Indy vs Dubsado: Complete Comparison (2026)

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

Both handle client intake: proposals, contracts, and invoices in one flow. But once the contract is signed, most users end up opening other apps to manage projects and keep clients updated... because neither has visual project management, a fully branded client portal on a custom domain, team seats built in, or any of the other necessary features to truly run an entire workflow from one place.

Indy covers proposals, contracts, invoices, time tracking, and a basic task board, but the free plan caps at 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month, there's no custom domain for the client portal, and there's no team plan if you ever bring on help.

Dubsado covers intake through a Flows workflow builder with conditional logic and multi-step sequences, but there's no time tracking, setup takes most users weeks of configuration before the first proposal goes out, and the portal runs on a Dubsado subdomain with no custom domain option.

Plutio handles intake, then connects it to the rest of the workflow. Proposals auto-create projects with task boards, tracked time feeds directly into invoices, and clients log into a branded portal on 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 basic task board for solo freelancers. The free plan exists but hits hard caps: 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month. Pro is $25/month (or $18.75/month annually). There's no team plan, no custom domain for the client portal, and no mobile app.

Dubsado handles client intake through a Flows builder with conditional logic, multi-step automation, and CSS form customization. Setup takes most users one to two weeks of configuration. There's no time tracking, no built-in project management beyond basic task lists, and the portal runs on Dubsado's subdomain. Starter costs $20/month and Premier costs $40/month.

Key differences at a glance

Free plan: Indy has a free tier capped at 3 of each document type per month. Dubsado has no free plan, only a 3-client trial on paid tiers.
Time tracking: Indy includes basic time tracking. Dubsado has no time tracking at all and requires a separate app for hourly billing.
Automation: Dubsado's Flows builder handles multi-step intake sequences with conditional logic. Indy has basic automation with no comparable multi-step workflow builder.
Setup time: Indy setup takes most users a day or two. Dubsado typically requires one to two weeks of configuration before the first proposal goes out.
Custom domain: Neither tool supports a custom domain for the client portal. Both run on their own subdomains.
Team plans: Indy has no team plan at any price. Dubsado Premier includes team access, but without granular role-based permissions.

The verdict? Indy sets up fast and includes time tracking, but caps you at the solo tier with no team plan and no custom domain. Dubsado has a workflow builder for intake, but takes weeks to configure and has no time tracking. If you need one app that handles the booking and the actual project work plus a branded portal on your domain, Plutio covers everything for $19/month.

Juggling intake tools and project apps?

One branded platform. Intake to invoice.

Proposals, contracts, Kanban boards, time tracking, invoicing, and white-labeled client portals. 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

User experience and setup

You sign up for a new platform. How long until you're actually sending proposals and booking clients?

Indy

Template-based setup that most users complete in a day. Indy walks through onboarding with guided steps for adding your business details, branding, and bank account. The dashboard shows active contracts, pending invoices, and task boards in a single view. Document templates handle proposals, contracts, and invoices without much initial configuration, which means the first proposal can go out within hours. The trade-off is limited customization depth once you hit the template walls.

Guided onboarding with templates
Most users set up in a day
Dashboard with a pipeline view
Limited document customization beyond templates
No mobile app
Free plan limited to 3 documents per type per month

Dubsado

Flows workflow builder with setup that takes most users one to two weeks. Dubsado exposes a Flows workflow builder where every trigger, action, and timing rule is manually configured. CSS-level form customization adds another layer. The level of control is real, but the interface has a steeper learning curve and most users spend considerable time mapping out their intake sequences before they can send a single proposal. Expect to invest significant setup time upfront.

Flows workflow builder for intake automation
CSS form styling for brand control
Works internationally via Stripe or PayPal
Setup typically takes one to two weeks
Busier interface with more settings to learn
No mobile app

Automation and workflow

A lead fills out your contact form. What happens next, and how much of it happens automatically?

Indy

Basic task reminders and invoice follow-ups, but no multi-step intake automation. Indy handles automatic invoice reminders and payment notifications. There's no equivalent to a full workflow builder. You cannot set up conditional logic that waits for a contract to be signed before automatically sending a questionnaire. Each document and step is sent manually or on a fixed schedule. For solo freelancers sending a proposal once a week, this is manageable. For busier inboxes, the manual process adds up.

Automatic invoice payment reminders
Email notifications on client actions
No multi-step automation builder
No conditional logic for intake sequences
Manual handoffs between proposal, contract, and invoice stages

Dubsado

Multi-step Flows builder with conditional logic, but automation stops after booking. Dubsado's Flows builder lets you sequence intake steps: send a questionnaire after a lead form, wait for a contract signature, then trigger an invoice. Conditional branches mean different clients can go through different paths depending on their answers. But the automation covers intake only. Once the client is booked, you handle project delivery manually in separate apps.

Multi-step Flows builder for intake
Conditional logic with branching paths
Trigger actions based on client responses
No automation for project delivery
No time tracking integration
Automation ends at the booking stage

Time tracking and invoicing

Hourly work and mixed-rate projects need time tracking that connects to invoices, not a separate app that has to be reconciled manually.

Indy

Basic time tracking with manual entry and a stopwatch. Indy includes a timer and manual time entry that logs hours against projects. When it's time to invoice, those hours can be added to an invoice directly. But tracking is at the project level, not the task level, so you cannot break down which specific tasks consumed your hours or set different rates per task type. For a freelancer billing a single hourly rate, this covers the basics. For mixed-rate projects, the limitations show. (For comparison, Plutio tracks time at the task level and feeds directly into invoices.)

Timer and manual time entry
Time logs can populate invoices
Basic hourly billing support
Project-level tracking only, no task-level breakdown
No per-task rate customization
Free plan caps invoices at 3 per month

Dubsado

No built-in time tracking. Dubsado has no time tracking feature. If any part of your services is billed hourly, you need a separate app like Toggl or Clockify, then manually transfer those hours into a Dubsado invoice. The handoff between a time tracking app and Dubsado invoicing typically takes 20-40 minutes per billing cycle per client. Consultants, designers, and anyone mixing project-based and hourly work feel this gap every billing cycle.

No time tracking feature
No timer or manual entry
No time-to-invoice connection
Requires a separate app for any hourly billing

Project management

The client signed. Now there are weeks or months of actual work. Can you manage it in the same app where you sent the contract?

Indy

Basic task boards with no visual project views. Indy includes a task board where you can create tasks and mark them complete. Tasks can have due dates. But there are no Kanban board columns to move cards between stages, no Gantt timeline for planning multi-month projects, no subtasks, and no task dependencies. For a 3-day logo project, this is enough. For a 3-month website build with multiple deliverables and phases, most users open Trello or Asana alongside and accept the data-copying overhead.

Task list with due dates
Basic task creation per project
No Kanban board columns
No Gantt chart or timeline view
No subtasks or dependencies
No project templates that auto-apply on contract signing

Dubsado

Basic to-do lists attached to projects, with the same limitations as Indy. Dubsado gives you task lists with due dates that can be assigned. The project view shows documents, tasks, and invoices tied to a client. But there are no Kanban boards, no Gantt charts, and no task dependencies. Project management is treated as a lightweight checklist feature rather than a core capability. Multi-phase projects require a separate project management tool running alongside Dubsado.

Task lists with due dates
Tasks visible per client project
No Kanban board
No Gantt chart or timeline
No subtasks or task dependencies
No connection between tasks and time tracking

Client portal and branding

When clients log in to check their project status, pay an invoice, or download a file, whose brand do they see?

Indy

Client portal exists, but runs on Indy's subdomain with no custom domain option. Indy gives clients a portal where they can view proposals, sign contracts, pay invoices, and check tasks. The portal address is on an Indy subdomain, not your domain. There is no option to point a custom domain at the portal. For a freelancer whose clients do not pay attention to URLs, this is fine. For an agency or consultant whose brand experience is part of the service, seeing the software vendor's URL undercuts the positioning.

Client portal with proposal and invoice access
Clients can sign contracts and pay online
Basic task visibility for clients
No custom domain for portal
Indy subdomain visible to clients
No white-labeling option

Dubsado

Portal runs on Dubsado's subdomain with limited branding control. Dubsado portals show documents, forms, and invoices for clients. CSS customization helps with form styling, but it does not extend to the full portal experience. The portal address stays on a Dubsado subdomain. Some subdomain customization exists, but the portal still shows Dubsado elements and branding. Neither tool lets clients visit your domain to access their project. Platforms like Plutio support fully branded portals at your own domain.

Document and form access for clients
Invoice and payment history
CSS styling on forms
No custom domain for portal
Dubsado elements visible in portal
No true white-labeling

Pricing and team access

What does full-featured access actually cost, and what happens when you need to bring in a contractor or team member?

Indy

Free plan exists but caps out quickly. Pro is $25/month and there's no team plan. Indy's free tier covers 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month. Most freelancers hit those limits in the first few weeks of active use. Pro costs $25/month ($18.75/month billed annually) and removes the caps. But there is no team plan at any price. If a project grows to require a contractor or second person with their own login, Indy has no option for it. You are locked to one user regardless of what you pay.

Free plan available (with caps)
Pro at $25/month or $18.75/month annually
No team plan at any tier
Free plan limited to 3 documents per type per month
No role-based permissions

Dubsado

No free plan. Starter at $20/month caps at 3 clients. Premier at $40/month includes team access. Dubsado Starter allows 3 active clients before hitting a wall, which functions more as a trial than a usable plan. Dubsado Premier at $40/month ($400/year) unlocks unlimited projects, full Flows automation, CSS customization, and team access. Most serious Dubsado users land on Premier. Team access comes with the plan but without granular role-based permissions. Contractors see more than they probably need to.

Team access on Premier plan
Unlimited projects on Premier
No free plan (trial only, 3 clients)
Starter plan not usable for active businesses
No role-based permissions for team members
Premier at $40/month for full features

Skip the comparison?

Get intake, projects, and billing in one app

Indy and Dubsado handle intake. Plutio handles the entire workflow: intake, project management, time tracking, invoicing, and white-labeled client portals.

No credit card required

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating

Indy vs Dubsado pricing breakdown

Getting full-featured access to either platform costs between $18.75 and $40 per month, but the ceiling of what each tool delivers at that price differs significantly.

Indy Pricing (2026)

Free: $0/month. Includes proposals, contracts, invoices, time tracking, and task boards, but capped at 3 per document type per month. Most active freelancers hit this limit within the first billing cycle.
Pro: $25/month (monthly) or $18.75/month (billed annually at $225/year). Removes the document caps and unlocks unlimited proposals, contracts, and invoices. No team seats at any tier.

Dubsado Pricing (2026)

Starter: $20/month (monthly) or $16.67/month (billed annually at $200/year). Limited to 3 active clients. Most users treat this as an extended trial before upgrading.
Premier: $40/month (monthly) or $33.33/month (billed annually at $400/year). Unlimited projects, full Flows automation, CSS form customization, and team access.

The real cost: what users actually pay

The subscription price covers intake only. Most users add supplementary apps to handle what neither tool offers:

Project management: Trello Free or Asana Starter ($0-$11/month)
Time tracking (Dubsado only): Toggl or Clockify ($0-$9/month per user)
File sharing: Google Drive or Dropbox ($0-$12/month)

A three-app stack typically runs $30-70 per month on top of the main subscription, plus the hidden overhead of copying data between systems. Platforms like Plutio start at $19/month for solo users with no feature gating: proposals, contracts, projects, time tracking, invoicing, and a white-labeled client portal in one subscription.

The verdict: Indy Pro at $18.75/month (annual) is cheaper than Dubsado Premier at $33.33/month (annual). But Dubsado includes team access that Indy never offers. If you need team seats and automation depth, Dubsado Premier is the only viable option between the two. If you are a solo freelancer on a budget and only need basic intake features with light time tracking, Indy Pro costs less.

Which tool is better for your business type?

The fundamental trade-off between Indy and Dubsado comes down to speed versus depth: Indy gets you sending proposals in a day with a free tier to test, while Dubsado requires weeks of setup to unlock the automation capabilities that justify its price.

Solo freelancers on a tight budget

Indy is the natural starting point. The free plan lets you test contracts, proposals, and invoicing before committing. Pro at $18.75/month covers the basics without overpaying for automation features you may not need. Dubsado's Starter plan caps at 3 clients and functions more as a trial than a real plan, so the cost of entry is effectively $40/month for Premier. For a new freelancer still building a client base, Indy's pricing structure fits better.

Freelancers with event-based project cycles

Both tools cover the single-transaction booking flow well: inquiry arrives, proposal goes out, contract gets signed, deposit gets collected. Indy handles this through basic templates. Dubsado handles it with conditional automation through Flows. The gap appears after the booking. Neither has timeline views or milestone dependencies for managing a 6-month event project from contract to delivery.

Consultants and hourly billing

Indy has basic time tracking that Dubsado completely lacks. For consultants who bill hourly for any portion of their work, Indy is the only viable option between these two. Dubsado requires a separate time tracking app and manual hour transfers into invoices, which adds a friction point every billing cycle. Platforms with task-level time tracking that connects directly to invoicing handle this workflow more completely.

Agencies and growing teams

Neither tool handles teams. Indy has no team plan at any price, which rules it out entirely for any business adding a second person. Dubsado Premier includes team access, but without role-based permissions. A contractor can see more than they need to. An assistant cannot be scoped to only their assigned tasks. For agencies managing multiple team members with different access needs, both tools show their solo-freelancer origins.

Brand-conscious service providers

Both tools run client portals on their own subdomains. Neither offers a custom domain option. For premium agencies and consultants whose client experience is part of the brand value, both tools expose the software vendor to clients. Dubsado has CSS form customization, which helps with branded intake forms, but the portal itself still shows Dubsado's subdomain. Indy has no comparable customization depth.

What both tools are missing

Indy and Dubsado both cover client intake: proposals, contracts, and invoices. But once the signature lands, most users find themselves opening two or three other apps to manage the actual work.

Project management stops at basic task lists

Both tools include task lists with due dates. Both stop there. Neither has Kanban boards for moving tasks through workflow stages, Gantt charts for timeline planning, subtasks with nesting, or task dependencies that shift automatically when a milestone slips. For a 3-day project, a checklist is enough. For a 3-month brand identity project with dependencies across deliverables, users open Trello or Asana and accept that project details now live in two places.

Time tracking that does not connect to the full workflow

Indy has a timer and manual time entry. You can generate invoices from time logs at the project level. But tracking stops at the project level, not the task level, so you cannot break down which specific tasks consumed your hours or set different rates per work type. Dubsado has no time tracking at all. Any hourly billing in Dubsado means a separate Toggl or Harvest account and manual hour transfers into invoices, adding 20-40 minutes per billing cycle per hourly client.

Client portals that show the software vendor

Neither tool supports a custom domain for the client portal. Indy clients see an Indy subdomain URL. Dubsado clients see a Dubsado subdomain. For service providers charging premium rates whose brand is part of the value, clients landing on the software vendor's URL undercuts the positioning. Platforms like Plutio support fully branded portals where clients see only your business name and domain.

No automatic subscription billing

Monthly retainers are common for consultants, coaches, and agencies. Neither Indy nor Dubsado supports automatic recurring charges. Recurring invoices can be scheduled to send automatically, but clients must manually pay each one, which means chasing payments, tracking who has paid, and dealing with delays. Platforms with built-in subscription billing handle automatic charges and payment recovery in the same system where the project lives.

No team access in Indy, limited team access in Dubsado

Indy has no team plan at any tier. If your business adds a second person, Indy cannot accommodate it. Dubsado Premier includes team members, but without role-based permissions. Every team member sees the same data regardless of their role. Neither tool lets you scope a contractor's access to only their assigned projects or restrict a bookkeeper to invoices only.

What users do when neither tool is enough

When Indy or Dubsado cannot handle the full workflow alone, users take one of two paths: build a multi-tool stack and accept the overhead, or move to a platform that covers the complete client lifecycle in one place.

The typical workaround stack

Most users who outgrow either tool end up with something like this:

Indy or Dubsado for intake, proposals, and contracts ($0-$40/month)
Trello, Asana, or ClickUp for project management ($0-$15/month)
Toggl or Clockify for time tracking, Dubsado users especially ($0-$9/month per user)
Stripe or FreshBooks for subscription billing and advanced invoicing ($0-$17/month)
Google Drive or Dropbox for file sharing ($0-$12/month)

A typical four-app stack totals $30-90 per month in subscriptions, plus the time cost of moving data between each one.

The hidden cost: time spent on handoffs

The subscription spend is the visible expense. The hidden cost is the workflow friction. When a client signs a contract in Dubsado, someone has to manually create a Trello board, open Toggl to start tracking time, and then transfer hours into a Dubsado invoice at billing time. Each handoff takes 10-20 minutes. Across 15 active clients per year, that's 25-50 hours spent on data transfer that software should handle automatically.

The one-platform alternative

Platforms exist that handle intake, project management, time tracking, and invoicing in a single system. The trade-off is learning a new interface versus maintaining the existing stack. For users who have built Dubsado Flows or Indy templates, migration feels like a project. For users who are manually copying data between four apps every billing cycle, switching typically recovers 2-4 hours per week.

What one platform looks like in practice

If you are curious: Plutio is one platform that covers the complete workflow. Client inquiries flow into proposals and contracts. Signed contracts automatically create projects with Kanban boards and task templates. Time tracking happens at the task level and flows directly into invoices. Clients access a portal at your domain, not the software vendor's. The comparison table below shows exactly where Plutio fills the gaps that Indy and Dubsado leave open. The goal is not to push you toward Plutio specifically, but to show what a unified workflow can look like.

Final verdict: Indy vs Dubsado

Indy and Dubsado both handle client intake. Proposals, contracts, and invoices work in both. The differences emerge in pricing model, automation depth, and what happens after the booking.

Indy trade-offs:

Free plan available for testing, but caps at 3 proposals, contracts, and invoices per month, which most active freelancers hit in the first billing cycle
Basic time tracking exists, but tracks at the project level only, so hourly billing by task type still requires workarounds
Setup takes most users a day or two, but customization depth is limited once you hit the template walls
No team plan at any price, which rules it out entirely as soon as a second person needs their own login

But know that: Indy is the cheaper option at $18.75/month annually, and it includes time tracking that Dubsado lacks entirely. The solo ceiling is real and hard.

Dubsado trade-offs:

Flows builder handles multi-step intake automation with conditional logic, but setup takes most users one to two weeks before the first proposal goes out
CSS form customization gives brand control on intake forms, but requires coding knowledge and does not extend to the portal
Team access comes on Premier, but without role-based permissions so contractors see more data than they need
No time tracking at all, so any hourly billing requires a separate app and manual hour transfers every billing cycle

But know that: Dubsado Premier at $40/month is more than double Indy Pro for annual billing, and the main advantage is automation depth and team access. Both lack time tracking parity, project management beyond checklists, and custom domain portals.

Consider switching to one platform if:

You already juggle three or more apps: intake in one, projects in another, time tracking in a third, invoicing in a fourth
Manual data copying between apps is eating 2-4 hours of your week
Your projects need Kanban boards, timelines, or task dependencies rather than flat checklists
Your clients should see your domain when they log into their portal, not the software vendor's
You need team access with proper permission scoping for contractors and assistants

But know that: Switching means learning a new system and migrating existing templates and client data. For most users, this takes a focused weekend. The ongoing time savings typically recover that investment within a month.

The bottom line: Indy sets up fast and includes time tracking, but caps you at the solo tier with no team plan and no custom domain portal. Dubsado has a workflow builder for multi-step intake automation, but takes weeks to configure and has no time tracking. Both handle proposals and contracts but stop short of project delivery, client portal branding, and team collaboration. If your workflow already spans multiple tools and you want to see what one connected app looks like, the comparison table below shows how platforms like Plutio stack up against both.

Research & Sources

This 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 appearing in 3-star and below reviews, where users share honest limitations rather than promotional material.

Platform ratings (March 2026)

Indy: 4.7/5 on G2 (50+ reviews), praised for ease of use and all-in-one coverage for solos, criticized for document caps on the free plan and missing team features
Dubsado: 4.3/5 on G2 (140+ reviews), praised for Flows automation and CSS form control, criticized for steep learning curve, no time tracking, and poor mobile experience
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 too limited," "No team plan," "Customization is basic," "No mobile app"

Dubsado users frequently mention: "Took weeks to set up," "No time tracking at all," "Interface is overwhelming," "Mobile experience is poor"

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 Dubsado vs Plutio: full feature comparison

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

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$25/month (Pro plan, $18.75/month annual). Free plan available.	$28-44/month (Starter plan, Dec 2025 pricing)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	Free plan (3 proposals, contracts, invoices per month, 10GB storage)	No free plan (21-day trial)
Trial period	14-day free trial	7-day free trial of Pro plan	21-day free trial (all Premier features)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
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	Projects with task boards
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	No project roles or permissions (solo freelancer tool)	3 fixed roles (Basic, Accountant, Admin)
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Single task board per project	You cannot use task boards
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	No embeddable project boards	You cannot embed project views
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	No shareable project boards	You can share via the client portal only
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	No project stages or milestones	You can use project statuses, but no milestones
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Proposals, contracts, and invoices linked with automation triggers	Proposals, contracts, and invoices live inside projects
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	No custom project data fields	Basic custom fields
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Kanban board view for tasks	Kanban view added in Dubsado 3.0 (Nov 2025)
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	No table view	Table view is the default task display in Dubsado 3.0
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	To-do list view	You can manage tasks in simple lists
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	Calendar view with task and event integration	You can see deadlines and appointments on a calendar
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	No Gantt view	You cannot view work on a gantt chart
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	No subtasks	You cannot split tasks into subtasks
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	No email to task	You cannot create tasks from emails
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	Basic task notes	You cannot comment on tasks
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	File attachments on tasks	You can upload files, but not attach them to tasks
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Basic priority levels	You cannot set task priorities
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	Basic labels	You cannot label or color-code tasks
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Single user only (freelancer tool)	You cannot assign tasks to multiple people
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	No task templates	You can reuse workflows and form templates
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	No task permissions (solo tool)	You cannot set permissions per task
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	No task dependencies	You cannot link tasks together
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	No recurring tasks	You cannot create recurring tasks
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	No custom task data fields	Basic custom fields
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Built-in time tracker with one-click start/stop	Built-in time tracker (Premier plan only, enhanced in 3.0)
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Track time per task	Time tracker available (Premier plan)
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Track time per project	Time tracked per project (Premier plan)
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable and non-billable time tracking	Billable hours logged to invoices (Premier plan)
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Convert tracked time to invoice line items	Tracked time can be added to invoices (Premier plan)
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Basic time reports	Basic time logs (Premier plan)
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	No team features (solo freelancer tool)	You cannot see team time reports
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Create and send proposals with templates	Proposals with pricing tables
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Template-based proposal builder (not drag-and-drop)	You can build proposals using drag-and-drop forms
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Reusable proposal templates	You can use proposal templates
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	View notifications when proposals are opened	You cannot see proposal view analytics
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	No live messenger on proposals	You cannot chat inside proposals
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Auto-send contract after proposal approval (Pro plan)	You can add proposal items like services or products
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Convert proposal to invoice	Accepted proposals create invoices
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	No packages or add-ons	You can offer packages and add-ons
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	No interactive pricing tables	Pricing updates based on selections
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	No dynamic data/variables	You can use smart fields
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Proposal expiration dates	You cannot set proposal expiry dates
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	PDF export for proposals	You can download proposal PDFs
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	No reusable content blocks	You can reuse form sections
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	E-signatures on proposals (limited)	Clients can sign documents online
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom proposal data fields	Basic custom fields
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Create and send contracts with legally binding e-signatures	Contract creation with automation
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)	You can build contracts using form blocks
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	Legally binding e-signatures on contracts	Contracts support legal e-signatures
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Single signer only	You can collect multiple signatures, setup is limited
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Reusable contract templates (lawyer-vetted)	You can use contract templates
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Manual follow-up reminders (Pro plan)	Reminders send automatically
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	No dynamic data/variables in contracts	You can use smart fields in contracts
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Auto-create invoice when contract is signed (Pro plan)	Contracts trigger workflows
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Basic view notifications	You receive signing notifications
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	PDF download of signed contracts	You can download signed PDFs
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	No custom signer data fields	You cannot customize signer fields
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom contract data fields	Basic custom fields
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
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	Invoices with payment plans
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Branded invoices with logo (Pro plan removes Indy branding)	You can brand invoices
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Template-based invoice creation (no drag-and-drop)	Requires manual setup
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Customizable line items	You can edit line items
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Basic discount support	You can apply discounts
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Tax rates on invoices	You can set tax rates
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	No ACH payments (Stripe and PayPal only)	You can accept bank payments
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Stripe integration for payments	You can accept payments via Stripe
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	No Square integration	You cannot accept payments via Square
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	PayPal integration for payments	You cannot accept payments via PayPal
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Basic partial payment support	You can accept partial payments
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	No payment plans	You can split invoices into payments
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Recurring invoices (Pro plan)	You can schedule invoices, not subscriptions
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	No subscription management	You cannot manage subscriptions
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Automated payment reminders (Pro plan)	Payment reminders send automatically
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Reusable invoice templates and line item templates (Pro plan)	You can reuse invoice templates
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Multiple currency support	You can use one account currency
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Auto-create invoice from signed contract (Pro plan)	Contracts trigger workflows
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Notifications when invoices are viewed	You receive signing notifications
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	No expense tracking	You cannot track expenses
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	No invoice deposits	You can request deposits
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Convert tracked billable time to invoices	There is no time to convert
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	No custom invoice data fields	Basic custom fields
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	No unified inbox	Messages and emails live in one place
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	No email integration	You can sync your email
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	No live chat	You cannot add live chat to your site
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	No direct messaging	You cannot DM teammates
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	No project conversations	Messages are tied to projects
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	No team channels (solo tool)	You cannot create team channels
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	No channels	Channels are not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	No @mentions	You cannot mention teammates
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	No messaging	You can see when clients read messages
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	No chat	You can share files in messages
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	No shared email inbox	Team email is not shared
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	No inbox feature	Mobile inbox available
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	No inbox feature	Email replies sync to conversations
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	File storage with client sharing and approval workflow	Files are stored per project only
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Basic folder structure	Requires manual setup
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	No folder permissions (solo tool)	Requires manual setup
People folders	Group files by person when needed	No people folders	Requires manual setup
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Files organized by project	Requires manual setup
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	In-app file previews	Requires manual setup
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	No custom file data fields	You can add custom fields to forms and records
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No built-in document editor	Requires manual setup
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	Comments on files with revision tracking	Requires manual setup
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	No bulk file actions	Requires manual setup
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Basic file search	Requires manual setup
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Google Drive integration via Zapier	Requires manual setup
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Client-based file sharing	Requires manual setup
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Share files via client portal	Requires manual setup
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Built-in calendar with scheduling	Custom scheduler with workflows
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	No public booking page	Branding options are limited
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	No availability management	You can control availability
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	No buffer times	You can add buffer times
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	No meeting type configuration	You can offer multiple appointment types
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Google Calendar sync	Requires manual setup
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	No booking confirmations	Confirmation customization is limited
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	No booking page	You cannot redirect after booking
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	No booking automation	Contracts trigger workflows
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Calendar reminders for events	Meeting reminders send automatically
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	No timezone detection for bookings	Timezones adjust automatically
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	No paid appointments	Requires manual setup
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	No booking forms	Booking forms are fixed
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	No booking limits	You can set booking limits
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	No rescheduling controls	Clients can reschedule or cancel
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Cross-tool automation between proposals, contracts, and invoices (Pro plan)	Visual node-based Flows builder
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Trigger-based automation for proposals, contracts, invoices (Pro plan)	You can automate automation actions with workflows
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	No schedule-based workflows	Workflows cannot repeat on a schedule
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Proposal to contract to invoice chain (Pro plan)	Workflows can include multiple steps
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	No branching logic	Branching exists, but is limited
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	No delay-based actions	You can delay workflow steps
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Auto-create invoices from contracts (Pro plan)	Creation actions are limited
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	No automated move/duplicate	Items cannot be duplicated automatically
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	No automated delete/archive	Items cannot be deleted automatically
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	No API or webhooks	You cannot use APIs or webhooks
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Automated email follow-ups for invoices (Pro plan)	Workflows can send emails
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	No automated comment posting	You cannot post comments via automation
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	No automation logs	You cannot view automation logs
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	No auto-fill variables	You can use smart fields
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Proposals, contracts, and invoices linked (Pro plan)	Forms, payments, and bookings trigger workflows
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Create web forms for lead capture and project info	Branded forms with smart fields
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Basic form builder (not full drag-and-drop)	You can build contracts using form blocks
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Reusable form templates	You can reuse form templates
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Basic form fields	You can add custom fields to forms and records
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	No conditional logic on forms	Fields can change based on answers
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Email notifications on form submissions	You can email on submission
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Add form respondents as contacts	Contracts trigger workflows
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Embed forms on websites	You can embed forms
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Basic field options	Field behavior is limited
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Basic field types (text, email, dropdown, etc.)	Field types are limited
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	No signature field on forms	Forms can include signatures
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	File upload fields on forms	Clients can upload files
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Thank you message (no custom redirect)	You cannot redirect after submit
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Basic contact management for clients	CRM with auto-created client records
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	No company management (individual contacts only)	Companies exist, contacts come first
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	No custom contact fields	You can add CRM fields
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Basic client activity (invoices, contracts, proposals)	You can see full activity history
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Basic contact organization	You can tag and segment contacts
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	No knowledge base or wiki	You cannot create an internal wiki
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	Dubsado 91/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	No custom dashboards	Dubsado has a home page, not custom dashboards
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	No dashboard builder	Included
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	No charts	Requires manual setup
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	No metrics widgets	Included
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	No goals widget	Not supported
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	No dashboard widgets	Not supported
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	No dashboard widgets	Included
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	No financial widgets	Included
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	White labeling to remove Indy branding (Pro plan)	Dubsado branding, not white-label
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	No custom interface theme	Color themes on Deliver+ (no Free plan theme customization)
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	No stylesheet customization	You cannot apply custom CSS
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	No custom login pages	Login pages cannot be customized
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Remove Indy branding from emails (Pro plan)	You can brand outgoing emails
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Custom fonts on proposals and contracts (Pro plan)	You cannot use custom fonts
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Custom logo on documents	You can add your logo
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	No custom domain	Not supported
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	No custom SMTP	Not supported
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	No workspace embedding	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Basic workspace with tool selection	Dubsado has fixed workspace
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	No menu editor	You cannot customize navigation
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	No user-based menus (solo tool)	Menus are the same for all users
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	No custom user roles (solo tool)	You cannot define custom roles
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	No user permissions (solo tool)	Permissions are not configurable
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	Google sign-in	You cannot use SSO
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	Zapier, Google Calendar, Stripe, PayPal integrations	Zapier only
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier integration (5,000+ apps)	You can connect Dubsado to Zapier
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	No Make.com integration	You cannot connect via Make
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	No Pabbly Connect integration	You cannot connect via Pabbly
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	No public API	You cannot access an API
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	No webhooks	You cannot use webhooks
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Indy 47/199	Dubsado 91/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Mobile web app (beta, no native app)	iOS and Android with Tap to Pay
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	No native iOS app (mobile web only)	You can use Dubsado on iOS
Android app	Full-featured Android app	No native Android app (mobile web only)	You can use Dubsado on Android
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	No desktop app (web-based)	There is no desktop app
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	No desktop app (web-based)	There is no desktop app

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Indy vs Dubsado FAQ

Is Indy or Dubsado better for solo freelancers?

Indy is a natural fit for solo freelancers who want to start without configuration overhead and have a free plan to test before committing. Dubsado suits solo users who need more automation depth through the Flows builder and are willing to spend one to two weeks on configuration. The key trade-off: Indy is faster to start and includes time tracking. Dubsado has more automation depth but no time tracking and a steeper learning curve.

Does Dubsado have time tracking?

No. Dubsado has no time tracking feature. If you bill hourly for any portion of your services, you need a separate app like Toggl or Clockify and then manually transfer those hours into Dubsado invoices. Indy includes basic time tracking with a timer and manual entry that can populate invoices directly.

Which is easier to learn, Indy or Dubsado?

Indy has fewer settings to configure. Most users complete setup in a day or two using the guided onboarding and templates. Dubsado exposes more options, including the Flows builder and CSS form settings, which means most users spend a week or more before they can send their first proposal. Dubsado's interface is also busier than most new users expect.

Can I white-label Indy or Dubsado?

Neither tool offers full white-labeling. Indy's client portal runs on an Indy subdomain with no custom domain option. Dubsado has CSS form customization and some subdomain options, but the portal still shows Dubsado's branding. If a fully branded client portal at your own domain matters for your business, look at platforms like Plutio that support custom domains on all plans.

How much does Indy cost vs Dubsado?

Indy's free plan exists but caps at 3 documents per type per month. Indy Pro is $25/month or $18.75/month billed annually. Dubsado has no free plan. Dubsado Starter is $20/month or $16.67/month annually (limited to 3 active clients). Dubsado Premier is $40/month or $33.33/month annually with full features and team access. Indy Pro is cheaper, but Dubsado Premier includes team seats that Indy never offers.

Which has better automation, Indy or Dubsado?

Dubsado has significantly more automation capability. The Flows builder handles multi-step sequences with conditional logic: send a questionnaire after a lead form is submitted, wait for a contract signature, then trigger an invoice. Indy handles basic invoice reminders and notifications but has no multi-step workflow builder. Both limit automation to the intake stage with nothing automated for project delivery.

Do Indy and Dubsado have project management?

Both have basic task lists with due dates and nothing more. Neither has Kanban boards, Gantt charts, subtasks, or task dependencies. For complex multi-phase projects, most users pair either tool with Trello or Asana, or switch to platforms like Plutio that include visual project management alongside client intake.

Does Indy have a team plan?

No. Indy has no team plan at any pricing tier. There is one user per account regardless of whether you choose the free plan or Pro. If your business adds a second person who needs their own login, Indy cannot accommodate it. Dubsado Premier includes team access, though without role-based permission controls.

Can I migrate from Indy to Dubsado or vice versa?

Migration requires manual work since neither tool has a direct import from the other. You can export your client list as a CSV and import it, then rebuild your document templates and workflows in the new platform. Active contracts and invoices may need to be recreated. Budget a week for migration and testing. Starting with new clients in the new platform while finishing existing clients in the old one reduces disruption.

What if neither Indy nor Dubsado fits my workflow?

If you need more than intake automation, look at platforms that handle the complete client lifecycle. Key features to look for: visual project management with Kanban and Gantt views, task-level time tracking that connects directly to invoicing, custom domains for client portals, and team access with proper permissions. Plutio is one platform that covers all of these starting at $19/month. The comparison table on this page shows how it stacks up against Indy and Dubsado feature by feature.

Which tool is better for retainer clients?

Neither Indy nor Dubsado has automatic subscription billing for recurring charges. Both can send recurring invoices on a schedule, but clients must manually pay each one. For retainer clients, this means chasing payments monthly. Indy at least has time tracking so hourly retainers can be invoiced from time logs. Dubsado requires a separate time tracking app. Platforms with built-in subscription billing handle automatic monthly charges without manual client action.

Which tool is better for international freelancers?

Dubsado works internationally because you connect your own Stripe, Square, or PayPal account, which supports most countries. Indy uses its own payment processing, which may have geographic limitations. If you are based outside the US, verify Indy's payment processing coverage for your country before committing. Dubsado's Stripe connection makes it the safer choice for international service providers.

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