Bonsai vs Dubsado: Complete Comparison (2026)

Bonsai vs Dubsado: which one lets you start working faster without weeks of configuration?

Both tools handle proposals, contracts, and invoicing for freelancers... but the setup experience and project management depth are where they diverge, and most users end up needing a separate project management tool anyway once the paperwork is signed.

Bonsai gets you started in a day with templates for proposals, contracts, and invoices. The interface is simple, but project management is basic with no Kanban boards or Gantt charts, and once contracts are signed, you're managing actual work in separate tools.

Dubsado has conditional forms, rule-based triggers, and multi-step workflows. But setup takes weeks, workflows break when requirements change, and the learning curve is steep enough that many users never finish configuring it.

Plutio handles intake automation plus everything after: when a client approves your proposal, the project creates itself with tasks, billing stays connected, and clients check progress in a branded portal. If you need proposals and project management in one place... check out Plutio and skip the comparison.

Last updated January 2026

4.6

Quick comparison (TLDR)

Bonsai gets freelancers running in a day with pre-built templates for proposals, contracts, and invoices. US tax preparation covers 1099-ready bookkeeping and expense categorization. But project management stops at basic task lists... once the contract is signed, actual work gets managed in another app. The per-user pricing model also adds up for teams: a 3-person team on Essentials pays $57/month.

Dubsado has conditional forms, rule-based automation, and multi-step workflows. Users can configure the intake flow they want... if they have weeks to configure it and don't mind ongoing maintenance when requirements change. The December 2025 price increase raised Starter to $20/month and Premier to $40/month, and the Starter plan excludes workflow automation entirely.

Key differences at a glance

Setup time: Bonsai works in a day with pre-built templates. Dubsado takes weeks to configure workflows, forms, and automations properly.
Automation: Dubsado has conditional logic with rule-based triggers and multi-step sequences. Bonsai has basic if/then triggers with fewer options.
Pricing: Bonsai starts at $9/user/month (Basic) or $19/user/month (Essentials with proposals). Dubsado starts at $20/month for 3 users (Starter) or $40/month (Premier with automation).
Tax features: Bonsai includes US tax prep with 1099-ready bookkeeping and expense categorization. Dubsado has no tax features.
Project management: Both have basic task lists. Dubsado added Kanban in v3.0. Neither has task dependencies, subtasks, or time tracking.
Client portal: Dubsado has a document-focused client portal with CSS customization. Bonsai's portal is more limited. Neither shows project progress to clients.

The verdict? Bonsai sets up faster and includes US tax prep, but has basic project management and per-user pricing that adds up. Dubsado has more automation triggers, but takes weeks to configure and costs $40/month for the features most users need. Plutio connects proposals to project management in one platform for $19/month with no per-user fees.

Tired of switching between apps?

One platform for the full workflow

Proposals, contracts, projects, time tracking, and client portals. All in one platform for $19/month.

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Plutio - Your entire business, one login away

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating

Setup time and learning curve

How quickly can you send your first proposal and invoice?

Bonsai

Bonsai gets freelancers sending proposals in a day. Templates for proposals, contracts, and invoices are ready to customize and send. Most users figure out the interface without tutorials. The onboarding walks through connecting a payment processor, creating a first proposal, and sending a contract. For freelancers who want the paperwork handled without spending time on configuration, Bonsai covers the basics. The trade-off: automation is limited to basic if/then triggers, and project management stops at simple task lists once the contract is signed.

Ready-to-use templates
Most users set up in hours
Same-day productivity
No configuration required
Limited customization depth
Basic automation only

Dubsado

Dubsado has more customization options, but that flexibility comes with complexity. Initial setup takes weeks to configure workflows, forms, and automations properly. The learning curve is steep, and changes to one workflow can affect other automations unexpectedly. Most users report ongoing maintenance when requirements evolve. The onboarding process involves mapping out each intake step, building conditional forms, connecting triggers, and testing sequences before going live. For freelancers who handle high inquiry volume with varied intake paths, Dubsado covers those scenarios, but the configuration time is a real cost that many underestimate.

Conditional form and workflow options
Conditional form logic
Rule-based automations
Weeks of initial setup
Steep learning curve
Ongoing maintenance needed

Workflow automation

How much can you automate, and how complex can workflows get?

Bonsai

Bonsai has basic automation with pre-built workflows and if/then triggers. Invoice reminders, follow-up emails, and proposal sequences run without much configuration. Bonsai covers reminder and follow-up scenarios, but conditional logic isn't available. Automations are template-based rather than fully customizable, so complex intake flows with branching paths need a different tool. For a freelancer who sends the same proposal-contract-invoice sequence for every project, Bonsai's templates cover the pattern. For a freelancer who needs different intake paths for different service types, the lack of conditional triggers becomes a limitation.

Pre-built workflow templates
Basic if/then triggers
Invoice reminders
Email sequences
No conditional logic
Limited customization

Dubsado

Dubsado covers more automation triggers than Bonsai. Conditional forms adapt based on client responses: a wedding inquiry can route to one questionnaire while a corporate inquiry routes to another. Rule-based triggers fire actions across the entire workflow, and multi-step sequences handle intake processes with multiple stages. The catch: building these workflows takes hours per sequence, and changing a trigger can break downstream automations. Dubsado's November 2025 v3.0 update added a new automation builder, but users report that migrating existing workflows to the new format requires reconfiguring each sequence. The ongoing maintenance cost is real, especially for freelancers who change service offerings seasonally.

Conditional form logic
Rule-based triggers
Multi-step sequences
CSS form customization
Complex to configure
Workflows require maintenance

Project management after contracts

What happens once the client signs? Can you manage actual work in the same tool?

Bonsai

Bonsai added project management features, but they remain basic compared to dedicated tools. Task lists and simple project tracking are available, but there are no Kanban boards, no Gantt charts, and no task dependencies. Most users report still managing actual projects in Trello, Asana, or Monday after the contract phase. Bonsai's Premium plan ($29/user/month) adds Gantt chart view and workload management, but that per-user cost adds up quickly for teams, and the Gantt feature lacks dependencies between tasks. For a freelancer running 2-3 client projects, the basic task lists work. For someone managing 8-10 concurrent projects with multiple deliverable phases, the project view doesn't provide enough visibility into what's due, what's blocked, or what's behind schedule.

Basic task lists
Project tracking
Task templates
No Kanban boards
No Gantt charts on lower plans
No task dependencies

Dubsado

Dubsado added a Kanban view in version 3.0 (November 2025), but project management remains minimal. Task lists and the new board view are available, but there are still no Gantt charts, no task dependencies, and no timeline visibility. Dubsado's focus is intake and client communication, not ongoing project work. Most users manage actual deliverables elsewhere. The v3.0 Kanban view shows project cards across stages, but individual tasks within a project still lack subtasks, assignees, or due date tracking with reminders. For photographers running a standard shoot-edit-deliver process, the board view works. For agencies managing multi-phase projects with revision rounds and deadline dependencies, Dubsado's project features don't provide enough structure.

Basic task lists
New Kanban view (v3.0)
Project templates
No Gantt charts
No task dependencies
No timeline visibility

Pricing and value

What do you actually pay, and what do you get for the money?

Bonsai

Bonsai uses per-user pricing starting at $9/user/month (annual) for the Basic plan. Essentials at $19/user adds proposals, contracts, and integrations. Premium at $29/user adds Gantt charts and workload view. The per-user model scales with team size: a 3-person team on Essentials pays $57/month, which is more than Dubsado's $40/month Premier plan for the same team size. Bonsai also charges payment processing fees on top of Stripe's standard rates. For solo freelancers, the $19/month Essentials plan covers proposals, contracts, invoicing, and US tax prep. For growing teams, the per-user cost becomes the main friction point.

Basic: $9/user/month
Essentials: $19/user/month
Premium: $29/user/month
Tax prep included
Per-user pricing adds up
Processing fees on payments

Dubsado

Dubsado raised prices in December 2025. Starter now costs $20/month and Premier costs $40/month. Both include 3 users, with additional users at $25/month for 4-10 users. The Starter plan excludes workflow automation, which is the main reason many users choose Dubsado in the first place, pushing most serious users to the $40/month Premier plan. Adding the cost of separate project management and time tracking tools ($10-25/month), a Dubsado-based stack runs $50-65/month for a solo freelancer. The setup time itself is also a cost: most users report spending 20-40 hours configuring Dubsado's workflows before going live with clients.

Starter: $20/month
Premier: $40/month
Includes 3 users
Unlimited clients
$25/mo for additional users
Additional tools needed

Invoicing and payments

The work is done. Can the platform send a professional invoice and collect payment without switching to another tool?

Bonsai

Invoicing built into the workflow with tax features. Bonsai includes invoicing on all plans with the ability to create invoices from proposals or from scratch. Payment processing works through Stripe integration with credit card and ACH support. Auto-reminders chase unpaid invoices, and recurring invoices run on a schedule for retainer clients. The standout feature is US tax preparation: Bonsai categorizes expenses, tracks deductions, and generates 1099-ready reports. For US-based freelancers, this saves hours at tax time. The limitation: there is no time-to-invoice connection. Tracked hours do not flow into invoice line items automatically, so hourly billing requires manual data entry. Payment processing adds platform fees on top of Stripe's standard rates.

Invoicing on all plans
Auto-reminders for unpaid invoices
Recurring invoice scheduling
US tax prep and 1099-ready bookkeeping
No time-to-invoice automation
Platform fees on top of Stripe rates

Dubsado

Invoicing with CSS-level customization but no time tracking link. Dubsado includes invoicing on both plans with custom templates, payment schedules, and auto-reminders. Payment processing connects through Stripe, Square, or PayPal, giving international businesses more options than Bonsai. Invoice templates support CSS customization for brand-conscious freelancers who want invoices to match their website. The limitation: Dubsado has no time tracking at all, so hourly billing requires logging hours in a separate app and manually creating invoice line items. There is also no tax preparation, expense categorization, or 1099 support. For international freelancers, the multi-processor support is a genuine advantage over Bonsai's Stripe-only integration.

Invoicing on all plans
CSS-customizable invoice templates
Stripe, Square, and PayPal support
Auto-reminders and payment schedules
No time tracking at all
No tax prep or expense categorization

Client portal and branding

When clients log in to check documents, pay invoices, or review forms, whose brand do they see?

Bonsai

Basic client portal with limited branding. Bonsai's client portal lets clients view proposals, contracts, invoices, and project details. The portal carries Bonsai branding and does not support custom domains. Clients see Bonsai's interface when interacting with documents. For freelancers who position themselves as premium services, having clients interact with a third-party branded portal undercuts the brand experience. The portal covers document access and payment, but does not show project progress, task status, or timeline visibility. For freelancers sending straightforward proposals and invoices, the portal works. For agencies delivering multi-phase projects where clients need to track progress, the portal lacks the visibility that builds client confidence.

Document and invoice access
Payment collection through portal
Bonsai branding on portal
No custom domain
No project progress visibility
No white-labeling

Dubsado

Document-focused portal with CSS customization. Dubsado's client portal shows forms, contracts, invoices, and questionnaires. The portal supports CSS customization, so designers who know CSS can style the portal to match their brand. Dubsado branding can be reduced on higher plans. The portal is document-focused: clients access paperwork, but real-time project progress, task status, and milestone tracking are not visible. For brand-conscious photographers and designers, the CSS control is a genuine differentiator over Bonsai's limited styling options. The trade-off: CSS customization requires coding knowledge and adds to the already steep setup time. Platforms like Plutio support fully branded portals on custom domains without CSS requirements.

CSS-customizable portal
Document and form access
Branding reduction on higher plans
CSS knowledge required for customization
No real-time project progress
No custom domain option

Skip the comparison?

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Bonsai and Dubsado handle paperwork. Plutio handles the full workflow: intake, projects, time tracking, and billing.

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Bonsai vs Dubsado pricing breakdown

Bonsai and Dubsado use different pricing models that change the math at different team sizes.

Bonsai Pricing (2026)

Basic ($9/user/mo annual): Time tracking, task management, CRM, and client portal. No proposals or contracts.
Essentials ($19/user/mo annual): Adds proposals, contracts, scheduling, and integrations. The plan most solo freelancers need.
Premium ($29/user/mo annual): Adds Gantt charts, workload view, and custom fields.
Elite ($49/user/mo annual): Adds permissions, timesheet locking, and expense markup.

Dubsado Pricing (2026, updated December 2025)

Starter ($20/mo): Invoicing, forms, templates. Limited to 3 users. No workflow automation, no CSS customization, no public scheduling.
Premier ($40/mo): Adds automation, public scheduling, CSS customization, and appointment scheduling. Still limited to 3 users.
Additional users: $25/month for 4-10 users on either plan.
Free trial: 3 clients, unlimited time to explore features.

The pricing math for teams

Solo freelancer: Bonsai Essentials ($19/month) vs Dubsado Premier ($40/month). Bonsai costs less but has fewer automation options. 3-person team: Bonsai Essentials = $57/month vs Dubsado Premier = $40/month. At 3+ team members, Dubsado costs less per person. But both require separate project management tools, adding $10-25/month to either stack. Plutio starts at $19/month with no per-user fees, covering proposals, projects, time tracking, and invoicing in one subscription.

Which tool is better for your workflow?

The choice between Bonsai and Dubsado depends on how much time the team has for setup and how complex the intake process needs to be.

Quick start for basic needs

Bonsai has pre-built templates that most freelancers use to send proposals and invoices within hours. The trade-off is limited customization, and project management stops at basic task lists. For freelancers who run a standard proposal-contract-invoice flow for every project, Bonsai covers the pattern without configuration. But once the contract is signed, project tracking happens in a separate app.

Complex intake automation

Dubsado has conditional forms and rule-based triggers for multi-step intake sequences. The automation covers more trigger options than Bonsai, but building and maintaining workflows takes weeks and requires ongoing upkeep when requirements change. For service businesses with multiple intake paths, like a photographer offering mini sessions, full sessions, and wedding packages with different questionnaires for each, Dubsado's conditional forms route clients through the right sequence. The setup cost is 20-40 hours of initial configuration.

US tax preparation

Bonsai includes US tax prep with 1099-ready bookkeeping, expense categorization, and tax summaries. Dubsado has no tax features at all. For US-based freelancers, Bonsai's tax tools save $200-500/year in accountant fees for basic tax preparation. The limitation: tax features are US-only and don't cover state-level compliance for all jurisdictions.

Project-based client work

Neither tool covers project management after the intake phase. Bonsai has task lists with due dates. Dubsado added a Kanban view in v3.0. But neither has task dependencies, subtasks, or time tracking that connects to invoicing. Freelancers who spend more time doing client work than configuring intake workflows still need Trello, Asana, or a platform like Plutio for actual project tracking.

Teams and agencies

Dubsado includes 3 users at $40/month, making per-person cost lower for small teams. Bonsai's per-user pricing at $19/user means a 3-person team pays $57/month. For agencies with 5+ team members, Dubsado's additional user cost ($25/month per user for seats 4-10) and Bonsai's per-user model both add up quickly. Neither platform has team collaboration features like shared task boards, workload views, or team-level time reporting that agencies typically need.

What both tools are missing

Bonsai and Dubsado share the same fundamental limitation: both stop at the intake and paperwork phase.

No real project management

Both tools focus on the intake phase. Bonsai has basic task lists. Dubsado added a Kanban view in v3.0, but there are still no Gantt charts, task dependencies, or timeline visibility. Once the contract is signed, project context gets rebuilt in a separate app. For freelancers running 5+ concurrent projects, the lack of cross-project visibility means deadlines get missed and workload is impossible to balance without a dedicated tool.

No time tracking that feeds invoicing

Neither tool tracks time natively at the task level. Bonsai has basic time tracking on the dashboard, but tracked hours don't connect to specific tasks or flow into invoices automatically. A freelancer billing 15 clients per month spends 2-3 hours per billing cycle copying time entries from Toggl or Clockify into Bonsai or Dubsado invoices. Across a year, that manual transfer adds 25-35 hours of pure admin. Platforms with task-level time tracking that flows into invoices eliminate those steps.

No client portal for project progress

Dubsado has a basic client portal for viewing documents and invoices. Bonsai's portal covers document access. Neither offers a portal where clients can see project progress, approve deliverables, or access organized files by project. For agencies and consultants who need clients to check project status without sending email updates, both platforms require manual status communication. Platforms like Plutio include client portals with project visibility on a custom domain.

Dated interface (Dubsado)

Dubsado's v3.0 update improved the interface, but CSS knowledge is still needed for form customization beyond basic settings. Bonsai has a cleaner layout but remains focused on paperwork rather than ongoing project work. Neither platform has the modern drag-and-drop experience that tools like ClickUp or Plutio offer for task management.

What users do when neither tool is enough

When Bonsai or Dubsado can't handle the full workflow, users either build multi-tool stacks or switch to an all-in-one platform.

The typical workaround stack

Most freelancers end up assembling something like this:

Bonsai or Dubsado for intake and invoicing ($19-40/month)
Trello, Asana, or ClickUp for project management ($0-25/month)
Toggl, Clockify, or Harvest for time tracking ($0-12/month)
Google Drive or Dropbox for file storage and sharing ($0-15/month)

The total stack runs $30-90/month for a solo freelancer, with 3-4 logins to manage and constant manual data transfer between apps. When a contract gets signed in Dubsado, someone manually creates a project in Trello, sets up time tracking in Toggl, then copies completed hours back into a Dubsado invoice when the work is done.

The hidden cost: handoff time

Subscription costs are visible. The hidden cost is workflow friction. Each handoff between tools takes 5-15 minutes. Across 20-30 client projects per year, 25-50 hours go into data transfer that connected software handles automatically. A freelancer earning $100/hour loses $2,500-5,000/year in billable time on manual handoffs alone.

The one-platform alternative

All-in-one platforms connect proposals, projects, time tracking, and invoicing in a single system. The trade-off is learning a new tool versus maintaining the existing stack. For users who spent more time configuring Dubsado workflows or managing tool handoffs than doing client work, switching to one platform recovers 3-5 hours weekly.

What one platform looks like

Plutio covers the complete workflow. Proposals become projects automatically when clients approve. Tasks live in Kanban boards or list views. Time tracking happens at the task level, and the hours flow directly into invoice line items. Clients access a branded portal on a custom domain to check status and pay. One subscription at $19/month, one login, one connected system.

Final verdict

Both tools cover different parts of the intake phase but leave project management to other apps. The choice depends on whether speed or automation depth matters more, and whether the gaps in project management, time tracking, and client portals are deal-breakers.

Bonsai makes sense when:

Proposals and invoices need to go out today. Bonsai has pre-built templates that work in hours. But project management stops at basic task lists, so actual work still happens in a separate tool like Trello or Asana.
US tax preparation matters. Bonsai includes 1099-ready bookkeeping and expense categorization. But the per-user pricing at $19/month for Essentials adds up fast for teams, and the tax features only cover US federal preparation.
Conditional forms and CSS customization aren't needed for the workflow. Bonsai's template-based approach works for standard proposal-contract-invoice sequences. But that also means less control over client-facing intake forms when different service types need different intake paths.

Dubsado makes sense when:

Conditional workflows and CSS form customization are core requirements. Dubsado has rule-based triggers and multi-step sequences that route different inquiry types through different paths. But setup takes weeks, and workflows break when requirements change or the platform updates.
Automation depth matters more than speed. Dubsado covers more trigger options than Bonsai, including conditional branching based on form responses. But the learning curve is steep enough that many users never finish configuring it, and the December 2025 price increase raised costs significantly.
The team has 3+ members. Dubsado includes 3 users at $20/month (Starter) or $40/month (Premier). But project management is still minimal even after the v3.0 Kanban update, and additional users beyond 3 cost $25/month each.

Consider Plutio if:

You spend more time doing project work than configuring intake.
You want proposals to automatically create connected projects.
You need a modern, branded client portal experience.

The bottom line: Bonsai is for fast onboarding and US tax prep. Dubsado is for complex workflow automation. But if you're tired of rebuilding projects in separate tools after every signed contract, Plutio connects the entire workflow for $19/month.

Research & Sources

The Bonsai vs Dubsado comparison is based on official documentation, hands-on testing, and analysis of user feedback across multiple review platforms. All data verified January 2026.

Research methodology

Both tools were evaluated through active accounts, official feature documentation, and analysis of user reviews across G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. The focus was on common pain points from 1-3 star reviews where users share honest limitations rather than promotional praise. Pricing data was verified directly from official pricing pages.

Platform ratings (January 2026)

Bonsai: 4.4/5 on G2 (500+ reviews). Praised for fast onboarding and tax features. Criticized for basic project management, limited customization, and per-user pricing that adds up for teams.
Dubsado: 4.3/5 on G2 (800+ reviews). Praised for automation depth and form customization. Criticized for steep learning curve, weeks of setup time, and the December 2025 price increase.
Plutio: 4.6/5 on G2 (200+ reviews). Praised for all-in-one coverage, white-labeling, and connected workflow from proposals to invoicing.

Common user complaints (from 1-3 star reviews)

Bonsai users frequently mention: basic project management, limited automation options, per-user pricing model, and occasional payment processing delays.

Dubsado users frequently mention: steep learning curve, workflows breaking after updates, dated interface before v3.0, and the December 2025 price increase catching existing users off guard.

Pricing sources (verified January 2026)

If you find any inaccuracies or outdated information, please let us know so we can investigate and update.

Bonsai vs Dubsado vs Plutio: full feature comparison

See how all three tools compare on automation, project management, client portals, and pricing

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$15/month (Basic, $9/month annual)	$28-44/month (Starter plan, Dec 2025 pricing)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	No free plan (trial available)	No free plan (21-day trial)
Trial period	14-day free trial	7-day free trial	21-day free trial (all Premier features)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Basic project and task management	Projects with task boards
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	4 fixed roles (PMs cannot view financials)	3 fixed roles (Basic, Accountant, Admin)
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Strictly restricted to 1 board per project	You cannot use task boards
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	Embedding live project boards is not supported	You cannot embed project views
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	Portal access only (no public read-only links)	You can share via the client portal only
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	Milestones with Gantt chart visualization	You can use project statuses, but no milestones
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Manual linking (no automatic project integration)	Proposals, contracts, and invoices live inside projects
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Text, number, date, URL (no filtering)	Basic custom fields
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Kanban view (limited customization)	Kanban view added in Dubsado 3.0 (Nov 2025)
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	Basic table view (no bulk editing)	Table view is the default task display in Dubsado 3.0
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	Simple list view with basic sorting	You can manage tasks in simple lists
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	Calendar view for tasks and deadlines	You can see deadlines and appointments on a calendar
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	Gantt chart with drag-and-drop	You cannot view work on a gantt chart
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	Nested subtasks supported	You cannot split tasks into subtasks
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	No email-to-task conversion	You cannot create tasks from emails
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	Comments stay attached to tasks only	You cannot comment on tasks
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	File attachments (no file manager)	You can upload files, but not attach them to tasks
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	No priority levels	You cannot set task priorities
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	No color coding (labels only)	You cannot label or color-code tasks
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	One assignee per task (no multi-assign)	You cannot assign tasks to multiple people
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	Task templates with dependencies	You can reuse workflows and form templates
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	Project-level only (no task-level)	You cannot set permissions per task
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	Waiting on, Blocking, Related to	You cannot link tasks together
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	Daily, weekly, monthly, milestones	You cannot create recurring tasks
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Custom fields (text and number only)	Basic custom fields
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Timer and manual time entry	Built-in time tracker (Premier plan only, enhanced in 3.0)
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Limited to task-level only (no subtask tracking)	Time tracker available (Premier plan)
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Time tracked per project	Time tracked per project (Premier plan)
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable and non-billable categorization	Billable hours logged to invoices (Premier plan)
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	One-click invoice from time entries	Tracked time can be added to invoices (Premier plan)
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Detailed timesheet reports	Basic time logs (Premier plan)
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Per-member timesheets with locking	You cannot see team time reports
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Customizable proposals with e-signatures	Proposals with pricing tables
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Visual editor (no true drag-and-drop)	You can build proposals using drag-and-drop forms
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Industry templates plus custom templates	You can use proposal templates
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	Real-time view tracking	You cannot see proposal view analytics
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	No live chat in proposals	You cannot chat inside proposals
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Proposal-contract link only (no scheduler)	You can add proposal items like services or products
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Auto-generate invoice from accepted proposal	Accepted proposals create invoices
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	Packages with single, multi-select options	You can offer packages and add-ons
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Static pricing only (no client selection)	Pricing updates based on selections
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Basic smart fields (limited variables)	You can use smart fields
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Manual expiry dates (no automation)	You cannot set proposal expiry dates
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	Basic PDF export (limited branding)	You can download proposal PDFs
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Reusable blocks not supported (templates only)	You can reuse form sections
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	Basic e-signatures (limited audit trail)	Clients can sign documents online
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Text and date custom fields only	Basic custom fields
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Legally vetted templates with e-signatures	Contract creation with automation
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Visual editor (no full drag-and-drop)	You can build contracts using form blocks
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	Legally binding e-signatures	Contracts support legal e-signatures
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Multiple signers and recipients	You can collect multiple signatures, setup is limited
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Industry-specific and custom templates	You can use contract templates
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Auto-reminders (stop after 16 days overdue)	Reminders send automatically
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	Basic smart fields (limited variables)	You can use smart fields in contracts
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Contract & proposal triggers only	Contracts trigger workflows
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Basic email notifications (no detailed tracking)	You receive signing notifications
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	Basic PDF download (limited certificate)	You can download signed PDFs
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Standard fields only (name & email)	You cannot customize signer fields
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Custom fields (contact info only)	Basic custom fields
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Invoicing with multiple payment options	Invoices with payment plans
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Limited branding (logo and colors only)	You can brand invoices
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Pre-built templates (no drag-drop)	Requires manual setup
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Line items (no advanced customization)	You can edit line items
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Discounts (percentage or fixed, no tiered)	You can apply discounts
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Basic tax configuration (no automation)	You can set tax rates
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	ACH via Bonsai Payments (US, UK, CA, AU only)	You can accept bank payments
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Stripe payments supported	You can accept payments via Stripe
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Not supported	You cannot accept payments via Square
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	PayPal payments supported	You cannot accept payments via PayPal
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Partial payments (manual milestone setup)	You can accept partial payments
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	Payment plans (limited automation)	You can split invoices into payments
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Weekly, biweekly, monthly, yearly recurrence	You can schedule invoices, not subscriptions
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	Recurring invoices (no subscription portal)	You cannot manage subscriptions
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Automated reminders (stop after 16 days)	Payment reminders send automatically
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Templates available (limited customization)	You can reuse invoice templates
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Multi-currency (manual exchange rates)	You can use one account currency
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Payment & form triggers only	Contracts trigger workflows
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Email notifications (no real-time tracking)	You receive signing notifications
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	Expense tracking (auto-categorization via bank sync)	You cannot track expenses
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Deposits supported (manual collection)	You can request deposits
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Time-to-invoice (manual confirmation required)	There is no time to convert
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	Text and date custom fields only	Basic custom fields
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	A unified client inbox is not supported	Messages and emails live in one place
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	Send-only (no inbox sync)	You can sync your email
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	Not supported	You cannot add live chat to your site
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	Direct messaging is not supported	You cannot DM teammates
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	No in-app project messaging	Messages are tied to projects
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	Team chat is not supported	You cannot create team channels
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Not supported	Channels are not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	Not supported	You cannot mention teammates
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	Read receipts are not supported	You can see when clients read messages
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Share files and links in portal messages	You can share files in messages
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Not supported	Team email is not shared
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Not supported	Mobile inbox available
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Not supported	Email replies sync to conversations
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	Project document storage with client access	Files are stored per project only
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Project-level only (no granular)	Requires manual setup
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	Project-level only (no granular)	Requires manual setup
People folders	Group files by person when needed	Not supported	Requires manual setup
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Project-based file sections in portal	Requires manual setup
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	Not supported	Requires manual setup
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	Contact info only (no CRM fields)	You can add custom fields to forms and records
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No built-in document editor	Requires manual setup
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	No file commenting system	Requires manual setup
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	Not supported	Requires manual setup
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Not supported	Requires manual setup
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Not supported	Requires manual setup
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Not supported	Requires manual setup
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Portal sharing only (no direct file links)	Requires manual setup
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Booking pages with calendar sync	Custom scheduler with workflows
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	Custom branding on booking pages	Branding options are limited
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	Event types with availability windows	You can control availability
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	Buffer times (no daily limits)	You can add buffer times
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Custom event types with different durations	You can offer multiple appointment types
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Calendar sync (Google and Outlook only)	Requires manual setup
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Email customization (limited template control)	Confirmation customization is limited
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	Redirect supported (basic URL redirect)	You cannot redirect after booking
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Booking triggers (limited action types)	Contracts trigger workflows
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Auto-reminders (email only, no SMS)	Meeting reminders send automatically
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Timezone detection (basic support)	Timezones adjust automatically
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Require payment to book via Bonsai Payments or Stripe	Requires manual setup
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Custom intake questions and forms on booking events	Booking forms are fixed
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	Notice periods (no per-event daily limits)	You can set booking limits
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Clients can reschedule or cancel from confirmation email	Clients can reschedule or cancel
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Contract, proposal, invoice, form triggers	Visual node-based Flows builder
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Contract signed, proposal accepted, form filled	You can automate automation actions with workflows
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Not supported	Workflows cannot repeat on a schedule
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Not supported	Workflows can include multiple steps
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Not supported	Branching exists, but is limited
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Not supported	You can delay workflow steps
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Auto-create (projects and clients only)	Creation actions are limited
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Not supported	Items cannot be duplicated automatically
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Not supported	Items cannot be deleted automatically
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	Webhooks (outgoing only, no incoming)	You cannot use APIs or webhooks
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Logo & colors (no custom domain)	Workflows can send emails
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	Not supported	You cannot post comments via automation
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Not supported	You cannot view automation logs
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Not supported	You can use smart fields
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Not supported	Forms, payments, and bookings trigger workflows
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Branded intake and questionnaire forms	Branded forms with smart fields
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Form editor (no true drag-and-drop)	You can build contracts using form blocks
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Form templates with auto-CRM sync	You can reuse form templates
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Custom fields (limited field types)	You can add custom fields to forms and records
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Conditional logic (limited complexity)	Fields can change based on answers
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Email notifications (no customization)	You can email on submission
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Basic automation triggers (limited actions)	Contracts trigger workflows
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Embed via iframe (limited styling control)	You can embed forms
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Not supported	Field behavior is limited
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Not supported	Field types are limited
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	E-signature field (basic, no advanced options)	Forms can include signatures
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	Clients can upload files to projects	Clients can upload files
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Not supported	You cannot redirect after submit
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	CRM with Deals pipeline for leads	CRM with auto-created client records
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Companies (basic info only, no hierarchy)	Companies exist, contacts come first
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	Custom fields (text and select only)	You can add CRM fields
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Activity log (projects and invoices only)	You can see full activity history
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Tags (no advanced segmentation)	You can tag and segment contacts
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	Not supported	You cannot create an internal wiki
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported	Not supported
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported	Not supported
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Dashboard (fixed layout, no customization)	Dubsado has a home page, not custom dashboards
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	Pre-configured widgets only	Included
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Charts (revenue and time only)	Requires manual setup
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Metrics (revenue and project totals only)	Included
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Not supported	Not supported
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	No notes widget	Not supported
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Calendar widget (upcoming tasks only)	Included
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Revenue tracking (invoices only, no expenses)	Included
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Documents and portal only (no admin theming)	Dubsado branding, not white-label
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	No admin interface theming	Color themes on Deliver+ (no Free plan theme customization)
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	No CSS customization	You cannot apply custom CSS
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Branded login (fixed layout)	Login pages cannot be customized
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Logo in emails (no custom templates)	You can brand outgoing emails
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	No custom fonts	You cannot use custom fonts
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Logo (documents and portal only)	You can add your logo
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	No custom domain	Not supported
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	No custom SMTP	Not supported
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	No workspace embedding	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	No workspace customization	Dubsado has fixed workspace
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	Fixed menu (no customization)	You cannot customize navigation
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Same menu for all users	Menus are the same for all users
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	4 fixed roles (no custom)	You cannot define custom roles
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Project permissions (no granular control)	Permissions are not configurable
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	Email & password login only	You cannot use SSO
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	Integrations (Zapier and Make only)	Zapier only
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier (limited triggers and actions)	You can connect Dubsado to Zapier
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Make.com (limited modules)	You cannot connect via Make
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	No Pabbly integration	You cannot connect via Pabbly
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	REST API (read-only, limited endpoints)	You cannot access an API
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Webhooks (outgoing only, limited events)	You cannot use webhooks
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Bonsai 43/199	Dubsado 91/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Mobile apps (iOS and Android, limited features)	iOS and Android with Tap to Pay
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	iOS app (basic features only)	You can use Dubsado on iOS
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Android app (basic features only)	You can use Dubsado on Android
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	Web only (no Mac app)	There is no desktop app
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	Web only (no Windows app)	There is no desktop app

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Bonsai vs Dubsado FAQ

Is Bonsai or Dubsado easier to set up?

Bonsai is faster to set up. Most freelancers send a proposal and invoice within a day using pre-built templates. Dubsado takes weeks to configure workflows, forms, and automations properly. The learning curve is steep, and most users report spending 20-40 hours on initial configuration before going live with clients.

Which tool has better automation?

Dubsado has conditional forms, rule-based triggers, and multi-step sequences. Bonsai has basic if/then triggers that take less time to configure. Both lack project management after the intake phase.

Can I manage projects in Bonsai or Dubsado?

Both tools have basic task lists, but neither offers full project management. Bonsai has simple task tracking with due dates. Dubsado added a Kanban view in v3.0, but there are no task dependencies, subtasks, or time tracking in either tool. Most users manage actual project work in Trello, Asana, or an all-in-one platform like Plutio.

Which tool is cheaper?

Bonsai starts at $9/user/month for the Basic plan (no proposals or contracts). The Essentials plan at $19/user/month adds proposals, contracts, and tax prep. Dubsado starts at $20/month for Starter (includes 3 users but excludes automation) and $40/month for Premier (includes automation and CSS customization). For solo freelancers, Bonsai Essentials at $19/month costs less than Dubsado Premier at $40/month. For 3-person teams, Bonsai Essentials totals $57/month while Dubsado Premier costs $40/month.

Does Bonsai or Dubsado have tax features?

Bonsai includes US tax prep with 1099-ready bookkeeping, expense categorization, and tax summaries. Dubsado has no tax features.

Which tool has better client portals?

Dubsado has a client portal for viewing documents, invoices, and questionnaires, with CSS customization available on the Premier plan. Bonsai's portal covers document access but with fewer customization options. Neither platform shows project progress, task status, or deliverable timelines to clients. For businesses that need clients to see where a project stands without email updates, platforms like Plutio include client portals with project visibility on a custom domain.

Can I customize forms in both tools?

Dubsado has form customization with conditional logic, CSS styling, and multi-step sequences that adapt based on client responses. Bonsai has template-based forms with limited customization options. For freelancers who need different questionnaires for different service types, Dubsado covers that scenario while Bonsai requires manual workarounds.

Which tool is better for photographers?

Both are popular with photographers. Dubsado has more workflow customization options for intake, but takes weeks to configure. Bonsai sets up faster but has fewer automation triggers. Neither handles gallery delivery or real project management.

Can I add team members to both tools?

Yes. Bonsai uses per-user pricing. Dubsado includes 3 users in all plans, with additional users at $25/month for 4-10 users. Both have limited team collaboration features.

What if neither tool handles my full workflow?

If proposals, projects, time tracking, and invoicing need to connect in one system, all-in-one platforms cover the full lifecycle. Plutio handles the complete workflow from proposal to payment in one subscription at $19/month, with Kanban boards, task-level time tracking that flows into invoices, and a white-labeled client portal on a custom domain.

Can I migrate from Bonsai to Dubsado?

Both tools allow data export as CSV. Client lists can transfer, but workflows, forms, templates, and automations need to be rebuilt from scratch. Dubsado's conditional workflows are especially time-consuming to recreate in another tool since each trigger and sequence requires manual reconfiguration. Expect to spend a weekend or more migrating and testing before going live with the new platform.

Which tool has better support?

Dubsado has an active Facebook community and documentation library. Bonsai offers email support and a knowledge base. Dubsado's complexity means more support requests are configuration-related, while Bonsai's support queries tend to focus on feature limitations. Response times vary by plan for both platforms.

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