Joan
Joan provides an integrated workplace management system designed to help you streamline desk bookings, meeting room scheduling, and office visitor management through sustainable hardware and intuitive software solutions.
The Receptionist
The Receptionist for iPad is a flexible visitor management software that helps you automate check-ins, enhance office security, and create a professional first impression for every guest.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Joan | The Receptionist |
|---|---|---|
| Website | joan.io | thereceptionist.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $5/month | $59/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2007 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Ljubljana, Slovenia | Denver, USA |
Overview
Joan
Joan is a comprehensive workplace management platform that helps you navigate the complexities of the modern hybrid office. You can manage your entire floor plan from a single interface, allowing your team to book desks, reserve meeting rooms, and check in visitors with just a few clicks. The platform is built to reduce office friction and eliminate double-bookings, ensuring that your physical workspace remains organized and efficient.
Beyond simple scheduling, you can integrate Joan with ultra-low-power E-ink displays that show real-time room availability right at the door. It scales effortlessly from small studios to global enterprises, helping you optimize real estate costs by providing detailed analytics on how your space is actually used. Whether you are coordinating a flexible team or managing a high-traffic corporate headquarters, Joan gives you the tools to create a frictionless office experience.
The Receptionist
The Receptionist for iPad helps you transform your front desk from a manual logbook into a digital hub. You can automate the entire visitor check-in process, from capturing photos and signatures to printing custom ID badges instantly. It solves the problem of interrupted workflows by sending automatic notifications to your staff via SMS, email, or Slack the moment their guest arrives.
You can also manage workplace safety by requiring visitors to sign digital NDAs or health screenings before they enter your facility. Whether you run a small boutique office or a high-traffic manufacturing plant, the platform scales to handle your specific compliance needs. It simplifies your daily operations by providing a real-time digital log of everyone in your building for emergency situations and reporting.
Overview
Joan Features
- Room Scheduling Book meeting rooms directly from your existing calendar or at the door using sustainable, wireless E-ink displays.
- Desk Booking Enable your team to reserve desks through a mobile app or interactive floor plan to support hybrid work schedules.
- Visitor Management Streamline your front desk by allowing guests to check in digitally and automatically notifying their hosts upon arrival.
- Office Analytics Access detailed data on room and desk usage to make informed decisions about your office space requirements.
- Joan Mobile App Find and book available workspaces on the go, check office health status, and manage your daily schedule from your phone.
- Custom Health Screening Keep your workplace safe by requiring employees to complete health surveys before they can book a desk for the day.
The Receptionist Features
- Automated Notifications. Alert your employees instantly via Slack, Microsoft Teams, SMS, or email as soon as their visitors check in.
- Digital Document Signing. Require guests to sign NDAs, waivers, or safety agreements directly on the iPad before they gain access to your office.
- Custom Badge Printing. Print professional visitor badges automatically upon check-in so you can easily identify everyone currently in your building.
- Contactless Check-In. Allow visitors to check in using their own mobile devices by scanning a QR code to minimize physical contact.
- Visitor Photo Capture. Take high-quality photos of every guest during the check-in process to enhance your facility's security and record-keeping.
- Two-Way Communication. Send messages back to the iPad from your computer to let visitors know you are on your way.
Pricing Comparison
Joan Pricing
- Room and desk booking
- Mobile app access
- Slack and MS Teams integrations
- Standard support
- Basic office analytics
- Everything in Essentials, plus:
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Visitor management features
- Custom branding options
- Priority customer support
The Receptionist Pricing
- Up to 25 employees
- Unlimited visitor check-ins
- SMS and email notifications
- Badge printing support
- Digital document storage
- Contactless check-in
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Up to 50 employees
- Slack and Microsoft Teams integration
- Customizable check-in workflows
- Priority email support
- Advanced reporting tools
Pros & Cons
Joan
Pros
- Extremely long battery life on wireless hardware displays
- Clean and professional aesthetic fits any office decor
- Very easy to set up and sync with Google Workspace
- Intuitive mobile app makes desk booking simple for employees
Cons
- E-ink screen refresh rate can feel slow to some
- Hardware displays require a separate initial investment
- Advanced reporting is locked behind higher-priced tiers
The Receptionist
Pros
- Extremely easy for visitors to navigate the interface
- Reliable instant notifications reduce front desk congestion
- Setup process is quick and requires minimal IT help
- Customizable workflows allow for specific industry compliance
- Excellent customer support with fast response times
Cons
- Requires specific iPad hardware to operate
- Pricing can feel high for very small teams
- Android tablet versions are not currently supported