Best Invoicing Software for Contractors in 2025 (Joist Alternative)

Q: What is the best invoicing software for contractors?

The best invoicing software for contractors is one with no monthly fee, built-in card payments, and mobile-first invoice creation. Paidova checks all three boxes and charges only 2.9% per payment.

Q: Is there a free alternative to Joist?

Yes. Paidova has no subscription — you only pay 2.9% when a client pays an invoice. That's significantly cheaper than Joist's Elite plan for most contractors.

Q: Can I send invoices from my phone?

Yes. Paidova is mobile-first, so you can create, send, and track contractor invoices from a phone on the jobsite in under 60 seconds.

If you run a contracting business — plumbing, electrical, roofing, HVAC, landscaping, painting — your invoicing tool is the single biggest lever on how fast you get paid. The right contractor invoicing app turns a two-week wait for a check into a same-day card payment. The wrong one eats your margin in monthly fees.

In this guide we break down the best invoicing software for contractors in 2025, the trade-offs between the most popular tools, and why Paidova is the cheapest serious Joist alternative on the market.

Why contractors need dedicated invoicing software

Generic accounting tools (Word docs, PDFs from a template site, even QuickBooks) weren't designed for the jobsite. A contractor invoicing app gives you four things spreadsheets can't: branded invoices in 60 seconds, automatic invoice numbering, instant card payment links, and a clean record of which clients have paid.

The top options in 2025

Joist

The most well-known invoice app for contractors. Mobile-friendly, decent quoting, but the useful features (payments, exports, reminders) live in the Elite plan at roughly $19/month per user. Over a year that's $228+ before you've taken a single payment.

QuickBooks Online

Powerful, but overkill for a one-person crew and still $30+/month. Payment fees are similar to everyone else (~2.9%), so you're paying twice: subscription + processing.

Paidova

$0/month. You only pay 2.9% when a client actually pays an invoice with a card. Branded invoices, mobile-first creation, automatic numbering, payment tracking, and email delivery — all in the free tier because there is no other tier.

Why Paidova is cheaper for most contractors

A contractor sending $8,000 in monthly invoices on Joist Elite pays ~$19 + 2.9% processing = roughly $251/month in fees. The same volume on Paidova pays exactly 2.9% = $232/month. Multiply that gap across a year and Paidova quietly puts $200–$400 back in your pocket per crew member, without changing how you work.

What to look for in a contractor invoicing app

No monthly minimums — pay only when you get paid.
One-tap card payment links your clients can open on a phone.
Your logo and brand colors on every invoice.
Automatic invoice numbering so you never duplicate.
A receipt emailed to your client the moment they pay.

If you're ready to switch, see Paidova's free signup — most contractors send their first paid invoice the same afternoon. Want more reading first? Browse the rest of the Paidova blog.

FAQ

What is the best invoicing software for contractors?

One with no monthly fee, mobile-first invoice creation, and built-in card payments. Paidova fits that bill at 2.9% per payment, no subscription.

Is there a free alternative to Joist?

Yes — Paidova has no monthly subscription. You only pay 2.9% when a client pays an invoice.

Can I send invoices from my phone?

Yes. Paidova is mobile-first, so you can send a contractor invoice from a phone on the jobsite in under a minute.