The best HoneyBook alternatives in 2026
HoneyBook is a solid tool — but at $32/mo for full features, with no expense tracking, and US-only availability, it's not right for everyone. Here's an honest look at the alternatives.
TL;DR
You're a wedding/event photographer in…
→ HoneyBook
You want deep customization and…
→ Dubsado
You want everything — invoicing,…
→ kinako.
You mainly need polished proposals…
→ Bonsai
About HoneyBook
HoneyBook is one of the most established client management platforms for creative professionals, particularly wedding photographers, event planners, and designers. It covers proposals, contracts, invoicing, and scheduling in a polished package. Where it falls short: the $32/mo price for full access, no expense tracking, US and Canada only, and a feature set that can feel like more than a solo freelancer needs.
Where HoneyBook shines
- Wedding and event photographers who want a recognized name clients trust
- Automation-heavy workflows (auto-send contract after inquiry form, etc.)
- Built-in scheduling that replaces Calendly
- Large template library from the community
- Mobile app for on-the-go management
Why people look for alternatives
- Full features cost $32/mo — essentials plan is limiting
- No expense tracking, so you still need QuickBooks or a spreadsheet
- Only available in the US and Canada
- Can be more than a solo freelancer actually needs
- No free plan — trial only
Feature comparison
HoneyBook vs. the top alternatives — side by side.
| Feature | kinako.us | honeybook | Dubsado | Bonsai | Moxie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free / $19/mo | $16/mo | $20/mo | $21/mo | $16/mo |
| Free plan | |||||
| Online payments (Stripe) | Paid tiers | ||||
| Contracts + e-signatures | Some tiers | ||||
| Client portal | Basic | ||||
| Expense tracking | Limited | ||||
| Recurring invoices | |||||
| Revenue dashboard | |||||
| Available internationally |
The best HoneyBook alternatives
Detailed breakdown of each option.
kinako.
This is usOne tool to run your entire freelance business
Free · Pro from $19/mo
Free plan available
Best for: Solo freelancers who want everything in one place — invoicing, contracts, proposals, client portal, expenses, and project tracking — without paying for five tools
Pros
- All-in-one workflow at $19/mo — replaces a $60–90/mo stack
- Online Stripe payments out of the box
- Contracts with e-signatures included at all paid tiers
- Expense tracking + revenue dashboard
- Free plan available (3 clients/projects/invoices)
- Clean, modern UI — no setup overwhelm
- Recurring invoices + automated payment reminders
Cons
- Newer product — smaller community and fewer tutorials than HoneyBook or Dubsado
- No native scheduling or Calendly-style booking tool (use scheduling link in profile)
- No team/multi-user accounts yet
Dubsado
Client management for creative entrepreneurs
From $20/mo
Best for: Photographers, videographers, and designers who want deep customization, complex automation workflows, and full control over every client touchpoint
Pros
- Highly customizable forms, proposals, and workflows
- Unlimited clients and projects on all plans
- Strong automation builder for complex multi-step client journeys
- Good value at $20/mo given feature depth
- Active user community with shared templates
Cons
- Complex setup — user reviews commonly cite 40–60 hours to fully configure
- UI feels dated in places, per user reviews
- No expense tracking on its published plans
- Significant learning curve before users describe seeing full value
- No free plan — 21-day trial
- Mobile app described as more limited than competitors in user reviews
Bonsai
All-in-one freelance management platform
From $21/mo
Best for: Freelancers focused primarily on proposals, contracts, and time tracking — especially those in tech, design, and consulting who want a clean, modern UI
Pros
- Excellent proposal and contract templates
- Time tracking built in
- Clean, modern UI
- Good task/project management features
- Available internationally
Cons
- Online payments (Stripe integration) requires higher-tier plan
- No free plan
- Starter plan is notably limited for the price
- Client portal is more basic than competitors
- Expense tracking limited on lower tiers
- More expensive than alternatives for equivalent features
Moxie
Business hub for freelancers
From $16/mo
Best for: Freelancers who want strong project management alongside client communication, with a simpler setup than Dubsado
Pros
- Good project and task management
- Clean interface, easier to get started than Dubsado
- Scheduling tool included
- Forms and client communication built in
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Newer product — fewer community resources and tutorials
- E-signatures not included in all tiers
- Expense tracking is limited
- Fewer proposal customization options than HoneyBook or Dubsado
- No free plan
- Less established reputation
Wave
Free invoicing and accounting for freelancers
Free (payments are paid)
Free plan available
Best for: Freelancers who need basic invoicing and accounting for free, and don't need proposals, contracts, or a client portal
Pros
- Genuinely free for invoicing and accounting
- Double-entry accounting for tax purposes
- Decent invoice customization
- Receipt scanning
- No monthly fee
Cons
- No proposals, contracts, or e-signatures
- No client portal or project management
- No CRM features
- Payment processing fees are high (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction)
- Limited customer support on free plan
- Wave Pro ($16/mo) adds features but still no CRM/contracts
- Can feel incomplete for running a real freelance business
Which one should you pick?
The honest answer: it depends on how you work.
The community, templates, and automation are genuinely valuable at scale.
The most configurable option once you invest the setup time.
At $19/mo with Stripe payments, expense tracking, and a client portal, kinako delivers HoneyBook-tier features for the price of HoneyBook's starter.
Strong proposal UX, though more expensive than kinako for the same feature set.
HoneyBook is US/Canada only — both these options are available internationally.
Try the HoneyBook alternative with a real free plan
kinako gives you everything HoneyBook does — proposals, contracts, invoicing, client portal — plus expense tracking and a revenue dashboard, for $19/mo. Free plan included.
Free plan · No credit card required