Choosing a client relationship manager (CRM) is tough when you’re juggling proposals, invoices, and a dozen email threads. Two names dominate the conversation—Dubsado and Honeybook. But once you start sending real proposals and chasing real payments, which system keeps up with the day to day grind of client collaboration?
In the guide, we'll pit Dubsado and HoneyBook head to head on setup effort, automation depth, branding flexibility, and long term scalability so you can decide which route keeps clients happiest—and when it might be time to layer on a purpose-built portal.
Platform | Best For | Why |
Dubsado | Power users & agencies | Deep automation, white label proposals, unlimited projects even on the entry plan |
HoneyBook | Creatives & solopreneurs | Gorgeous templates, built in payments, faster learning curve |
Foyer | Portal centric workflows | Super simple onboarding, live client chat, no CRM bloat |
Too busy to read? Need sophisticated conditional workflows? Go Dubsado. Want stunning proposals in minutes with payments built in? HoneyBook. Want the simplest branded client portal? Try Foyer.
Both platforms sit in the same Goldilocks zone: they promise to replace a patchwork of point tools—proposal builder, e-signature app, scheduler, and payment link—with one streamlined workspace. That overlapping value prop naturally pushes buyers to stack them side by side.
Teams usually start Googling the matchup when their client load creeps into double digits and manual follow ups begin slipping through the cracks. They want three things: (1) a polished client experience, (2) automation they can trust, and (3) pricing that won’t rival an enterprise CRM. Dubsado and HoneyBook tick all three boxes, but take different routes: Dubsado bets on granular workflows and multi-brand flexibility, while HoneyBook doubles down on speed and ready made templates.
Most teams adopt Dubsado once their active project list creeps past the 25 project mark and spreadsheets start breaking down. If your onboarding flow involves three plus forms or contracts, Dubsado’s if-then automations can easily save you a few admin hours every week.
HoneyBook really shines when speed is paramount—many users report clients signing and paying within five minutes of receiving a Smart File. Its tap to invoice mobile workflow is clutch for creatives who travel frequently or work events on site.
For this section, I've included general pricing, payment transaction fees, and hidden fees for both services. For free trials, Dubsado’s trial is unlimited time capped at 3 clients while HoneyBook offers 7 days all access.
Platform | Entry Plan | Mid Tier | Top Tier |
Starter – $200/yr or $20/mo | N/A | Premier – $400/yr or $40/mo | |
Starter – $348/yr or $36/mo | Essentials – $588/yr or $59/mo | Premium – $1,308/yr or $129/mo |
Check out the Dubsado support page for more information on their payment processing fees.
Payment method | Processing fee | Payment currency |
US-based cards | 2.9% + $0.30 | USD |
International cards | 4.4% + $0.30 | USD |
ACH direct debit (US Bank payments) | 0.8% (up to a $5 maximum) | USD |
See a detailed breakdown of transaction fees at Honeybooks help guide.
Transaction type | Transaction fee |
Cash/check | No fee (processed outside HoneyBook) |
ACH/bank transfer | 1.5% of payment total (flat fee) |
“Cardholder Entered” payment | 2.9% of payment total + 25 cents |
“Card on File” payment | 3.4% of payment total + 9 cents |
Subscription prices are just one slice of the pie. Below are the common add-ons and transaction costs that tend to catch teams off guard once real money starts flowing:
Foyer turns your client facing materials into a secure, white labeled portal in minutes—no new CRM migration or database gymnastics required. Start a free trial to see why agencies make the switch.
Is Dubsado cheaper than HoneyBook?
Yes. Dubsado’s Starter plan works out to about $20/mo when paid yearly, vs HoneyBook’s $29/mo Starter.
Does HoneyBook have a client portal like Dubsado?
Absolutely—each HoneyBook project creates a portal where clients can view files, messages, and payments. Foyer is an alternative to both solutions for organizations needing a client portal first solution.
Which tool has better automation?
Dubsado Premier has finer grained triggers; HoneyBook Essentials covers basic email/task automations.
Can either tool replace QuickBooks?
HoneyBook integrates with QuickBooks Online (Essentials plan). Dubsado handles invoices but lacks full accounting functionality.
Can I use Dubsado or HoneyBook outside the U.S.?
Yes—both platforms work internationally. Dubsado operates in any country supported by Stripe or PayPal. HoneyBook supports global card payments (in USD) and recently enabled multi-currency invoicing for Canada, the U.K., Australia, and the EU.
How hard is it to switch between the two?
Both tools allow you to export client and project data to CSV and re-import it, but templates, automations, and Smart Files don’t transfer 1 for 1. Plan for a few days of manual rebuilds and testing if you migrate from HoneyBook to Dubsado (or vice versa). Some third party specialists offer paid migration services as well.
Dubsado and HoneyBook both tame the chaos of client management. Dubsado leans power user; HoneyBook leans plug and play. If you outgrow both (or want a fully branded space without the setup headache), give Foyer a try—it bundles secure file sharing, chat, forms, and e-signatures in one branded portal.