HoneyBook vs QuickBooks: Full Comparison (2026)

HoneyBook vs QuickBooks Online: one handles client bookings and the other handles accounting, but neither covers the full workflow for service businesses.

Freelancers and small business owners often start with one of these tools, then realize the other is needed too. HoneyBook sends proposals, contracts, and invoices, while QuickBooks tracks expenses, runs payroll, and generates tax-ready reports. The overlap is invoicing, and even there, the approach is different. So most users end up paying for both, plus a project management tool on the side.

HoneyBook covers proposals, contracts, e-signatures, invoicing, scheduling, and a client portal, with workflow automation on the Essentials plan. but there is no general ledger, no expense categorization, no profit-and-loss reports, and no tax preparation. HoneyBook integrates with QuickBooks for accounting, which means paying for two subscriptions to get one complete workflow.

QuickBooks Online handles invoicing, expense tracking, receipt capture, mileage tracking, and reporting, with bill management and time tracking on the Essentials plan. but there are no proposals, no contracts, no e-signatures, no client portal, and no scheduling. Sending a proposal or getting a contract signed requires a separate tool like HoneyBook, Dubsado, or Bonsai on top of the QuickBooks subscription.

Plutio covers proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management with Kanban boards, task-level time tracking, and a white-labeled client portal with no per-user fees. If the workflow needs proposals, project management, and billing in one place... Plutio replaces the multi-tool stack.

Last updated February 2026

4.6

Quick comparison (TLDR)

HoneyBook is a client management platform that covers the booking workflow for service businesses. Proposals, contracts with e-signatures, invoicing, scheduling, and a client portal come standard starting at $36/month. The Essentials plan ($59/month) adds workflow automation and Zapier integration. HoneyBook handles the client-facing side of running a service business, from first inquiry to final payment. But there is no accounting engine underneath. No general ledger, no bank reconciliation, no expense categorization, no profit-and-loss statements, and no tax preparation.

QuickBooks Online is accounting software that covers bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial reporting. Invoicing, expense tracking, receipt capture, mileage logging, and bank reconciliation come standard starting at $38/month (Simple Start). The Essentials plan ($75/month) adds bill management and time tracking for up to 3 users. QuickBooks handles the financial back-end that HoneyBook is missing. But there are no proposals, no contracts, no e-signatures, no scheduling, and no client portal. Getting a contract signed or sending a proposal requires a separate tool.

Key differences at a glance

Core purpose: HoneyBook manages client relationships (proposals, contracts, bookings). QuickBooks manages money (expenses, taxes, payroll). The overlap is invoicing, and even there, QuickBooks includes more invoicing options like recurring billing, progress invoicing, and multi-currency support.
Proposals and contracts: HoneyBook includes interactive proposals where clients select packages, sign contracts, and pay deposits in one flow. QuickBooks has no proposal or contract feature at all. Sending a quote is possible, but there are no e-signatures and no contract templates.
Accounting and tax prep: QuickBooks includes a general ledger, chart of accounts, bank reconciliation, profit-and-loss reports, balance sheets, and 1099 contractor management. HoneyBook has basic income tracking but no real accounting. Most HoneyBook users pay for QuickBooks alongside their HoneyBook subscription.
Pricing: HoneyBook Starter costs $36/month ($29/month annual). QuickBooks Simple Start costs $38/month. But the comparison is misleading because the tools do different things. A freelancer who needs both client management and accounting pays $36 + $38 = $74/month minimum for HoneyBook plus QuickBooks.
Team access: HoneyBook Premium ($129/month) includes unlimited team members. QuickBooks Simple Start is single-user. QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) includes 3 users. QuickBooks Plus ($115/month) includes 5 users. Neither platform includes project collaboration tools like shared boards or task assignments.
Project management: HoneyBook tracks project status through pipeline stages. QuickBooks Plus ($115/month) includes basic project tracking with income and expense allocation per project. Neither has Kanban boards, task dependencies, or subtasks. Both require a separate tool for task management and team collaboration.

The verdict? HoneyBook handles the client-facing workflow. QuickBooks handles the financial back-end. Most service businesses need both, plus a project management tool. If the workflow needs proposals, Kanban boards, task-level time tracking, and invoicing without paying for three separate tools, Plutio covers all of it for $19/month.

Tired of switching between apps?

One platform covers both workflows

Proposals, contracts, Kanban boards, task-level time tracking, and invoicing. All in one platform for $19/month with no per-user fees.

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Plutio - Your entire business, one login away

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Proposals, contracts, and e-signatures

A new client needs a proposal with pricing options, a signed contract before work begins, and a deposit payment. Can the platform handle all three steps without a separate tool?

HoneyBook

Interactive proposals with contract and payment in one flow. HoneyBook includes proposal templates where clients view service packages, select options, sign the attached contract, and pay a deposit from a single link. The proposal builder supports custom branding, package selection, and add-on services. E-signatures are built into every plan, and contracts can include merge fields that auto-populate client details. The Essentials plan ($59/month) adds automation so a signed contract can trigger a welcome email, questionnaire, or follow-up sequence without manual action.

Interactive proposals with package selection
E-signatures on every plan
Combined proposal, contract, and payment flow
Automation triggers on Essentials plan
Templates lean toward creative/event industries, so consultants and agencies often rebuild proposals from scratch
No standalone contract library for reuse across clients

QuickBooks Online

Estimates and quotes, but no proposals or contracts. QuickBooks can send estimates (quotes) to clients, and accepted estimates convert into invoices. But there is no proposal builder, no interactive package selection, no contract templates, and no e-signature support. Getting a contract signed requires a separate platform like DocuSign, PandaDoc, or HoneyBook. The estimate feature covers basic quoting (line items, quantities, pricing), but the experience stops at a PDF-style document with an accept button. For service businesses where the proposal is part of the sales process, QuickBooks does not participate in that step at all.

Estimates with line items and quantities
Accepted estimates convert to invoices
No proposal builder
No contract templates
No e-signature support
No combined proposal-contract-payment flow

Invoicing and payments

The work is done and the invoice needs to go out. Can the platform handle deposits, payment plans, recurring billing, and automated follow-ups without manual copying between apps?

HoneyBook

Invoicing tied to the client booking flow. HoneyBook includes invoicing on every plan with support for deposits, payment schedules, and automatic payment reminders. Clients pay through credit card or bank transfer (ACH), with processing fees of 2.9% + $0.25 for cards and 1.5% for bank transfers. Invoices can be attached to proposals and contracts, so clients sign and pay in one step. The payment schedule feature splits a total into milestone-based installments. But recurring invoicing for retainer clients is limited to sending reminders, not automatic charges. Invoice customization is limited to logo, colors, and basic layout without custom fields or line-item formulas, and there is no multi-currency support, no progress invoicing, and no connection to a general ledger.

Deposits and payment schedules
Automatic payment reminders
Invoice attached to proposal and contract
No automatic recurring charges
No multi-currency support
No progress invoicing
No general ledger connection

QuickBooks Online

Full invoicing with accounting integration underneath. QuickBooks handles invoicing with recurring billing, progress invoicing, multi-currency support (Plus plan and above), and automatic payment reminders. Payments sync directly with the general ledger, so every paid invoice updates accounts receivable, revenue reports, and tax calculations automatically. Clients pay via credit card, bank transfer (ACH), Apple Pay, or PayPal. QuickBooks also supports batch invoicing for sending multiple invoices at once, and the Plus plan adds the ability to track billable hours against projects. QuickBooks treats invoicing as part of the accounting cycle, not just a payment request, so every paid invoice updates accounts receivable and tax reports without manual entry.

Recurring billing with auto-charge
Progress invoicing and multi-currency
Payments sync to general ledger
Batch invoicing for multiple clients
No proposal or contract attached to invoices
Invoice design customization is limited

Accounting and financial reporting

Tax season arrives and the accountant needs a profit-and-loss statement, a balance sheet, and organized expense categories. Can the platform produce tax-ready financials without a spreadsheet?

HoneyBook

Income tracking only, not accounting. HoneyBook tracks income from invoices and shows basic financial dashboards: total revenue, unpaid invoices, and booking pipeline. The reporting covers sales performance and lead conversion, but there is no general ledger, no chart of accounts, no bank reconciliation, no expense categorization, and no balance sheet. When tax season arrives, the accountant still needs a separate system with categorized expenses, bank transaction matching, and profit-and-loss statements. HoneyBook integrates with QuickBooks, which is the recommended path for accounting, but the integration means paying for both platforms ($36-59/month for HoneyBook plus $38-115/month for QuickBooks).

Income and payment tracking
Revenue and pipeline dashboards
QuickBooks integration for accounting sync
No general ledger or chart of accounts
No bank reconciliation
No profit-and-loss or balance sheet reports
No expense categorization

QuickBooks Online

Full double-entry accounting with tax-ready reports. QuickBooks is accounting software at its core. Every plan includes a general ledger, chart of accounts, bank reconciliation, expense categorization, and profit-and-loss reports. The Simple Start plan ($38/month) covers single-user bookkeeping with receipt capture, mileage tracking, and basic reports. The Essentials plan ($75/month) adds bill management and accounts payable. The Plus plan ($115/month) adds per-project income and expense tracking, inventory, and 1099 contractor management. Tax preparation integrates with TurboTax, and accountants can access client books directly through QuickBooks Online Accountant. For the financial back-end of a service business, QuickBooks has been the default platform for years.

General ledger and chart of accounts
Bank reconciliation on every plan
Profit-and-loss, balance sheet, and cash flow reports
TurboTax integration for tax prep
1099 contractor management on Plus plan
No client management features

Scheduling and client communication

A potential client wants to book a discovery call, and an existing client needs to schedule a project check-in. Can the platform handle appointment booking without a separate scheduling app?

HoneyBook

Scheduling on every plan with calendar sync. HoneyBook includes a scheduling tool on every plan. Clients book meetings by selecting an available time slot from a branded booking page. The scheduling tool syncs with Google Calendar and Apple Calendar, so availability updates in real time. Meeting types include discovery calls, consultations, and project kickoffs, and booking confirmations plus reminders are sent automatically. The Essentials plan adds automated follow-up sequences triggered by a completed meeting. For service businesses that book 5-15 client calls per week, the included scheduling tool removes the need for Calendly or Acuity ($10-16/month saved).

Scheduling on every plan
Google and Apple Calendar sync
Custom meeting types and booking pages
Automatic confirmations and reminders
No round-robin scheduling for teams
No payment collection at booking (without attaching an invoice)

QuickBooks Online

No scheduling features at all. QuickBooks does not include any scheduling, appointment booking, or calendar management features. Booking a discovery call, scheduling a project kickoff, or managing recurring client meetings all require a separate tool. Most QuickBooks users add Calendly ($10-16/month), Acuity ($16-46/month), or Google Calendar (free but no booking pages) alongside their QuickBooks subscription. For service businesses that book 5-15 client calls per week, the absence means adding a separate scheduling tool and managing availability across disconnected calendars. QuickBooks focuses entirely on the financial side and leaves all client-facing interactions to other platforms.

No scheduling or appointment booking
No calendar management
No booking pages for clients
No meeting reminders
Separate scheduling tool required ($0-46/month)

Project management and task tracking

The contract is signed and the deposit is paid. Now there are weeks of deliverables, revisions, and deadlines to manage. Can the platform track project progress without a separate project management app?

HoneyBook

Pipeline-based project tracking. HoneyBook organizes projects into customizable pipeline stages (inquiry, proposal sent, contract signed, in progress, completed). Each project shows its current status, associated files, payments, and communication history. The pipeline view gives a visual overview of where every client sits in the workflow. But the tracking stops at status labels. There are no Kanban boards with movable cards, no task lists with assignments, no subtasks, no task dependencies, and no time tracking. For photographers managing 10-15 bookings at different stages, the pipeline works. For a designer running a 6-week brand project with multiple deliverables, a separate project management tool like Trello or Asana runs alongside HoneyBook.

Customizable pipeline stages
Visual project overview
Files and payments linked to projects
No Kanban boards
No task assignments or subtasks
No time tracking

QuickBooks Online

Basic project tracking on Plus plan and above. QuickBooks Plus ($115/month) and Advanced ($275/month) include project tracking that allocates income, expenses, and labor costs per project. Each project can log billable hours (Essentials and above), attach transactions, and generate a report showing how much each project earned vs how much it cost. The project feature answers the question "how much did this project cost vs how much did it earn?" But it does not manage tasks, deadlines, or deliverables. There are no task lists, no Kanban boards, no milestone tracking, no subtasks, and no client-visible project status. Projects with Kanban boards, timelines, and task dependencies handle task boards, timelines, and progress tracking that QuickBooks skips entirely.

Per-project income vs expense tracking on Plus plan
Billable hours per project on Essentials+
Income and expense allocation per project
No task management or Kanban boards
No milestone tracking
No client-visible project status
Requires Plus plan ($115/month)

Automation and workflow

Repetitive tasks pile up: sending follow-up emails after meetings, reminding clients about unpaid invoices, triggering questionnaires after contract signing. Can the platform automate multi-step sequences?

HoneyBook

Workflow automation on Essentials plan and above. HoneyBook Essentials ($59/month) includes automation workflows that trigger actions based on client events. A signed contract can trigger a welcome email, send a questionnaire, schedule a kickoff call, and create a task for the business owner. The workflow builder supports multi-step sequences with delay timers and conditional paths. The Starter plan ($36/month) has limited automation (basic email templates and reminders only). For businesses onboarding 5-10 clients per month, the automation on Essentials handles follow-up sequences that would otherwise take 1-2 hours per week of manual work.

Multi-step automated workflows on Essentials
Event-based triggers (sign, pay, book)
Delay timers and conditional paths
Starter plan has limited automation
Automation templates lean toward creative industries, so consultants and agencies need to build workflows from scratch
No automation for accounting or expense tasks

QuickBooks Online

Recurring transactions, not workflow automation. QuickBooks automates recurring invoices, recurring expenses, and bank transaction categorization rules. When the same vendor charges a monthly subscription, QuickBooks can auto-categorize the transaction based on rules. Recurring invoices send on a set schedule without manual action. But there is no workflow builder, no multi-step sequences, and no event-based triggers. QuickBooks does not send a follow-up email when an invoice is overdue (beyond basic reminders), and there is no way to chain actions together ("when invoice is paid, send thank-you email and create next project"). The automation is financial, not relational.

Recurring invoices on schedule
Auto-categorization rules for bank transactions
Recurring expense logging
No workflow builder
No multi-step automation sequences
No event-based triggers for client actions

Client portal and branding

Clients expect a professional experience when reviewing proposals, signing contracts, paying invoices, and checking project status. Can the platform deliver a branded client experience?

HoneyBook

Client portal with branded experience. HoneyBook includes a client portal on the Essentials plan ($59/month) where clients access proposals, contracts, invoices, files, and messages in one place. The portal carries the business brand (logo, colors, custom URL slug). The Starter plan ($36/month) provides client-facing documents (proposals, invoices) with branding but not the full portal experience. The client portal reduces back-and-forth emails because clients can find documents, check payment status, and respond to questionnaires without emailing the business owner. True white-labeling with a custom domain is not available, and the HoneyBook URL remains visible.

Client portal on Essentials plan
Branded proposals and invoices on all plans
Centralized client access to all documents
Portal requires Essentials plan ($59/month)
No custom domain for client portal
HoneyBook branding still visible

QuickBooks Online

No client portal at all. QuickBooks does not include a client-facing portal. Invoices arrive as emails with a payment link. Estimates arrive as emails with an accept button. There is no centralized space where clients log in to view their documents, payments, or project status. For businesses where client experience matters (agencies, designers, consultants), the absence of a portal means every document is an email attachment or a payment link, not a branded, organized client space. Platforms with white-labeled client portals give clients a professional experience under the business brand.

No client portal
No centralized client document access
No branded client experience
Invoices and estimates sent as email links only

Skip the two-tool stack?

Get proposals, projects, and billing in one app

HoneyBook handles the client side. QuickBooks handles the money side. Plutio handles proposals, Kanban boards, task-level time tracking, invoicing, and white-labeled client portals in one platform.

No credit card required

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating

HoneyBook vs QuickBooks Online pricing breakdown

HoneyBook and QuickBooks Online are not direct competitors. HoneyBook handles client management, and QuickBooks handles accounting. The pricing comparison only makes sense when both subscriptions are factored into the total monthly cost of running a service business.

HoneyBook Pricing (2026)

Starter: $36/month ($29/month annual). Proposals, contracts, e-signatures, invoicing, scheduling, basic automations, and client communication. Single-user only.
Essentials: $59/month ($49/month annual). Adds workflow automation, Zapier integration, branded client portal, and reports. Single-user only.
Premium: $129/month ($109/month annual). Adds unlimited team members, multiple companies, priority support, onboarding specialist, and advanced reporting.

QuickBooks Online Pricing (2026)

Solopreneur: $20/month. Simplified income and expense tracking, mileage, and invoicing for one-person businesses. Limited reporting.
Simple Start: $38/month. Invoicing, expense tracking, receipt capture, mileage tracking, basic reports. 1 user + 2 accountant users.
Essentials: $75/month. Adds bill management, time tracking, and up to 3 users + 2 accountant users.
Plus: $115/month. Adds per-project income vs expense tracking, inventory tracking, 1099 contractor management, and up to 5 users + 2 accountant users.
Advanced: $275/month. Adds custom roles, batch invoicing, advanced reporting, dedicated support, and up to 25 users + 3 accountant users.

The real cost: what service businesses actually pay

A solo freelancer who needs both client management and accounting pays a minimum of $36/month (HoneyBook Starter) plus $38/month (QuickBooks Simple Start) = $74/month. Add a project management tool like Trello or Asana ($0-11/month) and the stack runs $74-85/month before even touching a scheduling app.

A 3-person agency needs HoneyBook Premium ($129/month for team access) plus QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month for 3 users) = $204/month. Add a project management tool for task assignments and the total exceeds $200/month across three separate platforms.

Neither platform includes Kanban boards, task-level time tracking, or white-labeled client portals. Both require supplementary tools:

Project management: Trello, Asana, or ClickUp ($0-25/month)
Time tracking (HoneyBook users): Toggl or Clockify ($0-12/month per user)
Scheduling (QuickBooks users): Calendly or Acuity ($0-46/month)
Client portal (both): No option from either platform that includes custom domains

All-in-one platforms like Plutio start at $19/month for solo users with proposals, projects, time tracking, invoicing, and a white-labeled client portal in one subscription.

The verdict: HoneyBook covers client management. QuickBooks covers accounting. Together, the minimum cost is $74/month, and the workflow still has gaps in task management, time tracking, and client portal branding.

Which tool fits which type of business?

HoneyBook and QuickBooks serve fundamentally different functions, so the choice depends on whether the business needs client management, accounting, or both.

Solo photographers and event planners

HoneyBook covers this workflow. The booking workflow (inquiry, proposal, contract, deposit, deliver) is what HoneyBook's workflow covers. Photographers sending 5-10 proposals per month benefit from the combined proposal-contract-payment flow that eliminates switching between apps. QuickBooks adds the accounting layer (expense tracking, mileage, tax prep) but does not replace any part of the client booking workflow. Most photographers in this category run HoneyBook plus QuickBooks, paying $74-134/month for the two-tool stack.

Freelance consultants and coaches

The split is less clear here. Consultants billing hourly need time tracking that connects to invoicing. HoneyBook has no time tracking. QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) includes time tracking for up to 3 users, and tracked hours flow into invoices. But QuickBooks has no proposals, no contracts, and no client portal. A consultant who needs proposals, time tracking, and accounting pays for HoneyBook ($36/month) plus QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) = $111/month. Platforms with task-level time tracking that flows directly into invoices handle this workflow in one subscription.

Agencies with 3-5 team members

Neither platform handles agency workflows alone. HoneyBook Premium ($129/month) provides team access with proposals and client management. QuickBooks Plus ($115/month) provides multi-user accounting with per-project income and expense reporting. Together, the stack costs $244/month, and there is still no shared project board, no task assignments between team members, and no client-facing project portal. Agencies at this size typically add a third tool (Asana, Monday, or ClickUp) for project collaboration, pushing the total past $250/month.

Bookkeepers and accountants

QuickBooks covers this use case. The accountant-specific features (QuickBooks Online Accountant access, 1099 management, multi-client dashboards, and TurboTax integration) are serve this audience directly. HoneyBook offers nothing relevant to bookkeeping workflows. The only scenario where a bookkeeper uses HoneyBook is to manage their own client intake (proposals, contracts), which means running both tools at a combined cost that could instead go toward a platform that handles client management and basic invoicing together.

E-commerce businesses with inventory

QuickBooks Plus ($115/month) includes inventory tracking with quantity on hand, reorder points, and cost of goods sold calculations. HoneyBook has no inventory features at all. For product-based businesses, QuickBooks is necessary regardless of client management needs. HoneyBook only applies if the business also sells services alongside products.

What both tools are missing

HoneyBook handles client management. QuickBooks handles accounting. But once the contract is signed and tasks, deadlines, and deliverables begin, both platforms leave gaps that force service businesses into multi-tool stacks.

No real project management on either platform

HoneyBook tracks project status through pipeline stages. QuickBooks Plus tracks how much each project earns vs costs. Neither has Kanban boards for visual workflow, task lists with assignments, subtasks, task dependencies, or milestone-based progress tracking. For a wedding photographer managing 15 bookings at different stages, pipeline tracking is enough. For an agency running a 3-month website redesign with discovery, wireframes, design, development, and QA phases, a separate project management tool (Trello, Asana, ClickUp) runs alongside both platforms. The project details, deadlines, and task assignments live in a third app, disconnected from invoicing and client communication.

No white-labeled client portal

HoneyBook Essentials includes a client portal, but the HoneyBook URL and branding remain visible. QuickBooks has no client portal at all. For agencies and premium service providers where the brand experience is part of the service experience, clients seeing third-party branding undermines the positioning. Platforms like Plutio support fully branded portals on a custom domain where clients access proposals, projects, invoices, and files under the business brand.

Time tracking gap

HoneyBook has no time tracking. QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) includes time tracking, but it only connects to QuickBooks invoicing, not to project tasks or Kanban boards. Tracking time at the task level ("3.5 hours on homepage wireframe, 2 hours on logo revisions") and flowing those hours directly into invoice line items requires a separate time tracking tool alongside both platforms. Platforms with task-level time tracking that flows into invoices handle this without the manual transfer.

The two-subscription problem

The fundamental limitation is that HoneyBook and QuickBooks serve different purposes. Most service businesses need both client management and accounting, so the minimum viable stack costs $74/month (HoneyBook Starter + QuickBooks Simple Start). Adding project management and time tracking pushes the total to $86-135/month across 3-4 separate platforms. Every platform boundary creates a handoff where data gets copied manually: completed hours from the time tracker into the QuickBooks invoice, project status from the PM tool into HoneyBook, client details from HoneyBook into QuickBooks. Each handoff takes 5-15 minutes, and across 10-15 clients per year, the manual transfers add up to 15-30 hours annually.

What happens when neither tool is enough alone

When HoneyBook handles client intake and QuickBooks handles accounting but the workflow still has gaps, service businesses take one of two paths: build a multi-tool stack and accept the manual handoffs, or move to a single platform that covers the complete client lifecycle.

The typical workaround stack

Most service businesses end up assembling something like this:

HoneyBook for proposals, contracts, and client communication ($36-129/month)
QuickBooks for accounting, expenses, and tax prep ($38-275/month)
Trello, Asana, or ClickUp for project management ($0-25/month)
Toggl or Clockify for time tracking ($0-12/month per user)
Calendly or Acuity for scheduling (if using QuickBooks only, $0-46/month)

The total runs $74-400+ per month depending on team size, with 3-5 logins to manage and constant manual data transfer between each tool.

The hidden cost: time spent on handoffs

The subscription cost is the visible expense. The hidden cost is the workflow friction. When a contract gets signed in HoneyBook, someone manually creates a project in Asana, sets up time tracking in Toggl, logs the deposit in QuickBooks, and copies the client details across all three systems. When the project is finished, tracked hours from Toggl get entered manually into a QuickBooks invoice, and the payment gets reconciled separately. Each handoff takes 5-15 minutes. Across 15-20 clients per year, 25-40 hours annually go into data transfer that a connected system would handle automatically.

The single-platform path

All-in-one platforms handle proposals, project management, time tracking, and invoicing in a single system. The trade-off is learning a new interface and migrating existing data. For users who have invested time configuring HoneyBook workflows or setting up QuickBooks categories, migration feels like starting over. For users already juggling four apps and spending hours on handoffs, switching to one platform can recover 2-4 hours per week.

What replacing the stack looks like in practice

If the workflow already spans multiple tools: Plutio is one platform that covers the complete workflow. Proposals convert into projects with Kanban boards. Time tracking happens at the task level and flows directly into invoice line items. Clients access a portal on a custom domain, not the software vendor's. The comparison table below shows exactly where Plutio fills the gaps that HoneyBook and QuickBooks leave open.

Final verdict: HoneyBook vs QuickBooks Online

HoneyBook and QuickBooks Online are not competing products. HoneyBook manages client relationships. QuickBooks manages money. The real question is whether both subscriptions are necessary, and what gaps remain even when running both.

HoneyBook trade-offs:

HoneyBook covers proposals, contracts, invoicing, scheduling, and client portals, but has no accounting, no general ledger, no expense tracking, no bank reconciliation, and no tax preparation. Most HoneyBook users also subscribe to QuickBooks.
The Starter plan ($36/month) limits automation and excludes the client portal. The Essentials plan ($59/month) adds automation and the portal, but the HoneyBook URL remains visible to clients.
The Premium plan costs $129/month for team access. There is no time tracking on any plan, so hourly billing requires a separate tool.

QuickBooks Online trade-offs:

QuickBooks covers accounting, tax preparation, and financial reporting, but has no proposals, no contracts, no e-signatures, no scheduling, and no client portal. The client-facing side requires a separate tool.
Simple Start ($38/month) is single-user, and multi-user access starts at $75/month (Essentials). Pricing has increased over 50% in 5 years.
QuickBooks Plus ($115/month) includes inventory management, but that feature sits behind a plan that prices out many solo freelancers.

Consider switching to one platform if:

The monthly bill for HoneyBook + QuickBooks + project management + time tracking exceeds $100/month and the workflow still has gaps.
Manual data transfer between platforms (copying hours into invoices, duplicating client details across tools) consumes 1-2 hours per week.
Projects are complex enough to need Kanban boards, task dependencies, and milestone tracking, not just status labels.
Clients expect a branded experience with a custom domain, not a third-party URL.
Time tracking needs to connect directly to invoice line items without manual data entry.

The reality: Switching means learning a new system and potentially losing the depth of QuickBooks' accounting features. For businesses where tax preparation and bank reconciliation are critical, QuickBooks may remain necessary alongside any all-in-one platform. For businesses where the accounting needs are basic (income tracking, invoicing, expense logging), one platform replaces both HoneyBook and QuickBooks.

The bottom line: HoneyBook covers client intake. QuickBooks covers accounting. Neither handles Kanban boards, task dependencies, or team collaboration. Running both costs $74-404/month before adding project management tools. If the workflow already spans multiple platforms and the handoffs feel like wasted time, the comparison table below shows how all-in-one platforms like Plutio stack up against both.

Research & Sources

This comparison is based on official documentation review, pricing page verification, and analysis of user feedback across review platforms. All data was verified in February 2026.

Research methodology

Each tool was evaluated through official feature documentation, pricing pages, and analysis of user reviews across Capterra, G2, and independent review sites. The focus was on common pain points from lower-rated reviews where users share honest limitations rather than promotional praise.

Platform ratings (February 2026)

HoneyBook: 4.7/5 on Capterra (673 reviews), Ease of Use 4.6/5. Reviewers mention proposal-to-payment flow, scheduling, and client communication. Criticized for pricing increases (89% hike in 2025), limited customization, and lack of accounting features.
QuickBooks Online: 4.4/5 on Capterra, 4.0/5 on G2. Reviewers mention accounting features, bank reconciliation, and tax preparation. Criticized for pricing increases, limited customer support, and the absence of client management features.
Plutio: 4.6/5 on G2 (200+ reviews), praised for all-in-one coverage and white-labeling.

Common user complaints (from 1-3 star reviews)

HoneyBook users frequently mention: "Pricing increased 89% with the 2025 plan changes," "Templates are rigid and hard to customize," "No real accounting, so still need QuickBooks," "Starter plan is too limited now"

QuickBooks users frequently mention: "Customer support is slow and unhelpful," "Prices keep going up every year," "No way to send proposals or contracts," "Interface has gotten more cluttered with each update"

Pricing sources (verified February 2026)

HoneyBook: Official pricing page - Starter $36/month, Essentials $59/month, Premium $129/month
QuickBooks Online: Official pricing page - Solopreneur $20/month, Simple Start $38/month, Essentials $75/month, Plus $115/month, Advanced $275/month
Plutio: Official pricing page

Feature verification

HoneyBook Capterra reviews (673 reviews, 4.7/5)
QuickBooks Online Capterra reviews (4.4/5)
HoneyBook vs QuickBooks detailed comparison
HoneyBook's official comparison with QuickBooks

If any information is inaccurate or outdated, please let us know so the team can investigate and update.

HoneyBook vs QuickBooks Online vs Plutio: full feature comparison

See how all three tools compare on proposals, contracts, project management, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$36/month (Starter, $29/month annual)	$38/month (Simple Start), promo: 50% off for first 3 months
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	No free plan (7-day trial)	No free plan (30-day trial)
Trial period	14-day free trial	7-day trial + 60-day money-back guarantee	30-day free trial
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Projects with task lists and pipeline	Basic project tracking (Plus plan and above, limited to budgets and time)
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	5 team roles with project access control	No project-level roles or permissions
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	You cannot use task boards	No Kanban, Gantt, or calendar views
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	You cannot embed project views	No embeddable boards
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	You can share projects via the client portal only	No sharable boards
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	You can use pipeline stages, but they are predefined	No custom project statuses
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Integrated via Smart Files	Projects link to invoices and expenses (no proposals or contracts)
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Basic custom fields	No custom project fields
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	You cannot view tasks in a kanban board	No Kanban board
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	You cannot view tasks in a table	Transaction list view within projects
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	You can view projects in a list	Transaction list view within projects
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	You can see bookings on a calendar	No calendar view
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	You cannot view work on a gantt chart	No Gantt chart
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	You cannot split tasks into subtasks	No subtask support
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	Not supported (email sync only)	No email to task
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	You cannot comment on tasks	No task management system
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	You can share files, but not attach them to tasks	No task management system
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	You cannot set task priorities	No task management system
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	You cannot label or color-code tasks	No task management system
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	You cannot assign tasks to multiple people	No task assignees
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	You cannot reuse task templates	No task templates
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	You cannot set permissions per task	No task-level permissions
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	You cannot link tasks together	No task dependencies
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	You cannot create recurring tasks	Recurring transactions only (not tasks)
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Basic custom fields	No custom task fields
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Basic time tracking (manual entry on desktop, stopwatch on mobile)	Built-in time tracking (Essentials plan and above)
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Project-level only, no task-level tracking	Time tracked per service item and project (not per task)
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Time tracked at project level	Time tracked per project (Plus and Advanced plans)
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable time tracking available	Billable and non-billable time categorization
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Invoice from time logs (desktop only)	Add billable time directly to invoices
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Basic time logs per project	Detailed time reports available
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Team members can log time on shared projects	Team timesheets with weekly view (Essentials plan and above)
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Smart files combine proposals and contracts	Estimates only (not full proposals)
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	You can edit sections, not free drag-and-drop)	No visual proposal builder
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	You can use proposal templates	Estimate templates available (not full proposals)
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	You can see when a proposal is viewed	No proposal view tracking
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	You cannot chat inside proposals	No in-proposal messaging
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Complete Smart Files flow	Estimate to invoice only
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Accepted proposals create invoices	Convert estimates to invoices
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	You can offer packages and add-ons	No packages or add-ons
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Pricing updates dynamically	Static pricing only
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	You can use smart fields	Basic placeholders available
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	You can set proposal expiry	Manual expiry dates on estimates
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	You can download proposal PDFs	PDF export included
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	You can reuse proposal sections	No reusable content blocks
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	Clients can sign online	Basic e-signature on estimates (DocuSign integration on Advanced plan)
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Basic custom fields	Custom fields on Advanced plan only
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Smart files combine contracts and invoices	QuickBooks Online does not handle contracts
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	You cannot visually build contracts	No contract builder
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	Contracts support legal e-signatures	No e-signatures on contracts
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	You can collect multiple signatures, with fixed roles	No multi-signature support
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	You can use contract templates	No contract templates
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	You can send automatic reminders	No contract reminders
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	You can use smart fields in contracts	No contract variables
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Contracts can trigger workflows	No contract automation triggers
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	You receive contract notifications	Invoice and estimate view notifications only
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	You can download signed PDFs	No contract signatures or certificates
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	You cannot customize signer fields	No signer data fields
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Basic custom fields	No contract features
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Invoices with instant online payments	Full invoicing with online payments (credit card, ACH, Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo)
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	You can brand invoices	Customizable invoice branding with logo, colors, and layout
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Template-based editor only
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	You can edit line items	Fully customizable line items with products/services catalog
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	You can apply discounts	Discounts supported
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	You can set tax rates	Automated sales tax calculation
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	You can accept bank transfers	ACH bank payments supported
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	You can accept payments via Stripe	QuickBooks Payments built-in (Stripe via third-party integration)
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	You cannot accept payments via Square	Square integration for sales sync (not direct invoice payments)
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	You cannot accept payments via PayPal	PayPal and Venmo payments on invoices
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	You can accept partial payments	Partial payments supported
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	You can split invoices into payments	Recurring invoices only (no structured installment plans)
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	You can schedule payments, not subscriptions	Automated recurring invoices with flexible schedules
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	You cannot manage subscriptions	Recurring invoices only (no subscription portal)
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Payment reminders send automatically	Automated late payment reminders
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	You can reuse invoice templates	Reusable invoice templates available
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	You can use one account currency only	Multi-currency supported (Essentials plan and above)
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Contracts can trigger workflows	Recurring transaction automation (custom workflows on Advanced only)
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	You receive contract notifications	Email notifications when invoices are viewed and paid
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	You cannot track expenses	Full expense tracking with receipt scanning, bank sync, and auto-categorization
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	You can request deposits	Deposit invoicing supported
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	There is no time to convert	Add billable time directly to invoices
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	Basic custom fields	Custom fields on sales forms (3 fields on Plus, more on Advanced)
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	Messages and emails live in one inbox	No unified inbox
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	You can sync your email	No email integration (notifications only)
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	You cannot add live chat to your site	No live chat
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	You cannot DM teammates	No direct messaging
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Messages are tied to projects	No project messaging
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	You cannot create team channels	No team channels
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Channels are not supported	No channels
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	You cannot mention teammates	No @mentions
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	You can see when clients read messages	No read receipts
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	You can share files in messages	No chat feature
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Team email is not shared	No shared inbox
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Mobile inbox available	No inbox feature
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Email replies sync to conversations	No inbox feature
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	Files exist per project only	File attachments on transactions (no centralized file manager)
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No folder organization
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No folder permissions
People folders	Group files by person when needed	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No people folders
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Files organized within project transactions
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Basic file previews for receipts and documents
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	You can add custom fields	No custom file fields
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No built-in document editor
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No file comments
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No bulk file actions
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Basic search across transactions
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Google Drive and Dropbox integrations
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	Account-level role-based access
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No shareable file links
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Scheduler with intake forms	QuickBooks Online does not have scheduling
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	Branding options are limited	No booking pages
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	You can control availability	No availability management
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	You can add buffer times	No buffer times
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	You can offer multiple session types	No meeting types
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No calendar sync for scheduling
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Confirmation customization is limited	No booking confirmations
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	You cannot redirect after booking	No booking system
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Contracts can trigger workflows	No booking automation
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Meeting reminders send automatically	No meeting reminders
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Timezones adjust automatically	Account timezone setting only
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Fixed themes (non-customizable layouts)	No paid appointments
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Booking forms are fixed	No booking forms
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	You can set booking limits	No booking limits
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Clients can reschedule or cancel	No scheduling controls
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	AI-powered workflow builder with branching	Custom workflows (Advanced plan only, $275/month)
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	You can automate actions with workflows	Bank rules and transaction triggers (custom workflows on Advanced only)
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Workflows cannot repeat on a schedule	Recurring transactions only (no independent schedule workflows)
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Workflows can include multiple steps	Multi-condition workflows (Advanced plan only)
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Branching exists, but options are limited	Conditional approval workflows (Advanced plan only)
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	You can delay workflow steps	Payment reminder delays only
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Creation actions are limited	Auto-create recurring invoices and transactions
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Items cannot be duplicated automatically	Duplicate estimates and transactions manually
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Items cannot be deleted via automation	Manual deletion and voiding only
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	You cannot use APIs or webhooks	Full REST API and webhooks via Intuit Developer Platform
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Workflows can send emails	Automated invoice and reminder emails
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	You cannot post comments via automation	No automated comments
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	You cannot view automation logs	Audit trail tracks all user actions and changes
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	You can use smart fields	Basic invoice placeholders
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Forms, bookings, and payments trigger workflows	Invoices link to projects and customers (limited cross-entity scope)
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Questionnaires with limited styling	No form builder
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	You cannot visually build contracts	No form builder
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	You cannot reuse form templates	No form feature
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	You can add custom fields	No form feature
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Fields cannot change based on answers	No form feature
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	You can email on submission	Invoice and payment notifications only
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Contracts can trigger workflows	No form feature
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	You can embed forms	No form feature
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Field behavior is fixed	No form feature
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Field types are limited	No form feature
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	Forms can include signatures	No form feature
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	File uploads are limited	Receipt capture via mobile app (not form-based)
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	You cannot redirect after submit	No form feature
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Pipeline with AI lead prioritization	Basic customer and vendor contact management (no pipeline or lead tracking)
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Companies exist, but contacts come first	Customer records for individuals and companies (basic info only)
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	You can add CRM fields	Custom fields on customers (all plans)
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	You can see full activity history	Full transaction history per customer
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	You can tag and segment contacts	Customer types and sub-customers (no tags or segmentation)
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	You cannot create an internal wiki	No knowledge base
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported (requires integration)	No rich text pages
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported (requires integration)	No nested pages
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported (requires integration)	No wiki feature
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	HoneyBook does not have custom dashboards	Performance Center, custom reports, and Business Performance dashboard (Fathom removed July 2022)
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	Limited dashboard widgets	No custom dashboard builder
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Basic charts only	Financial charts (P&L, cash flow, expense breakdown)
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Basic metrics only	Key financial metrics displayed
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Not supported (requires integration)	No goals widget
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Not supported (requires integration)	No notes widget
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Calendar on dashboard	No calendar widget
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Revenue & invoice tracking	Comprehensive financial widgets (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, A/R, A/P)
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	HoneyBook branding, not white-label	Branding on invoices only (cannot remove QuickBooks branding)
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	Color themes on Deliver+ (no Free plan theme customization)	Color themes on Deliver+ (no Free plan theme customization)
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	You cannot apply custom CSS	No custom CSS
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Login pages cannot be customized	No custom login pages
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	You can brand outgoing emails	Logo on emails (limited customization)
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	You cannot use custom fonts	No custom fonts
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	You can add your logo	Logo upload on invoices and sales forms
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	Not supported (requires integration)	No custom domain
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	Not supported (requires integration)	No custom SMTP
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	Not supported (requires integration)	No workspace embedding
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	HoneyBook has fixed workspace	Fixed workspace structure
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	You cannot customize navigation	Dashboard report tiles can be rearranged (limited menu control)
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Menus are the same for all users	Menu varies by user role (not customizable)
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	You cannot define custom roles	Custom roles on Advanced plan only ($275/month)
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Permissions are not configurable	Role-based permissions (custom roles on Advanced plan only)
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	You cannot use SSO	No SSO for end users (OAuth 2.0 for API only)
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	Zapier only	800+ integrations in the QuickBooks App Store
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	You can connect HoneyBook to Zapier	Zapier integration supported
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	You cannot connect via Make	Make.com integration available
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	You cannot connect via Pabbly	Possible via API
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	You cannot access an API	Full REST API via Intuit Developer Platform
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	You cannot use webhooks	Webhooks supported via developer platform
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	HoneyBook 83/199	QuickBooks Online 43/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Full-featured iOS and Android apps	iOS and Android apps with receipt scanning and mileage tracking
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	You can use HoneyBook on iOS	Full iOS app available
Android app	Full-featured Android app	You can use HoneyBook on Android	Full Android app available
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	There is no desktop app	No Mac desktop app (QuickBooks Online is web-based only)
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	There is no desktop app	No Windows desktop app (QuickBooks Online is web-based only)

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HoneyBook vs QuickBooks Online FAQ

Is HoneyBook a replacement for QuickBooks?

HoneyBook is not a replacement for QuickBooks. HoneyBook handles client management (proposals, contracts, scheduling, client communication), while QuickBooks handles accounting (expense tracking, bank reconciliation, tax preparation, profit-and-loss reports). HoneyBook has no general ledger, no expense categorization, and no tax prep. Most HoneyBook users also subscribe to QuickBooks for accounting.

Can HoneyBook and QuickBooks work together?

HoneyBook integrates with QuickBooks through a native integration. Invoices and payments from HoneyBook sync to QuickBooks for accounting purposes. The integration reduces manual data entry, but the two platforms remain separate systems with separate logins, separate client records, and separate subscription costs ($36+ for HoneyBook plus $38+ for QuickBooks).

How much does HoneyBook cost compared to QuickBooks?

HoneyBook Starter costs $36/month ($29/month annual). QuickBooks Simple Start costs $38/month. The prices look similar, but the tools do different things. A freelancer who needs both client management and accounting pays a minimum of $74/month for both subscriptions. HoneyBook Essentials ($59/month) plus QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) costs $134/month for a small team.

Does QuickBooks have proposals and contracts?

QuickBooks does not include proposals, contracts, or e-signatures. QuickBooks can send estimates (quotes) with line items and quantities, and accepted estimates convert into invoices. But there is no proposal builder, no interactive package selection, no contract templates, and no e-signature support. Service businesses using QuickBooks need a separate tool for proposals and contracts.

Does HoneyBook include accounting features?

HoneyBook includes basic income tracking and payment dashboards, but not accounting. There is no general ledger, no chart of accounts, no bank reconciliation, no expense categorization, no profit-and-loss statements, and no balance sheets. HoneyBook integrates with QuickBooks for accounting, which means paying for both subscriptions to get a complete financial workflow.

Which is better for photographers, HoneyBook or QuickBooks?

HoneyBook covers the client-facing workflow that photographers use daily: proposals with package selection, contracts with e-signatures, scheduling, and client communication. QuickBooks covers the accounting side: tracking expenses, logging mileage to shoots, and generating tax-ready reports. Most photographers run both, paying $74/month minimum for the combined stack.

Does QuickBooks have scheduling features?

QuickBooks does not include any scheduling or appointment booking features. Booking client calls, consultations, or project kickoffs requires a separate scheduling tool like Calendly ($10-16/month) or Acuity ($16-46/month). HoneyBook includes scheduling on every plan with calendar sync and automated reminders.

Does HoneyBook have time tracking?

HoneyBook does not include any time tracking features. For hourly billing, a separate time tracking tool (Toggl, Clockify, or Harvest at $0-12/month per user) is needed. QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) and above include time tracking that flows into QuickBooks invoices. Platforms like Plutio include task-level time tracking that flows directly into invoices.

Can HoneyBook handle payroll?

HoneyBook does not include payroll features. QuickBooks offers payroll as an add-on service that integrates with the accounting system, handling paycheck calculations, tax withholdings, and direct deposit. For businesses with employees, QuickBooks (with payroll add-on) covers what HoneyBook cannot. The payroll add-on costs $25-125/month on top of the QuickBooks subscription.

Which tool has better project management?

Neither HoneyBook nor QuickBooks offers real project management. HoneyBook tracks projects through pipeline stages (inquiry, booked, in progress, completed). QuickBooks Plus ($115/month) tracks how much each project earns and costs. Neither has Kanban boards, task assignments, subtasks, or task dependencies. Both require a separate project management tool for finishing projects. Plutio includes Kanban boards and timeline views without adding another app.

Is HoneyBook worth it if already using QuickBooks?

HoneyBook adds proposals, contracts, scheduling, workflow automation, and a client portal that QuickBooks does not have. For service businesses that send proposals and need clients to sign contracts before work begins, HoneyBook fills the client-facing gap. The combined cost ($74-404/month) is the trade-off. If the business only needs invoicing and accounting, QuickBooks alone is sufficient.

Does HoneyBook have a free plan?

HoneyBook offers a 7-day free trial on all plans, plus a 60-day money-back guarantee. There is no permanent free plan. QuickBooks offers a 30-day free trial on all plans, and frequently runs promotions with 50% off for the first 3 months. Neither platform has a free tier for ongoing use.

Which is cheaper for a solo freelancer?

If the freelancer only needs client management (proposals, contracts, invoicing), HoneyBook Starter at $36/month ($29/month annual) is the relevant cost. If the freelancer only needs accounting, QuickBooks Simple Start at $38/month is the relevant cost. If both are needed, the minimum combined cost is $74/month. All-in-one platforms like Plutio start at $19/month and cover proposals, projects, time tracking, and invoicing in one subscription.

Does QuickBooks have a client portal?

QuickBooks does not include a client-facing portal. Invoices and estimates arrive as email links. There is no centralized space where clients log in to view documents, payments, or project status. HoneyBook Essentials ($59/month) includes a branded client portal. For a white-labeled portal with a custom domain, platforms like Plutio support full brand customization.

What if neither HoneyBook nor QuickBooks covers the full workflow?

If the workflow needs proposals, contracts, project management with Kanban boards, task-level time tracking, and invoicing in one system, all-in-one platforms bring together what HoneyBook and QuickBooks split across two subscriptions. The trade-off is losing QuickBooks' accounting depth (bank reconciliation, tax prep). For businesses with basic accounting needs, one platform replaces both tools. For businesses needing full accounting, QuickBooks may remain alongside the all-in-one platform. Plutio covers the client management and project completion side for $19/month.

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