HoneyBook has been a favorite choice for freelancers and small businesses, but it’s not the perfect fit for everyone. Many users have voiced their frustrations with its limitations.
It’s easy to see why some find it hard to fully embrace the platform. HoneyBook’s rigid structure, limited customization options, and lack of quotation features can hinder your workflow.
Slow customer support, a challenging learning process, and payment delays further compound these issues.
If these struggles resonate with you, you’re not alone. After trying out 23 tools, we’ve shortlisted 6 promising HoneyBook alternatives that tackle these issues head-on, giving you the flexibility HoneyBook just doesn’t offer.
Let’s explore these alternatives together.
Quick List of Top HoneyBook Alternatives
- Agency Handy: Suitable HoneyBook alternative for digital agencies to manage everything — from clients to invoices — in one place.
- 17hats: Ideal replacement for solopreneurs and small businesses desiring user-friendly business management.
- FreshBooks: Best all-in-one accounting solution for freelancers.
- Bonsai: CRM-focused successor to HoneyBook for freelancers and businesses.
- Dubsado: Best for service-based small businesses looking for detailed client interactions and automation.
- Plutio: Robust alternative for teams requiring project management and centralized collaboration.
What are the Reasons to Consider the HoneyBook Alternative?
While HoneyBook has been a popular choice for client management, it’s missing some key features that businesses need. Here’s why you might want to look at alternatives:
- Geographical Limitations: HoneyBook is only available to businesses in the USA and Canada. If you’re looking to expand your client base beyond North America, this limitation can hold you back. You’ll have to request for it.
- Customization Limits: HoneyBook’s customization options can be restrictive. Users often struggle to fully tailor templates, forms, and workflows to match their brand or business needs.
- Invoicing Issues: Users often report frustrations with HoneyBook’s invoicing system. It doesn’t offer flexible payment options or detailed template customization, making billing a hassle rather than a help.
- Not Suitable for Growing Teams: HoneyBook is primarily designed for solopreneurs and small teams, making it less suitable for growing businesses or those with larger teams.
- Email Issues: A big drawback is HoneyBook’s email deliverability. Emails frequently end up in spam folders, disrupting communication and harming client satisfaction and business operations.
- Integration Limitations: One of HoneyBook’s biggest drawbacks is its lack of extensive integrations. If your business relies on a variety of CRMs or accounting software to stay on track, this can be a major headache.
- Pricing: Cost is a major concern, especially for the number of users. Users often feel they’re not getting good value, especially compared to competitors with similar features.
- Support Challenges: Customer support is another weak spot. Users report delays, unhelpful responses, and a lack of responsiveness when issues arise, leaving them feeling stranded and unsupported.
Given these challenges, it’s worth considering alternatives to HoneyBook that can provide a more seamless, flexible, and supportive experience. Let’s dive into six standout options that could be the perfect fit for your business needs.
6 Best HoneyBook Alternatives for Freelancers and Agencies
Let’s take a moment to explore how each software compares, highlighting their unique strengths and key differences
| Alternatives | Top 3 Features | Best For | Average Cost Per User (Annual Billing) |
| HoneyBook | Invoicing Automation sequences Contracts | Freelancers and small teams | $22/month |
| Agency Handy | Service catalog Order management Subscription and split payments | Agencies of all sizes | $10/month |
| Freshbooks | Customizable invoicing Automated expense tracking Double-Entry accounting | Small businesses | $11/month |
| 17hats | Auto lead response Email integration Online scheduling | Solopreneurs | $19/month |
| Bonsai | Legally vetted contract templates Retainers management Proposals | Freelancers and agencies | $32/month |
| Dubsado | Automation Invoicing Email templates | Solopreneurs and small teams | $100/month |
| Plutio | Timesheets Template library Direct messaging | Freelancers and small teams | $12/month |
Let’s check out the products in the details. The list highlights what HoneyBook lacks and how other client portals fill those gaps, along with their key features, pricing, and what users think about it.
1. Agency Handy
If HoneyBook’s limitations are holding you back, Agency Handy offers a comprehensive solution to take your agency to the next level.
Agency Handy is a strong alternative to HoneyBook, particularly with features like the Service Catalog and Split Payments—options that HoneyBook lacks. These tools make managing services and billing more flexible and tailored to your needs.
Create customized, one-off, or subscription-based services as you like. The clients get the one they need according to their requirements. You can embed the service catalog on your website (portfolio!) or share it on social media, too.
Plus, invoicing with HoneyBook can be frustrating due to rigid payment options and limited template customization. Agency Handy offers flexible invoicing with split payments and subscriptions, making billing smoother and more adaptable.
Get paid in PayPal, Stripe, or ACH accounts!
But email deliverability is a known issue with HoneyBook, often leading to important messages landing in client’s spam folders. Agency Handy addresses this with in-built messaging systems and reliable email systems integrated with custom domains.
Anyway, HoneyBook is primarily designed for small teams, making it less suitable for growing businesses. Agency Handy, however, is suited for agencies of all sizes and is designed to scale with your business.
However, there are no geographical limitations that might restrict you from opening an Agency Handy account.
HoneyBook is restricted to the USA and Canada. You’ll have to request HoneyBook to customize that for you. Agency Handy, on the other hand, supports a global client base, allowing for broader business reach.
Lastly, HoneyBook’s pricing can be a concern, especially as your team grows. Agency Handy offers competitive pricing with features that provide better value for both small and large teams.
Key Features of Agency Handy
Here are the key features of Agency Handy that stand out are as follows –
Service Catalog
Agency Handy offers a robust service catalog feature. You can create detailed service listings, including descriptions and pricing options. Plus, you can seamlessly embed this catalog on your website, allowing potential clients to browse your offerings without leaving your site.
Client Onboarding
Onboarding new clients is straightforward with Agency Handy. You can create custom order forms and intake questionnaires that capture all essential details upfront, including multiple-choice questions, text fields, and file uploads, ensuring a smooth project start.
Order Management
Agency Handy uses intuitive Kanban-style boards for managing projects. These visual boards let you see the task status at a glance. You can easily drag and drop tasks to update their progress, keeping everything organized and on track.
Team Collaboration
Set up user roles and permissions to match your team’s structure. This ensures that everyone knows their tasks and responsibilities, all within the same platform. With everything centralized, collaboration becomes smoother, and there’s no need to switch between multiple apps to communicate.
Client Portal
Your clients receive a dedicated portal that you can customize to reflect your brand. They can track the progress of their projects in real-time, provide feedback, and approve directly within the portal, helping to speed up the workflow.
Invoicing and Payments
Invoicing is quick and hassle-free with Agency Handy. You can create professional invoices and set up recurring billing for ongoing services. The platform supports multiple payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, and ACH systems.
File Management
Managing files is straightforward with Agency Handy. All documents are stored in one place, organized by project. The platform also tracks different versions of files, making it easy to manage revisions and keep everything up to date. You’ll get respectively 1TB, 5TB, and 10TB storage in plans.
Workspace Customization
When you log in, you can easily tailor Agency Handy to suit your agency’s specific needs. Customize everything with your brand’s colors and logo to ensure a professional and consistent look across the platform.
Reporting and Analytics
Agency Handy offers detailed reporting and analytics tools that provide insights into your agency’s performance. You can quickly see which projects are the most profitable and assess team productivity, helping you make data-driven decisions.
Pros of Using Agency Handy
- Streamlines agency operations from client onboarding to billing.
- Saves time with customizable intake forms that gather project details.
- Enhances team efficiency with Kanban boards for task management.
- Improves communication with clients through a dedicated portal.
- Supports multiple languages for global agency expansion.
- Offers flexible pricing, including subscriptions, one-time, and split payments.
Best Use Cases of Agency Handy
Here are some best use cases of Agency Handy:
Small to Large Agencies
Agency Handy is a strong HoneyBook alternative for agencies of all sizes. It offers essential features like service catalogs, task management, and flexible payment options, making it ideal for growing teams..
Freelancers
Freelancers looking for a HoneyBook alternative will find Agency Handy useful. It simplifies client management with customizable forms and real-time task tracking, making it a cost-effective option over HoneyBook’s pricing.
Photography Agencies
Agency Handy also serves as a solid HoneyBook alternative for photographers. You can list your photography, photo and video editing, freelance or full time photo services, etc. including necessary details and pricing. Even, you can upsell additional services, like photo albums.
Event Management Companies
You can rely on Agency Handy to track progress of the whole event, if the banners are done and printed, whether members are invited, what about the foods, etc. Delegate team members and oversee the whole thing with Agency Handy.
Video Editing Agencies
Video editing agencies will benefit from Agency Handy’s specialized tools for tasks management and client approvals. Plus, you can get feedback directly from clients, so that you can deliver the final piece on time. Don’t leave any unnecessary headaches!
What Users Say About Agency Handy?
Review on Producthunt: 5 out of 5
Review on G2: 5 out of 5
What do you like best about Agency Handy?
I am extremely satisfied with Agency Handy. It has streamlined our client management process and has become an essential tool for our business operations.
What do you dislike about Agency Handy?
There’s not much to dislike, but I’m looking forward to more integrations with other tools we use. – Vikas P
Agency Handy Pricing Plans
Let’s break down the three pricing plans available so you can find the one that best fits your needs:
| Pricing Tiers | Monthly Billing | Yearly Billing | Storage | Users | Features |
| Solopreneur Plan | $69/month | $49/month | 1 TB | 3 | Unlimited ClientsUnlimited OrdersCustom BrandingTask ManagementInvoicingDocumentation NotesCommunication ToolsClient Approval Workflows |
| Teams Plan | $149/month | $99/month | 5 TB | 10 | |
| Pro Plan | $199/month | $149/month | 20 TB | 30 |
Why Should You Choose Agency Handy Over HoneyBook?
When deciding between Agency Handy and HoneyBook, it’s essential to consider which platform truly meets your agency’s needs. Here’s why Agency can be the better choice for your business.
| Features HoneyBook Lacks | How Agency Handy Solves the Problem |
| Steep Learning Curve | Simplifies onboarding with an intuitive and simple agency-specific interface. |
| Limited Flexibility in Customization | Offers extensive customization with intake forms, custom domain, and 100% white-labeling. |
| Complicated Invoicing System | Streamlines invoicing with split payments, multi-currency, and automated billing. |
| Higher Costs for Basic Features | Provides more features at a competitive price without sacrificing essentials. |
| Limited Geographic Reach | Supports global operations with multi-language and currency options. |
2. FreshBooks
FreshBooks stands out as a solid alternative to HoneyBook for small agencies with customizable invoicing needs.
One of the key advantages of FreshBooks is its customizable invoicing system. You can create detailed and tailored invoices that fit your business perfectly, a feature where HoneyBook tends to fall short.
Moreover, FreshBooks offers advanced tools for time tracking and expense management, which are crucial for growing businesses. These are areas where HoneyBook doesn’t quite meet the mark.
Another issue with HoneyBook is its lack of flexibility when it comes to managing payments. HoneyBook users frequently encounter frustrations with its limited payment options and lack of detailed template customization.
With FreshBooks, you can handle payrolls, billable hours, and manage invoices directly. You’ll be able to pay or get paid via debit, VISA, AMEX, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, and ACH system in any currency.
And you can offer flexibility to your clients for partial payments, and payment schedules. So that they don’t feel burdened and are happy to do business with you.
Key Features of FreshBooks
Here are the key features that make FreshBooks a powerful tool for managing your business finances and operations —
Customizable Invoices
FreshBooks allows you to create invoices that truly represent your brand. You can easily add your logo, choose brand colors, and select fonts that align with your business style.
Automatic Payment Reminders
With FreshBooks, handling overdue payments becomes much easier thanks to its automatic payment reminders. Once you set them up, the system gently prompts clients who are late on payments. You have the option to customize these reminders, ensuring they reflect your brand’s tone.
Recurring Invoices
If you offer ongoing services, FreshBooks makes billing easy with recurring invoices. You can set up a schedule, and the platform will automatically send invoices at regular intervals. This way, your billing stays consistent and accurate, saving you time on repetitive tasks.
Multi-Currency and Multi-Language Support
FreshBooks is perfect if you work with international clients. It supports multi-currency and multi-language invoicing, so you can send invoices in your client’s preferred currency and language. This helps ensure smooth transactions no matter where your clients are located.
Retainers
Managing retainers is straightforward with FreshBooks. You can collect payments upfront and bill against this amount as your project progresses. This keeps both you and your client informed about how much of the retainer has been used and what’s left, ensuring clear communication.
Time Tracking
FreshBooks offers a simple time-tracking feature, which is essential if you bill by the hour. You can log hours directly in the app, organized by project or task. This helps ensure accurate billing and prevents any disputes with your clients.
Online Payments
FreshBooks makes it easy for your clients to pay you by integrating payment options directly into the invoice. Clients can choose from various payment methods, like credit cards or PayPal, right within the invoice. This speeds up payments and reduces the time you spend chasing them.
Rich Proposals and E-Signatures
Creating and sending project proposals is simple with FreshBooks. You can outline services, pricing, and terms, then send them directly to your clients. They can review and approve proposals with an electronic signature, which helps you start projects faster.
Inventory Management
For businesses that deal with physical products, FreshBooks offers automatic inventory management. The platform updates your stock levels as you invoice clients, helping to prevent overselling. This feature keeps your inventory records accurate and notifies you when it’s time to reorder.
Pros of FreshBooks
- Simple, user-friendly interface requires minimal training.
- Consolidated invoicing tasks, saving time and money.
- Effective expense management with clear tracking.
- Customizable reports for tracking project metrics.
- Strong time tracking ensures accurate billing.
Cons of FreshBooks
- Electronic payments work with some banks only.
- Slow customer support with delayed email responses.
FreshBooks Pricing Plan
FreshBooks offers three main pricing tiers: Lite, Plus, and Premium, along with a customizable Select plan.
Lite $7.60/month (monthly billing) and $159(annual billing)
Ideal for self-employed professionals, freelancers, and small businesses. This plan includes essential features like unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and online payments, and supports up to 5 billable clients.
Plus $13.20/month (monthly billing) and $277.20 (annual billing)
Designed for small businesses with more advanced needs. It includes all the features of the Lite plan, along with double-entry accounting, advanced reporting, and automated late payment reminders. This plan supports up to 50 billable clients, with add-ons available for additional team members and advanced payments.
Premium $24.00/month (monthly billing) and $504 (annual billing)
Tailored for growing businesses with complex requirements. It includes all the features of the Plus plan, as well as project profitability tracking, custom email templates, and account permissions, with unlimited billable clients supported. Add-ons are available for additional team members, advanced payments, and custom pricing.
Select (Custom Pricing)
For businesses with unique needs or large teams. This plan is fully customizable, allowing for the addition of advanced functionalities like dedicated training, custom roles, and more, to suit specific business requirements.
What Users Say About FreshBooks?
Review on G2: 4.5 out of 5
What do you like best about FreshBooks?
I love being able to track my time for each project, and later be able to quickly add that to an invoice. Easy to track clients and projects, and set prices for different situations
What do you dislike about FreshBooks?
My biggest frustration is with the iOS version of the app — while the computer/browser version is great, it’s not possible to look at the time tracking on the smartphone. Every month I’m asked (while away from my computer) “How many hours do you estimate for project X this month?” and I cannot answer that without going to the browser version (yes, I can do that on my phone, but then why have the phone app?) – Joan C.
3. 17Hats
If you’re a solopreneur or part of a small team, 17Hats is a strong alternative to HoneyBook, offering more flexibility in managing your business operations.
While HoneyBook limits how much you can customize your workflows, 17Hats allows you to create and automate workflows that suit your specific needs. This gives you more control and makes 17Hats a better fit if you need more than just basic management tools.
If you’ve struggled to customize templates and forms with HoneyBook, 17Hats offers a more flexible solution. With 17Hats, you can easily adapt the system to fit your needs, allowing you to keep your branding consistent across all client interactions.
As your business grows, 17Hats can grow with you. HoneyBook is mainly designed for smaller teams and might not support your needs as you expand.
In contrast, 17Hats provides tools like client portals, and comprehensive agency management features that can meet the demands of a growing team.
One common complaint about HoneyBook is its customer support, which can be slow and unresponsive. On the other hand, 17Hats offers more reliable support, ensuring your issues are handled quickly.
Key Features of 17Hats
Here are some key features of 17hats:
Project Management
Creates a centralized space for all project-related information. It organizes documents, communications, events, notes, and tasks specific to each project, improving organization and making critical data easily accessible.
Client Relationship Management
Enhances interactions with clients through detailed contact cards that store essential information. It also tracks connections between contacts and utilizes tags for straightforward filtering, fostering professional and personalized relationships.
Document Automation
Simplifies the process of creating and sending important business documents. You can easily generate professional invoices, quotes, and contracts. It also lets you collect client information in a combined documentary, efficient 3-in-1 file (quote, contract, and invoice), saving you time and effort.
Financial Tools
You can manage your finances with ease, offering online payment processing and customizable payment schedules. You can set up recurring invoices and billing, and even give clients the option to leave tips. This ensures smooth transactions and helps maintain a steady income.
Branding Customization
The platform lets you personalize all client-facing documents and communications. You can customize subdomains, fonts, colors, text, and logos to ensure your brand identity is clear and consistent in every interaction.
Email Management
Optimizes our email communications with customizable templates and seamless integration for sending and receiving emails. Features like scheduled sends and draft-saving ensure your emails are timely and professional. Plus, email read receipts give you insights into how engaged your clients are.
Time Management
The mobile app lets you handle business on the go, while automated workflows for recurring tasks and a comprehensive calendar help keep everything organized and on schedule.
Online Scheduling
Makes appointment booking simple. Clients can easily check availability and book times, and advanced options can trigger specific workflows, create Zoom links, and even facilitate payments at the time of booking. This enhances the scheduling experience for both you and your clients.
Lead Management
Automates capturing and nurturing leads. Custom forms on your website and social media gather lead information, while an auto-responder ensures immediate follow-up. These tools help you make sure no potential client slips through the cracks.
Reporting
Provides insights into your business’s financial health with automated reports on sales tax, client sales, product sales, and profit/loss. These detailed reports help you make informed decisions based on accurate financial data.
Pros of 17Hats
- Highly customizable for price lists and client portals.
- Quick and efficient quoting process for approvals.
- Includes e-signatures and lead capture tools.
- Automates tasks like agreements and invoices.
- Integrates client info, contracts, and payments.
Cons of 17Hats
- Steep learning curve; challenging to master.
- Limited customer support with slower response times.
17Hats Pricing Plans
17hats offers three main packages designed to help businesses transition online, streamline operations, and automate processes.
| Package | Annual Billing | Monthly Billing | Key Features |
| Essentials | $13/month | $15/month | – Free CRM- 1 lead capture form- 1 online scheduling service- Basic tools for client management and scheduling |
| Standard | $25/month | $30/month | – Free CRM- 3 lead capture forms- Brand customization- Streamlined processes and professional client experience |
| Premier | $50/month | $60/month | – Free CRM- 20 lead capture forms- Advanced features- Comprehensive automation for scaling businesses |
What Users Say About 17hats?
Review on Capterra: 4.4 out of 5
Overall: I was looking for a platform that could serve several functions at a reasonable price point. I found it in 17 Hats, and I’m always learning something new.
Pros: It’s comprehensive. I was looking for an all-in-one solution for booking, invoicing, and workflow management.
Cons: The Booking function doesn’t have all the features you see in other booking platforms such as manual scheduling and schedule blocking. It’s a little clunky but I believe it’s still being developed.- Nancy C.
4. Bonsai
Compared to HoneyBook, Bonsai is designed with individual freelancers and small teams in mind, making it a great option if you’re in any industry and need to stay organized. Whereas, HoneyBook leans towards more specific small businesses like photographers and event planners.
While both Bonsai and HoneyBook offer strong invoicing and contract management tools, Bonsai stands out for its streamlined user interface and quick setup process.
Bonsai includes features for contracts, proposals, invoicing, and time tracking, making it easy to manage your work. Its automation capabilities, like automatically generating invoices based on tracked time, add a layer of convenience that many freelancers will appreciate.
However, if you’re running a larger business or need more advanced client communication tools, HoneyBook might be the better fit. HoneyBook offers a more comprehensive client management experience with features like client portals and enhanced scheduling options.
On the other hand, Bonsai’s simplicity and focus on the essentials make it the ideal choice for those who prioritize efficiency and straightforward functionality over extensive customization.
Key Features of Bonsai
Here are the features that position Bonsai as an excellent alternative to HoneyBook –
Client Management (CRM)
Bonsai’s CRM tool centralizes all client information, making it easy to track interactions and monitor project progress. With everything in one place, you can maintain strong communication and ensure no details slip through the cracks.
Contracts & Proposals
Bonsai simplifies contract and proposal creation with customizable templates. Send documents for e-signatures directly through the platform, ensuring quick, secure agreements. This feature saves time and guarantees professional, legally binding contracts.
Invoicing & Payments
Bonsai’s invoicing system lets you create detailed invoices, set up recurring billing, and accept online payments. The platform automatically tracks payments, sends reminders for overdue invoices, and applies late fees when needed, ensuring consistent cash flow.
Time Tracking
Bonsai’s time tracking tool logs hours accurately, converting them into invoices automatically. This ensures you’re paid for every minute worked and reduces the need for manual billing, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
Project Management
Bonsai offers basic project management tools to help you keep your work organized and on track. You can create tasks, set deadlines, and monitor your project’s progress, all within the platform.
Expense Tracking
With Bonsai’s expense tracking feature, you can log and categorize all your business expenses in one place. This tool is especially useful for freelancers and small business owners who need to keep a close eye on their budget and stay organized for tax purposes.
Automation
Automation is one of Bonsai’s key strengths. Whether it’s sending reminders for unpaid invoices, generating invoices from tracked hours, or following up on client contracts, Bonsai’s automation tools save you time by reducing the need for manual work.
Pros of Bonsai
- Easy to use for contracts and invoicing.
- Streamlines tasks, letting creatives focus more.
- Quick, helpful customer support for users.
- Integrates multiple business functions seamlessly.
- Automated reminders save time and effort.
Cons of Bonsai
- Initial payouts can take 7-10 business days.
- Basic accounting tools lack advanced features.
Bonsai Pricing Plan
Bonsai offers three primary pricing tiers to cater to businesses of varying sizes and a customized Scale option for large business with intricate requirements:
Starter Plan: $25/month (monthly billing) and 21/month (annual billing)
Designed for individuals and small teams, offering essential features such as task management, invoicing, time tracking, and client management.
Basic collaboration tools are included, like shared inboxes and comments, making it a practical choice for smaller operations looking to streamline their processes.
Professional Plan: $39/month (monthly billing) and 32/month (annual billing)
Ideal for growing businesses. It builds on the Starter Plan by adding project templates, custom workflows, automated invoicing, and contract management.
This plan also includes third-party integrations and unlimited file storage, providing more robust tools for businesses looking to scale their operations.
Business Plan: $79/month (monthly billing) and 66/month (annual billing)
Tailored for more extensive teams and includes advanced features like team management tools, custom roles and permissions, and enhanced reporting capabilities.
Additionally, it offers priority support and advanced customization options, along with features like time management templates and client onboarding, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses with more complex needs.
Add-ons
Bonsai also provides two add-on options to enhance the functionality of the primary plans:
- Team Seat ($10/month per seat): The Team Seat add-on allows businesses to add additional team members to their existing plan, facilitating collaboration and streamlining team-based projects.
- Branded Tax ($10/month): The Branded Tax add-on enables businesses to white-label the Bonsai platform, customizing it with their own branding elements such as logos, colors, and domain names.
What Users Say About Bonsai?
Review on G2: 4.4 out of 5
“What do you like best about Bonsai?
Their customer service team is responsive, helpful, patient, and kind. They always respond to queries within a day or two. It’s also easy to use.
What do you dislike about Bonsai?
It took a couple of weeks to get my Bonsai payments coming through. New account holders should expect an initial delay while the credit card company is verifying their bank information.
What problems is Bonsai solving and how is that benefiting you?
It tracks all financial information for my business in one place. Invoice management is simple and straightforward for all.”- Anonymous User.
5. Dubsado
Dubsado is a powerful alternative to HoneyBook, offering a wide range of tools that can help streamline your business operations and support your growth.
While HoneyBook focuses on basic client management, Dubsado goes beyond that. It targets essential areas like nurturing leads, converting prospects, and building strong, long-lasting client relationships.
This all-in-one platform gives you everything you need. You get a centralized client portal, customizable form templates, online invoicing with automated payment reminders, and a built-in scheduling system. These features ensure that your client interactions are smooth and professional.
If you’re starting to feel that HoneyBook’s capabilities are holding you back, Dubsado could be the more scalable solution you’re looking for.
DIn our experience, Dubsado truly excels at optimizing workflows. Its personalized automation, efficient proposal management, and full branding customization at every client touchpoint make it a standout choice.
Compared to other tools like Bonsai, which is excellent for contract management and invoicing, Dubsado offers even more robust features. These include public proposals, Zapier integration, and detailed workflow automation.
Note: Check out our comprehensive article for a detailed comparison between HoneyBook vs Dubsado.
Key Features of Dubsado
Here are the features of Dubsado that make it a strong successor to HoneyBook.
Forms & Templates
Dubsado provides customizable templates for contracts, forms, and proposals. You can easily create professional, brand-consistent documents with the drag-and-drop customization feature, making it simple to tailor forms to your specific needs.
Invoicing & Reporting
Billing is made easy with Dubsado’s user-friendly online invoicing system, which allows clients to make direct payments. Automated reminders help ensure timely payments, reducing the need for follow-ups. The detailed reporting features also help you keep track of your financial performance.
Automation
Dubsado’s automation tools take care of routine tasks like follow-ups and reminders, freeing up your time for more important work. Despite the automation, Dubsado ensures that your communications still feel personal.
Scheduling
The built-in scheduler integrates with your website, making appointment booking simple for your clients. This feature streamlines the booking process and cuts down on back-and-forth communication. Automated reminders and confirmations further enhance the client experience.
Workflows
Workflows in Dubsado automate the client management process from lead conversion to project completion. You can create automated actions to efficiently manage multiple clients, saving you time and ensuring no task is missed.
Client Acquisition
Dubsado automates the onboarding process for new leads, guiding them seamlessly from initial interest to payment. This approach prevents potential clients from slipping through the cracks and maximizes your conversion rates.
Proposals
You can create customized proposals in Dubsado that clients can review, sign, and pay for online. This all-in-one process simplifies sales and enhances the client experience by reducing the steps needed to complete transactions.
Client Portal
Dubsado provides a dedicated client portal where all project communications are centralized. Clients can access contracts, invoices, and emails in one place, keeping everything organized and enhancing their overall experience.
Integrations
Dubsado integrates with tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and Zapier, expanding its functionality. These integrations allow you to connect your existing tools with Dubsado, creating a seamless workflow across your business operations.
Pros of Dubsado
- Versatile customization options.
- Great support system for client relations and nurturing.
- Workflow automation system for streamlined operations.
Cons of Dubsado
- Limited financial tracking and management tools.
Dubsado Pricing Plan
Dubsado offers two primary pricing tiers to cater to businesses with varying needs — the Starter Plan and the Premier Plan. These plans provide a comprehensive set of tools for client management, automation, and business operations.
Starter Plan: $20/year (monthly billing) and $200 (annual billing)
Ideal for businesses that need essential tools to manage their clients efficiently. This plan offers unlimited projects and clients, ensuring that businesses can scale without restrictions. It also includes invoicing and payment plans, along with form and email templates to help maintain consistent communication with clients.
Premier Plan: $40/year (monthly billing) and $400 (annual billing)
This plan includes all the features of the Starter Plan, but with added benefits such as scheduling, automated workflows, and public proposals. Additionally, it supports multiple lead captures simultaneously and integrates seamlessly with Zapier, allowing for greater flexibility and automation in managing client interactions.
Note: Get a detailed breakdown of Dubsado’s pricing to help you decide which option best suits your business.
What Users Say About Dubsado?
Review on G2: 4.2 out of 5
What do you like best about Dubsado?
Dubsado has a very responsive, helpful, and informative customer service team. They respond quickly within business hours and always within a reasonable time frame without outside business hours. They work with you to solve your problem with communication, screenshots, or whatever is necessary
What do you dislike about Dubsado?
If you’re looking for Dubsado to work for an email campaign, it’s not really what it’s set up for. Its workflows do not work well for a drip campaign with triggers that we would normally see or ‘if-then” type modeling.
What problems is Dubsado solving and how is that benefiting you?
We’re using Dubsado for an event drip campaign. We wanted to be able to send out a series of emails based on previous activity or time frame. This allows us to send messages over time to our event attendees to prepare them for the event with tools that they can use ahead of the event that we will demonstrate in the event. We wanted it to solve our need for an email marketing tool without having to use the more expensive platforms. Michelle R.
6. Plutio
Plutio is an all-in-one business management platform designed to help freelancers, small businesses, and agencies streamline their operations.
With its user-friendly interface and extensive range of features, Plutio allows you to manage projects, tasks, invoices, and client communications all in one place.
Whether you’re juggling multiple projects or collaborating with a team, Plutio provides the tools you need to stay organized and efficient.
One of Plutio’s standout features is its customizable workspaces, which let you tailor the platform to fit your unique business needs. From creating branded proposals to tracking time and expenses, Plutio covers every aspect of your workflow.
The platform also supports third-party integrations, allowing you to connect with the tools you already use, such as Slack, QuickBooks, and Zapier.
Compared to HoneyBook, which focuses more on client management and ease of use, Plutio offers a broader range of functionalities catering to client-facing tasks and internal operations.
While HoneyBook may be ideal for businesses that prioritize simplicity, Plutio’s feature set makes it a great choice for those who need more control and customization in managing their business.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a growing team, Plutio provides a comprehensive solution to help you manage your business with confidence.
Key Features of Plutio
Here are the key features of Plutio –
Intuitive Project Management
Plutio’s project management tools help you stay organized from start to finish. Create custom workflows and set specific project stages to keep tasks on track. With a real-time view, you can quickly monitor progress and ensure deadlines are met.
Smart Automation
Plutio’s automation features streamline your workflow and save valuable time. Set up personalized workflows that automatically guide projects from start to completion with minimal manual effort. This helps maintain consistency and allows your team to focus on critical tasks.
Client Portals
Plutio’s automation features streamline your workflow and save valuable time. Set up personalized workflows that automatically guide projects from start to completion with minimal manual effort. This helps maintain consistency and allows your team to focus on critical tasks.
Customized Branding
Plutio enables you to customize client communications to reflect your brand. Add your logo, colors, and unique style to proposals and invoices for a consistent, professional appearance. This customization helps create a recognizable and trustworthy brand presence.
Time Tracking
Plutio’s time tracking ensures accurate billing by capturing every minute spent on a project. Track time on specific tasks with detailed timesheets, which can be directly linked to invoices. This transparency builds trust with clients and ensures fair compensation.
Online Payments
Plutio simplifies payment processing with integrated online payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal. Clients can conveniently settle invoices, speeding up the payment process. This feature also reduces the time you spend on payment follow-ups.
Scheduling
Plutio makes scheduling easy by integrating it with your project management tools. Book meetings, calls, and appointments directly through the platform, ensuring alignment with tasks. This keeps everything on schedule and enhances client collaboration.
Contracts
Plutio streamlines contract management with customizable templates and digital signing capabilities. Create, send, and store contracts within the platform to manage legal documents efficiently. This reduces paperwork hassles and ensures secure contract handling.
Pros of Plutio
- Comprehensive toolset for invoicing, time tracking, and customer support management.
- White-label customization enhances brand cohesiveness.
- Robust project management with Kanban boards similar to Trello.
- Responsive and fast customer support.
- Streamlines multiple business functions into one platform.
Cons of Plutio
- Users experience frequent bugs and issues with the software, which can disrupt workflow and require workarounds.
- Some users find the lack of certain features, such as an integrated stopwatch for time tracking and easy project board customization, a drawback.
Plutio Pricing Plans
Here are the three pricing plans for Plutio:
The Solo Plan: $19/month (Monthly billing)
Designed for individuals or small teams managing up to 3 clients. While it doesn’t include any contributors, users have the option to add the white-label feature as an additional purchase, allowing for branding customization.
Studio Plan: $39/month (Monthly billing)
Caters to growing businesses with unlimited client support. It includes 10 contributors, with the flexibility to add up to 50 more at $5 per month for each additional contributor. For those looking for more advanced features, white-label and Single Sign-On can be added as needed.
Agency Plan: $99/month (Monthly billing)
Tailored for larger organizations with more extensive needs. This plan supports unlimited clients and includes 30 contributors, with the option to add up to 100 additional contributors at the same rate. Unlike the other plans, white-label and Single Sign-On features are included by default.
What Users Say About Plutio?
Review on G2: 4.4 out of 5
What do you like best about Plutio?
All the features needed for a growing agency: proposals, invoicing, tasks, project management, CRM, and more. It is also provided at a low price point that is very manageable for small businesses looking for a CRM and project management system.
What do you dislike about Plutio?
Plutio deleted my terms from signed proposals and then stopped responding to my request for support. Again, great concept, but they try too hard to keep innovating what works great and in return, things get broken. Because of this, I don’t have full trust in their team or system. Things seem to have gotten better recently, though. – Steve R.
What Features Should You Look for HoneyBook Alternatives?
When looking for HoneyBook alternatives, it’s essential to consider features that align with your specific business needs and streamline your workflows:
User-Friendly Interface
A user-friendly interface is crucial when choosing a HoneyBook alternative. It should be intuitive, allowing your team to start quickly without a steep learning curve. This keeps your workflow efficient and reduces time spent on training.
Customization and Branding
Customization is key to maintaining a consistent brand identity. Look for alternatives that let you tailor templates, emails, and client portals to match your brand. This enhances professionalism and creates a cohesive client experience.
Robust Client Management and Collaboration
Strong client management and collaboration tools are essential. Choose a platform that facilitates seamless onboarding and communication, keeping projects on track. This ensures your team can work efficiently with clients.
Project and Task Management
Effective project and task management tools are a must. The alternative should allow for task assignments, timeline setting, and progress tracking. These features help keep your projects organized and on schedule.
Invoicing and Billing
Automated invoicing and billing tools save time and reduce administrative work. The best alternatives offer seamless invoicing and easy payment processing, ensuring timely payments and improved cash flow.
Time Tracking and Reporting
Accurate time tracking and robust reporting are essential. Choose a platform that logs hours effortlessly and provides insights into productivity. This helps with accurate billing and informed business decisions.
Integration with Other Tools
Integration with other tools is vital for a smooth workflow. The alternative should connect with your CRM, payment gateways, and calendar apps. This ensures all business processes are linked and efficient.
Scalability and Flexibility
Scalability and flexibility are important as your business grows. Look for an alternative that offers scalable features and adaptable pricing plans. This ensures continued support as your business expands.
Responsive Customer Support
Reliable customer support is essential for quick issue resolution. Choose a platform that offers accessible support through live chat, email, or phone. This ensures minimal disruptions to your business operations.
So, Which One is the Best HoneyBook Alternative?
Agency Handy is the best HoneyBook alternative for digital agencies and service providers needing a platform tailored to their specific needs.
It combines a user-friendly design with advanced features, making client management, project tracking, and team collaboration both simple and efficient.
A standout feature is its robust client management system, which keeps everything organized and on track, even for complex projects. The intuitive interface ensures a quick learning curve, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional service.
Agency Handy also excels in project tracking and team collaboration, vital for agencies handling multiple projects at once. Its cohesive workflow integration makes it a powerful hub for any service-oriented business.
While other alternatives like FreshBooks, 17hats, and Plutio have their strengths, Agency Handy uniquely combines these essential features into one platform, making it a top choice for digital agencies.
Wrapping Up
When you’re choosing the best HoneyBook alternative, it’s important to find one that truly fits your business needs. The right tool should make your processes easier, improve your client interactions, and help your business grow.
Take the time to look at the features and see how they match up with the way you work and your future goals.
Don’t hesitate to use free trials to get a feel for the platform before you commit. The best choice is one that works well for you now and can adapt as your business expands.
Focus on finding a platform that’s flexible, easy to use, and backed by strong support. This will help you manage your clients effectively, streamline your operations, and deliver outstanding services.
FAQs
Q. What makes Agency Handy stand out among HoneyBook alternatives?
Agency Handy stands out due to its specialized focus on digital agencies. It offers a user-friendly interface, comprehensive features tailored specifically for agency operations, and customization options that fit the unique needs of digital service providers. It’s designed to streamline both client and project management, making it a solid choice if you’re in the digital services space.
Q. Can FreshBooks handle more than just accounting tasks for freelancers?
Yes, FreshBooks goes well beyond accounting. It offers features like invoicing, time tracking, expense management, and even project management. This makes it a versatile tool for freelancers and small businesses looking to streamline both their financial and project workflows.
Q. Is 17hats suitable for businesses looking for advanced project management features?
17hats focuses on simplicity and efficiency, providing essential tools like project organization, invoicing, and client communication in a user-friendly platform. It’s ideal for solopreneurs and small teams who want streamlined workflows without the complexity of advanced project management features.
Q. How do the pricing and scalability of these alternatives compare to HoneyBook?
These alternatives offer a variety of pricing and scalability options to fit different business sizes and budgets. For instance, Agency Handy provides a flexible pricing model tailored to digital agencies, while FreshBooks offers tiered pricing that’s well-suited for freelancers and small businesses. Each platform is designed to scale with your business.
