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Quick picks
HoneyBook
Polished, fast to set up, handles the full client workflow out of the box
Try free for 7 days →Dubsado
More flexible than HoneyBook — best if you have a specific workflow to automate
Start free (3 clients) →Bonsai
Freelancer-first tool with contracts, invoicing, and basic CRM in one place
View Bonsai plans →Side-by-side comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free trial | Best for | Ease of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HoneyBook | $19/mo | ✓ 7 days | Getting started fast | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dubsado | $20/mo | ✓ 3 clients free | Custom workflows | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bonsai | $21/mo | ✓ 7 days | New freelancers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 17hats | $15/mo | Limited | Budget-conscious | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Folk | $20/mo | ✓ 14 days | Relationship-based work | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
In-depth reviews
HoneyBook
All-in-one client management — proposals, contracts, invoices, and scheduling
Scores
HoneyBook is where I'd send most freelancers starting out. It handles the full client workflow — from first inquiry to final payment — in a single polished interface. The Clientflow feature (proposal + contract + invoice in one document) is genuinely impressive and makes the whole onboarding process feel professional without a design background.
What works
- Up and running in under an hour
- Best mobile app in this category
- Beautiful proposal + contract templates
- Automated payment reminders
- Strong client portal experience
What doesn't
- Less flexible than Dubsado
- Reporting is fairly basic
- Some features need higher plan
- Can feel rigid if you have custom workflows
Dubsado
Highly customisable client workflow system for experienced freelancers
Scores
Dubsado rewards the time investment. If you have a specific client process you want to automate precisely — multi-step onboarding, conditional workflows, custom form logic — Dubsado will get you there in ways HoneyBook can't. The free plan (up to 3 clients) is genuinely useful for testing your setup before committing.
What works
- Free plan for up to 3 clients
- Most flexible workflow automation
- Powerful form and email builder
- Detailed reporting
What doesn't
- Steep learning curve
- Weaker mobile app
- Less polished client experience
- Setup takes days not hours
Bonsai
Freelancer-first tool with contracts, invoicing, and simple CRM combined
Bonsai was built from the ground up for freelancers, and it shows. The contract templates are genuinely useful — covering scope creep, kill fees, and revision limits out of the box. It's not as powerful as HoneyBook or Dubsado for full CRM workflows, but for someone just getting started, it's an excellent entry point.
What works
- Excellent contract templates
- Clean, simple interface
- Time tracking included
- Good for new freelancers
What doesn't
- Limited automation
- Basic CRM features
- Less powerful than HoneyBook
HoneyBook vs Dubsado — full deep dive
An in-depth comparison of the two top picks, including real pricing scenarios.