FreshBooks vs HoneyBook: Complete Comparison (2026)

FreshBooks or HoneyBook: which one actually covers your freelance workflow?

FreshBooks covers the billing side: invoicing, time tracking that feeds hours into invoices, expenses, and bank reconciliation. HoneyBook covers the client side: proposals with e-signatures, contract templates, and booking flows that take a lead to a signed project. Once the project starts and those hours need to become an invoice, both tools send you somewhere else to finish the job.

FreshBooks is accounting software built for small businesses and freelancers, but there are no proposals, no contract templates, and no e-signature capability at any plan level, so freelancers send a branded proposal and collect a client signature somewhere else.

HoneyBook is a client management platform built for creative service businesses, but time tracking is a mobile-only stopwatch with no desktop app and no automatic connection to invoice line items, so freelancers billing by the hour track time in one tool and invoice in another.

Plutio handles invoicing, time tracking, expense management, proposals, contracts, and client portals in one connected workflow. Proposals convert to projects on signature, tracked hours become invoice line items in one click, and clients access a branded portal at your domain. Start a free trial and see how the full workflow fits together.

Last updated February 2026

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Before you dive in

Quick comparison (TLDR)

FreshBooks ($23/month Lite) and HoneyBook ($36/month Starter) each cover one half of the freelance workflow. FreshBooks covers the financial layer: invoicing with automatic payment reminders, time tracking that feeds into invoices, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and tax-ready reports. HoneyBook covers the client layer: proposals with e-signatures, contract templates, booking flows, and client intake automation.

Key differences at a glance

Invoicing depth: FreshBooks includes double-entry accounting, bank feeds, and tax preparation; HoneyBook includes basic invoicing inside the project workflow with no accounting features.
Proposals and contracts: HoneyBook includes proposals with e-signatures and contract templates on all plans; FreshBooks has estimates but no proposal builder and no e-signature capability at any price tier.
Time tracking: FreshBooks includes a full timer (web, desktop, mobile) that connects directly to invoices; HoneyBook's time tracker is a mobile-only stopwatch with no desktop version and no invoice connection.
Client limits: FreshBooks Lite caps at 5 billable clients; Plus caps at 50. HoneyBook has no client limits on any plan.
Geographic availability: FreshBooks operates globally; HoneyBook payment processing is US and Canada only.
Price increases: FreshBooks Lite has increased three times since February 2025, from $17.10 to $23. HoneyBook Starter rose 89.5% in February 2025, from $19 to $36.

The verdict? FreshBooks fits if accounting depth is the priority: double-entry bookkeeping, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation are all there, and you're happy to handle proposals elsewhere. HoneyBook fits if proposals, contracts, and client booking matter most and you don't mind using a separate tool for accounting. If you need both covered, Plutio handles the full workflow for $19/month.

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Accounting, invoicing, and expense tracking

Which tool handles the financial layer of freelancing more thoroughly, and where does each one stop?

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is accounting software first and invoicing software second. The core feature set covers double-entry bookkeeping, automatic bank reconciliation, expense tracking with receipt scanning, mileage tracking, and financial reports that give accountants and tax preparers the data they need. Invoices go out automatically, payment reminders send on a schedule, and clients pay directly from the invoice via credit card or bank transfer. The time tracking connects directly to invoices: a week of tracked time populates an invoice without a manual export step. The Lite plan at $23/month covers one user and 5 billable clients. Plus at $43/month covers 50 clients and adds project management and team collaboration. Premium at $70/month removes the client cap entirely. Additional users cost $11/month each on top of the plan price.

Double-entry bookkeeping with bank reconciliation built in
Time tracking on web, desktop, and mobile connects directly to invoices
Expense tracking with receipt scanning and mileage logs
Tax-ready financial reports (profit and loss, balance sheet, general ledger)
Lite plan caps at 5 billable clients; Plus caps at 50
No proposals, no contract templates, no e-signature at any plan level
Three price increases between February 2025 and January 2026

HoneyBook

HoneyBook's invoicing covers the billing layer of client projects but not the accounting layer behind it. Invoices go out from inside the project workflow, and clients pay via credit card or bank transfer. Payment reminders send automatically. The platform tracks income as project payments arrive, which gives a basic picture of revenue. The gap is that HoneyBook has no double-entry accounting, no bank reconciliation, no expense tracking, and no built-in connection to accounting software. Financial reports only reflect what comes in through HoneyBook's own payment collection. Freelancers who need tax-ready reports or accountant-compatible bookkeeping use FreshBooks or QuickBooks alongside HoneyBook for the accounting layer. Payment processing operates only in the US and Canada.

Invoicing with online payment collection via credit card and bank transfer
Automatic payment reminders and follow-up sequences
Income tracking tied to project status
No double-entry accounting, no bank reconciliation, no expense tracking
No built-in connection to accounting software
Payment processing restricted to US and Canada accounts

Proposals and contracts

Which tool covers the client acquisition and booking stage before any invoice is sent?

FreshBooks

FreshBooks includes estimates but not proposals. An estimate in FreshBooks is a cost outline that the client can accept or decline, but it is not a proposal with scope narrative, pricing breakdowns, and an e-signature line. There is no proposal builder, no template library for proposal design, no contract creation, and no e-signature capability at any FreshBooks plan level. Any freelancer who needs a signed proposal before starting work has to use a separate tool alongside FreshBooks. The most common pairing is FreshBooks for invoicing and accounting, with HoneyBook or Bonsai for the proposal-to-contract stage. The combination costs $59/month at minimum ($23 FreshBooks Lite + $36 HoneyBook Starter), before you add anything else.

Estimates that clients can accept or decline from the FreshBooks link
Retainer invoices and deposit invoices on all plans
No proposal builder, no branded proposal templates, no scope narrative
No contract templates, no e-signature capability at any plan level
Accepted estimates do not trigger project creation or portal access

HoneyBook

HoneyBook centers on the proposal-to-contract sequence. A freelancer creates a proposal with scope, pricing, and deliverables inside HoneyBook, then attaches a contract to the same document. The client receives one link that contains the proposal, the contract signature, and the first payment form. When the client signs and pays, HoneyBook marks the project as active. The template library includes contract and proposal templates for photographers, designers, event planners, coaches, and other creative fields. Workflow automation sends follow-up reminders when a proposal sits unsigned. Since February 2026, HoneyBook added a Kanban board view inside projects, though it still has no task dependencies or Gantt charts. For HoneyBook alternatives, see our dedicated comparison.

Proposals with e-signatures collected in one client-facing link
Contract templates for 30+ creative service types
Automated follow-ups when proposals sit unsigned
Workflow automation from lead to signed contract on all plans
Kanban board added February 2026 but no task dependencies or Gantt charts
No project management structure after the contract stage

Time tracking

How does each tool log billable hours, and how does that data connect to the invoice that follows?

FreshBooks

FreshBooks includes a full timer that runs on web, desktop app, and mobile, with a direct connection to invoicing. A tracked week populates an invoice without exporting. Billable rates set per project or per client mean tracked time converts to invoice line items automatically at the right rate. Time entries log against specific projects and tasks, so a multi-project freelancer sees exactly how hours break down across clients. FreshBooks also supports manual time entry for work that was not timed in real time. For freelancers billing by the hour, FreshBooks has the more direct path from tracked time to invoice.

Full timer on web, desktop, and mobile with one-click activation
Billable rates set per project, per task, or per client
Tracked time converts to invoice line items automatically at the correct rate
Manual entry for hours not timed in real time
No time tracking inside task management or project boards
Lite plan covers one user; additional users cost $11/month each

HoneyBook

HoneyBook's time tracker is a mobile-only stopwatch, confirmed by HoneyBook's own help documentation. Freelancers who work primarily at a computer must enter time manually for every session. The tracked time stores inside the HoneyBook project, but the connection to invoicing is manual: tracked hours in HoneyBook do not populate invoice line items directly. For time tracking that connects to invoicing without a manual step, you need a separate tool alongside HoneyBook. Freelancers billing by the hour who use HoneyBook typically pair it with Toggl Track or Clockify for the tracking layer and then manually transfer the totals into a HoneyBook invoice.

Mobile stopwatch records time against active projects
Manual time entry for hours logged after the fact
Stopwatch not available on desktop (confirmed by HoneyBook's help center)
Tracked hours do not automatically populate invoice line items
No billable rate configuration per project or client

Project management

What structure does each tool provide for managing active work once a client has signed?

FreshBooks

FreshBooks includes basic project features on Plus and Premium plans. Projects track budget spending in real time against a project estimate, so a freelancer can see whether a project is approaching its cost ceiling before it does. Team members can log hours against a project, and the project view shows total tracked time and expenses in one place. FreshBooks was not designed as a project management tool, and the gaps show. There is no Kanban board, no Gantt chart, no task dependencies, no milestone tracking, and no visual workflow view. Project management in FreshBooks means tracking costs and time against a project name, not managing the deliverables and stages of the work itself. The Plus plan ($43/month) is the minimum plan for team collaboration features.

Real-time project budget tracking against a cost estimate
Time and expense logging per project for accurate cost analysis
Team member access to project time logging on Plus plan
No Kanban board, Gantt chart, or task dependency tracking
No milestone view or visual project workflow
Project management features locked behind Plus plan ($43/month)

HoneyBook

HoneyBook added a Kanban board view in February 2026, which means projects now have a task status view for the first time. Tasks move across status columns inside a project, and team members can update statuses and add comments. Before this update, project management in HoneyBook was limited to a file and message view with no task tracking. The current Kanban does not include task dependencies, Gantt charts, time estimates per task, or milestone tracking. The February 2026 update also added more automation step options and a post-project tip reminder feature. For service businesses that only need to move tasks across a status board, the Kanban is sufficient. Businesses that need task dependencies, timeline views, or multi-phase project structures will still need a separate project management tool.

Kanban board view added February 2026 for task status tracking
Task comments and team member updates inside projects
No task dependencies, Gantt charts, or milestone tracking
No time estimates or budgets per task
Kanban added only in February 2026; multi-phase project management remains absent

Client collaboration and portals

How do clients access work, view documents, and stay updated when using FreshBooks or HoneyBook?

FreshBooks

FreshBooks gives clients a limited view of their financial documents. A client can log into a FreshBooks client portal to view and pay invoices, access estimates, and review receipts. The portal covers billing documents only. There is no project status view, no file sharing area, no messaging, and no way for clients to see what work is in progress or coming up. For freelancers who want clients to check task progress, review deliverables, or communicate about the project without using email, FreshBooks does not provide that environment. Client communication happens outside FreshBooks, typically by email, with invoicing links returning clients to the billing portal.

Client portal for invoice viewing and online payment
Clients can view estimates and billing history
No project status view in the client portal
No file sharing, deliverable review, or project messaging
Portal is for billing access only, not project collaboration

HoneyBook

HoneyBook's client portal gives clients access to project files, documents, and payment history in one view. Clients log into the portal via a project-specific link to access proposals, signed contracts, invoices, and files attached to the project. HoneyBook redesigned the portal in August 2025, but it still runs at HoneyBook's domain with HoneyBook's branding. Clients do not arrive at anything with the freelancer's name on it. HoneyBook does not offer a custom domain or white-labeled portal at any plan level. You and the client message each other inside the project, which cuts email back-and-forth but requires clients to create a HoneyBook login.

Client portal for documents, invoices, and file access
Portal redesigned in August 2025 with a simpler layout
Project messaging reduces email for client communication
Portal runs at HoneyBook's domain, no custom domain or white-labeling
Clients must log into HoneyBook to participate in messaging
No branded client environment at the freelancer's own domain

Pricing and plan structure

What do FreshBooks and HoneyBook actually cost, and what changed about both prices in 2025?

FreshBooks

FreshBooks raised its Lite plan price three times between February 2025 and January 2026. The Lite plan that cost $17.10/month in early 2025 now costs $23/month. Plus moved from $31 to $43/month over the same period. Premium moved from $55 to $70/month. The client caps on Lite (5 clients) and Plus (50 clients) remain, meaning freelancers with active projects across 6 or more clients pay $43/month for Plus before any accounting for additional users at $11/month each. FreshBooks announced a partnership with Bluevine for integrated business banking in February 2026, and a self-driving bookkeeping integration with Kick in January 2026, both of which add functionality without changing the base pricing structure. For a comparison of pricing across accounting tools, see FreshBooks vs Wave.

Lite at $23/month covers one user and 5 billable clients
Plus at $43/month covers 50 clients and adds project management
Premium at $70/month removes all client caps
Three price increases in 12 months (Feb 2025 to Jan 2026)
Client caps force upgrades regardless of feature needs
Additional users at $11/month each on top of plan price

HoneyBook

HoneyBook's Starter plan rose from $19/month to $36/month in February 2025, an 89.5% increase. The Essentials plan moved from $39 to $59/month. Premium moved from $79 to $129/month. Existing members who subscribed before February 4, 2025 received 20% off the new rates for one year only, after which the full new pricing applies. The price increase came alongside an AI automation push: HoneyBook added AI-powered workflow automation, AI priority lists, and a mobile AI Notetaker throughout 2025 into 2026. Unlike FreshBooks, HoneyBook has no client cap on any paid plan. All plans include proposals, contracts, invoicing, and automations. The Essentials plan ($59/month) adds scheduling, third-party integrations, and advanced automations. For a complete list of alternatives at lower price points, see HoneyBook alternatives.

No client caps on any paid plan
Proposals, contracts, and invoicing on all plans including Starter
AI automation features added throughout 2025
Starter rose 89.5% in February 2025, from $19 to $36/month
Scheduling and third-party integrations locked behind Essentials ($59/month)
All plans US and Canada only for payment processing

Skip the comparison?

Invoicing, time tracking, proposals, contracts, and client portals: one platform.

Plutio covers what FreshBooks and HoneyBook each leave out, starting at $19/month. Free trial, no credit card required.

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FreshBooks vs HoneyBook pricing breakdown

At the minimum useful plan for each tool, running FreshBooks and HoneyBook together costs $59/month before accounting for any project management or client portal tools.

FreshBooks Pricing (2026)

Lite: $23/month. One user, 5 billable clients. Time tracking, invoicing, expense tracking. No proposals or contracts at any plan level.
Plus: $43/month. Up to 50 clients. Adds project management and team collaboration.
Premium: $70/month. Unlimited clients. Adds advanced accounting features.
Additional users: $11/month each, added on top of plan price.

HoneyBook Pricing (2026)

Starter: $36/month or $29/month annual. Proposals, contracts, invoicing, basic automations. No client limit.
Essentials: $59/month or $49/month annual. Adds scheduling, integrations, and advanced automations.
Premium: $129/month or $109/month annual. Adds priority support and multiple account users.

The real cost: what users actually pay

A freelancer using FreshBooks Lite for accounting and HoneyBook Starter for proposals pays $59/month minimum. At $59/month for two tools, the workflow still has gaps: no branded client portal, no project management beyond basic task cards, and no automatic connection between tracked hours and invoice line items inside a single platform.

The realistic full-workflow stack adds further costs:

Project management: Asana or Trello at $0 to $13/month
Client portal: Copilot at $39/month
Additional time tracking: Toggl or Clockify at $9 to $13/month if HoneyBook's mobile timer is insufficient

All-in-one platforms like Plutio start at $19/month and include projects, time tracking, proposals, contracts, invoicing, and a branded client portal.

The verdict: FreshBooks covers accounting that HoneyBook does not. HoneyBook covers proposals that FreshBooks does not. Neither covers the full client workflow alone, and combining them costs $59/month and still doesn't cover everything.

Which tool is better for your business type?

What you choose first depends on which gap hurts your business more right now.

Solo freelancers who bill hourly

Freelancers billing by the hour need time tracking that connects to invoices and a clear record of expenses. FreshBooks covers this more directly than HoneyBook: the timer connects to invoices directly, expense tracking includes receipt scanning, and the financial reports give tax preparers the data they need. The Lite plan at $23/month works for freelancers with fewer than 5 active clients. At 6 clients, you have to move to Plus ($43/month) whether you need the extra features or not.

Creative freelancers who work on project-based contracts

Photographers, designers, event planners, and other creative professionals whose workflow starts with a signed proposal and ends with a final invoice may find HoneyBook covers the front end of that workflow directly. The proposal-to-contract-to-booking flow fits how creative projects begin. HoneyBook has no double-entry accounting, no expense tracking, and no tax-ready reports. Creative freelancers typically add FreshBooks or QuickBooks alongside HoneyBook for the accounting side.

Freelancers outside the US and Canada

HoneyBook processes payments only in the US and Canada. International freelancers who want to use HoneyBook for proposals and contracts still need a separate tool to collect payments. FreshBooks operates globally and processes payments from clients in multiple countries.

Service businesses ready to grow beyond solo

FreshBooks charges $11/month per additional user. HoneyBook's Essentials plan at $59/month supports multiple team members on a single account. For businesses adding contractors or staff, HoneyBook costs less per additional team member than FreshBooks does, though neither tool covers the full workflow that a growing service business needs. Once a two- or three-person team is managing several clients at once, the cost and friction of two separate tools becomes hard to justify.

What both tools are missing

Once you look past each tool's strongest layer, both FreshBooks and HoneyBook stop at similar points.

No complete proposal-to-invoice workflow in one place

FreshBooks has no proposals or contracts. HoneyBook has limited accounting depth. A freelancer who needs to send a branded proposal, collect a signature, track hours against the project, and issue a tax-ready invoice at the end is using two separate tools regardless of which one they choose first. Every time work moves from one tool to the other, you re-enter the data by hand.

No branded client portal

FreshBooks gives clients access to a billing portal for invoices only. HoneyBook gives clients a project portal, but it runs at HoneyBook's domain with HoneyBook's branding. Neither offers a portal at the freelancer's own domain where clients log in to a branded environment without seeing the tool provider's name. For service businesses that want clients to experience a professional, white-labeled interface, both tools fall short of that standard.

No connected time-to-invoice workflow in HoneyBook

In FreshBooks, tracked hours become invoice line items automatically. In HoneyBook, time tracked on mobile does not connect to invoice generation. A freelancer using HoneyBook to manage projects and track time has to manually enter those hours into an invoice rather than pulling from a connected log. For billing by the hour, this disconnection means extra steps at every billing cycle.

No project management depth in either tool

FreshBooks has no visual project management at any plan level. HoneyBook added a Kanban board in February 2026, but has no task dependencies, Gantt charts, or milestone tracking. Neither tool provides the project structure for managing a multi-phase client engagement, a multi-deliverable retainer, or a project with concurrent tracks. Freelancers managing complex projects add Asana, Trello, or Notion alongside both tools, adding a third subscription and a second layer of manual data entry.

What users do when neither tool is enough

Most freelancers who use both FreshBooks and HoneyBook are running a two-tool stack to cover what a single platform should handle without switching apps.

The typical workaround stack

HoneyBook Starter for proposals, contracts, and basic invoicing ($36/month)
FreshBooks Plus for accounting, time tracking, and tax-ready reports ($43/month)
Asana or Trello for project management ($0 to $13/month)
Calendly for scheduling discovery calls ($0 to $16/month)
Google Drive for client file sharing ($0 to $12/month)

A solo freelancer covering all five categories pays $79 to $120/month across four to five separate logins. Data moves manually between systems: proposal in HoneyBook, invoice in FreshBooks, tasks in Asana, files in Drive. Every time you move data between tools manually, something gets missed or typed in twice.

The all-in-one alternative

All-in-one platforms connect the full workflow in one place. A proposal converts to a project on signature. Tracked hours populate invoices directly. The client accesses a branded portal at your domain to review work, sign documents, and pay invoices without switching between tools. The trade-off is learning a new system and moving existing clients and templates over, which most freelancers get done in a few hours. After the move, data stays in one tool and the monthly bill drops from $59 to $19.

What one platform looks like in practice

Plutio covers proposals, contracts, project management, time tracking, invoicing, and a branded client portal at your domain, starting at $19/month. The comparison table below shows exactly where Plutio fills the gaps that FreshBooks and HoneyBook each leave open.

Final verdict: FreshBooks vs HoneyBook

The choice between FreshBooks and HoneyBook is a choice between two halves of the same workflow, not between two complete platforms.

When to choose FreshBooks:

Your work requires double-entry accounting, bank reconciliation, and tax-ready reports
You bill by the hour and need time tracking that connects to invoices without a manual export
You have clients or project work that crosses international borders
You work with an accountant who needs standard bookkeeping data

But know that: FreshBooks has no proposals, no contracts, and no e-signature capability at any plan level. The Lite plan caps at 5 billable clients. Three price increases in 12 months raised the Lite plan from $17.10 to $23.

When to choose HoneyBook:

Your workflow begins with a signed proposal and contract, and that booking stage is the hardest part to manage
You are a creative professional (photographer, designer, event planner) whose clients expect a professional intake flow
You need automated follow-ups when proposals sit unsigned or invoices go unpaid
You operate primarily in the US or Canada

But know that: HoneyBook has no double-entry accounting, no expense tracking, and no tax-ready financial reports. Time tracking is a mobile-only stopwatch. Payment processing is US and Canada only. The Starter plan rose 89.5% in February 2025.

Consider switching to one platform if:

You are already paying for both FreshBooks and HoneyBook at $59/month combined
You copy time entries manually from one tool into another at the end of each billing cycle
Clients ask about project progress and you point them to a mix of emails, Drive folders, and HoneyBook links
You want a client portal at your own domain rather than at HoneyBook's or FreshBooks' domains

The bottom line: FreshBooks covers accounting and time tracking. HoneyBook covers proposals and contracts. Both address real needs, but neither covers both at the same time, requiring either a two-tool stack at $59/month minimum or an all-in-one platform. The comparison table below shows how Plutio stacks up against both.

Research & Sources

The data below is based on direct hands-on testing, official documentation review, and analysis of user feedback across major review platforms. All data was verified in February 2026.

Research methodology

Both platforms were evaluated using active trial accounts. Feature availability at each plan tier was verified against official help documentation and pricing pages. Pricing history was cross-referenced against multiple third-party tracking sources. User feedback analysis covered 1 to 3 star reviews on G2 and Capterra.

Platform ratings (February 2026)

FreshBooks: 4.5/5 on G2 (790+ reviews), 4.5/5 on Capterra (4,493 reviews). Frequently criticized for client caps and repeated price increases.
HoneyBook: 4.5/5 on G2 (184 reviews), 4.7/5 on Capterra (665 reviews). Frequently criticized for the 89.5% price increase and limited accounting depth.
Plutio: 4.6/5 on G2 (200+ reviews). Praised for all-in-one coverage and branded client portals.

Common user complaints (from 1 to 3 star reviews)

FreshBooks users frequently mention: "Three price increases in one year is too many for what I get"; "The 5-client cap on Lite forces me to pay more just to manage 6 clients"; "No proposal feature means I need a second tool just to get a signed agreement"; "The Plus plan is $43 but I only needed one feature from it."

HoneyBook users frequently mention: "89% price increase with no warning is not OK"; "Time tracking on mobile only is a major gap for desktop workers"; "No accounting or bookkeeping means I still need FreshBooks or QuickBooks"; "US-only payment processing is a real limitation."

Pricing sources (verified February 2026)

FreshBooks: Official pricing page and 2026 price change FAQ
HoneyBook: Official pricing page and pricing change announcement
Plutio: Official pricing page

Feature verification

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

FreshBooks vs HoneyBook vs Plutio: full feature comparison

See how all three tools compare on invoicing, proposals, time tracking, and client workflows

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$21/month (Lite, 5 clients)	$36/month (Starter, $29/month annual)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	No free plan (30-day trial)	No free plan (7-day trial)
Trial period	14-day free trial	30-day free trial	7-day trial + 60-day money-back guarantee
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Basic project tracking with profitability focus	Projects with task lists and pipeline
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	Team member permissions (Admin, Manager, Employee)	5 team roles with project access control
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	No task boards (list-based tracking only)	You cannot use task boards
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	No embeddable project views	You cannot embed project views
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	Clients can view documents in portal only	You can share projects via the client portal only
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	No project stages or milestones	You can use pipeline stages, but they are predefined
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Estimates and invoices connect (no contracts)	Integrated via Smart Files
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	No custom project fields	Basic custom fields
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	No Kanban boards	You cannot view tasks in a kanban board
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	No table view for tasks	You cannot view tasks in a table
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	Task list view available	You can view projects in a list
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	Calendar shows events, not tasks	You can see bookings on a calendar
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	No Gantt charts	You cannot view work on a gantt chart
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	No subtasks	You cannot split tasks into subtasks
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	No email-to-task conversion	Not supported (email sync only)
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	Team discussion on projects	You cannot comment on tasks
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	Files can be attached to projects	You can share files, but not attach them to tasks
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	No task priorities	You cannot set task priorities
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	No task labels or color coding	You cannot label or color-code tasks
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Tasks can be assigned to team members	You cannot assign tasks to multiple people
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	Project templates available	You cannot reuse task templates
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	No task-level permissions	You cannot set permissions per task
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	No task dependencies	You cannot link tasks together
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	No recurring tasks	You cannot create recurring tasks
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	No custom task fields	Basic custom fields
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Timer and manual time entry	Basic time tracking (manual entry on desktop, stopwatch on mobile)
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Time tracked per service, not per task	Project-level only, no task-level tracking
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Time tracked per project and client	Time tracked at project level
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable and non-billable hours supported	Billable time tracking available
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Time entries convert to invoices	Invoice from time logs (desktop only)
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Detailed time reports available	Basic time logs per project
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Team time tracking on higher plans	Team members can log time on shared projects
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Estimates only (not full proposals)	Smart files combine proposals and contracts
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	No visual proposal builder	You can edit sections, not free drag-and-drop)
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Estimate templates available	You can use proposal templates
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	No proposal view tracking	You can see when a proposal is viewed
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	No in-proposal messaging	You cannot chat inside proposals
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Estimate to invoice only	Complete Smart Files flow
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Convert estimates to invoices	Accepted proposals create invoices
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	No packages or add-ons	You can offer packages and add-ons
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Static pricing only	Pricing updates dynamically
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Basic placeholders available	You can use smart fields
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Manual expiry dates on estimates	You can set proposal expiry
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	PDF export included	You can download proposal PDFs
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	No reusable content blocks	You can reuse proposal sections
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	No e-signatures	Clients can sign online
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom proposal fields	Basic custom fields
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Contracts not supported	Smart files combine contracts and invoices
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	No contract builder	You cannot visually build contracts
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	No e-signatures	Contracts support legal e-signatures
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Not supported	You can collect multiple signatures, with fixed roles
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	No contract templates	You can use contract templates
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	No contract reminders	You can send automatic reminders
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	Not applicable	You can use smart fields in contracts
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Not supported	Contracts can trigger workflows
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Email notifications when viewed	You receive contract notifications
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	Not applicable	You can download signed PDFs
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Not applicable	You cannot customize signer fields
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Not applicable	Basic custom fields
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Full invoicing with online payments	Invoices with instant online payments
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Customizable invoice branding	You can brand invoices
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Template-based editor only	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Fully customizable line items	You can edit line items
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Discounts supported	You can apply discounts
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Custom tax rates	You can set tax rates
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	ACH bank payments supported	You can accept bank transfers
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	Square not integrated	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 supported	You can accept partial payments
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	Manual setup required	You can split invoices into payments
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Recurring invoices supported	You can schedule payments, not subscriptions
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	Retainers available on Plus plan	You cannot manage subscriptions
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Automated late payment reminders	Payment reminders send automatically
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Invoice templates available	You can reuse invoice templates
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Multi-currency supported	You can use one account currency only
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Limited automation	Contracts can trigger workflows
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Email notifications when viewed	You receive contract notifications
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	Full expense tracking with receipts	You cannot track expenses
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Deposit invoicing supported	You can request deposits
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Time to invoice conversion	There is no time to convert
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom invoice fields	Basic custom fields
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	No unified inbox	Messages and emails live in one inbox
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	No email integration	You can sync your email
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	No live chat	You cannot add live chat to your site
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	No direct messaging	You cannot DM teammates
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Project discussions available	Messages are tied to projects
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	No team channels	You cannot create team channels
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Not applicable	Channels are not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	No @mentions	You cannot mention teammates
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	No read receipts	You can see when clients read messages
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	No chat feature	You can share files in messages
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	No shared inbox	Team email is not shared
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	No inbox in app	Mobile inbox available
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	No inbox sync	Email replies sync to conversations
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	Basic file storage in projects	Files exist per project only
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	No folder organization	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	No folder permissions	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
People folders	Group files by person when needed	Not supported	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Files organized by project	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	Basic file previews	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	No custom file fields	You can add custom fields
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No document editor	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	No file comments	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	No bulk actions	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Basic search	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Dropbox and Google Drive integrations	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Basic sharing via portal	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	No shareable file links	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	No scheduling features	Scheduler with intake forms
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	No booking pages	Branding options are limited
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	Not applicable	You can control availability
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	Not applicable	You can add buffer times
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Not applicable	You can offer multiple session types
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Calendar sync for late payments only	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Not applicable	Confirmation customization is limited
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	Not applicable	You cannot redirect after booking
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Not applicable	Contracts can trigger workflows
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Not applicable	Meeting reminders send automatically
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Timezone support for invoicing	Timezones adjust automatically
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Not applicable	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Not applicable	Booking forms are fixed
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	Not applicable	You can set booking limits
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Not applicable	Clients can reschedule or cancel
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	No workflow builder	AI-powered workflow builder with branching
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Limited payment and invoice triggers	You can automate actions with workflows
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Recurring invoices only	Workflows cannot repeat on a schedule
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	No multi-step automation	Workflows can include multiple steps
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	No conditional logic	Branching exists, but options are limited
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Payment reminder delays	You can delay workflow steps
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	No record automation	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 via automation
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	Limited webhook support	You cannot use APIs or webhooks
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Automated invoice and reminder emails	Workflows can send emails
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	No automated comments	You cannot post comments via automation
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Basic activity history	You cannot view automation logs
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Basic invoice placeholders	You can use smart fields
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Clients link to invoices and projects	Forms, bookings, and payments trigger workflows
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	No form builder	Questionnaires with limited styling
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Not applicable	You cannot visually build contracts
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Not applicable	You cannot reuse form templates
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Not applicable	You can add custom fields
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Not applicable	Fields cannot change based on answers
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Not applicable	You can email on submission
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Not applicable	Contracts can trigger workflows
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Not applicable	You can embed forms
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Not applicable	Field behavior is fixed
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Not applicable	Field types are limited
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	Not applicable	Forms can include signatures
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	Not applicable	File uploads are limited
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Not applicable	You cannot redirect after submit
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Client management included	Pipeline with AI lead prioritization
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Client records only (no companies)	Companies exist, but contacts come first
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	No custom client fields	You can add CRM fields
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Client activity history available	You can see full activity history
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	No labels or grouping	You can tag and segment contacts
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	No knowledge base	You cannot create an internal wiki
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not applicable	Not supported (requires integration)
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not applicable	Not supported (requires integration)
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not applicable	Not supported (requires integration)
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Financial dashboard only	HoneyBook does not have custom dashboards
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	No custom dashboard builder	Limited dashboard widgets
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Financial charts available	Basic charts only
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Key financial metrics displayed	Basic metrics only
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	No goals widget	Not supported (requires integration)
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	No notes widget	Not supported (requires integration)
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	No calendar widget	Calendar on dashboard
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Comprehensive financial widgets	Revenue & invoice tracking
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Branding on invoices only	HoneyBook branding, not white-label
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	No interface customization	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	No custom login pages	Login pages cannot be customized
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Logo on emails (Premium only)	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 upload supported	You can add your logo
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	No custom domain	Not supported (requires integration)
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	No custom SMTP	Not supported (requires integration)
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	No workspace embedding	Not supported (requires integration)
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Fixed workspace structure	HoneyBook has fixed workspace
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	No menu customization	You cannot customize navigation
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Fixed menus for all users	Menus are the same for all users
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	3 fixed roles only	You cannot define custom roles
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Basic permission levels	Permissions are not configurable
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	No SSO support	You cannot use SSO
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	100+ integrations available	Zapier only
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier supported	You can connect HoneyBook to Zapier
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Make.com supported	You cannot connect via Make
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	Limited Pabbly support	You cannot connect via Pabbly
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	Developer API available	You cannot access an API
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Limited webhook support	You cannot use webhooks
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	FreshBooks 49/199	HoneyBook 83/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	iOS and Android apps	Full-featured iOS and Android apps
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	Full iOS app available	You can use HoneyBook on iOS
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Full Android app available	You can use HoneyBook on Android
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	No Mac desktop app	There is no desktop app
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	No Windows desktop app	There is no desktop app

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FreshBooks vs HoneyBook FAQ

Is FreshBooks or HoneyBook better for freelancers?

The right fit depends on which half of the workflow you need most right now. FreshBooks covers accounting, time tracking, and invoicing depth: double-entry bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, and time that connects directly to invoice line items. HoneyBook covers proposals, contracts, and client booking: proposals with e-signatures, contract templates, and booking flows that automate the intake process. Neither covers both halves, so the choice comes down to which gap you are willing to fill manually with a second tool.

Does FreshBooks have proposals and contracts?

No. FreshBooks includes estimates that clients can accept or decline, but these are not proposals with scope narrative, branded design, or an e-signature line. FreshBooks has no proposal builder, no contract template library, and no e-signature capability at any plan level. Freelancers who need to collect a signed proposal and contract before starting work use a separate tool alongside FreshBooks, most commonly HoneyBook, Bonsai, or Dubsado for the proposal and contract stage.

Does HoneyBook do accounting?

No. HoneyBook tracks income as project payments arrive and provides a basic revenue overview, but it has no double-entry accounting, no bank reconciliation, no expense tracking, and no tax-ready financial reports. Freelancers who need accounting for tax filing or business financial management use FreshBooks or QuickBooks alongside HoneyBook. The two tools are frequently paired: HoneyBook for the client-facing workflow and FreshBooks for the financial records behind it.

Can HoneyBook track time on desktop?

No. HoneyBook's time tracking feature is a stopwatch that only works on mobile. HoneyBook's own help documentation confirms the stopwatch does not work on desktop. Desktop users must enter time manually for every session. The tracked time also does not connect to invoice line items automatically, so logged hours require a manual transfer into an invoice. For time tracking that connects to invoicing without a manual step, Plutio's timer runs on desktop and populates invoice line items directly.

How much does FreshBooks cost vs HoneyBook?

FreshBooks Lite costs $23/month and covers one user with 5 billable clients. HoneyBook Starter costs $36/month with no client limits. Both tools raised prices significantly in 2025: FreshBooks raised the Lite plan three times, from $17.10 to $23. HoneyBook raised the Starter plan 89.5%, from $19 to $36. Running both tools together costs $59/month minimum at the entry-level plans. At that combined cost, you still don't have proposals from FreshBooks or accounting from HoneyBook. Each tool only covers what the other one is missing.

Does HoneyBook work outside the US and Canada?

HoneyBook only supports accounts and payment processing in the US and Canada. Freelancers located outside North America cannot create a HoneyBook account or collect payments through the platform. International freelancers who want to use HoneyBook's proposal and contract features cannot do so because account creation requires a US or Canada address and bank account. FreshBooks accepts payments from clients in most countries and has no geographic account restrictions, making it the only workable choice here for international freelancers.

What is the main difference between FreshBooks and HoneyBook?

FreshBooks is accounting and invoicing software. HoneyBook is client management software. FreshBooks handles the money side: double-entry bookkeeping, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, time tracking, and tax reports. HoneyBook handles the client side: proposals, contracts, e-signatures, booking flows, and client intake automation. They each cover a different stage of the freelance process, and many freelancers run both tools together to cover each stage. The combined cost is $59/month minimum at entry plans.

Can I use both FreshBooks and HoneyBook together?

Yes. Many freelancers run both tools in parallel: HoneyBook for proposals, contracts, and client communication, and FreshBooks for time tracking, expense management, and accounting. The gap is that the two tools do not share data automatically. Hours tracked in FreshBooks do not appear in HoneyBook projects. Invoices generated in FreshBooks do not reference HoneyBook contracts. Data between the two tools transfers manually. The combined cost at entry plans is $59/month, which exceeds what an all-in-one platform covers for a single subscription.

Does FreshBooks have a client portal?

FreshBooks includes a client portal where clients can view and pay invoices, access estimates, and review billing history. The portal covers billing documents only. There is no project status view, no file sharing, no messaging, and no way for clients to see what work is in progress. For service businesses that want clients to check task progress, review deliverables, or communicate about the project from a centralized view, FreshBooks does not provide that environment. Platforms like Plutio include a white-labeled client portal at your own domain where clients access projects, files, invoices, and communications in one place.

Did FreshBooks or HoneyBook raise prices recently?

Both tools raised prices significantly in 2025. FreshBooks raised the Lite plan price three times between February 2025 and January 2026, from $17.10 to $23/month. The Plus plan rose from $31 to $43/month over the same period. HoneyBook raised the Starter plan 89.5% in February 2025, from $19 to $36/month. The Essentials plan rose from $39 to $59/month. Existing HoneyBook members who subscribed before February 4, 2025 received 20% off new rates for one year only.

What do FreshBooks and HoneyBook have in common?

Both tools include invoicing with online payment collection, automatic payment reminders, and basic project tracking. Both serve freelancers and small service businesses. Both raised prices significantly in 2025. Both have no project management depth beyond basic task tracking. Neither offers a white-labeled client portal at the freelancer's own domain. Neither covers the full freelance workflow alone: FreshBooks lacks proposals and contracts; HoneyBook lacks accounting depth and desktop time tracking. Both require additional tools to fill the gaps the other one leaves open.

What is the best alternative to both FreshBooks and HoneyBook?

Plutio covers what both tools handle separately in one platform at $19/month. Proposals with e-signatures convert to projects on signature. A desktop and mobile timer logs hours per task, and those hours become invoice line items in one click. Expense tracking, contracts, scheduling, and a branded client portal at your domain are all included in the base plan. For freelancers currently paying $59/month for FreshBooks plus HoneyBook, Plutio covers the combined workflow for less than half the price. The 14-day free trial includes full access with no credit card required.

Done comparing?

One platform for proposals, contracts, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals.

Plutio covers what FreshBooks and HoneyBook split between two subscriptions, for less than either tool's starting price. Free trial, no credit card required.

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