Logged vs Joist: a notification-forward alternative for solo trades
Both Logged and Joist target the same solo trades audience and both have a free tier. Logged adds push notifications on every client action and estimates clients accept from a web link — no app install required. Joist has a more mature template library and QuickBooks sync.
How they compare
| Feature | Logged | Joist |
|---|---|---|
| Price (free tier) | Free (10 jobs, 5 customers, 3 estimates) | Free (5 invoices/mo) |
| Price (paid tier) | $9.99/mo | ~$10–13/mo (Joist Elite) |
| Estimates clients accept from link | ✓ Web link, no app | ~ PDF email |
| Push: estimate viewed/accepted/declined | ✓ Instant push (Pro) | ~ Email-based |
| Push: invoice opened | ✓ (Pro) | ✗ |
| Push: payment received | ✓ (Pro) | ~ Partial |
| Offline-first | ✓ Fully | ~ Partial |
| Native iOS + Android | ✓ Swift & Kotlin | ✗ Cross-platform |
| QuickBooks sync | ✗ | ✓ |
| Template library | 1 clean default | Many templates |
| Scheduling | ✗ | ✗ |
| Multi-crew | ✗ | ✗ |
Where Logged wins
Push notification on every client action
Logged fires a push the instant a client opens an estimate, accepts it, declines it, opens an invoice, or pays. Joist's notification surface is more email-based and lacks the same trigger granularity.
Clients accept estimates from a web link
Logged generates a /e/{token} page; the client taps Accept or Decline in their browser — no app install or PDF download required. Joist's estimate flow still relies primarily on PDF attachments.
Native on both platforms
Logged's iOS is Swift and Android is Kotlin. The camera, offline, and animation quality matches what you expect from a native app. Joist's Android historically lags its iOS.
Flat, predictable pricing
Logged Pro is $9.99/mo flat for unlimited everything. Joist's free tier caps invoices at 5 per month and the meaningful upgrades (Joist Elite) add pricing tiers with more feature gating.
Offline-first, no asterisks
Every Logged screen — job creation, photo capture, estimate build, invoice generation — works with zero network. Sync happens automatically when you're back online.
Where Joist wins
Mature template library
Joist has been around since 2012 and ships an extensive set of estimate and invoice templates. Logged ships one clean default template per document type.
QuickBooks integration
Joist offers a QuickBooks Online sync. Logged does not; manual PDF export only.
Larger community and ecosystem
Joist has more public reviews, YouTube tutorials, and trade-forum discussion. For a contractor learning a new tool, that established presence matters.
Pricing
Who should choose each
Choose Joist if
- You need QuickBooks Online sync
- You want multiple estimate and invoice template designs
- You prefer a tool with 10+ years of community support
Choose Logged if
- You want a push notification the moment your client reads or accepts an estimate
- You want clients to accept estimates with one tap from a browser link
- You value native iOS + Android quality over cross-platform
- You're on a budget and want flat pricing with no feature gating
FAQ
Is Logged really free, or is it a trial?
Can I import my Joist customer list into Logged?
Does Logged sync to QuickBooks?
Which trades use Logged most?
Can my client pay by card through Logged?
Try Logged free — no credit card required
10 jobs, 5 customers, and 3 estimates on the free tier. Upgrade to Pro anytime.
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Last updated: 2026-05-23.