Competitor CRM
Competitor CRM
A polished client platform with built-in payments against a deeply customizable workflow engine.
| Feature | HoneyBook | Dubsado | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposals and contracts | Clean templates, smart fields, legally sound e-signatures | Equally capable, with more layout control if you want it | |
| Invoicing and payments | Native payment processing built in, no third party needed | Connects to Stripe, Square, or PayPal; you manage that relationship | |
| Payment processing fees | From 2.7% + 10 cents on cards, 1.5% on ACH bank transfers | Whatever your processor charges, commonly 2.9% + 30 cents on cards | |
| Workflow automation depth | Automations with conditional logic; approachable but bounded | Deeper conditional workflows, more triggers, more branching | |
| Forms and questionnaires | Good-looking forms, less structural flexibility | Highly customizable forms with granular field logic | |
| Scheduler | Built in, with service-based booking off lead forms and SMS reminders | Built in on Premier; solid but plainer | |
| Client portal | Modern, interactive, and easy for non-technical clients | Customizable but dated in feel | |
| Lead capture forms | Capped by plan: 2 on Starter, 10 on Essentials, unlimited on Premium | 1 on Starter, unlimited on Premier at $525/year | |
| Time tracking | Not included | Built-in time tracking that feeds invoices | |
| Bookkeeping integration | QuickBooks Online from Essentials up | QuickBooks Online on Premier | |
| Mobile apps | Well built and genuinely usable for running your day | Available, but noticeably lighter | |
| AI features | AI drafting, meeting recaps, and smart suggestions built in | No comparable AI tooling | |
| Multiple brands | Multiple companies on Premium at $109/month | Additional brands at $10/month each on any plan | |
| Team seats | 2 team members on Essentials, unlimited on Premium | Extra users from $25/month for seats 4 to 10 | |
| Setup effort | Templates get you running in a day | Expect a weekend, or a paid specialist, to configure properly | |
| Value at the low end | $29/month on Starter, billed yearly | $335/year works out near $28/month with more automation included |
✅ = Available natively | ⚠️ = Available with add-on or limitations | ❌ = Not available | Winner column: green highlight = stronger for that feature
| Plan | HoneyBook | Dubsado |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Starter, $29/mo billed yearly ($348/yr) | Starter, $335/yr (about $28/mo) |
| Mid | Essentials, $49/mo billed yearly ($588/yr) | Premier, $525/yr (about $44/mo) |
| Top | Premium, $109/mo billed yearly ($1,308/yr) | No higher tier; add users and brands as needed |
| Extra users | Included: 2 on Essentials, unlimited on Premium | $25/mo for users 4-10, $45/mo for 11-20, $60/mo for 21-30 |
| Trial | Free trial available | 21-day free trial of Premier, no credit card |
Prices as of 2026. Verify on vendor websites — pricing changes frequently.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Strengths
Weaknesses
Which should you choose? Be honest about how much setup time you have. HoneyBook is for the US solo creative or small studio who wants to send a proposal this afternoon. Payments are built in at 2.7% plus 10 cents on cards and 1.5% on ACH, the client portal looks polished, templates cover most photography, planning, and design workflows, and the mobile app is good enough to run your day from. You trade some automation ceiling for that speed. Dubsado is for people who want to engineer their process. The workflow builder handles more triggers and deeper conditional branching, forms and questionnaires are far more customizable, and time tracking is built in for hourly work. It is also cheaper for a two or three person studio, since three users are included and extra brands cost $10 a month. The cost is your weekend, or a paid Dubsado specialist. One practical tip: Dubsado's 21-day free trial of Premier needs no credit card. Use it. If the workflow builder makes sense to you within a few evenings, take Dubsado. If it feels like homework, take HoneyBook and get back to client work.
HoneyBook wins on speed to launch, built-in payments with lower fees, client-facing polish, mobile apps, and AI assistance. Dubsado wins on automation depth, form customization, time tracking, and cost for small teams. Solo creatives who value shipping fast should take HoneyBook. Detail-oriented service businesses with complex intake and a tolerance for setup should take Dubsado. Both are good products; the difference is how much configuration you enjoy.
If neither HoneyBook nor Dubsado fully fits
If your business is less about proposals and more about chasing new business, HelloGrowthCRM is $12/user/month monthly or $10 annual, with a free forever plan. You get pipeline and lead management, a built-in dialer with call recording, AI lead scoring, email sequences, SMS and WhatsApp messaging, a landing page builder, invoicing, and mobile apps. It is a sales CRM with invoicing attached, not a full client-experience suite with contracts and client portals. If proposals and signed agreements are the heart of your workflow, HoneyBook or Dubsado will serve you better.
Skip the comparison and try HelloGrowthCRM free — built for India sales teams with WhatsApp, dialer, and AI included at ₹899/user/month.
Compare other CRMs side by side to find the best fit for your sales team.