WEDO vs Joist for painting contractors
WEDO vs Joist
Joist is a simple, low-cost estimating & invoicing app for general contractors. WEDO is an all-in-one app built specifically for painting contractors — AI estimates from a photo, a 3D color visualizer, invoices, contracts, scheduling and payments, for a flat $19.99/month. Here is an honest side-by-side so you can pick what fits your shop.
| Feature | WEDO | Joist |
|---|---|---|
| Built specifically for painters | ✓ | no (general contractors) |
| AI estimates (photo / video / blueprint) | ✓ | ✗ |
| 3D color visualizer | ✓ | ✗ |
| Estimates & proposals | ✓ | ✓ |
| Invoices & online payments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contracts & e-signature | ✓ | Pro plan and up |
| Scheduling & calendar | ✓ | ✗ |
| Payroll | ✓ | ✗ |
| Find Work (local job leads) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pricing | $19.99/mo flat — everything included, no per-user fees | $8–$32/mo tiers (entry plan limits invoices) |
| Free trial | 14 days, cancel anytime | Free plan + trial |
Competitor details as of October 2026; check each vendor for current pricing. Joist pricing: https://www.joistapp.com/pricing
Where Joist shines
Joist is cheap and dead simple. For a one-person shop that only needs to send a quick estimate or invoice and take a card, the $8 entry plan is hard to beat on price.
Where WEDO is different
WEDO is built from the ground up for painters and bundles the whole job — estimate, 3D color preview, contract, schedule, invoice and payment — into one app at one flat price, with no per-user fees and no feature tiers. Its AI can turn a photo, video or blueprint into a priced estimate in minutes, and Find Work surfaces real local painting jobs — two things most tools in this list don't offer.
Try WEDO free
Snap a photo, get a priced estimate in minutes — then send a contract and invoice from the same app.
Start free — $19.99/mo, all-in Try the free calculatorBest painting business software (2026)Joist alternative for paintersHow to estimate a paint job
FAQ
- Is WEDO a good Joist alternative for painters?
- Yes. If you paint for a living and want estimating, contracts, scheduling, invoicing and payments in one place, WEDO is purpose-built for that and costs a flat $19.99/month. Joist is a simple, low-cost estimating & invoicing app for general contractors.
- How much does WEDO cost?
- One plan at $19.99/month with everything included — no tiers, no add-ons and no per-user fees. There's a 14-day free trial and you can cancel anytime.
- Can I try it before paying?
- Yes — you can start free for 14 days, or try the free painting calculator right now with no signup.