As a service-based business owner, you’re juggling multiple client projects, contracts, payments, and communications every day. Having the right digital tools can make it much easier to stay organized and keep your business running smoothly.
Dubsado is a popular client management tool for service providers, but it’s not the only option. Many Dubsado alternatives are worth exploring—some of which may be a better fit for your business.
Key takeaways
- When choosing project management software, you’ll need to consider your priorities. Some businesses need a simple, streamlined system with minimal onboarding features, while others require advanced customizations and automations for complex operations.
- Dubsado is one of many customer relationship management (CRM) platforms for small businesses. Many Dubsado competitors can also help manage leads, contracts, invoices, and other key business tasks.
- HoneyBook’s extensive client management functionality makes proposals, contracts, and payments a breeze, with helpful AI features to streamline operations.
Jump to:
- Dubsado alternatives overview
- Dubsado
- HoneyBook
- 17Hats
- Bonsai
- How to choose the best CRM for your business
- FAQs
Dubsado alternatives overview
Looking for a quick overview?
The chart below provides a side-by-side comparison of popular alternatives to Dubsado, highlighting their best use cases, pricing, client payment options, and typical setup times.
| Platform | Best for | Pricing | Client payment options | Setup time |
| HoneyBook | All-in-one client management | Starts at $29/month | Built-in payment processor that supports credit cards and ACH transfers | Usually less than 24 hours; includes optional professional setup assistance |
| Dubsado | Growing businesses needing extensive customization | Starts at $35/month | Integrates with Stripe, Square, and PayPal to support credit and ACH payments | May take a week or longer to fully customize |
| 17Hats | One-person businesses | Starts at $60/month | Integrates with Stripe to support major credit card providers and ACH payments | Usually takes less than a week to onboard and customize |
| Bonsai | Freelancers and agencies planning to scale | Starts at $9/month | Built-in payment processor that supports credit cards and ACH payments; also integrates with Stripe and PayPal | Usually takes less than 24 hours for basic features; may take longer with premium plans |
Dubsado
Dubsado is a CRM and business management tool for creative small business owners and solopreneurs. The platform is known for its client portal features, which help businesses create their own digital hub for scheduling, payment, and other client interactions. Dubsado also offers extensive workflow automations to minimize manual effort and streamline operations.
Key features
- Custom proposals, contracts, and forms with easy e-sign capabilities
- Interactive client portals with built-in scheduler
- Automated client management workflows
- Invoicing with custom templates and automated billing
- Payment processing with ACH transfers, debit, credit, and custom installment plans
What people love about Dubsado
Business owners enjoy Dubsado’s extensive workflow automation options and project management features, which are helpful for businesses rapidly scaling operations. They also enjoy using the CRM Dubsado offers to track client details in one convenient place.
How Dubsado can improve
Dubsado’s complex workflow automations have a sharp learning curve, and it can take time to get everything set up. While Dubsado has a wide range of features, they may be overwhelming for new entrepreneurs or freelancers just getting started.
Dubsado reviews
Source: G2
Source: G2
HoneyBook
HoneyBook combines comprehensive business management features into one user-friendly interface. HoneyBook’s CRM tracks the client lifecycle from start to finish, from initial leads to invoices and repeat projects.
HoneyBook offers extensive customization options to create sleek professional documents and provide a polished customer experience. The AI features help automate time-consuming tasks and find new growth opportunities.
Key features
- Small business CRM with contact management and project tracking
- Lead generation forms that integrate with your website
- Client scheduling calendar
- Customizable proposal templates
- Industry-specific contract templates with electronic signature options
- Invoice generator and built-in payment processor
- Integrated business checking account and loan options
- Customizable workflow automations and AI support
What people love about HoneyBook
Small business owners love HoneyBook’s intuitive, user-friendly interface. The platform is easy to set up and combines essential business management tools in one convenient platform. Its features aren’t just easy for business owners—they’re simple and seamless for clients, too.
When comparing HoneyBook vs. Dubsado, HoneyBook offers a simpler onboarding and setup process. Plus, it’s generally more affordable than Dubsado pricing, making it a popular choice for growing businesses.
How HoneyBook can improve
HoneyBook already integrates with key tools like QuickBooks, Slack, Zoom, email clients, and more. However, the platform could add even more advanced integration and automation options to support unique business models.
HoneyBook reviews
Source: G2
Source: G2
17Hats
17Hats is a small business management software designed to help save time and keep operations running smoothly. It integrates with your website, email, and even SMS platforms so you can handle all your communication in one place. With simple, straightforward features, 17Hats is especially well-suited for solo entrepreneurs and one-person businesses.
Key features
- Project management dashboard with contact management
- Templates for client questionnaires, project quotes, contracts, invoices, and more
- Online invoicing, payment processing, and recurring billing options
- Automated workflows, to-do lists, and task reminders
- Client scheduling and calendar management
- Email management
What people love about 17Hats
17Hats users love that the platform syncs directly with their email, so they don’t have to switch back and forth between software programs to talk to clients. 17Hats also offers email templates for outreach, client follow-ups, and more. Customers also appreciate the reliable customer service options, which always include the option to talk to a human representative.
How 17Hats can improve
17Hats has simple, accessible features that work well for small businesses or solopreneurs, but it doesn’t always scale as your business grows. Its bookkeeping features are limited, and templates aren’t always customizable for specific industries or business needs.
17Hats reviews
Source: G2
Source: G2
Bonsai
Bonsai is a business management platform designed for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. This platform helps visualize your client pipeline and keep key documents organized. Bonsai is especially known for its intuitive invoicing and payment features, which make getting paid on time easier.
Key features
- CRM and sales pipeline management
- Task management with Gantt chart views
- Time tracking for your entire team
- Bookkeeping with invoice templates, automated billing, expense tracking, and budgeting
- Templates for contracts, proposals, project estimates, custom forms, and rate cards
- Client-facing portal with task tracking, direct messaging, and billing
What people love about Bonsai
Bonsai offers a user-friendly time tracking tool, which is helpful for businesses that bill hourly. Bonsai also has basic task tracking and collaboration features to keep small teams aligned.
How Bonsai can improve
Bonsai has limited customization and automation options, so it may be difficult to tailor the platform to fit your needs. Its integration options are also minimal, meaning that connecting Bonsai to the rest of your tech stack often requires third-party tools like Zapier.
Bonsai reviews
Source: G2
Source: G2
How to choose the best CRM for your business
The right CRM platform depends on your specific needs, goals, and team size. A one-person photography business will require different features than a five-person social media agency.
Here’s what to keep in mind when making this decision:
- Helpful features: Identify your biggest productivity or growth roadblocks—whether it’s managing your sales pipeline, getting paid on time, or juggling client meetings—and choose a platform with features that directly address them.
- Ease of use: Your client management system should be intuitive and user-friendly, without technical hurdles that could slow operations.
- Client experience: Look for tools with a client-facing portal for payments, scheduling, and contract review. Your CRM should support a professional, seamless client experience that reflects positively on your brand.
- Customization: Opt for a platform with customizable templates and workflows to support your unique business model.
- Pricing: Compare costs for each platform to determine which offers the best value. A powerful CRM can help land more clients, but the cost shouldn’t hinder your growth.
- Onboarding and data migration: Choose a CRM with a smooth, hassle-free onboarding process, making it easy to import existing client data.
- Customer support: Switching CRMs can be tricky, so look for a platform with reliable customer service if you need guidance.
- Integrations: Ideally, your CRM should connect seamlessly with other tools you use, whether through direct integrations or custom integrations with tools like Zapier.Â
All considered, the best CRM is one that fits your workflow, simplifies client management, and helps your business grow efficiently—without creating extra headaches.
FAQs
What’s the best alternative to Dubsado?
HoneyBook is the top Dubsado alternative, with a fast setup, intuitive client interface, and helpful AI features that Dubsado lacks. It combines proposals, contracts, scheduling, invoicing, payments, and more into one convenient platform.
What are the top three CRM systems?
HoneyBook is the top CRM system for independent, client-focused professionals, helping book clients up to twice as fast as those using manual processes or basic tools. HubSpot and Salesforce remain top choices for larger organizations, with robust features for sales, marketing, and customer management.
Which CRM is best for beginners?
HoneyBook is one of the best beginner-friendly CRMs, offering features tailored to new business owners. Its intuitive Smart Files and interactive setup process allow most users to be fully operational within just 24 hours.
Capture leads, sell services, manage projects, and nurture client relationships from one platform. All that and more with HoneyBook.
