HoneyBook Vs. Dubsado: A Freelancer’s Take

I’ve been working in the agency world on big projects for 15 years, and I’m pretty familiar with all the software tools available for agencies, but recently I’ve been doing more freelance work and I needed something simple that could meet my needs for sales, proposals, invoicing, and getting paid.

Two of the more popular platforms out there are Dubsado and HoneyBook. Both promise to simplify client management and streamline workflow, which is actually more than I expected from either of them. I just needed to create proposals. But the added workflow management was intriguing.

Let me share my experience and insights to help you make the best choice for your business.

What I Need as a Freelancer

Before diving into the features of Dubsado and HoneyBook, let me first outline what I, as a freelancer, really need:

1. File Storage and Video Meetings: (I use Google for this)

2. Time Tracking: I want to track my hours and easily communicate this to my clients.

3. Organized Communication: All my emails, invoices, and contracts should be in one place, so I’m not hunting through my inbox.

4. Invoicing and Payments: I need to get paid, and I want that process to be as smooth as possible.

5. An Easy CRM: A place to keep track of customers and potential customers as I lead them through the sales process.

Those are the basics anyway…

Dubsado: The Customization King

When I first started exploring Dubsado, I was blown away by how much I could customize everything.

Dubsado Workflows
I wasn’t really looking for a project management tool but Dubsado does have some cool features in this realm and allows you to automate pretty much anything. I played around with creating custom workflows to automatically send follow-up emails and create task lists.

Client Portal
This is a cool feature that both HoneyBook and Dubsado share. And Dubsado allows you to customize everything to your brand. This definitely adds a layer of professionalism.

Forms and Contracts
I could create detailed, branded forms and contracts that aligned perfectly with my freelance business. It felt like an extension of my brand.

Scheduler
Dubsado’s scheduler seems cool but I already use Calendly.

Time Tracking and Reporting:
This is super helpful to have and adds legitimacy to your hours tracking.

However, all this customization comes with a learning curve. It took me some time to get everything set up just the way I wanted.

HoneyBook: Easy Peasey

HoneyBook, on the other hand, prides itself on being super user-friendly.

Project Management
HoneyBook’s interface is clean and straightforward. I could easily see where each project stood and what needed to be done next. It’s perfect for freelancers who want to keep things simple.

Invoicing and Payments
Sending invoices and receiving payments was a breeze. HoneyBook integrates with several payment gateways, making it easy for clients to pay me directly through the platform.

Templates
HoneyBook comes with a bunch of ready-to-use templates for contracts, proposals, and emails. I didn’t need to spend time creating these from scratch, which was a huge time-saver.

Client Communication
All communication with clients was centralized in HoneyBook, so I never lost track of an email or message. The built-in automation also helped keep everything running smoothly.

Integrations
HoneyBook integrates with tools I already use, like QuickBooks and Google Calendar, which made my life a lot easier.

While HoneyBook is less customizable than Dubsado, I found it incredibly intuitive and quick to set up. If you’re someone who values simplicity and speed, HoneyBook is a solid choice.

Pricing from a Freelancer’s View
As a freelancer, budget is always a consideration. Here’s how the pricing stacks up:

Dubsado:

Monthly Plan: $35 per month
Annual Plan: $350 per year (which works out to $29 per month)
Free Trial: Dubsado offers a free trial that’s not time-limited but is limited to three clients. This was great for getting a feel for the platform without any pressure.

HoneyBook:

Monthly Plan: $39 per month
Annual Plan: $390 per year (which works out to $32.50 per month)
Free Trial: HoneyBook gives you a 7-day free trial. It’s shorter, but enough to see if the platform fits your needs.

So . . . which Is Best?

Go with Dubsado if: You need a highly customizable platform and are willing to invest some time in setting it up. The ability to tailor workflows, client portals, and forms to your exact needs is invaluable if your freelance business has specific requirements.

Go with HoneyBook if: You prefer a simpler, more intuitive tool that you can start using right away. If you don’t need deep customization and want something that just works, HoneyBook is perfect for you.

And get 25% Honeybook off with my referral link! (Sorry don’t have one for Dubsado)