Head-to-head · Updated May 2026
Workiz vs. Joist
Workiz is best for phone-heavy trades (locksmith, tow, garage door) (from ~$165/mo entry), while Joist fits contractors who only need estimates & invoices (from $10/mo (Basics)). If you're a solo operator or small crew wanting built-in AI and flat pricing, JobStack ($29/mo) is the lighter third option — included in the table below so you can compare all three at once.
| Feature | Workiz | Joist | JobStack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Phone-heavy trades (locksmith, tow, garage door) | Contractors who only need estimates & invoices | Solo operators and crews up to 5 |
| Starting price | ~$165/mo entry | $10/mo (Basics) | $29/mo |
| Voice-to-estimate | No | No | Yes |
Pricing and feature claims verified May 2026. Full plan breakdowns: Workiz pricing · Joist pricing.
Choose Workiz if…
your business runs on inbound phone calls — locksmiths, towing, garage door, emergency plumbing — and you need call recording, transcription, and serious routing to convert those calls.
JobStack vs. WorkizChoose Joist if…
all you need is fast estimates, invoices, and online payments at the lowest possible price, and you're happy keeping scheduling and customer management elsewhere.
JobStack vs. JoistWhere JobStack fits
Workiz and Joist are both built to scale field-service teams — power a solo operator or small crew pays for but doesn't run day to day. JobStack takes the opposite bet: the daily essentials — scheduling, estimates, invoicing, and payments — with AI on the time sinks (texting back leads, drafting estimates from a voice note, chasing unpaid invoices), flat per-tier pricing, and setup in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Workiz vs. Joist: which is better?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your business. Workiz is best for phone-heavy trades (locksmith, tow, garage door), starting around ~$165/mo entry. Joist is best for contractors who only need estimates & invoices, starting around $10/mo (Basics). Solo operators and small crews who want built-in AI and flat pricing should also look at JobStack ($29/mo).
Is Workiz or Joist cheaper?
Workiz starts around ~$165/mo entry and Joist around $10/mo (Basics). Compare total cost rather than headline price — per-user fees and tier upgrades change the math quickly as you add crew.
What's a cheaper alternative to Workiz and Joist for a solo operator?
JobStack starts at $29/mo with flat per-tier pricing (no per-user fees) and built-in AI for lead replies, voice-to-estimate, and automated follow-ups. It's purpose-built for solo operators and crews up to five, where Workiz and Joist are aimed at larger teams.
More comparisons
The lighter, AI-native option.
JobStack is the CRM for solo tradespeople and small crews. Launching soon.
Notify me at launchSee the full best CRM for contractors guide or all comparisons.