17hats has comprehensive features, but it’s not the perfect fit for every business. Whether you want a modern interface or more customization, there are plenty of strong options.
Here, we’ll explore the top 17hats alternatives, compare their features, and highlight pros and cons to help you find the right CRM for your business.
Key takeaways
- 17hats can feel outdated and limiting for growing businesses.
- Many alternatives offer better automation and collaboration features at more competitive prices.
- HoneyBook stands out for ease of use and strong client experience.Â
17hats alternatives: Feature comparison at a glance
17hats is easy to set up and offers a wide range of features. Despite clear strengths like its 3-in-1 billing template, the platform has some downsides:
- Clunky interface and mobile app
- Limited customization and automationÂ
- Lack of team-friendly project management features
- Higher starting price at $60/month
As a result, businesses may turn to 17hats alternatives—like HoneyBook and other business platforms—that better match their needs. Here’s how top alternatives compare with 17hats:
| Features | HoneyBook | 17hats | Plutio | Dubsado | OneSuite | FreshBooks | Monday.com |
| Best for | Modern all-in-one client management | Lightweight CRM with essential tools for solo businesses | Feature-rich for solopreneurs | Deep customization | Strong small-team collaboration | Advanced invoicing and accounting | Flexible team collaboration |
| Ease of setup | Intuitive and free transfer services | Simple | Steeper learning curve | Complex | User-friendly | Easy | Intuitive |
| Automation | Easy multi-step workflow automation | Basic automation | Highly customizable | Deep customization | Limited automation | Limited automation | Advanced automation |
| Forms, proposals, and contracts | Large, varied template library with customization | Limited templates | Small library | Moderate library but more customization | Some customizable templates | Branded proposals and estimates | Limited templates |
| Invoicing and payments | Invoice generator, reminders, integrated payments | 3-in-1 invoicing, Stripe integration, recurring billing | Branded templates, recurring billing, multi-currency support | Auto-send invoices, diverse payment integrations | Auto-fill invoices, Stripe and PayPal payment, tracking | Advanced invoicing and payments | Quotes and invoicing via integrations |
| Client communication | Built-in email, SMS, and communications | Email-based communication and paid SMS | Comments, messaging, and channels | Messages tab | Discussion boards and portal features | Basic collaboration tools | Collaboration via boards |
| Client portal | Visually appealing branded portals, multi-role, and collaborative | Basic project details | Customizable and collaborative | Basic, includes branding and password protection | Secure and branded portal, collaborative | Basic portal with comments and files | Shared boards only |
| Project management | Workspaces, Smart Files, calendar, time tracking, booking | Basic views, to-dos, calendars | Advanced task tracking, internal chat, scheduling, time tracking | Simple boards, scheduler, time tracking | Tasks, views, files, templates, timelines | Basic features like time tracking and project files | Advanced internal team tooling |
| Reporting | Basic, high-level reports | Solid financial reporting | Moderate reporting and custom dashboards | Basic reports, especially for lead tracking | Basic dashboards | Strong financial reporting | Advanced, real-time reports |
| Pricing | Starts at $29/month | Starts at $60/month | Starts at $19/month (1 user, 9 clients) | Starts at $35/month | Starts at $29/month (5 users) | Starts at $23/month (5 clients) | Free plan for up to 3 boards; Paid plan starts at $9/month per user |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
HoneyBook: Modern all-in-one CRM
For creative businesses, HoneyBook is an all-in-one 17hats alternative that’s visually appealing, customizable, and scalable. It’s a simple CRM platform that streamlines workflows and handles all client management needs.
Who is it best for?
Creative businesses that rely on visually appealing proposals and branded portals
Key features
- Client portals with branding and collaboration tools.
- Invoicing with reminders and integrated payment options.Â
- Scheduling with custom branding and triggers.
- Multi-step workflow automation and an extensive library of customizable templates.
- Project management with workspaces, Smart Files, and time tracking.
What people love about HoneyBook
- Centralized system for proposals, contracts, and payments.
- Branded client portals for collaboration with clients.
- Large library of templates for proposals and contracts.Â
- A clean, reliable mobile app to manage clientflow tasks from anywhere.
- Easy setup via a modern interface and HoneyBook’s free transfer services.
How can HoneyBook improve
- Build advanced project and lead management features.
- Enhance reporting beyond financial insights.
Why it’s the top alternative
HoneyBook strikes the balance of a feature-rich CRM that isn’t overwhelming to learn. It also creates great client experiences through branded proposals and portals—without the high price tag.
Plutio: Feature-rich solution for solopreneurs
Plutio pairs clean design with a solid suite of features to handle end-to-end client management.
Who is it best for?
Freelancers and solopreneurs who want a full feature set at an affordable price point
Key features
- Customizable workflows with smart triggers and actions.
- Recurring billing and multi-currency support.
- Project management with multiple views, time tracking, and document hubs.
- Client communication through a portal with comments and channels.
- Integrations to connect to the wider tool stack.
What people love about Plutio
- Streamlined workflow efficiency with drill-down automation for complex processes.
- Customizable client portals for collaboration and client nurturing.
- Project management features beyond scheduling and task tracking.
- Integrations and API support to connect third-party tools.
- Solo plan at $19/month, which is cost-effective for freelancers.
How can Plutio improve
- Reduce the learning curve for advanced workflows.
- Expand the template library and designs.
- Improve performance to fix issues like slow loading.
- Rework pricing to better support larger teams.
Dubsado: Deep customization for small businesses
Dubsado is a customizable business management platform with advanced workflow automation and branding options.
Who is it best for?
Service-based businesses that need advanced customization throughout the client journey
Key features
- Highly customizable multi-step workflows with conditional logic.
- Automated emails and follow-ups.
- Comprehensive invoicing features, including auto-send and payment integrations.
- Custom form creation with detailed templates for proposals and contracts.Â
- Time tracking and project management with built-in boards and scheduling tools.
What people love about Dubsado
- Advanced customization that saves time and makes work more efficient.
- Custom, interactive forms that you can tailor to every stage of the client lifecycle.
- Affordable starter plan with unlimited projects and clients (no automation).
How can Dubsado improve
- Simplify setup and onboarding for new users.
- Enhance project management and communication tools for collaboration beyond messages and boards.Â
OneSuite: Strong small-team collaboration
OneSuite is a modern business management platform with a reputation for strong collaboration tools for small teams.
Who is it best for?
Freelancers and small teams of up to 12 members managing many moving parts
Key features
- CRM and project tracking in one place.
- Portals with personalized files and discussion boards.
- Project management with tasks, views, and files.
- Online invoicing and payment collection via Stripe or PayPal.
- Proposals, contracts, and e-signatures with customizable templates.
What people love about OneSuite
- Team collaboration tools with detailed features and high user limits.Â
- Modern, easy-to-learn interface.
- Feature-rich, visually appealing client portals.
- Starting price of $29/month for up to five members.
How can OneSuite improve
- Add more templates and expand automation beyond follow-ups and assignment tasks.
- Develop integrations beyond Slack, Google, and Stripe.Â
FreshBooks: Advanced invoicing features
FreshBooks is a leading invoicing and accounting solution with basic project management features.
Who is it best for?
Small businesses seeking rich bookkeeping features alongside light project management functionality
Key features
- Features such as multi-currency invoicing, automated billing, and secure payment gateways.Â
- Branded proposals and estimates supporting e-signatures.
- Time tracking and project details alongside clients and vendors.
- Accounting with expense approvals and mileage tracking.
- Client communication and collaboration through a portal with comments and file-sharing.
- Mobile app for on-the-go invoicing and mileage tracking.
What people love about FreshBooks
- Easy setup for quickly adding clients and projects.
- Detailed invoicing features for complex, global client lists.Â
- Solid client collaboration tools that reduce reliance on third-party tools.Â
- Mobile app for mileage tracking and invoicing building.
How can FreshBooks improve
- Improve pricing for mid-to-large businesses with high client volumes.Â
- Introduce automation beyond payment reminders.Â
- Add more project management features.Â
Monday.com: Flexible collaboration tooling
Monday.com is a flexible business management platform for completing tasks, organizing projects, and collaborating across teams.
Who is it best for?
Consultant, creative, designer, and developer teams running project-driven businesses
Key features
- In-platform boards to comment, approve, and collaborate company-wide.
- Customizable workflows for team collaboration.
- Real-time reports on team and project performance.
- Integrations with third-party tools.
- Client communication and file sharing through a centralized hub.
What people love about Monday.com
- In-house team collaboration tools make it easy to visualize project progress and assign tasks.Â
- Streamlined workflows/automations help your team stay efficient.Â
- A visually appealing interface makes it simple to navigate.Â
How can Monday.com improve
- Add a dedicated client portal and stronger client-facing collaboration features.
- Cover the full client journey, including lead capture, proposals/contracts, and client collaboration.Â
- Improve support for freelancers looking for an all-in-one tool.Â
- Revisit per-seat pricing to make it more accessible for larger teams.Â
Find the 17hats alternative that fits the way you work
Switching CRMs or business management platforms is a major decision that requires careful analysis. Here are some things to keep in mind when evaluating 17hats alternatives:
- Consider your business model and services: Look for platforms tailored to your industry—like event planning or bookkeeping—and business size (solo freelancers vs. small teams).
- Evaluate automation: Determine whether you need simple reminders or more advanced multi-step workflows.
- Compare client experience features: Prioritize a platform with custom proposals, contracts, payments, and communication features.
- Assess reporting and financial visibility: Look at financial features that enable smarter business planning, such as revenue or expense tracking.
- Factor in ease of use and learning curve: Choose a platform you can learn to use quickly. Test with a free trial or demo to check your comfort level.Â
- Think about scalability: Assess whether the platform will evolve with your business, especially as your client list or team size grows.Â
Ultimately, you want an alternative that simplifies your operations, improves client experience, and supports sustainable growth—instead of just adding new features.
If 17hats feels restrictive, switch to a CRM platform designed for modern creative teams. HoneyBook elevates your client experience with polished proposals, organized files, and streamlined workflows that turn inquiries into paid projects faster. Start your free trial today.
FAQ
What is 17hats?
17hats is a small business management software that centralizes key client operations, including proposals, contracts, communications, project tracking, and invoicing.
What is the most used bookkeeping software?
The most popular bookkeeping software is QuickBooks, though other options such as Xero, Zoho Books, and FreshBooks are gaining traction.
What are the top 3 CRM systems?
Salesforce and HubSpot CRM are leading options for enterprises, while platforms like HoneyBook and 17hats are popular with freelancers and small businesses.
What is the simplest CRM to use?
HoneyBook is known for its clean, modern interface and ease of use for small creative businesses.
