Customer Reviews (500)

NotMinecraftSteve • 2025-03-22T14:27:51-07:00

This most recent update has introduced a new freezing bug when going to remove a photo. Once you remove a photo from the line item and then attempt to go back, it freezes entirely and eventually crashes. It seems to be some sort of a memory leak. Previous review Subject: Expand Button ——————————— The expand button on estimates and invoices needs to be expanded by default. I can not tell you how many times I’ve had to tell clients that they can see a complete breakdown of charges IF they can click that almost hidden, terribly placed button. Please for the love of Christopher Columbus, have all photos and line items visible by default. On that note, with as much as we pay for this app year round, we need to be able to upload a lot more photos. Not only to line items but at the end of the invoice. Right now it’s set up as child’s play with 4 photos max per item and 20 max total as the footer attachment. Please, put the subscription money to use. Thank you.

TaylorAC.18 • 2025-03-20T09:08:38-07:00

My husband and I use this app for his small contracting business. I love many of the features but the one issue I have is that if an invoice is changed & new signatures are needed from a client, there is no way to get that done electronically via email/text. Only in person on the app. Please add a way for us to be able to get new signatures on an updated invoice from the clients via email or text!

HomeProsJax • 2025-03-12T10:09:06-07:00

At first I love this app, but now with the paid service taking over I feel like they’ve lost sight of the appeal of this app vs a million others. I tried the paid service didn’t like it didn’t use the extra features. I tried to go back to the free version and couldn’t use the app anymore. My invoices are gone. Jobs I’m in the middle of I can’t access their invoices. Unbelievable.

Summary of Key Insights

The Joist app receives mixed reviews, with a significant portion of users praising its ease of use and professional output. However, a large number of recent 1-star reviews indicate growing dissatisfaction, primarily due to the shift from a previously free service to a paid subscription model and the perceived inaccessibility of previously created invoices without paying. Users also report bugs, crashes, and poor customer service experiences. While some users appreciate the features offered in the paid versions, many feel that the pricing is too high and that features are being taken away from existing paid tiers and added to more expensive tiers. The app is generally considered a good starting point for small businesses, but the recent changes have led many to seek alternative solutions. The overall sentiment is shifting negatively, particularly among long-time users.

  • Overall Rating: App details provided a breakdown of ratings, but not a single overall rating. Based on the given data, it is skewed positively by the large number of 5-star reviews, but trending downward due to recent negative feedback.
  • Score Distribution: 5-star: 68%, 4-star: 7.8%, 3-star: 4.6%, 2-star: 2.8%, 1-star: 16.8%
  • Key Strengths: Ease of use, professional-looking estimates and invoices, helpful for small businesses.
  • Key Weaknesses: Shift to paid subscription model, inaccessible old data, bugs, crashes, poor customer service, perceived greed, lack of offline functionality, forced PayPal integration.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews appear to be a mix of recent and older reviews, with many negative reviews referencing a recent shift to a paid subscription model.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis was performed based on star ratings and review content, keyword extraction to identify frequently mentioned issues and features, and thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and trends.

Key User Pain Points

  • Shift to Paid Subscription Model: Many users are upset that the app, which was previously free, now requires a paid subscription to access core features and even old invoices. This is by far the most common and impactful complaint.
  • Inaccessible Old Data: A significant number of users report being locked out of their accounts and unable to access previously created invoices and client information unless they pay for a subscription. This is perceived as a form of "ransomware."
  • Bugs and Crashes: Users report various technical issues, including freezing, crashing when removing photos, and the app not opening at all on certain devices.
  • Poor Customer Service: Many users complain about slow or unhelpful customer service, particularly regarding payment issues and account problems. The lack of a phone number for support is a recurring complaint.
  • Lack of Offline Functionality: Users working in areas with limited or no internet connectivity find the app's reliance on a constant internet connection limiting.
  • Payment Issues: Problems with PayPal integration, unexpected fees, and difficulty changing bank information are reported.
  • Loss of Work/No Auto-Save: Several users have lost significant amounts of work due to the app not having an auto-save feature.
  • Limited Customization: Some users desire more customization options, such as different invoice templates and font styles.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Offline Functionality: The ability to create and access estimates and invoices without an internet connection.
  • Auto-Save: A feature to automatically save progress on estimates and invoices to prevent data loss.
  • Improved Customer Service: A phone number for customer support and faster response times.
  • More Payment Options: Integration with more payment processors beyond PayPal.
  • Scheduling/CRM Features: Integration with calendar and scheduling tools.
  • Subcontractor Pay Statement Category: A dedicated category for subcontractor pay statements.
  • Improved Photo Handling: The ability to upload more photos and control their layout on invoices.
  • More Customization Options: More control over invoice templates, font styles, and branding.
  • To-Do List/Task Management: A feature to manage tasks related to each project.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use: Many users find the app easy to learn and use, even without prior experience.
  • Professional-Looking Estimates and Invoices: The app produces professional-looking documents that impress clients.
  • Helpful for Small Businesses: The app is particularly well-suited for small contractors and service businesses.
  • Convenient Payment Processing: The ability to accept payments directly through the app is a major selling point.
  • Organization: The app helps users stay organized and keep track of clients, invoices, and payments.
  • Good Customer Service (Historically): Some users have had positive experiences with customer service, though this seems to be declining.
  • Quick Estimate Creation: The ability to quickly create estimates on-site is highly valued.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Address the Inaccessible Data Issue: Immediately restore access to previously created invoices and client data for users who are not paying subscribers. This is a critical issue of trust and could lead to legal repercussions.
    • Improve Customer Service: Invest in improving customer service response times and providing phone support.
    • Fix Bugs and Crashes: Prioritize fixing reported bugs and crashes, particularly those related to photo handling and device compatibility.
    • Re-evaluate Pricing Model: Consider offering a more affordable tier for users who only need basic invoicing features and don't require advanced functionality.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Implement Auto-Save: Add an auto-save feature to prevent data loss.
    • Add Offline Functionality: Explore options for providing limited offline functionality, such as the ability to view and create basic estimates.
    • Expand Payment Options: Integrate with more payment processors beyond PayPal.
    • Improve Photo Handling: Allow users to upload more photos and control their layout on invoices.
  • Low Priority:
    • Add Scheduling/CRM Features: Integrate with calendar and scheduling tools, or consider building out basic CRM functionality.
    • Add Subcontractor Pay Statement Category: Add a dedicated category for subcontractor pay statements.
    • More Customization Options: Provide more control over invoice templates, font styles, and branding.
    • To-Do List/Task Management: A feature to manage tasks related to each project.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Contractor Invoicing App with Guaranteed Data Access: A competitor could differentiate itself by guaranteeing users access to their data, even if they cancel their subscription.
  • Offline-First Invoicing App: An app designed for contractors working in areas with limited internet connectivity could gain a competitive advantage.
  • Invoicing App with Integrated CRM and Scheduling: An app that combines invoicing with CRM and scheduling features could provide a more comprehensive solution for contractors.
  • Subscription-Free Invoicing App: Offer a one-time purchase instead of a subscription for users with basic invoicing needs.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Trend: Recent reviews are significantly more negative than older reviews, indicating a decline in user satisfaction.
  • Pricing Sensitivity: Users are highly sensitive to pricing changes and perceive the current subscription model as too expensive.
  • Feature Creep Concerns: Some users worry that features are being constantly added to higher tiers, forcing them to upgrade to access features they previously had.
  • Loss of Trust: The shift to a paid subscription model and the alleged inaccessibility of old data have eroded trust in the app.

Conclusion

The Joist app has a strong foundation and a loyal user base, but recent changes have significantly damaged its reputation. To regain user trust and prevent further churn, the company must address the issues of inaccessible data, poor customer service, and the perceived unfairness of the pricing model. Prioritizing bug fixes and adding requested features like offline functionality and auto-save will also be crucial. If Joist fails to address these issues, it risks losing a significant portion of its user base to competitors. A focus on transparency, fair pricing, and reliable customer support is essential for the long-term success of the app.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/joist-invoice-for-contractors/id592163563?uo=2