A get-paid-first Joist alternative
Joist is a well-liked estimates-and-invoicing app for contractors, on paid plans from about $8 to $100 a month after a 14-day trial. Redbud Way covers the same get-paid basics, invoices customers pay by card and quotes with deposits, then adds a fixed-price catalog customers can pay without an estimate round-trip. Payouts reach your bank automatically, it's free, and we never take a cut of your jobs. Stripe's standard fees apply to each payment.
Free means no Redbud Way subscription and no cut of your jobs. Stripe's standard fees apply to each payment, billed by Stripe to your own Stripe account. See the fees.
Redbud Way vs Joist
| Feature | Redbud Way | Joist |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | Free plan; Stripe fees apply | Paid plans, ~$8–$100/mo; 14-day trial |
| Cut of your jobs | None (Stripe fees apply) | None (priced by plan) |
| Payment fees | Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment, +0.4% on invoices (see pricing) | Joist Payments: 3.49% + 49¢ per card payment |
| Send invoices paid by card | Free to send; Stripe fees apply when paid | Yes, on paid plans (Basics: 5 a month) |
| Fixed-price "pay now" catalog | Public listings customers buy instantly | Built around invoices and estimates |
| Card-payment quotes + deposits | Deposit now, balance on completion | Yes |
| Recurring billing (weekly/monthly/yearly) | Yes | Yes (recurring invoices) |
| Online booking (time slots) | Customers pick a slot at checkout | Not built in |
| Payouts | Automatic via Stripe, about two business days after each payment | Via Joist payments |
| Best for | Pros who want to quote and get paid, free | Contractors who want estimates plus invoicing |
This reflects Redbud Way's features and Joist's general product category. Check current Joist plans on their site before deciding. Redbud Way charges 0%; Stripe's standard fees apply to every payment (full fee breakdown).
How much does Joist cost?
- Joist pricing
- Joist is paid-only after a 14-day trial: Basics $12/mo (5 documents a month), Pro $17, Elite $32, Run $100 (less billed annually). Card payments through Joist cost 3.49% + 49¢.
- Redbud Way pricing
- Redbud Way is free, with a 0% platform fee and free automatic payouts. Stripe’s standard fees apply: 3.3% + 30¢ on an invoice or quote payment (2.9% + 30¢ card plus 0.4% Invoicing).
Redbud Way has a free plan and Joist doesn't. Redbud Way also adds a fixed-price checkout and lower payment fees: Stripe's 3.3% + 30¢ on invoices and quotes vs Joist's 3.49% + 49¢. See the full Redbud Way pricing and Stripe's fees.
Competitor pricing checked October 2026. See their pricing page.
Why contractors switch to Redbud Way
- Invoices paid by card from the email. Email an invoice and the Pay button opens a secure card page, no customer account and no extra app. You get an email the moment it’s paid.
- We never take a cut. Use it free and pay Stripe's standard fees on what you collect, billed by Stripe to your own account. Redbud Way takes 0%, with no job limits.
- A catalog that gets paid. Put set-price services on a public page and customers pay right there, with no estimate to write up and send back and forth first.
- Automatic payouts. Card payments settle through Stripe and pay out to your bank automatically, about two business days after each payment.
- Quotes you can find later. Every service and quote sits in your account and goes out as a link you control, so there's nothing to rebuild from scratch.
- Bring your Joist items. Drop your Joist line items into a CSV and import them as Redbud Way services. No retyping.
Priced the job? Now get paid for it.
Switching from Joist? Send your customer an invoice they pay by card from the email with Redbud Way, or a quote that collects a deposit up front. It's free, and we never take a cut of your jobs; Stripe's standard fees apply, billed by Stripe.
Questions
- How much does Joist cost?
- Joist has no free plan. After a 14-day trial, Basics is $12/month (5 documents a month), Pro $17, Elite $32, and Run $100, with lower prices when billed annually; deposits start on Pro. Card payments through Joist cost 3.49% + 49¢. Redbud Way is free, with no platform fee. Stripe's standard fees apply: 3.3% + 30¢ on a paid invoice or quote payment, lower than Joist's rate.
- Does Redbud Way do invoices like Joist?
- Yes. Send an invoice by email and your customer pays in full by card or bank transfer with no account; you get an email when it’s paid. For bigger jobs, send a quote with a deposit. Both are free to send with a 0% platform fee; Stripe’s standard fees apply when you get paid.
- How is Redbud Way different from Joist?
- Both let you quote a job and take a card payment. Redbud Way adds a fixed-price catalog people can pay on the spot, is free (Stripe’s standard fees apply), and pays out automatically. Joist is an estimates-and-invoicing app on paid plans after a 14-day trial.
- What does Redbud Way charge?
- Redbud Way is free: 0% platform fee, Stripe's standard fees apply to each payment (see redbudway.com/pricing#fees), and we never take a cut of your jobs.
- Can customers pay without making an account?
- Yes, by card or bank transfer as a guest from any phone or browser.
- Can I take a deposit now and the rest later?
- Yes. Collect a deposit up front and bill the balance once the job is finished.
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