PayOnce vs Joist: cost compared (2026)
Short answer: Joist offers a free tier, and Joist Pro is about $14/mo (~$504 over three years). PayOnce is free with no monthly fee. For a solo or side-gig tradesperson who just needs to send professional quotes, PayOnce is the cheaper long-term option.
Start a free quote →3-year cost: Joist vs PayOnce
| Joist | PayOnce | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Paid tier | Joist Pro ~$14/mo | No paid tier today |
| Cost over 3 years (paid tier) | ~$504 | Free |
| Branded PDF + logo | Joist Pro feature | Included |
| Login required | Yes | No |
| Your data on your device | Lives in their cloud | Yes — local-first |
Pricing for Joist sourced from joist.com; figures as of June 2026 and subject to change. Joist's free tier covers basic quoting; advanced features (branding, payments) sit behind Joist Pro.
Who should pick which
Pick Joist if you're scaling a crew and want scheduling, dispatching, and full CRM features in one tool.
Pick PayOnce if you're a one-person or side-gig operation and you mainly need to create and send clean, professional estimates fast — without renting a subscription to do it.
FAQ
Is PayOnce cheaper than Joist?
PayOnce is free, with no monthly fee. Joist also has a free tier, but Joist Pro (the paid tier) is about $14/mo as of June 2026 — about $504 over three years.
Can PayOnce do everything Joist does?
No — and that's the point. PayOnce does one thing well: fast, professional job quotes. It skips the scheduling/dispatch/CRM features that solo operators rarely use.
Does PayOnce require a subscription?
No. PayOnce is free to use, with no monthly fee, no sign-up, and no per-quote charge.
Do I need an account?
No login. Open it in your phone's browser and your quotes save to your device.