabilities, an easy-to-use interface and efficient onboarding. Instead of offering round-the-clock customer service, they use email, live chat and a knowledge base.
With project-based billing and flexible payment options, Joist is perfect for independent contractors and small-to-medium-sized construction or home service businesses. Wave is the better option for people looking for robust accounting integrations, multi-currency billing or a free starting point.
Joist provides a targeted toolkit for contractors and field service professionals who value payment flexibility. Wave is a better option for independent contractors or small companies looking for a free, scalable platform with strong integrations. Depending on which features fit your work style, you can choose between them.
| Joist | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | ||
| Custom Templates | Multiple invoice & estimate templates available | Multiple customizable invoice templates available |
| Send Estimates / Quotations | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring Billing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Time Tracking | No | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No | Yes (via Driversnote integration) |
| Automated Payment Reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Project-Based Billing | Yes | No |
| Tax Handling | Yes | Yes (basic tax support) |
| 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 |
Starter: $0/month Pro: $9.50/month |
| Trial Period | 14 days | No trial (free plan available) |
| User Limits | Not specified | Unlimited users |
| Client Limits | Unlimited clients | Unlimited clients |
| Storage Limits | Not specified | Yes |
| 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 |
Starter: 2.9% + $0.60 Pro: 2.9% + $0 (first 10), then 2.9% + $0.60 |
| Ease of Use | ||
| User Interface | Simple | Simple |
| Onboarding Experience | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App Availability | Both iOS and Android | Both iOS and Android |
| Mobile App Functionality | Yes | Invoicing & payment management |
| Integration | ||
| Payment Gateways Supported | PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH | Credit card, bank transfer, ACH |
| Accounting Software Compatibility | QuickBooks Online (Pro & Elite) | QuickBooks, FreshBooks, spreadsheet export |
| CRM Integration | Not specified | BlueCamroo, Zapier integrations |
| API Availability | Not specified | Yes |
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Bank Connections | Limited | Yes |
| Pre-Built Financial Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Report Creation | Not specified | No |
| Security & Compliance | ||
| Dashboard Metrics | Yes | Yes |
| Data Encryption | PCI-compliant, SSL encryption | Yes |
| GDPR Compliance | Not stated | Yes |
| Backup Options | Automatic | Automatic |
| Customer Support | ||
| Support Channels | Email & live chat | Email & chat |
| Help Center / Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | No | No |
| Adaptability | ||
| Multi-Currency Support | No | Yes |
| Localization | English only | English |
| Industry-Specific Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Scalability | Freelancers & contractor businesses | Freelancers to small businesses |
| Read Joist Review | Read Wave Review |
