HoneyBook

Streamline client management, invoicing, contracts, and payments for freelancers and small businesses.

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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Reviews

HoneyBook Overview

  • Updated August 14, 2025

HoneyBook is a comprehensive business management platform designed for freelancers and small businesses. It simplifies client interactions by offering tools for invoicing, contracts, scheduling, and payment processing. With customizable templates and automation features, HoneyBook streamlines workflows, saving time and enhancing professionalism.

Its user-friendly interface helps users manage projects, track leads, and maintain organized communication, which makes it an all-in-one solution for efficient business operations and client relationship management.

Key Features

  • Client Management: Centralized client information, including contact details, communications, and project history, ensures easy access and organized relationship management.
  • Invoicing and Payments: Customizable, professional invoices with online payment options (credit card or ACH) and automated payment reminders streamline billing.
  • Contracts and Proposals: Branded, customizable templates for contracts and proposals, with e-signature capabilities, simplify client agreements.
  • Automation Tools: Automated repetitive tasks like follow-ups, payment reminders, and workflow triggers save time and reduce manual work.
  • Project and Task Management: Customized project workflows, task tracking, and milestone management ensure timely project delivery.
  • Scheduling: Integration with calendars (e.g., Google Calendar) for client-booked time slots, with automated reminders and video conferencing sync, enhances efficiency.
  • Client Portal: Branded, centralized hub for clients to review documents, sign contracts, make payments, and communicate improves engagement.
  • HoneyBook AI: AI-powered features like predictive lead alerts, meeting note generation, and lead enrichment boost efficiency.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Basic (Starter) to advanced (Premium) reporting tracks income, expenses, and project performance for informed decisions.
  • Integrations: Connection with tools like QuickBooks, Calendly, Zapier, Gmail, and Google Calendar ensures seamless business operations.
  • Mobile App: On-the-go management of clients, projects, and notifications, with some features limited compared to the desktop version, offers flexibility.
  • Customizable Templates: Branded proposals, invoices, and questionnaires maintain a professional, consistent client experience.
  • Expense Tracking: Simplified financial oversight with tracked business expenses provides a clear overview of income and costs.
  • Team Collaboration (Essentials and Premium Plans): Multiple users with role-based access, team reports, and collaborative tools for proposals and tasks support teamwork.

Price

  • Starter Plan: $29/month (annual) or $36/month (monthly). Unlimited clients/projects, invoicing, contracts, templates, client portal, basic reporting. Best for freelancers.
  • Essentials Plan: $49/month (annual) or $59/month (monthly). All Starter features, plus automation, scheduling, QuickBooks integration, expense tracking, up to 2 users, no branding. Best for small teams.
  • Premium Plan: $109/month (annual) or $129/month (monthly). All Essentials features, plus unlimited users, priority support, multiple company management, advanced reporting, onboarding specialist. Best for mid-sized and large teams.

Pricing details: https://www.honeybook.com/pricing

Pros

Competitor

Pros of HoneyBook
FreshBooks HoneyBook offers a robust all-in-one platform that combines client management, invoicing, contracts, scheduling, and automation, ideal for freelancers and small businesses needing a streamlined workflow.

Its client portal ensures a professional, branded experience, and AI-powered tools (e.g., lead alerts, email composition) enhance efficiency. With seamless integrations like QuickBooks and Calendly, plus a user-friendly interface, HoneyBook excels for creative professionals like photographers, surpassing FreshBooks’ accounting-focused functionality.
Bonsai HoneyBook’s intuitive client portal and extensive automation streamline client communications, contracts, and payments. Its reporting tools offer deeper insights into financials and client activity compared to Bonsai’s simpler feature set.

Support for multiple users in higher-tier plans (Essentials and Premium) ensures scalability for growing teams, and customizable branding elevates the client experience, making HoneyBook a stronger choice for freelancers seeking a comprehensive solution.
Thryv HoneyBook provides a polished, client-facing experience with branded proposals, contracts, and invoices, which Thryv’s broader focus may not prioritize. Its automation tools, like conditional logic and workflow templates, save time, and the mobile app enables on-the-go management.

With dedicated support and community-driven updates, HoneyBook is tailored for creative professionals needing robust client relationship management, giving it an edge over Thryv’s generalized tools.
17Hats HoneyBook’s sleek interface and advanced automation, such as payment reminders and workflow triggers, outshine 17Hats, saving time for entrepreneurs. Its client portal is highly praised for ease of use, enabling seamless contract signing and payments.

AI features like branding auto-import and predictive lead alerts add a modern edge, and scalability for teams makes HoneyBook a better fit for growing businesses compared to 17Hats’ simpler approach.

Cons

Competitor

Cons of HoneyBook
FreshBooks HoneyBook’s pricing ($29-$109/month annually) is steeper than FreshBooks’ $20/month starting point, which focuses on cost-effective invoicing and accounting. Transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30 for credit cards, 1% for ACH) can accumulate for high-value transactions, and limited integrations (e.g., only QuickBooks for accounting) may frustrate users needing broader compatibility. Some find FreshBooks’ simpler interface more accessible for non-tech-savvy users compared to HoneyBook’s feature-heavy platform.
Bonsai HoneyBook’s advanced features, like automation and scheduling, require higher-tier plans (Essentials or Premium), which makes it less affordable for solo freelancers compared to Bonsai’s budget-friendly pricing. The mobile app lacks some desktop functionality, hindering on-the-go usability.

Additionally, HoneyBook’s interface, while intuitive, can feel overwhelming for users accustomed to Bonsai’s minimalistic design, potentially complicating workflows for simpler freelance needs.
Thryv HoneyBook’s higher pricing can deter small businesses on tight budgets, as Thryv offers more affordable plans for broader management needs. Its email automation can be unreliable, with issues like emails landing in spam or limited batch email functionality, which Thryv may handle better for marketing-focused businesses. HoneyBook’s niche focus on creative industries may also limit its appeal for businesses outside those sectors.
17Hats HoneyBook’s cost is higher than 17Hats, particularly for startups, as features like scheduling and QuickBooks integration require upgrading to Essentials or higher. Some users find its interface less intuitive for non-tech-savvy individuals, and the mobile app’s limited functionality can hinder efficiency compared to 17Hats’ more accessible mobile experience. Occasional email deliverability issues also impact HoneyBook’s automation reliability.

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