Plutio vs 17hats: Complete Comparison (2026)

17hats automates intake, but charges extra for basics and skips project views entirely. Leads fill out forms, 17hats sends proposals, collects signatures, and schedules invoices. But there's no Kanban boards, no Gantt charts, no custom domain, and time tracking costs $5/month extra. You end up paying add-on fees while managing actual work in separate tools.

Plutio handles intake automation with project management built in: time tracking on all plans, Kanban and Gantt views for managing deliverables, and a branded client portal at your domain. Try Plutio free and see how much simpler client work gets when everything connects.

Last updated February 2026

4.6

Quick comparison (TLDR)

17hats is administrative automation software built for solo practitioners. Since 2014, it has handled lead intake, proposals, contracts, and invoicing on autopilot. The sequential workflows work for predictable patterns. But time tracking and bank sync are paid add-ons ($5/month each), so your monthly cost increases when you need those features. Project management is limited to flat task lists with no Kanban, no Gantt, and no visual way to see complex work. Team features exist but feel limited for growing businesses.

Plutio is an all-in-one platform that handles intake automation and the work that comes after. When a client signs your proposal, Plutio creates a project with tasks from your template automatically. Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and task dependencies manage complex multi-month projects. Plutio includes time tracking on all plans. Clients see their project progress in a branded portal at your domain instead of emailing you for updates.

Key differences at a glance

White-label branding: Plutio runs entirely under your brand with custom domains, branded login pages, custom SMTP emails, full interface theming, and complete white-labeling. 17hats shows its branding on client-facing pages and emails. No custom domains. Your clients know exactly what software you use.
Invoicing and billing: Plutio has a drag-and-drop invoice builder, subscription management for recurring billing, payment plans, and accepts Stripe, Square, PayPal, and ACH. 17hats has fixed invoice templates with Stripe and PayPal. No visual invoice design. No subscription billing.
Project management: Plutio includes Kanban boards, Gantt charts, subtasks, and task dependencies for managing complex multi-month projects. 17hats has flat task lists only. When projects span months with dozens of deliverables, you open a separate project app and rebuild your workflow there.
Time tracking: Plutio tracks hours on tasks with one-click timers and generates invoices directly from time logs. Included on all plans. 17hats charges $5/month extra for time tracking, and bank sync is another $5/month add-on.
Client visibility: Plutio clients log into a branded portal at your domain and see their tasks, files, and project status in real time. 17hats clients see basic project status with 17hats branding. No custom domain support.
Client communication: Plutio has a unified inbox where client emails auto-sort into their conversation threads, your team shares one inbox, and you can embed live chat on your website. 17hats has basic email notifications but no shared team inbox and no auto-sorting.

The bottom line: 17hats covers basic administrative automation for solo practitioners with no plans to grow a team. The trade-off: no modern project views, no included time tracking, and no branded client experience. Plutio handles intake automation plus modern project management, time tracking included, and client portals that run under your own brand.

Project and task management

You book a multi-month project. Now there are dozens of tasks across several months: kickoff call, milestone reviews, deliverable reviews, final send-off. Can you see it all on a timeline? Or is it a flat checklist you hope is complete?

17hats

Basic task lists for simple tracking. 17hats gives you a flat list of tasks with due dates. When you are managing a multi-month engagement with dozens of deliverables, you cannot see how it all fits together. 17hats has no Kanban boards, no Gantt charts, no subtasks, no task dependencies, and no project templates. Users end up opening a separate project management app alongside 17hats to manage the actual work.

Simple task checklists
Due dates on tasks
No Kanban or Gantt views
No subtasks or nesting
No task dependencies
No project templates with tasks

Plutio

See your work however makes sense to you. Some people think in Kanban boards, others need a Gantt chart to see the timeline. Plutio gives you five different views of the same project. Switch between them depending on what you are doing. When a project has dozens of tasks spanning months, you can nest subtasks under each milestone, link dependent tasks so deadlines shift together automatically, and build templates that recreate the whole structure every time you book a new client.

5 views: Kanban, Gantt, List, Table, Calendar
Subtasks with unlimited nesting levels
Task dependencies with visual links
Recurring tasks (daily, weekly, monthly, custom)
Project templates with auto-task creation
Custom fields, statuses, and priorities
Time estimates and actual time per task
File attachments on tasks

Time tracking and billing

Hourly work needs time tracking. When you cannot track time, you either estimate and lose money or use another app and lose context.

17hats

Time tracking costs $5/month extra. 17hats charges $5/month extra for time tracking, $5/month extra for bank sync, and time tracks at project-level only, not task-level. Bank sync for expense tracking is another $5/month. So when you need to track hours and reconcile expenses, your monthly cost jumps $10 before you have done anything else. Time is tracked at the project level, not individual tasks.

Timer and manual entry (add-on)
Invoice from time logs
$5/month add-on required
Bank sync another $5/month
Project-level only (not task-level)
Limited timesheet reporting

Plutio

Time tracking that connects to everything. You click a button on any task and the timer starts. When you are done, that time is already attached to the task, the project, and the client. At the end of the week, you pull up your time logs and generate an invoice with one click. The hours are already there, broken down exactly how you tracked them. You can set different rates for different clients or even different types of work. Your team's time shows up in one place where you can approve it before billing.

One-click timer on any task
Manual entry and timer options
Task-level AND project-level tracking
Billable vs non-billable separation
Custom rates per task, project, or client
Time reports by client, project, team
One-click invoice from time logs
Team timesheet approval workflow

Client visibility and communication

'Hey, just checking in on the project status?' That email costs you 10 minutes to write and costs your client the anxiety of not knowing. When clients log into their portal and see progress in real time, they stop asking.

17hats

Basic portal with 17hats branding. 17hats gives clients a place to see project status and download documents. Basic visibility works for simple updates. 17hats has no custom domain, no white-labeling, no task visibility for clients, and 17hats branding appears everywhere.

Project status and documents visible
File download access
17hats branding always visible
No custom domain support
No task visibility for clients
No real-time progress view

Plutio

Your clients get their own branded space. When your client logs in, they see yourcompany.com, not some third-party software. The portal shows their tasks, files, deadlines, and messages all in one place. They can check progress whenever they want instead of emailing you. When you finish a deliverable, they approve it right there. When they need to upload assets, they do it in the same place. You control what they see, so your internal workflow stays private.

Custom domain (yourcompany.com)
White-label branding (remove Plutio)
Custom CSS for full styling control
Tasks, files, deadlines visible to clients
In-app messaging tied to projects
Deliverable approval workflow
File uploads from clients
Invoice and payment history

Client communication and inbox

A client emails you a project change. Your associate asks about the deliverables. A partner sends updated timelines. Without a central place, you check three apps and still miss something urgent.

17hats

Basic email notifications only. 17hats sends email notifications when things happen: a client signs, a payment arrives, a form is submitted. You get the notification in your regular inbox. But there is no shared team inbox. No auto-sorting of client threads. No way to see all communications with a client in one place. When you have a team, everyone has their own view and collaboration happens in separate tools.

Email notifications for events
Messages attached to projects
No shared team inbox
No team channels
No direct messaging
No auto-sort into client threads
No embeddable live chat

Plutio

All your client conversations in one place. When a client emails you, that message shows up in their thread alongside every other conversation you have had with them: project updates, file shares, payment confirmations. Your whole team sees the same inbox, so when you are away and a client sends an urgent message, your assistant can handle it. You can reply from your regular email and it syncs back. If you want to chat internally about a client, create a team channel. Need to capture leads from your website? Embed live chat.

Multi-email integration (connect all accounts)
Shared team inbox (everyone sees client emails)
Auto-sort emails into client 1:1 threads
Project conversations stay with the project
Team channels for internal discussions
Direct messages between teammates
@mentions pull people into conversations
Embeddable live chat for your website

Sequential workflows vs connected automation

17hats workflows (their term for automated sequences that handle intake, proposals, and invoicing) run in a fixed order. The question is whether your business follows one sequence or needs automation that branches based on what actually happens.

17hats

Sequential workflows for predictable patterns. 17hats workflows follow a linear path. Lead comes in, send proposal, send contract, send invoice. The automation handles predictable sequences and has worked this way since 2014. The platform is reliable for solo practitioners whose work follows the same pattern every time. The limitation appears when you need automation to branch based on different client responses or fire actions across different modules.

Sequential workflow automation
Lead intake to invoice flows
Email templates and scheduling
Limited branching logic
No cross-module behavioral triggers
No webhook integrations

Plutio

Automation that responds to what happens. You build automations visually with drag and drop. When a project status changes, a task completes, a payment arrives, or a deadline passes, Plutio can do things automatically: create tasks, send emails, update statuses, assign work to your team, generate invoices. You can chain multiple actions with if-then logic. If a client pays their deposit, the welcome email goes out and the project moves to active. If a task is overdue, you get notified. Automation works across everything, not just intake.

Visual drag-and-drop builder
Start on project status change
Start on task completion
Start on payment received
Start on form submission
Start on date or deadline
Conditional logic branching
Webhook integrations

Team and agency scaling

You hire your first team member or contractor. Can they see their assignments without accessing client payments? When permissions work, growth does not mean chaos.

17hats

Team features designed for solo use. 17hats has three user levels: Owner, Admin, and Team Member. You pick which level fits each person. The platform was built for solo practitioners and it shows when teams grow. You cannot create custom roles, so if those three levels do not match how you work, you adjust your workflow to fit them. There is no per-project access control, no contractor-specific views, no multi-workspace support for agencies.

3 user levels (Owner, Admin, Team)
Team member access on paid plans
No custom role creation
No per-project access control
No contractor-specific permissions
No multi-workspace support

Plutio

Add people without losing control. When you hire your first associate, you create a role for them. Maybe they can see their tasks but not client payments. Maybe they can access some projects but not others. You decide exactly what each person sees and does. If you bring on a contractor for one project, they only see that project. Your other clients stay private. When you grow into an agency with multiple brands, you run separate workspaces under one account. You see everyone's workload in one dashboard and approve timesheets before they hit invoices.

Custom role creation with granular permissions
Per-project and per-task access control
Contractor access (assigned tasks only)
Client access (portal permissions)
Internal notes hidden from clients
Multi-workspace for agencies
Team workload and capacity views
Timesheet approval workflow

White-label branding and customization

Your clients should see YOUR brand everywhere. Not your software vendor's logo. When clients log in, book meetings, receive invoices, and check progress, every touchpoint should reinforce your brand.

17hats

Your clients see 17hats branding. You can add your logo to documents and invoices, which is standard. But when clients access the portal, they see 17hats branding. The URL shows 17hats, not your domain. Emails come from 17hats servers. 17hats has no custom domain, no custom interface theming, no branded login pages, no custom SMTP, and no workspace embedding. For solo practitioners that is often fine. For agencies or consultants positioning themselves as premium, it undercuts the brand you have built.

Logo on documents and invoices
17hats branding always visible
No custom domain support
No custom interface theming
No branded login pages
No custom SMTP for emails
No workspace embedding
Cannot remove 17hats identity

Plutio

Your clients see your brand everywhere. When a client logs in, they go to yourcompany.com, not some third-party URL. The login page has your logo and colors. The interface matches your brand. Emails come from you@yourcompany.com because you connect your own email server. If you want to embed the entire client workspace into your own website, you can. You can even write custom CSS if you need exact control. Your clients never see 'Powered by Plutio' anywhere. As far as they know, you built this yourself.

Custom domain (clients see yourcompany.com)
Full white-label (remove all Plutio branding)
Custom interface theme (your brand colors everywhere)
Branded login and signup pages
Custom SMTP (emails from your domain)
Full workspace embedding into your site
Custom CSS for complete styling control
Custom logo throughout the platform

Invoicing, billing, and subscriptions

Getting paid is more than sending invoices. It's recurring subscriptions, payment plans, transaction tracking, and branded documents that look like they came from your business.

17hats

Invoicing that gets the job done. 17hats invoices connect to Stripe and PayPal, so clients can pay online. The invoice uses a template. You fill in the fields and send it. If you want to design something custom, the options are limited. There is no drag-and-drop builder. If you have retainer clients who pay monthly, you create a new invoice each time because there is no subscription billing. 17hats offers bank sync for expense tracking as a $5/month add-on.

Invoices with online payments
Stripe and PayPal integration
Partial payments supported
No drag-and-drop invoice builder
No subscription management
Fixed template layouts only
Bank sync costs $5/month extra
Limited invoice branding

Plutio

Billing that works like you are running a real business. You open the invoice builder and drag elements where you want them. Logo here, line items there, payment terms at the bottom. The result looks like something you designed, not a template you filled in. When you have retainer clients, you set up subscriptions that charge them automatically every month. When someone needs to pay in installments, you split the invoice and schedule the charges. All your payment processors connect: Stripe, Square, PayPal, bank transfers. At the end of the week, you pull up your time logs and turn them into invoices with one click.

Drag-and-drop invoice builder (visual design)
Subscription management (auto-billing)
Recurring invoices on schedule
Payment plans with installments
Multiple gateways: Stripe, Square, PayPal, ACH
Full transaction history and tracking
Fully branded invoice design
One-click invoice from time logs

Proposals and contracts

Your proposal is the first document a potential client sees. When they open it, do they see modern interactive pricing? Or a static quote from 2014?

17hats

Quote templates that get the job done. 17hats lets you create quotes from templates. You fill in the fields, add line items, and send. The interface has worked since 2014 and is functional for simple quotes. There is no drag-and-drop editor, so you work within the template constraints. Clients can sign electronically, and the quote connects to your workflow. View tracking shows opens but limited engagement analytics.

Quote templates available
E-signatures supported
Opens tracking
No drag-and-drop editing
No interactive pricing selection
Template-constrained design
Limited engagement analytics
Dated interface design

Plutio

Proposals that close deals. You drag in sections, add interactive pricing tables where clients pick packages or add-ons, and send something that looks like you built a custom app for them. When they accept, the proposal converts into a project automatically with tasks from your template. Contracts attach to the same flow with e-signatures and full audit trails. You see exactly when someone opened your proposal, what they clicked, and how long they looked at each section.

Drag-and-drop proposal builder
Interactive pricing tables
Package and add-on selection
Auto-convert to project on approval
E-signatures with audit trail
Real-time view tracking
Proposal templates
Proposal-to-invoice automation

Running a client project: 17hats vs Plutio

A client finds your website, likes your work, and fills out your inquiry form. What happens next?

With 17hats, here is how it usually goes:

Your workflow sends a proposal automatically
They sign and pay the deposit
You are excited because the automation just worked
Now you need to manage months of tasks: kickoff calls, milestone reviews, revisions, sending final files
You open Trello or Asana because 17hats task lists cannot handle complex timelines
You realize time tracking costs $5/month extra, so you add that

With Plutio, here is how it works:

Your automation sends a proposal when the form is submitted
They sign and pay the deposit
A project is automatically created with your template: dozens of tasks across months
You see everything on a Gantt chart timeline
The client logs into a branded portal and sees tasks, files, and progress in real time
Time tracking is already included. You track hours on tasks and invoice from the logs.

17hats automates the intake sequence. Plutio automates intake plus creates projects automatically, tracks time without add-on fees, and gives clients a branded portal where they see progress without asking.

Where Plutio wins (the proof)

These are verifiable differences, not opinions.

1. Project management: Plutio has it, 17hats doesn't

17hats: Flat task lists only. No Kanban boards. No Gantt charts. No subtasks. No task dependencies. No project templates that create tasks automatically.

Plutio: Five project views (Kanban, Gantt, List, Table, Calendar). Subtasks with unlimited nesting. Task dependencies that shift deadlines together automatically. Project templates that recreate your entire workflow for each new client.

The proof: G2 reviewers consistently mention needing to pair 17hats with Trello, Asana, or Monday.com for actual project work.

2. Time tracking: Included vs paid add-on

17hats: Time tracking costs $5/month extra. Bank sync for expense tracking is another $5/month. When you need both, your costs jump $10/month before you track a single hour.

Plutio: Plutio includes time tracking on all plans at no extra cost. Track time at the task level, not just project level. Generate invoices directly from time logs with one click.

The proof: 17hats official pricing page lists time tracking and bank sync as separate paid add-ons.

3. White-labeling: Your brand vs theirs

17hats: Your logo on documents and invoices. That's it. Clients see 17hats branding in the portal. Emails come from 17hats servers. No custom domain support.

Plutio: Custom domain (clients see yourcompany.com). Branded login pages. Custom interface colors. Custom SMTP. Your clients never see "Plutio" anywhere.

The proof: Check 17hats' official documentation for custom domains or white-labeling. The feature doesn't exist.

When 17hats might still work

No tool fits every workflow. 17hats might still work if:

You are a solo practitioner with predictable workflows. If every project follows the same intake sequence and you never need Kanban boards or Gantt charts, 17hats sequential automation handles that reliably.
You have used 17hats since 2014 and it works. If your workflows are built and running smoothly, the cost of switching may not be worth it. The platform is reliable for what it does.
You do not track billable hours. If you quote flat rates and never bill hourly, the time tracking add-on cost does not matter to you.
Your clients do not care about branding. If your clients do not notice or mind seeing 17hats branding, the white-labeling gap is not a problem.

But if you manage complex projects with many tasks, need time tracking included, or want clients to see your brand everywhere, Plutio fits better.

Why they switched: real outcomes

What happens when 17hats users switch to Plutio?

West 7th Design Studio reduced client support requests by 90% after switching. Clients got one branded portal to see progress instead of emailing for every update. The flat task lists in their previous tool meant clients could not see what was happening. Now they check their portal and know exactly where things stand.

YazMarketing increased their sales pipeline by 80% after moving to Plutio. Connecting proposals directly to projects meant less manual handoff, faster client onboarding, and more capacity to take on new work.

These results come from removing the automation ceiling and add-on costs. When proposals flow into projects automatically, when time tracking is already there, and when clients can check their own portal, the admin overhead drops and capacity for real work increases.

Final verdict

17hats and Plutio approach business management from different eras. Both are highly rated: Plutio holds a 4.4/5 on G2 while 17hats holds a 4.6/5 from 114 reviews, reflecting years of reliable service for solo practitioners.

17hats has built reliable automation. Workflows handle lead intake, proposals, contracts, and invoicing in sequence. The platform has worked this way since 2014, and the reviews praise its reliability for solo work.

The limitations appear when you need more. Time tracking costs $5/month extra. Bank sync is another $5/month. Project management is limited to flat task lists with no Kanban, no Gantt, no visual way to manage complex work. Your clients see 17hats branding. Most 17hats users end up adding Trello, Asana, or Monday.com for project work and paying $20-25/month in combined add-ons and extra tools.

Plutio handles intake automation, then continues into complete business management. Plutio includes time tracking on all plans. Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and task dependencies manage complex projects. Clients see progress in a branded portal at your domain. You design invoices visually with drag-and-drop.

The bottom line: 17hats covers reliable intake automation for solo practitioners who do not mind paying extra for time tracking or using separate apps for project management. The trade-off: add-on costs and no visual project views. Plutio handles intake automation plus modern project management, included time tracking, subscription billing, and client portals that run under your own brand.

How to switch from 17hats to Plutio

Switching from 17hats to Plutio means keeping your client history while upgrading to modern project management.

Step 1: Export your 17hats data
Download clients, projects, and invoices as CSV files from your 17hats dashboard.

Step 2: Import into Plutio
Upload the CSVs to Plutio. The importer maps 17hats fields like Client Name, Email, and Project Status directly to Plutio.

Step 3: Set up your project templates
Create project templates for your common workflows. Include all the tasks, subtasks, and dependencies that 17hats could not support.

Step 4: Configure your client portal
Set up your custom domain, add your branding, and configure what clients can see. When ready, invite clients into their new workspace.

Research & Sources

Every comparison and price point on this page is backed by direct research conducted in January 2026. We verify data across official product pages, user reviews, and third-party analysis to ensure accuracy.

Pricing verification sources

Plutio: Official pricing, GetApp reviews
17hats: Official pricing, G2 reviews

Verification methodology

We consult official product documentation
We verify with multiple third-party sources (G2, GetApp, TrustRadius)
We cross-reference with video demonstrations and user reviews
We update pricing monthly based on current published rates

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

Plutio vs 17hats: full feature comparison for 2026

Project management, time tracking, client portals, proposals, invoicing, and automation compared side by side

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$60/month (single plan, $50/month annual)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	No free plan (7-day trial only)
Trial period	14-day free trial	7-day free trial
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Projects with pipelines and to-dos
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	3 user levels (paid plans only)
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Single to-do list only
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	No external project viewing
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	No read-only project links
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	You cannot define stages or milestones
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	All modules connect to the project lifecycle
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Limited custom fields
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Legacy list-based interface only
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	No spreadsheet-style editing
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	You can manage tasks as simple to-do lists
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	You can see tasks and bookings on a calendar
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	No Gantt chart feature
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	All tasks are single-level only
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	Not supported (email sync only)
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	You cannot comment directly on tasks
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	You cannot attach files to tasks
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	You cannot set task priority levels
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	You cannot tag or color-code tasks
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Single assignee per task only
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	You can reuse task lists through workflows
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	You cannot control permissions per task
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	Not supported
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	Basic recurring
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Limited custom fields
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Start and stop timers or log time manually
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Time tracked per task via Time Log tab within projects
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Track time across different projects and clients
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	You cannot set billing rules for time
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Convert tracked billable time into an invoice
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	You cannot generate timesheet reports
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	No team breakdown for time entries
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Quotes with limited design options
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	You cannot drag and drop proposal sections
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Save and reuse your own proposal templates
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	You cannot see proposal views or activity
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	You cannot chat inside proposals
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Limited flow (no integrated scheduler sync)
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	You can turn accepted proposals into invoices
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	You cannot offer configurable packages
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Pricing tables are static
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Use tokens to insert client and project data automatically
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	You cannot set proposal expiry dates
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	You can download proposals as PDFs
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Save and reuse sections across different documents
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	Clients can sign your agreements online
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Not supported. You cannot customize signer fields
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Contracts with e-signature capture
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	You cannot visually build contracts
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	E-signatures meet standard legal requirements
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	You cannot collect signatures from multiple people
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	You can use contract templates
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	You can send automatic reminders
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	You can insert custom fields
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Contracts can trigger workflows
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	You receive email notifications
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	You can download signed PDFs
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Not supported. You cannot customize signer fields
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Not supported
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Invoices with Stripe and PayPal
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Basic invoicing (no smart tax automation)
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Template-based (no drag-and-drop designer)
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	You can customize invoice line items
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	You can add discounts to line items
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	You can set custom tax rules
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	ACH payments supported
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Stripe integration available
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Square integration available
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	PayPal integration available
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	You can set up payment schedules
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	You can set up payment schedules
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Recurring invoices (no automated subscription portal)
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	Recurring invoices (no automated subscription portal)
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Automated reminders supported
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	You can reuse templates and content
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Basic support (no automated exchange rates)
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Simple triggers (no multi-step automation)
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Activity log (no real-time updates)
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	You can track expenses
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Deposit payments supported
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	You can add tracked time to invoices
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	Limited custom fields
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	Communication is limited to email sync
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	Email sync & templates included
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	No native live chat feature
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	Email sync only
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Email sync (limited to project-specific threads)
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	Email sync only
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	Email sync only
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	Activity log (tracks when emails are opened)
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Email sync only
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Not supported
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Limited mobile support
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Email replies sync to inbox
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	Basic storage (no dedicated file management system)
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Not supported
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	Not supported
People folders	Group files by person when needed	Basic storage (no dedicated file management system)
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Basic storage (no dedicated file management system)
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	External storage only
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	Unlimited contact & project fields
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	You can connect quotes to contracts and invoices
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	Not supported
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	Basic management (no bulk operations)
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Basic search (limited filtering options)
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	No native cloud sync
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Client portal only (no public sharing controls)
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Client portal only (no direct sharing links)
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Simple scheduler, no team round-robin
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	Basic scheduler (limited team coordination)
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	Basic scheduler (limited team coordination)
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	Buffer time between meetings
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Multiple session types supported
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Two-way sync (Google & Outlook)
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Custom confirmation emails
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	Included. Redirect after booking supported
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Trigger actions on booking
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Auto meeting reminders
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Supported
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Pay upon booking with full or partial payment options
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	You can collect info on booking
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	Booking limits & notice supported
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Not supported
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Trigger-based automation, no visual builder
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Event-driven automation supported
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Not supported
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Single actions. Complex multi-step flows not supported
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Linear workflows only
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Supported. You can delay workflow steps
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Auto-create projects & invoices supported
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Not supported
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Manual only
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	Supported via webhooks (no visual designer)
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Automation can trigger emails
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	No internal commenting system
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Basic activity log (no detailed execution history)
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	You can use tokens for dynamic data
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Linear only (limited cross-module connectivity)
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Basic form templates, no branding control
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Template-based (fixed form structures)
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Included. You can save and reuse forms
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Included. You can add custom fields to forms
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Not supported. Forms are static
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Included. Email alerts on submission
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Included. Form submission can start workflows
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Included. You can embed forms on your site
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Basic field settings (no advanced validation)
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Standard fields (text, date, select) supported
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	Included. Electronic signatures available on forms
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	Included. Clients can upload files to forms
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Included. Custom redirect links supported
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Contact management with lead tracking
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Organization tracking (no separate company records)
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	Included. Unlimited custom contact fields
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Included. Tracks interactions per contact
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Included. Tag-based organization supported
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	Not supported. No built-in wiki or SOP system
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported. No rich-text page builder
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Fixed layout
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	Not supported. Dashboard is pre-configured
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Basic financial charts (no custom chart creation)
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Standard metrics only (revenue, leads)
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Not supported. No internal goal tracking system
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Not supported. No dashboard notes widget
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Included. Agenda and upcoming tasks displayed
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Included. Revenue and pending payments tracking
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Logo only
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	Not supported. Themes are pre-defined
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	Not supported. No custom CSS access
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Logo branding only (fixed layout)
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Included. Add your logo to all messages
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Not supported. No custom font uploads
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Included. Your logo on documents and emails
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	Not supported. Redirects to 17hats domain
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	Included. Send from your SMTP server
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	17hats has fixed workspace
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	Fixed menu (no customization)
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Not supported (fixed menu for all user roles)
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	Basic roles only (no granular permissions)
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Not supported (no granular permission settings)
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	Email & password login only
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	Zapier plus direct integrations
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Included. Full Zapier connectivity
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Not supported natively
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	Not supported natively
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	Included. API access available for developers
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Supported. Automate events via webhooks
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	17hats 79/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Limited features
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	Limited features (legacy mobile interface)
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Limited features (legacy mobile interface)
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	Web only. No native Mac application
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	Web only. No native Windows application

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Plutio vs 17hats FAQ: common questions answered

Is Plutio better than 17hats?

Plutio and 17hats serve different parts of the freelance workflow. 17hats handles sequential intake automation for solo practitioners. Plutio extends beyond intake into full project management with Kanban boards and Gantt charts, included time tracking, and branded client portals. If your work ends when the client signs, 17hats does that. If real work begins after signing, Plutio fits better.

Can Plutio replace 17hats?

Yes. Plutio includes proposals, contracts, e-signatures, invoices, payments, scheduling, time tracking, and project management. You can import clients and invoices from 17hats and continue without starting over.

Does 17hats have project management?

17hats has basic task lists for tracking deliverables. However, there are no Kanban boards, no Gantt charts, no subtasks, and no task dependencies. Most 17hats users pair it with Trello, Asana, or Notion for actual project management.

Does 17hats include time tracking?

17hats offers time tracking as a paid add-on at $5/month extra. Bank sync for expense tracking is another $5/month. Plutio includes time tracking on all plans at no additional cost.

What are 17hats workflows?

17hats workflows are automated sequences that handle intake, proposals, and invoicing in order. A lead fills out your form, 17hats sends the proposal, gets the signature, schedules the invoice. The automation follows a linear path and has been reliable since 2014.

Which tool is better for agencies?

Plutio is better for agencies. Plutio offers granular role-based permissions, per-project access control, contractor access, and multi-workspace support. 17hats was designed for solo practitioners and has limited team features with only three fixed user levels.

Can clients see project progress in both tools?

In 17hats, clients see basic project status and can download documents. The portal shows 17hats branding. In Plutio, clients log into a fully white-labeled portal with your custom domain where they see tasks, files, deadlines, messages, and invoices.

How much does Plutio cost compared to 17hats?

17hats costs $60/month ($50/month annual) as a single plan. Time tracking is $5/month extra. Bank sync is another $5/month. Plutio starts at $19/month (Core) or $49/month (Pro) with time tracking, project management, and client portals included on all plans.

Can I import my 17hats data into Plutio?

Yes. You can export clients, projects, and invoices from 17hats as CSV files and import them into Plutio. The migration maintains your client history and billing records.

Which tool has better automation?

17hats has reliable sequential automation for intake flows. Plutio has a visual automation builder with branching logic and cross-module triggers that extend beyond intake into project status changes, task completion, and payment events.

Does Plutio offer white-label branding?

Yes. Plutio offers complete white-labeling including custom domains, branded login pages, custom SMTP for emails, and CSS customization. 17hats shows its own branding on client-facing pages with no custom domain support.

Why do freelancers switch from 17hats to Plutio?

Most freelancers switch when they outgrow 17hats task lists. They need Kanban boards for visual project management, time tracking without add-on fees, or a client portal that matches their brand. 17hats handles intake but lacks the project depth that complex client work requires.

Does Plutio have a unified inbox?

Yes. Plutio has a unified inbox where you connect multiple email accounts and manage all client communication in one place. Client emails automatically sort into their conversation threads alongside project discussions. Your team shares one inbox. 17hats has basic email notifications but no shared team inbox.

What integrations does Plutio support?

Plutio connects to 5,000+ apps through Zapier, including Google Calendar, Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks, Slack, and more. Plutio also has a REST API for custom integrations. Native integrations include calendar sync, payment processors, and email services.

Does Plutio have a mobile app?

Yes. Plutio has native iOS and Android apps that let you manage projects, communicate with clients, track time, and send invoices from your phone. The mobile apps sync in real-time with the web platform.

Does Plutio offer a free trial?

Yes. Plutio offers a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required to start. You can explore proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management, and client portals before choosing a plan.

Is my data safe with Plutio?

Yes. Your data is private, encrypted, and never used to train AI models. Plutio uses industry-standard security practices including SSL encryption, regular backups, and GDPR compliance. You can export your data at any time.

How long has Plutio been around?

Plutio has been built and refined for over 10 years based on real freelancer and agency feedback. The platform is actively developed with regular updates and new features added based on user needs.

Can I import data from other tools into Plutio?

Yes. Plutio supports CSV imports for clients, projects, and invoices. You can migrate from most business tools including HoneyBook, Dubsado, 17hats, and others. Our support team can help with complex migrations.

Does 17hats have recurring invoicing or subscriptions?

17hats supports recurring invoices but does not have subscription management. You can set invoices to recur on a schedule, but there is no subscription portal where clients manage their own billing. Plutio includes full subscription management with auto-billing.

Can I use Plutio for team collaboration?

Yes. Plutio includes team features on all plans: shared inboxes, team channels, @mentions, task assignments, and workload views. You can create custom roles with granular permissions so team members see only what they need. 17hats team features are limited to three fixed user levels.

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