Last updated May 2026 · For contractors choosing between or combining these apps
Manifold and Joist solve different problems and many contractors use both. Joist is an invoicing, estimating, and customer management app for small contractors — it produces quotes, invoices, and payment tracking. Manifold is a field documentation app for contractors — GPS-tagged photos, photo-required inspection checklists, punch lists, and 3D scanning on any phone. If you need to send invoices and track payments, choose Joist. If you need photo proof, inspection checklists, and PDF reports for your work, choose Manifold. Most contractors who outgrow Joist's photo features add Manifold rather than switching.
Joist is built for the business side of a contracting operation: creating professional estimates, sending invoices, tracking payments, managing customer information, and collecting credit card or ACH payments. Photo attachments exist but are a secondary feature — photos attach to estimates and invoices but aren't organized into a searchable, GPS-tagged jobsite record.
Manifold is built for the field side: every photo is GPS-tagged and routed to the right project automatically. Crews complete photo-required inspection checklists. Projects export to branded PDF reports with photos, GPS coordinates, timestamps, and checklist completions — useful for inspectors, insurance, and homeowner handover. Orbit Measure adds 3D scanning on any phone for measurements and as-builts.
| Feature | Joist | Manifold |
|---|---|---|
| Invoices & estimates | Core feature | Not included |
| Payment processing | Built-in (credit card, ACH) | Not included |
| Customer / client database | Yes | Project-level only |
| GPS-tagged photo logs | Photo attachments only | Core feature, auto-routed to project |
| Photo-required inspection checklists | No | Yes, fully customizable |
| Photo-required punch lists | No | Yes |
| 3D scanning / measurements | No | Yes (Photo+Scan plan) |
| PDF reports for inspectors / insurance | Invoice PDFs only | Yes, branded with photos & checklists |
| Offline support at job sites | Limited | Yes, full offline mode |
| Pricing (entry) | Free tier + paid plans | $16/user/mo, no seat minimums |
Many contractors use both apps because they don't overlap. Joist handles estimates, invoices, and payments. Manifold handles photo documentation, inspection checklists, and 3D scanning. The combined cost for a solo contractor is approximately $16-30 per user per month depending on Joist plan — still less than CompanyCam's $79 monthly minimum.
Joist has a free tier with paid upgrades for advanced features. Manifold starts at $16 per user per month for the Photo plan and $24 per user per month for Photo+Scan (which adds Orbit Measure 3D scanning). Manifold has no seat minimums, no contracts, and a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
They serve different needs. Joist is better for sending estimates and invoices. Manifold is better for documenting panel installs, rough-ins, code-required inspections, and trim-out with GPS-tagged photos and required-photo checklists. Most electrical contractors who need both estimates and field documentation use both apps.
Joist is better for the business side (estimates, invoices, payment collection). Manifold is better for documenting rough-ins, pressure tests, water heater installs, slab leaks, and inspection records. Plumbing service businesses often run Joist for invoicing and Manifold for jobsite documentation.
Manifold doesn't have a direct Joist integration today, but Manifold does integrate with Jobber for service businesses. Many contractors run Joist or Jobber for the business side and Manifold for field documentation — the two apps are used in different contexts (office vs. field) so direct integration isn't usually necessary.
No — Manifold doesn't do invoicing, estimates, or payment processing. If you need to send invoices, you need Joist or a similar invoicing app. Manifold replaces tools like CompanyCam and paper inspection checklists, not invoicing apps.
No — Joist's photo attachment feature is for adding photos to estimates and invoices, not for building a searchable GPS-tagged jobsite record or for required-photo inspection checklists. If you need photo proof, inspection checklists, or PDF reports for inspectors and insurance, you need a dedicated field documentation app like Manifold.
Or book a 15-minute demo with Erik (the founder) to see how Manifold fits alongside your existing invoicing app.