Indy vs Bonsai: Complete Comparison (2026)

Indy vs Bonsai: which one actually runs your entire business?

Both handle the freelance essentials: proposals, contracts, invoices, and time tracking in one place. But once projects get complex or clients expect a professional experience, most users find themselves opening other apps... because neither has connected project-to-invoice automation, a fully branded client portal on all plans, or team collaboration features necessary to truly run an entire workflow from one place.

Indy covers proposals, contracts, invoices, time tracking, and a task board, but the free plan caps at 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month, there's no mobile app, and the client portal runs on an Indy subdomain with no custom domain option on any plan.

Bonsai covers proposals, contracts, invoices, time tracking, and project management with task dependencies, but there's no free plan, white-labeling is locked to the Business tier at $79/month, and neither the Starter nor the Professional plan removes Bonsai's branding from your client-facing documents.

Plutio handles intake, then connects it to the rest of the workflow. Proposals auto-create projects with task templates, tracked time feeds directly into invoices, and clients log into a branded portal at your domain to check progress on their own. Skip the comparison and try Plutio free.

Last updated March 2026

4.6

Quick comparison (TLDR)

Indy covers proposals, contracts, invoices, time tracking, and a task board for solo freelancers. A free plan exists, but it caps at 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month. Upgrading to Pro costs $25/month (or $18.75/month billed annually). There's no mobile app, no team plan, and the client portal stays on an Indy subdomain on every plan with no custom domain available.

Bonsai covers a wider feature set with proposals, contracts, invoices, time tracking, project management with task dependencies, and client questionnaires. There's no free plan. Starter costs $25/month, Professional $39/month, and Business $79/month. White-labeling and custom domain for the client portal are only available on Business. Both Starter and Professional plans display Bonsai branding on client-facing documents.

Key differences at a glance

Pricing model: Indy has a free plan capped at 3 of each document type per month. Bonsai has no free plan, with paid tiers starting at $25/month.
White-labeling: Indy has no custom domain option on any plan. Bonsai offers white-labeling only on the Business plan at $79/month.
Project management: Indy has a basic task board. Bonsai includes task dependencies and milestone tracking on paid plans.
Mobile app: Indy has no mobile app. Bonsai has a mobile app for iOS and Android.
Team features: Neither Indy nor Bonsai offers a multi-seat team plan. Both are solo-freelancer tools at their core.
Free timer: Indy's start/stop timer is locked behind the Pro plan. Bonsai includes time tracking on all paid tiers.

The verdict? Indy works if you're testing the market on a tight budget, but the free plan's monthly document caps make it impractical for active businesses. Bonsai covers more feature ground, but white-labeling costs $79/month and there's no free entry point. If you need one app that handles the full workflow with custom domains on every plan, Plutio covers everything for $19/month.

Tired of hitting plan limits?

One branded platform. Proposal to paid invoice.

Proposals, contracts, Kanban boards, time tracking, invoicing, and a white-labeled client portal at your own domain. All connected for $19/month.

No credit card required

Plutio - Your entire business, one login away

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating

Getting started and ease of use

You sign up for a new tool. How long until you're sending your first proposal? Some tools get you running in an hour, while others require days of configuration.

Indy

Template-guided setup with a focused interface for solo freelancers. Indy walks you through creating your first proposal, contract, or invoice using templates. The interface stays clean and covers exactly what a solo freelancer needs without extra complexity. Most users send their first proposal within an hour of signing up, but the free plan's 3-document-per-type cap becomes a ceiling quickly for anyone with more than a couple of clients.

Template-guided setup for proposals and contracts
Clean, uncluttered interface
Free plan to test before committing
No mobile app for on-the-go access
Free plan caps at 3 documents per type per month
Limited customization for document styling

Bonsai

Broader feature set with more configuration steps at the start. Bonsai covers more ground than Indy, which means a few more settings to configure before you send your first proposal. Bonsai includes questionnaires, task dependencies, and a mobile app that Indy lacks. Most users get through the initial setup within a day.

Guided onboarding flow
Mobile app for iOS and Android
Pre-built contract templates by profession
No free plan to test without commitment
More options means more decisions upfront
White-labeling requires the $79/month Business plan

Proposals and contracts

A potential client asks for a proposal. Can you send a professional document that converts, or does the tool get in the way?

Indy

Proposals and contracts in one flow, but capped on the free plan. Indy combines proposals and contracts into a single client-facing document. Clients can review, sign, and acknowledge terms without switching between files. The free plan caps at 3 proposals and 3 contracts per month, which becomes a bottleneck for anyone actively pitching multiple clients. Pro removes the cap at $25/month.

Proposals and contracts in one document
Electronic signatures included
Custom branding on documents
Free plan limited to 3 proposals per month
No client questionnaires
Limited template customization options

Bonsai

Proposal templates with client questionnaires, but branding stays Bonsai's until Business tier. Bonsai has proposal templates organized by profession, so there is something ready to customize before the first proposal goes out. Client questionnaires let you gather information before the project starts. The limitation: Bonsai's branding appears on client-facing documents on Starter and Professional plans. Removing it requires upgrading to Business at $79/month.

Profession-specific proposal templates
Client questionnaires for intake
Electronic signatures built in
Bonsai branding on Starter and Professional plans
Custom domain requires Business at $79/month
No free plan to test proposals before paying

Time tracking

Hourly work needs time tracking that connects directly to invoices. If you bill by the hour for any part of your services, manual log transfers cost you time every month.

Indy

Start/stop timer and manual entry, but the timer is locked on the free plan. Indy includes a start/stop timer and manual time log entries. You can assign hours to specific projects and generate invoices from those logs. The start/stop timer requires a Pro subscription at $25/month, so free plan users are left with manual entry only. There's no mobile app for capturing time on the go.

Start/stop timer on Pro plan
Manual time entry on all plans
Invoice generation from time logs
Timer locked behind Pro ($25/month)
No mobile app for tracking time away from desk
No task-level time tracking

Bonsai

Time tracking on all paid plans with mobile app access. Bonsai includes time tracking on every paid plan, including Starter at $25/month. The mobile app lets you start and stop timers from your phone. Hours can be attached to specific projects and clients. Invoices pull from time logs directly. Task-level time tracking is not available, so you can track hours against a project but not against individual tasks within it. (Platforms like Plutio track time at the task level and connect directly to invoices.)

Time tracking on all paid plans
Mobile app timer for on-the-go tracking
Invoice from time logs
No task-level time tracking
No rate customization per task type

Project management

The contract is signed. Weeks of actual work follow. Can you manage tasks, track dependencies, and keep clients informed without opening a separate app?

Indy

Basic task board for organizing project work, without visual views or dependencies. Indy includes a task board where you can create tasks, set due dates, and organize work by project. There are no Kanban board views, no Gantt charts, no subtasks, and no task dependencies. For a short 1-2 week project, the task board covers the basics. For anything longer or more complex, most users end up opening Trello or Asana alongside Indy.

Task creation with due dates
Project-based task organization
No Kanban views
No Gantt charts
No task dependencies
No subtasks

Bonsai

Task dependencies and milestone tracking, which gives Bonsai more structure for multi-phase project work. Bonsai includes task management with dependencies, so one task can be blocked until another finishes. Milestone tracking lets you show clients progress at defined points. There are no Kanban views or Gantt charts, but the dependency logic handles sequencing for multi-stage projects that Indy's flat task board cannot follow. For complex multi-month work, a dedicated project management tool is still needed alongside Bonsai.

Task dependencies
Milestone tracking
Project-based task organization
No Kanban views
No Gantt charts
No team collaboration on tasks

Client portals and branding

When a client logs in to check their project or pay an invoice, whose brand do they see? A professional experience means your domain and your logo, not your software vendor's.

Indy

Client portal included, but it runs on an Indy subdomain on every plan. Indy gives clients a place to log in and view their documents, invoices, and project status. The limitation: the portal runs on an Indy subdomain with no custom domain option available on any plan, including Pro. Clients always see Indy's branding in the URL and interface. For freelancers positioning as premium service providers, the tool's URL appears in every client interaction.

Client portal on all plans
Document and invoice access for clients
No custom domain on any plan
Indy branding in portal URL always
No white-labeling option at any price

Bonsai

Custom domain and white-labeling available, but only on the Business plan at $79/month. Bonsai's client portal shows project progress, files, invoices, and messages. On Starter and Professional plans, Bonsai's branding appears on client-facing documents and the portal URL. Removing Bonsai's branding and using your own domain requires the Business plan at $79/month. For freelancers who want a branded portal without paying $79/month, neither Indy nor Bonsai solves the problem. (Platforms like Plutio include custom domains on all plans starting at $19/month.)

Client portal with project visibility
White-labeling on Business plan
File sharing and invoice access
Bonsai branding on Starter and Professional plans
Custom domain costs $79/month

Invoicing and payments

Getting paid is the whole point. Can the invoicing system handle your billing structure, collect payments automatically, and connect to your time logs?

Indy

Invoicing on all plans, but free plan caps at 3 invoices per month. Indy supports one-time invoices, recurring invoices, and payment reminders. Stripe and PayPal are the main payment processors. The free plan allows only 3 invoices per month, which becomes a real constraint for anyone with more than a handful of clients. Pro removes the cap. There's no automatic subscription billing for monthly retainer clients.

Recurring invoice schedules
Stripe and PayPal integration
Payment reminders
Free plan limited to 3 invoices per month
No automatic subscription billing
No partial payment or deposit tracking

Bonsai

Invoicing with recurring schedules and multiple payment options across all paid plans. Bonsai handles one-time and recurring invoices with automatic payment reminders. Stripe, PayPal, and wire transfer are supported. Invoices pull from time logs for hourly work. Like Indy, there's no automatic subscription billing for retainer clients, so recurring invoices still require manual client payment each cycle.

Recurring invoice schedules
Multiple payment processors
Invoice from time logs
No automatic subscription billing
No deposit or partial payment tracking

Team features and scalability

Business grows. You bring on a subcontractor or part-time assistant. Can the tool handle more than one person without a full agency upgrade?

Indy

Solo-freelancer tool with no team plan available. Indy has a single Pro plan at $25/month with no team seats, no multi-user access, and no role-based permissions. If you bring on a subcontractor, there is no way to give them access to their assigned projects without sharing your login. Indy was built around individual freelancers and hasn't expanded to team use.

Full feature access on Pro ($25/month)
No team plan or multi-user seats
No role-based permissions
No contractor access controls
Cannot scale beyond solo freelancer

Bonsai

Team collaborators available on Professional and Business plans, but no granular permissions. Bonsai's Professional and Business plans include team member access. You can add collaborators who see shared projects. But there are no role-based permissions, so you cannot limit a contractor to only their assigned tasks or hide financial data from team members. For a small team of 2-3 people working together, Bonsai covers the basics. For anything more complex, the permission gaps become a problem.

Team member access on Professional and Business
Shared project visibility
No role-based permissions
No contractor-specific access controls
Financial data visible to all team members

Skip the comparison?

Get intake, projects, and billing in one app

Indy and Bonsai handle proposals and invoices. Plutio handles the entire workflow: intake, project management, time tracking, invoicing, and a white-labeled client portal at your own domain.

No credit card required

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating

Indy vs Bonsai pricing breakdown

The sticker price gap between Indy and Bonsai is smaller than it looks. Full-featured access to either platform costs $25-79 per month, but the features you get at each price point differ significantly, particularly around white-labeling.

Indy Pricing (2026)

Free: $0/month. Covers 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month. Start/stop timer not included. Client portal runs on Indy subdomain. Suitable for testing or very low-volume freelancing.
Pro: $25/month (monthly) or $18.75/month (billed annually at $225/year). Removes all document caps, includes start/stop timer, and unlocks all features. No team plan exists at any price.

Bonsai Pricing (2026)

Starter: $25/month (monthly) or $21/month (billed annually). Covers proposals, contracts, invoices, time tracking, and project management. Bonsai branding on all client-facing documents.
Professional: $39/month (monthly) or $32/month (billed annually). Adds client questionnaires, a more complete project tracking experience, and team member access. Bonsai branding still appears.
Business: $79/month (monthly) or $66/month (billed annually). Adds white-labeling, custom domains, subcontractor management, and HubSpot integration. The only plan where Bonsai's branding is removed.

The real cost: what users actually pay

Neither tool handles every part of the freelance workflow, so supplementary tools tend to fill the gaps:

Project management: Trello or Asana ($0-11/month) for visual boards and dependencies
Mobile time tracking: Toggl or Clockify ($0-9/month per user) if using Indy's free plan
File sharing: Google Drive or Dropbox ($0-12/month) for storing and sharing deliverables

A typical multi-tool stack for an Indy or Bonsai user runs $35-60 per month beyond the base subscription. Platforms like Plutio start at $19/month for solo users with proposals, contracts, projects, time tracking, and invoicing in one subscription with no feature gating.

The verdict: At the Pro level, Indy ($18.75/month annual) costs less than Bonsai Starter ($21/month annual). But Bonsai Starter includes a mobile app and task dependencies that Indy lacks. White-labeling costs $79/month on Bonsai and is not available at all on Indy. If a custom domain for your client portal matters, neither option is affordable unless you go to Bonsai Business at $79/month.

Which tool is better for your business type?

Indy and Bonsai both serve solo freelancers, but they diverge on price, white-labeling, and project management depth. The right choice depends less on feature lists and more on which constraints matter most to your workflow.

Early-stage freelancers testing the market

Indy's free plan gives new freelancers a way to send professional proposals, contracts, and invoices without paying anything upfront. The 3-per-month document cap becomes a ceiling quickly, but for someone landing their first 1-2 clients, it covers the basics. Bonsai has no free entry point, so early-stage freelancers face an upfront cost before they've proven the business model.

Active solopreneurs with 5-10 clients

At this volume, Indy's free plan stops working. The monthly document caps hit within the first week. Pro at $25/month (or $18.75/month annual) removes the caps and covers the full feature set. Bonsai Starter at $25/month (or $21/month annual) offers task dependencies, a mobile app, and client questionnaires that Indy lacks, though Bonsai's branding stays on client-facing documents at this tier.

Retainer-based businesses (consultants, coaches)

Monthly retainers expose gaps in both platforms. Neither Indy nor Bonsai has automatic subscription billing where a client's card is charged without them having to manually approve each payment. Recurring invoices exist in both tools, but clients still need to act on each one. For hourly consulting work, Bonsai includes time tracking on all paid plans with a mobile app. Indy's timer is Pro-only and there's no mobile access. Platforms with built-in subscription billing remove that friction without manual client action.

Brand-conscious creatives and agencies

If your client experience is part of your service, neither Indy nor Bonsai delivers at a practical price. Indy puts your client portal on an Indy subdomain forever. Bonsai requires $79/month to use your own domain. For designers, photographers, and consultants whose brand credibility depends on a professional client experience, this is a genuine limitation. Platforms like Plutio include custom domains on the base plan without an enterprise price.

Freelancers managing complex projects

Bonsai handles more complex projects here, with task dependencies and milestone tracking. Indy's task board handles straightforward 1-2 week projects but falls apart when tasks need to sequence properly or when clients expect milestone-based updates. Neither tool has Kanban views or Gantt charts for visual timeline planning. For projects spanning 3-6 months with multiple delivery phases, a dedicated project management tool usually gets added alongside both platforms.

What both tools are missing

Indy and Bonsai cover the freelance documentation phase: proposals, contracts, and invoices work in both. Once project delivery begins, most users find themselves opening additional apps to manage the actual work.

No connected proposal-to-project automation

Neither Indy nor Bonsai automatically creates a project when a proposal is accepted. In both tools, getting a signed contract means manually setting up a new project, recreating tasks, and notifying clients, which costs 20-40 minutes per new client onboarded. Platforms that connect the proposal acceptance directly to project creation with pre-set task templates eliminate that manual step entirely.

Client portals that carry the software brand

Indy's client portal runs on an Indy subdomain on every plan. Bonsai's portal shows Bonsai's branding on the two most affordable plans, with removal costing $79/month. For freelancers charging premium rates, a portal that says "powered by someone else's software" undercuts the experience. Platforms like Plutio include custom domains at $19/month without locking that feature behind a high-tier plan.

No automatic subscription billing

Retainer clients paying monthly represent a significant portion of freelance income for consultants, coaches, and social media managers. Neither Indy nor Bonsai charges a client's card automatically each month. Recurring invoices send on schedule, but clients have to manually approve and pay each one. Missing payments, chasing approvals, and tracking who paid adds 1-2 hours per month for most retainer-based businesses. Platforms with built-in subscription billing remove that friction entirely.

No team plan in Indy, no granular permissions in Bonsai

Indy has a single Pro plan with no multi-user access at any price. Growing a solo practice into a small studio means moving off Indy entirely. Bonsai has team access on Professional and Business plans, but there are no role-based permissions. A bookkeeper added to Bonsai sees every proposal and project, not just the invoices they need. Contractors see client data they have no reason to access. Both tools show their solo-freelancer origins when more than one person needs access.

Time tracking stops at the project level

Indy and Bonsai both track time against projects. Neither tracks time against individual tasks within a project. For hourly workers who do multiple types of work within one project at different rates, this creates gaps in billing accuracy. The time log shows hours against the project, but not which specific tasks consumed those hours. Task-level time tracking that feeds directly into invoices handles this without manual calculations.

What users do when neither tool is enough

When Indy or Bonsai cannot handle the full workflow, users typically take one of two paths: assemble a multi-tool stack and manage the overhead, or switch to a platform that covers the complete client lifecycle in one place.

The typical workaround stack

Most users end up with something like this:

Indy or Bonsai for proposals, contracts, and invoices ($0-79/month)
Trello or Asana for project management with visual views ($0-11/month)
Toggl or Clockify for mobile time tracking ($0-9/month per user)
Google Drive or Dropbox for client file sharing ($0-12/month)
Stripe for subscription billing outside the invoicing tool ($0 + 2.9% fees)

The total stack runs $20-100 per month, plus the time spent copying data between apps: client name from Bonsai into Asana, hours from Toggl into Bonsai invoices, files from Drive into client updates.

The hidden cost: time spent on handoffs

Each manual data transfer takes 5-15 minutes. For a freelancer with 10 active clients, that adds up to 2-4 hours per month in administrative overhead that software should handle automatically. Over a year, that's a full 24-48 hours spent on tool logistics rather than billable work.

The one-platform alternative

Platforms exist that connect intake, project management, time tracking, and invoicing in a single system. The trade-off is learning a new interface and migrating existing client data. For users who have invested time building Bonsai questionnaire flows or Indy contract templates, switching takes a focused weekend of setup.

What one platform looks like in practice

If you are curious: Plutio is one platform that covers the complete workflow. Proposals flow into signed contracts. Accepted contracts auto-create projects with task templates and Kanban boards. Time tracking happens at the task level and feeds directly into invoices. Clients access a portal at your own domain, not a software vendor's subdomain. The comparison table below shows exactly where Plutio fills the gaps that Indy and Bonsai leave open. The goal is not to push you toward Plutio specifically, but to show what a unified workflow can look like versus the multi-tool approach.

Final verdict: Indy vs Bonsai

Indy and Bonsai both handle the core freelance documents: proposals, contracts, and invoices. The differences emerge around pricing structure, white-labeling, project management depth, and what happens once the project starts.

Indy trade-offs:

Free plan entry exists, but the 3-document-per-month cap makes it impractical for anyone with more than 1-2 active clients
Annual Pro costs $18.75/month, which is lower than Bonsai Starter, but there's no mobile app and no team plan at any price
The interface is clean and focused, but document customization is limited and the client portal stays on an Indy subdomain on every plan
Desktop-only setup means time tracking and document work require a computer rather than a phone

But know that: Indy's client portal runs on an Indy subdomain with no custom domain option at any price. Indy does not scale beyond solo freelancing.

Bonsai trade-offs:

Task dependencies handle multi-phase projects, but there's no free plan so you're paying before the first proposal goes out
A mobile app covers time tracking and invoicing on the go, but the $25/month Starter and $39/month Professional plans both carry Bonsai's branding on every client-facing document
Client questionnaires are built into the onboarding flow, but removing Bonsai's branding and using your own domain requires upgrading to Business at $79/month
Team access opens on Professional and Business plans, but there are no role-based permissions to control what each person can see

But know that: Bonsai's branding appears on client-facing documents until $79/month. There's no automatic subscription billing for retainer clients, and team permissions have no granular controls.

Consider switching to one platform if:

You're already managing proposals in one app, projects in another, and time tracking in a third
Manual data transfer between tools costs you more than 2 hours per month
Your clients expect to log into a portal at your domain, not a software vendor's subdomain
You bill retainer clients monthly and need payments processed automatically without client action each cycle
Your projects span multiple months and need visual timelines or task dependencies that go beyond basic lists

But know that: Switching to a new platform means migrating your client data and rebuilding document templates. For most freelancers, this takes a focused weekend. The time savings from a connected workflow typically recover that investment within 60 days.

The bottom line: Indy has a free entry point but locks your client portal on an Indy subdomain at every price. Bonsai has task dependencies and a mobile app but puts its branding on your client documents until you pay $79/month. Both handle the documentation phase but stop short of connecting the full workflow. If you want proposals, projects, time tracking, and invoicing in one place with a branded client portal that doesn't cost extra, the comparison table below shows how platforms like Plutio stack up against both.

Research & Sources

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

Research methodology

Each tool was evaluated through active trial accounts, official feature documentation, and analysis of 300+ user reviews across G2, Capterra, and Product Hunt. The focus was on common pain points from 1-3 star reviews, where users share honest limitations rather than promotional summaries.

Platform ratings (March 2026)

Indy: 4.5/5 on G2 (300+ reviews), praised for clean interface and free plan, criticized for document caps and missing mobile app
Bonsai: 4.5/5 on G2 (600+ reviews), praised for professional templates and time tracking, criticized for white-labeling cost and no free plan
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)

Indy users frequently mention: "Free plan limits hit too fast," "No mobile app," "Can't use my own domain for the client portal," "No team access"

Bonsai users frequently mention: "White-labeling costs $79/month," "No automatic subscription billing," "Bonsai branding on cheaper plans," "No free plan to test before committing"

Pricing sources (verified March 2026)

Feature verification

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

Indy vs Bonsai vs Plutio: full feature comparison

See how all three tools compare on project management, time tracking, invoicing, client portals, and white-labeling

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$25/month (Pro plan, $18.75/month annual). Free plan available.	$15/month (Basic, $9/month annual)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	Free plan (3 proposals, contracts, invoices per month, 10GB storage)	No free plan (trial available)
Trial period	14-day free trial	7-day free trial of Pro plan	7-day free trial
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Basic task management with to-do lists and Kanban boards	Basic project and task management
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	No project roles or permissions (solo freelancer tool)	4 fixed roles (PMs cannot view financials)
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Single task board per project	Strictly restricted to 1 board per project
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	No embeddable project boards	Embedding live project boards is not supported
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	No shareable project boards	Portal access only (no public read-only links)
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	No project stages or milestones	Milestones with Gantt chart visualization
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Proposals, contracts, and invoices linked with automation triggers	Manual linking (no automatic project integration)
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	No custom project data fields	Text, number, date, URL (no filtering)
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Kanban board view for tasks	Kanban view (limited customization)
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	No table view	Basic table view (no bulk editing)
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	To-do list view	Simple list view with basic sorting
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	Calendar view with task and event integration	Calendar view for tasks and deadlines
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	No Gantt view	Gantt chart with drag-and-drop
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	No subtasks	Nested subtasks supported
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	No email to task	No email-to-task conversion
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	Basic task notes	Comments stay attached to tasks only
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	File attachments on tasks	File attachments (no file manager)
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Basic priority levels	No priority levels
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	Basic labels	No color coding (labels only)
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Single user only (freelancer tool)	One assignee per task (no multi-assign)
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	No task templates	Task templates with dependencies
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	No task permissions (solo tool)	Project-level only (no task-level)
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	No task dependencies	Waiting on, Blocking, Related to
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	No recurring tasks	Daily, weekly, monthly, milestones
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	No custom task data fields	Custom fields (text and number only)
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Built-in time tracker with one-click start/stop	Timer and manual time entry
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Track time per task	Limited to task-level only (no subtask tracking)
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Track time per project	Time tracked per project
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable and non-billable time tracking	Billable and non-billable categorization
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Convert tracked time to invoice line items	One-click invoice from time entries
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Basic time reports	Detailed timesheet reports
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	No team features (solo freelancer tool)	Per-member timesheets with locking
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Create and send proposals with templates	Customizable proposals with e-signatures
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Template-based proposal builder (not drag-and-drop)	Visual editor (no true drag-and-drop)
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Reusable proposal templates	Industry templates plus custom templates
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	View notifications when proposals are opened	Real-time view tracking
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	No live messenger on proposals	No live chat in proposals
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Auto-send contract after proposal approval (Pro plan)	Proposal-contract link only (no scheduler)
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Convert proposal to invoice	Auto-generate invoice from accepted proposal
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	No packages or add-ons	Packages with single, multi-select options
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	No interactive pricing tables	Static pricing only (no client selection)
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	No dynamic data/variables	Basic smart fields (limited variables)
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Proposal expiration dates	Manual expiry dates (no automation)
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	PDF export for proposals	Basic PDF export (limited branding)
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	No reusable content blocks	Reusable blocks not supported (templates only)
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	E-signatures on proposals (limited)	Basic e-signatures (limited audit trail)
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom proposal data fields	Text and date custom fields only
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Create and send contracts with legally binding e-signatures	Legally vetted templates with e-signatures
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Template-based contract builder (not drag-and-drop)	Visual editor (no full drag-and-drop)
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	Legally binding e-signatures on contracts	Legally binding e-signatures
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Single signer only	Multiple signers and recipients
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Reusable contract templates (lawyer-vetted)	Industry-specific and custom templates
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Manual follow-up reminders (Pro plan)	Auto-reminders (stop after 16 days overdue)
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	No dynamic data/variables in contracts	Basic smart fields (limited variables)
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Auto-create invoice when contract is signed (Pro plan)	Contract & proposal triggers only
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Basic view notifications	Basic email notifications (no detailed tracking)
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	PDF download of signed contracts	Basic PDF download (limited certificate)
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	No custom signer data fields	Standard fields only (name & email)
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom contract data fields	Custom fields (contact info only)
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Create and send invoices with online payments via Stripe and PayPal	Invoicing with multiple payment options
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Branded invoices with logo (Pro plan removes Indy branding)	Limited branding (logo and colors only)
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Template-based invoice creation (no drag-and-drop)	Pre-built templates (no drag-drop)
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Customizable line items	Line items (no advanced customization)
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Basic discount support	Discounts (percentage or fixed, no tiered)
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Tax rates on invoices	Basic tax configuration (no automation)
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	No ACH payments (Stripe and PayPal only)	ACH via Bonsai Payments (US, UK, CA, AU only)
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Stripe integration for payments	Stripe payments supported
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	No Square integration	Not supported
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	PayPal integration for payments	PayPal payments supported
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Basic partial payment support	Partial payments (manual milestone setup)
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	No payment plans	Payment plans (limited automation)
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Recurring invoices (Pro plan)	Weekly, biweekly, monthly, yearly recurrence
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	No subscription management	Recurring invoices (no subscription portal)
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Automated payment reminders (Pro plan)	Automated reminders (stop after 16 days)
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Reusable invoice templates and line item templates (Pro plan)	Templates available (limited customization)
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Multiple currency support	Multi-currency (manual exchange rates)
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Auto-create invoice from signed contract (Pro plan)	Payment & form triggers only
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Notifications when invoices are viewed	Email notifications (no real-time tracking)
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	No expense tracking	Expense tracking (auto-categorization via bank sync)
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	No invoice deposits	Deposits supported (manual collection)
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Convert tracked billable time to invoices	Time-to-invoice (manual confirmation required)
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom invoice data fields	Text and date custom fields only
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	No unified inbox	A unified client inbox is not supported
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	No email integration	Send-only (no inbox sync)
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	No live chat	Not supported
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	No direct messaging	Direct messaging is not supported
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	No project conversations	No in-app project messaging
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	No team channels (solo tool)	Team chat is not supported
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	No channels	Not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	No @mentions	Not supported
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	No messaging	Read receipts are not supported
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	No chat	Share files and links in portal messages
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	No shared email inbox	Not supported
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	No inbox feature	Not supported
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	No inbox feature	Not supported
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	File storage with client sharing and approval workflow	Project document storage with client access
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Basic folder structure	Project-level only (no granular)
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	No folder permissions (solo tool)	Project-level only (no granular)
People folders	Group files by person when needed	No people folders	Not supported
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Files organized by project	Project-based file sections in portal
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	In-app file previews	Not supported
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	No custom file data fields	Contact info only (no CRM fields)
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No built-in document editor	No built-in document editor
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	Comments on files with revision tracking	No file commenting system
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	No bulk file actions	Not supported
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Basic file search	Not supported
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Google Drive integration via Zapier	Not supported
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Client-based file sharing	Not supported
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Share files via client portal	Portal sharing only (no direct file links)
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Built-in calendar with scheduling	Booking pages with calendar sync
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	No public booking page	Custom branding on booking pages
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	No availability management	Event types with availability windows
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	No buffer times	Buffer times (no daily limits)
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	No meeting type configuration	Custom event types with different durations
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Google Calendar sync	Calendar sync (Google and Outlook only)
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	No booking confirmations	Email customization (limited template control)
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	No booking page	Redirect supported (basic URL redirect)
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	No booking automation	Booking triggers (limited action types)
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Calendar reminders for events	Auto-reminders (email only, no SMS)
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	No timezone detection for bookings	Timezone detection (basic support)
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	No paid appointments	Require payment to book via Bonsai Payments or Stripe
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	No booking forms	Custom intake questions and forms on booking events
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	No booking limits	Notice periods (no per-event daily limits)
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	No rescheduling controls	Clients can reschedule or cancel from confirmation email
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Cross-tool automation between proposals, contracts, and invoices (Pro plan)	Contract, proposal, invoice, form triggers
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Trigger-based automation for proposals, contracts, invoices (Pro plan)	Contract signed, proposal accepted, form filled
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	No schedule-based workflows	Not supported
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Proposal to contract to invoice chain (Pro plan)	Not supported
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	No branching logic	Not supported
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	No delay-based actions	Not supported
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Auto-create invoices from contracts (Pro plan)	Auto-create (projects and clients only)
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	No automated move/duplicate	Not supported
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	No automated delete/archive	Not supported
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	No API or webhooks	Webhooks (outgoing only, no incoming)
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Automated email follow-ups for invoices (Pro plan)	Logo & colors (no custom domain)
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	No automated comment posting	Not supported
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	No automation logs	Not supported
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	No auto-fill variables	Not supported
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Proposals, contracts, and invoices linked (Pro plan)	Not supported
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Create web forms for lead capture and project info	Branded intake and questionnaire forms
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Basic form builder (not full drag-and-drop)	Form editor (no true drag-and-drop)
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Reusable form templates	Form templates with auto-CRM sync
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Basic form fields	Custom fields (limited field types)
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	No conditional logic on forms	Conditional logic (limited complexity)
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Email notifications on form submissions	Email notifications (no customization)
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Add form respondents as contacts	Basic automation triggers (limited actions)
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Embed forms on websites	Embed via iframe (limited styling control)
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Basic field options	Not supported
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Basic field types (text, email, dropdown, etc.)	Not supported
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	No signature field on forms	E-signature field (basic, no advanced options)
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	File upload fields on forms	Clients can upload files to projects
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Thank you message (no custom redirect)	Not supported
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Basic contact management for clients	CRM with Deals pipeline for leads
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	No company management (individual contacts only)	Companies (basic info only, no hierarchy)
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	No custom contact fields	Custom fields (text and select only)
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Basic client activity (invoices, contracts, proposals)	Activity log (projects and invoices only)
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Basic contact organization	Tags (no advanced segmentation)
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	No knowledge base or wiki	Not supported
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	No wiki pages	Not supported
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	No wiki pages	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	No wiki pages	Not supported
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	No custom dashboards	Dashboard (fixed layout, no customization)
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	No dashboard builder	Pre-configured widgets only
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	No charts	Charts (revenue and time only)
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	No metrics widgets	Metrics (revenue and project totals only)
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	No goals widget	Not supported
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	No dashboard widgets	No notes widget
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	No dashboard widgets	Calendar widget (upcoming tasks only)
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	No financial widgets	Revenue tracking (invoices only, no expenses)
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	White labeling to remove Indy branding (Pro plan)	Documents and portal only (no admin theming)
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	No custom interface theme	No admin interface theming
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	No stylesheet customization	No CSS customization
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	No custom login pages	Branded login (fixed layout)
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Remove Indy branding from emails (Pro plan)	Logo in emails (no custom templates)
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Custom fonts on proposals and contracts (Pro plan)	No custom fonts
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Custom logo on documents	Logo (documents and portal only)
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	No custom domain	No custom domain
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	No custom SMTP	No custom SMTP
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	No workspace embedding	No workspace embedding
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Basic workspace with tool selection	No workspace customization
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	No menu editor	Fixed menu (no customization)
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	No user-based menus (solo tool)	Same menu for all users
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	No custom user roles (solo tool)	4 fixed roles (no custom)
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	No user permissions (solo tool)	Project permissions (no granular control)
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	Google sign-in	Email & password login only
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	Zapier, Google Calendar, Stripe, PayPal integrations	Integrations (Zapier and Make only)
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier integration (5,000+ apps)	Zapier (limited triggers and actions)
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	No Make.com integration	Make.com (limited modules)
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	No Pabbly Connect integration	No Pabbly integration
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	No public API	REST API (read-only, limited endpoints)
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	No webhooks	Webhooks (outgoing only, limited events)
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Bonsai 43/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Mobile web app (beta, no native app)	Mobile apps (iOS and Android, limited features)
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	No native iOS app (mobile web only)	iOS app (basic features only)
Android app	Full-featured Android app	No native Android app (mobile web only)	Android app (basic features only)
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	No desktop app (web-based)	Web only (no Mac app)
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	No desktop app (web-based)	Web only (no Windows app)

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Indy vs Bonsai FAQ

Is Indy or Bonsai better for freelancers?

Indy's free plan covers 1-2 clients per month before document caps hit. Bonsai has no free plan but covers task dependencies, a mobile app, and client questionnaires that Indy lacks. For active freelancers with 5 or more clients, Bonsai Starter at $25/month covers a mobile app, task dependencies, and client questionnaires that Indy Pro does not, though Bonsai's branding stays on client documents until $79/month.

Does Bonsai have a free plan?

No. Bonsai has no free plan. The lowest paid tier is Starter at $25/month (monthly) or $21/month billed annually. Indy does have a free plan, but it limits you to 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month, and the start/stop timer is only available on the Pro plan at $25/month.

Can I white-label Indy or Bonsai?

Not on affordable plans. Indy has no custom domain option on any plan, including Pro. Your client portal always runs on an Indy subdomain. Bonsai includes white-labeling and a custom domain only on the Business plan at $79/month. On Starter ($25/month) and Professional ($39/month), Bonsai's branding appears on all client-facing documents. If white-labeling matters without paying a premium, look at platforms like Plutio that include custom domains on every plan.

Which has better project management, Indy or Bonsai?

Bonsai's project management goes considerably further. Bonsai includes task dependencies, so one task can be blocked until another finishes, plus milestone tracking for client updates. Indy has a basic task board with due dates but no dependencies, no milestones, and no visual project views. For anything beyond a two-week project, Bonsai's task dependencies and milestone tracking add more structure.

How much does Indy cost vs Bonsai?

Indy Pro costs $25/month (monthly) or $18.75/month billed annually ($225/year). Bonsai Starter costs $25/month (monthly) or $21/month billed annually. Bonsai Professional costs $39/month (monthly) or $32/month annually. Bonsai Business, which adds white-labeling, costs $79/month (monthly) or $66/month annually. Indy's annual plan is cheaper, but Bonsai Starter includes features like a mobile app and task dependencies that Indy lacks at the Pro level.

Does Indy have a mobile app?

No. Indy does not have a mobile app. There's no iOS or Android app for tracking time on the go, sending invoices from your phone, or reviewing project status from a mobile device. Bonsai has a mobile app on both iOS and Android that includes time tracking with a start/stop timer, which means freelancers who work away from a desk can log time from their phone.

Do Indy and Bonsai have team plans?

Indy has no team plan at any price. It's a single-user tool with one Pro tier. Bonsai includes team member access on Professional ($39/month) and Business ($79/month) plans, allowing collaborators to access shared projects. However, neither platform has granular role-based permissions. For agencies or studios managing multiple team members with different access needs, both tools show their solo-freelancer origins. Platforms like Plutio include role-based access for teams starting at $19/month.

Which handles time tracking better, Indy or Bonsai?

Bonsai's time tracking is more accessible for most users. Bonsai includes time tracking on all paid plans with a mobile app for starting and stopping timers from your phone. Indy's start/stop timer is only available on the Pro plan, and there's no mobile app, so all time entries happen at a desktop. Neither platform tracks time at the task level within a project, meaning you can log hours against a project but not against individual tasks at different rates.

Can I migrate from Indy to Bonsai or vice versa?

Yes, but it requires manual work. Neither tool has a direct import from the other. You'll need to export your client list and rebuild your contract and proposal templates. Active projects may need to be recreated manually. Budget 1-2 days for migration if you have an established client base. If you're considering switching to a platform that covers more of the workflow, migrating once to a platform that covers the full workflow saves rebuilding templates a second time later.

What if neither Indy nor Bonsai fits my workflow?

If you need more than proposals, contracts, and invoices, look at platforms that cover the complete client lifecycle. Key features to look for: visual project management with Kanban boards, task-level time tracking that connects to invoicing, custom domains for client portals on all plans, automatic subscription billing for retainer clients, and role-based team permissions. Plutio is one example that covers all of these. The comparison table on this page shows how it stacks up against Indy and Bonsai feature by feature.

Does Bonsai include client questionnaires?

Yes. Bonsai includes client questionnaires on Professional and Business plans. You can send intake forms to gather project details before the work starts. Indy does not have client questionnaires. If intake forms are a regular part of your onboarding process, Bonsai's Professional plan at $39/month covers that need. Alternatively, platforms like Plutio include forms and questionnaires as part of the base plan.

Do Indy and Bonsai have automatic subscription billing?

Neither Indy nor Bonsai supports automatic subscription billing where a client's card is charged automatically each month without manual approval. Both tools allow recurring invoices that send on a schedule, but clients still have to manually pay each invoice as it arrives. For monthly retainer billing where payment should happen automatically, you'd need to handle subscription charges through Stripe directly or use a platform with built-in subscription billing like Plutio.

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