Settle vs. Staxen
A Staxen alternative for solo contractors
What Staxen costs, where it caps you, and when it is the better pick. Prices checked November 3, 2026.
Staxen is a set of three AI "employees" for contractors: Eddie writes and sends estimates from voice, Josie runs scheduling and jobs, Ivy does invoicing and payments. Settle is a free iPhone app for solo contractors with no cap on estimates or invoices, where payments go to your own Stripe account. Choose Settle if you work alone on an iPhone. Stay with Staxen if you estimate off plans.
Side by side
| Settle | Staxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited estimates and invoices | Free: $0, no document limit | Eddie (estimates) $59 a month; Ivy (invoicing) is a separate $59; all three for $149 a month |
| Limits on lower plans | None on any plan. AI drafts: 3 free, then Pro | None. Unlimited projects, estimates and invoices on the paid plans |
| Free plan | Yes | No. 7-day free trial, started in the app through the App Store with a payment method behind it |
| Card payment fee | Stripe's standard 2.9% + 30¢ paid to Stripe; Settle adds nothing | Stripe's standard rates; Staxen says it adds no markup |
| Payouts | Paid straight to your own Stripe account. Stripe sets payout timing and runs its own risk checks; Settle never holds the money | Card and ACH from the invoice link through Stripe at Stripe's standard rates, with no Staxen markup. Estimates and invoices are texted from a dedicated business number Staxen sets up |
| Scheduling and dispatch | No | Yes, through Josie ($59 a month): scheduling, SMS reminders, pipeline, change orders |
| Platforms | iPhone only | iPhone, Android, web |
From each company's public pages, checked November 3, 2026. Confirm on Staxen's page before you buy.
Why contractors look for a Staxen alternative
Estimates and invoices are two separate $59 subscriptions
Staxen's pricing page sells each AI employee for $59 a month: Eddie writes estimates, Ivy builds and sends invoices and takes payments. Doing both is $118 a month, or $149 for all three. Settle does estimates, invoices and payments on one free plan, and Pro is $19.99 a month for unlimited AI drafts.
Source: Staxen pricing
There is no free plan
Staxen's pricing page says the first 7 days are free and the trial starts through the App Store with a payment method behind it; cancel at least 24 hours before it ends or you are charged. Settle's free plan has no trial clock and no card on file.
Source: Staxen pricing FAQ
Your estimates go out from Staxen's number, not yours
Staxen sets up a dedicated business number and texts estimates and invoices from it, and its voice-estimate page says Eddie drafts follow-up emails at 3, 7 and 14 days. Settle sends from your own phone through Messages, Mail or WhatsApp, so replies come to you and nothing goes out that you didn't tap send on.
Source: Staxen voice estimate page
When Staxen is the better choice
- You estimate off plans. Staxen counts material from a plan PDF and prices lines from store shelf prices and its own price books. Settle prices from what you charged last time and flags any guess.
- You want scheduling, SMS reminders, change orders and milestone billing. Settle has none of those.
- You want Android, a web app, Spanish, or QuickBooks Online sync. Settle is iPhone only, English only, CSV export.
- You want automatic follow-ups until an estimate is signed or an invoice is paid. Settle shows Viewed, Approved and Paid, and you do the follow-up.
When Settle is not the right app
We would rather you know before you download:
- iPhone only. There is no Android app and no web app.
- No scheduling, dispatching, GPS or time tracking.
- No QuickBooks sync. You can export everything to CSV.
- One user per account. No crew or team logins.
- Documents live on your phone. There is no sync between devices yet.
- English only for now.
- A new app from a small team. Most of the apps it competes with have been around for years.
How to switch from Staxen
Staxen's pricing page says there are no contracts, you cancel any employee from settings, and your estimates, invoices, customers and receipts can be exported if you cancel. The trial runs through the App Store, so cancel there at least 24 hours before it ends.
- Staxen pricing FAQ: cancel any employee any time from settings
- Staxen pricing FAQ: everything goes with you when you cancel
There is nothing to import into Settle. Open the app, tap the orange button, and describe your next job. Your own prices are remembered from what you send, so your old price list doesn't need to come along.
Questions
Is Settle a good alternative to Staxen?
Settle is a good alternative to Staxen if you work alone, use an iPhone, and want no cap on how many estimates and invoices you send. It is not a replacement if you need scheduling, dispatch, a crew login, QuickBooks sync, or an Android or web app.
How much does Staxen cost compared to Settle?
Staxen: Eddie (estimates) $59 a month; Ivy (invoicing) is a separate $59; all three for $149 a month. Cheapest plan: One AI employee, $59 a month. None. Unlimited projects, estimates and invoices on the paid plans. Settle's free plan sends unlimited estimates and invoices; Settle Pro is $19.99 a month or $149.99 a year and adds unlimited AI-written drafts. Prices checked November 3, 2026.
Can I export my data from Staxen before I switch?
Staxen's pricing page says there are no contracts, you cancel any employee from settings, and your estimates, invoices, customers and receipts can be exported if you cancel. The trial runs through the App Store, so cancel there at least 24 hours before it ends.
Does Settle hold my money?
No. Customers pay through a link, and the payment goes to a Stripe account in your own name. Settle takes no cut and is never in the money path. Stripe sets payout timing and still runs its own identity and risk checks, as it does for any business.
Sources
Try Settle alongside Staxen.
Free on iPhone. Unlimited estimates and invoices. 7 days of Pro to try the voice drafts, and you cancel in two taps.
Download on the App StoreiPhone, iOS 17 or later. Questions? Text Nina: (818) 945-9686