Bonsai vs HoneyBook: Which Client Management Tool Should Freelancers Choose?

Sep 22

For freelancers, creative professionals, and service-based businesses, managing clients, projects, and finances can be overwhelming without the right tools. Two platforms that stand out in this space are Bonsai and HoneyBook. Both are designed to simplify business management, but they cater to slightly different needs. In this article, we’ll compare Bonsai and HoneyBook in terms of project management, invoicing, extra features, pricing, and who they’re best for.

Want the bigger picture? Compare all leading tools side-by-side and check current pricing & fees before you decide.

Client & Project Management

Bonsai: Bonsai focuses heavily on freelancers. It provides tools for creating proposals, sending contracts, and tracking project tasks. It also includes workflow automation so you can set up repeatable steps for client onboarding, invoicing, and follow-ups.
HoneyBook: HoneyBook is built for creative entrepreneurs and small teams. It offers a client portal where communication, scheduling, contracts, and payments are all housed in one place. It also provides pipeline management, helping you track leads from inquiry to project completion.

Winner: HoneyBook

For teams and client-heavy businesses, HoneyBook offers a more robust client management experience. Bonsai, however, is simpler and more tailored to solo freelancers.

Invoicing & Payments

Bonsai: Provides customizable invoices with features like recurring billing, automatic reminders, and late fees. It also supports international payments, making it ideal for freelancers who work with clients worldwide.
HoneyBook: Offers professional invoice templates and integrated payment options. Payments can be made via credit card, ACH transfer, or PayPal. HoneyBook also syncs with QuickBooks for bookkeeping, which is useful if you already use it.

Winner: Bonsai

While both tools provide solid invoicing, Bonsai’s automation and international payment support give it the edge for freelancers with global clients.

Extra Features

Bonsai:
- Legal contract templates with e-signatures
- Time tracking tools
- Expense and tax tracking
- CRM features to manage clients
HoneyBook:
- Customizable client portals
- Workflow automation for proposals, contracts, and invoices
- Lead management tools
- Team collaboration features

Winner: Depends.

Bonsai is better for solo professionals who want time tracking and tax tools. HoneyBook is better for creative agencies or businesses that need strong client portals and lead management.

Pricing

Bonsai:

Starter: $25/month
Professional: $39/month
Business: $79/month

HoneyBook:

Unlimited Plan: $16/month (billed annually)
Monthly Plan: $19/month (billed monthly)

Winner: HoneyBook

HoneyBook is more affordable for solo users and teams, but Bonsai justifies its higher cost with more freelancer-specific tools.

Which is Best?

Bonsai For:

Freelancers and consultants who need contracts, invoicing, and tax tools in one place
Independent professionals who bill international clients
Solo entrepreneurs who want automation without the complexity of managing a team

HoneyBook For:

Creative professionals such as photographers, event planners, and coaches
Small agencies or teams managing multiple clients at once
Businesses that want a polished client-facing portal

Both Bonsai and HoneyBook are strong platforms, but the right choice depends on your business model:

Choose Bonsai if you’re a solo freelancer who needs all-in-one tools for contracts, invoicing, and tax management.
Choose HoneyBook if you’re running a client-facing business or team that values streamlined client communication and lead management.

In short: Bonsai is perfect for independent professionals. HoneyBook is ideal for small teams and creative agencies.

Financial software isn't one-size-fits-all. Match your top priorities, like ease of use, tax readiness, automation, or team collaboration, with the tool that delivers best-in-class performance in that area. Need help comparing pricing? Check out our 2025 Financial Software Fee Comparison.

ScaleUp Tip

As your business grows, revisit your bookkeeping solution every 6–12 months. What works for a freelancer today may not suit a scaling team tomorrow. Upgrading to a more robust tool like Zoho Books or outsourcing to Bench can free up time for revenue-generating activities.

The Editors