Joan vs. Smartway2
Why Joan is the #1 Smartway2 Alternative
Smartway2 helps with booking, but you still need third-party tablets for door displays. Joan is an all-in-one workplace platform that works on your existing devices, with the option to add wireless e-paper displays for instant room visibility.
When software isn’t enough
Smartway2 helps with scheduling, but without dedicated displays or simple setup, teams often get stuck with hidden costs, confusion, and low adoption. Here’s what usually goes wrong:
No visibility outside the calendar
When everything lives inside a calendar app, people don’t know if a room is free until they walk in.
Complex rollouts with third-party tablets
IT ends up managing tablets, mounts, and updates instead of focusing on real work.
Low adoption across teams
If booking is hidden inside yet another app, people avoid it.
comparing features
Joan vs. Smartway2
Core features
Room, desk, visitor, parking
Localized Interface
Wireless devices (E‑ink)
Hardware flexibility
Calendar integration
Offline mode
Custom branding
Sustainability focus
Advanced analytics
Total cost of ownership
Free trial
Why teams choose Joan as their Smartway2 alternative
Book anywhere, with instant clarity
With Joan you can book from the mobile app, desktop, or door display, giving your team instant visibility. Smartway2 is software-only, so you’ll need extra devices if you want the same level of clarity.
No drilling, no wiring required
Joan displays mount wirelessly and run for months on a single charge. Smartway2 relies on hardware that needs constant power, which adds cost and IT overhead.
Use the devices you already own
Run Joan on tablets, phones or Joan’s own e paper displays. You choose what works best for your setup while Smartway2 ties you to specific hardware configurations that are harder to scale.
Works with your existing tools
Joan integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Zoom, and more, so your team keeps using the tools they already know. Smartway2 often stops at basic calendar connections.
So far we have had no trouble during the onboarding process or using it. I am very pleased, so far. I also love the design. I know it is not important to the people who think that only functionality matters, but if you have functionality WITH a nice and clean design, that makes the experience so much better.
Isabela Simoes , Administrative Assistant at Master Electronics
Everybody knows when the room is booked or not. It’s a very clear way to say: ‘Stop! Don’t go there because someone else took the room. It was really helpful because we didn’t change the way we booked the room.
Lucio Ferranti , CEO at Energy Group
We wanted to make a platform where everybody could come in and see if there’s a room open that they can schedule and work out of.
Adam Fisk , Director of IT services at Tech Superpowers
The unique aspect of Joan is that it does not require power going to the unit; you can mount them anywhere. The battery life lasts anywhere from four to five months. Very easy to set up and does not require any user training.
Pablo Gersberg , Senior Vice President at Neumora
Joan is the perfect solution—sleek, wireless, and so intuitive our team started using it without any training.
Topher Ohlin , IT Admin at Planning Center
Joan works with your stack. And meets your standards.
Integrations
Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Teams
Compliance
Certified for GDPR, SOC 2, and ISO/IEC 27001 compliance
AI Capabilities
Smart booking recommendations, auto-rescheduling
Sustainability
E-paper display uses 99% less energy than tablets
All-in-one pricing. All features included.
Joan gives you everything in one simple plan with software, updates and support included without hidden costs or third-party add-ons.
Start for free, than pay less!
Unbeatable pricing for additional users and devices.
Enterprise-ready with volume discounts and SLAs.
Frequently asked questions about Joan vs Smartway2
What’s the main difference between Joan and Smartway2?
Joan is a complete solution that includes both hardware and software—with wireless, battery-powered room displays, intuitive booking tools, and simple setup. Smartway2 is a software-only platform that relies on third-party tablets or screens, often requiring more IT setup and hardware sourcing.
Which is the best Smartway2 alternative?
Joan is one of the most trusted Smartway2 alternatives because it combines room, desk, visitor, and parking booking in one platform. It works out of the box, supports your existing calendars, and includes sustainable wireless displays for better visibility.
Do I need IT support to install Joan vs Smartway2 ?
With Joan, setup is fast and simple—no cables, drilling, or technical configuration. Most teams install and run Joan without IT assistance. Smartway2 usually requires more setup coordination, especially when pairing it with third-party hardware or integrating it across locations.
Do Joan and Smartway2 work with existing calendars?
Yes. Both platforms support Microsoft 365, Outlook, and Exchange.
Joan also integrates with Google Workspace, Zoom, Teams, Slack, and more—so you can book from wherever your team already works.
Can I use my existing tablets with Joan instead of buying new hardware?
Yes. While Joan offers its own wireless E-ink displays, you can also run the Joan app on any tablet or supported display if you prefer to use existing hardware.
Does Joan offer a free trial?
Yes. Joan offers a 30-day free trial, including access to both software and compatible hardware if requested.
Smartway2 also provides a trial, but it is software-only and typically limited to 7 days.