Joist vs Kickserv
A side-by-side of the facts we have verified on each vendor's own pages: price, audience and what each one connects to. Not reviewed yet: we name an owner pick only after hands-on testing. "Unknown" means not confirmed yet, not "doesn't exist."
| Joist | Kickserv | |
|---|---|---|
| Use case | Quoting / estimating | Quoting / estimating |
| Best for (vendor's words) | Solo and small contractors | Small field service teams |
| What it does | Estimates and invoices with built-in AI tools (create estimates/invoices with AI, polish notes), online payments, homeowner financing; AI Receptionist for missed calls. | Field service management with estimates, scheduling and invoicing. |
| Starting price (from vendor) | Basics $10/mo billed monthly ($8.34/mo billed annually; annual view shows $12 struck through); Pro $17/mo monthly ($14.17/mo annual); 14-day free trial, no credit card | Start $60/mo (5 users); Run $119/mo; Scale $199/mo |
| Checked | 2026-10-28 | 2026-11-03 |
| Official pricing page | Joist | Kickserv |
Integrations side by side
Native built in · Zapier-Make through a connector · None confirmed not supported · Unknown not confirmed yet
| System | Joist | Kickserv |
|---|---|---|
| POS | Unknown n/a | Unknown Kickserv's current integrations list (QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Stripe, Customer Lobby, Podium, Mailchimp, Google, plus an open API) names no POS system, and there is no Kickserv + Square page in Zapier's directory. Not confirmed either way. Source |
| CRM | Native Built-in client management (CRM): "Client Management for Contractors. Every Customer Detail, Organized in One Place ... Joist keeps contact info, notes, past work, documents, and payment activity together." Source | Unknown Kickserv's home page describes built-in customer management ("Simplify customer management"), but neither it nor the features page uses the word CRM or names a CRM integration, and Kickserv has no Zapier directory page (zapier.com/apps/kickserv/integrations is 404). Not confirmed either way. Source |
| QuickBooks | Native native sync (plan tier not verified) | Native Kickserv's help center says it syncs with both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online. The QuickBooks Desktop sync is a paid add-on, $50/month or $480/year, set up through the QuickBooks Web Connector (see our setup guide). No QuickBooks Online setup article was found in Kickserv's help center. Source |
| Unknown unknown | Native Gmail listed on vendor page: "…coupons and more. Learn more about Mailchimp Google Import Gmail contacts, subscribe to iCal feed of jobs onto your google c…" Source | |
| Calendar | Unknown unknown | Unknown |
| Field service | Unknown unknown | Unknown |
| Zapier | Unknown No app found in the Zapier app directory (direct app URL returns 404 and no listing turned up in search). Not confirmed either way. Source | Unknown No app found in the Zapier app directory (direct app URL returns 404 and no listing turned up in search). Not confirmed either way. Source |
Setup guides: Connect Kickserv to QuickBooks Desktop
Common questions
What is the difference between Joist and Kickserv?
Joist: Estimates and invoices with built-in AI tools (create estimates/invoices with AI, polish notes), online payments, homeowner financing; AI Receptionist for missed calls. Kickserv: Field service management with estimates, scheduling and invoicing. (Both descriptions are taken from each vendor's own pages.)
How much do Joist and Kickserv cost?
Joist lists Basics $10/mo billed monthly ($8.34/mo billed annually; annual view shows $12 struck through); Pro $17/mo monthly ($14.17/mo annual); 14-day free trial, no credit card (checked 2026-10-28). Kickserv lists Start $60/mo (5 users); Run $119/mo; Scale $199/mo (checked 2026-11-03). Prices change, so confirm on each vendor's pricing page.
What do Joist and Kickserv both connect to?
Both have a confirmed connection to: QuickBooks.
Which is better, Joist or Kickserv?
We do not name a winner yet. We will only pick one after testing both inside a real business. Until then this page shows the verified facts side by side.
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