Quick Overview
- 1#1: Bonsai - All-in-one freelance management platform for creating proposals, contracts, time tracking, invoicing, and payments.
- 2#2: HoneyBook - Comprehensive client management tool for freelancers handling bookings, contracts, payments, and project workflows.
- 3#3: Dubsado - Workflow automation software for service providers to manage leads, clients, invoicing, contracts, and questionnaires.
- 4#4: Plutio - Integrated business platform for freelancers with task management, proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and client portals.
- 5#5: FreshBooks - Cloud accounting software tailored for freelancers featuring invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and payments.
- 6#6: Harvest - Time tracking and invoicing tool that helps freelancers log hours, manage projects, and bill clients accurately.
- 7#7: Hubstaff - Freelancer management software with time tracking, payroll, activity monitoring, and invoicing capabilities.
- 8#8: Toggl Track - Simple yet powerful time tracking app for freelancers to monitor time, generate reports, and integrate with invoicing.
- 9#9: BigTime - Professional services automation platform for managing freelance teams with time, billing, resource planning, and reporting.
- 10#10: Accelo - End-to-end professional services software for agencies to automate sales, projects, time tracking, and retainer billing.
We ranked these tools based on key metrics: comprehensive features (e.g., automation, time tracking), user-friendliness (intuitive design, minimal setup), reliability (performance and scalability), and overall value, ensuring each entry addresses the practical demands of modern freelancers.
Comparison Table
Freelancers often face the challenge of managing multiple tasks—from client communication to invoicing—making the right management software a cornerstone of efficiency. This comparison table highlights top tools like Bonsai, HoneyBook, Dubsado, Plutio, FreshBooks, and more, examining their features, pricing, and best-use scenarios. Readers will discover which software aligns with their workflow needs, whether focusing on automation, client management, or financial tracking.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonsai All-in-one freelance management platform for creating proposals, contracts, time tracking, invoicing, and payments. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | HoneyBook Comprehensive client management tool for freelancers handling bookings, contracts, payments, and project workflows. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Dubsado Workflow automation software for service providers to manage leads, clients, invoicing, contracts, and questionnaires. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | Plutio Integrated business platform for freelancers with task management, proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and client portals. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | FreshBooks Cloud accounting software tailored for freelancers featuring invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and payments. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Harvest Time tracking and invoicing tool that helps freelancers log hours, manage projects, and bill clients accurately. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | Hubstaff Freelancer management software with time tracking, payroll, activity monitoring, and invoicing capabilities. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Toggl Track Simple yet powerful time tracking app for freelancers to monitor time, generate reports, and integrate with invoicing. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | BigTime Professional services automation platform for managing freelance teams with time, billing, resource planning, and reporting. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Accelo End-to-end professional services software for agencies to automate sales, projects, time tracking, and retainer billing. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
All-in-one freelance management platform for creating proposals, contracts, time tracking, invoicing, and payments.
Comprehensive client management tool for freelancers handling bookings, contracts, payments, and project workflows.
Workflow automation software for service providers to manage leads, clients, invoicing, contracts, and questionnaires.
Integrated business platform for freelancers with task management, proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and client portals.
Cloud accounting software tailored for freelancers featuring invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and payments.
Time tracking and invoicing tool that helps freelancers log hours, manage projects, and bill clients accurately.
Freelancer management software with time tracking, payroll, activity monitoring, and invoicing capabilities.
Simple yet powerful time tracking app for freelancers to monitor time, generate reports, and integrate with invoicing.
Professional services automation platform for managing freelance teams with time, billing, resource planning, and reporting.
End-to-end professional services software for agencies to automate sales, projects, time tracking, and retainer billing.
Bonsai
specializedAll-in-one freelance management platform for creating proposals, contracts, time tracking, invoicing, and payments.
Seamless 'proposals to payments' workflow that automatically converts signed proposals into contracts, invoices, and time-tracked projects.
Bonsai is an all-in-one freelance management platform designed to streamline workflows for freelancers and small teams. It offers tools for creating professional proposals, legally-vetted contracts with e-signatures, invoicing, time tracking, expense management, and payments all in one place. Additional features include project management, client CRM, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks and PayPal, making it a comprehensive solution for running a freelance business efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one toolkit from proposals to payments
- Legally binding contracts and e-signatures built-in
- Intuitive interface with customizable templates and automation
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit solo beginners on tight budgets
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
- Limited advanced reporting compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies seeking a complete, automated platform to manage clients, projects, and finances without juggling multiple apps.
Pricing
Plans start at $24/month (billed annually) for Professional, up to $99/month for Business; 14-day free trial available.
HoneyBook
specializedComprehensive client management tool for freelancers handling bookings, contracts, payments, and project workflows.
Smart Files for creating interactive, shareable project hubs that automate client approvals and payments
HoneyBook is an all-in-one client management platform tailored for freelancers and small creative businesses, handling everything from initial inquiries to final payments. It offers customizable templates for proposals, contracts, invoices, and schedules, with built-in automation to streamline workflows. The software also includes project tracking, client communication tools, and integrated payments to keep all client interactions organized in one place.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one workflow from lead to payment
- Beautiful, customizable templates for professional branding
- Strong automation and scheduling integrations
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit solo beginners
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Occasional mobile app glitches reported
Best For
Creative freelancers and small service-based agencies like photographers, event planners, and designers who need seamless client management.
Pricing
Starter at $19/mo, Essentials at $39/mo, Premium at $79/mo (billed annually; 7-day free trial).
Dubsado
specializedWorkflow automation software for service providers to manage leads, clients, invoicing, contracts, and questionnaires.
Advanced no-code workflow automations that trigger sequential actions like contracts, invoices, and tasks based on client interactions
Dubsado is an all-in-one client management platform tailored for creative freelancers and small service-based businesses. It enables users to create customizable proposals, contracts, invoices, questionnaires, and workflows to automate client onboarding, payments, and communications. The software includes a client portal for self-service access, project tracking, scheduling, and email integration, helping streamline operations from lead capture to final delivery.
Pros
- Highly customizable templates and workflows for tailored client experiences
- Unlimited clients and projects on all plans with no per-client fees
- Robust automation for onboarding, payments (Stripe/PayPal), and reminders
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive customization options
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics features
- Customer support primarily via help center with slower response times
Best For
Creative freelancers like photographers, designers, and coaches who want a fully customizable CRM for client management without scaling costs.
Pricing
Starter at $20/month (basic features); Pro at $35/month or $350/year (full features, unlimited clients); annual billing saves 17%.
Plutio
specializedIntegrated business platform for freelancers with task management, proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and client portals.
Fully branded client portals that enable clients to access projects, invoices, files, and chat in one secure hub
Plutio is an all-in-one business management platform designed for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small agencies, combining CRM, project management, invoicing, proposals, time tracking, and client portals into a single dashboard. It streamlines the entire freelance workflow from lead capture to payment collection and ongoing client management. With customizable workflows and automation, it helps users scale their operations without needing multiple tools.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one toolkit covering proposals, projects, invoicing, and CRM
- Intuitive client portals for seamless communication and self-service
- Strong customization options for workflows and branding
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Integrations are solid but not as extensive as specialized tools
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies seeking a unified platform to manage client relationships, projects, and finances without app-switching.
Pricing
Starts at $19/month (Solo) for basic features, $39/month (Studio) for teams, $79/month (Agency) for advanced tools; annual billing offers 20% discount.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud accounting software tailored for freelancers featuring invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and payments.
Automated recurring invoices and retainers that simplify ongoing client billing with built-in reminders and late fees.
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting software tailored for freelancers and small businesses, focusing on streamlined billing, time tracking, expense management, and payments. It enables users to create professional invoices, track billable hours, manage expenses with receipt capture, and accept payments via integrations like Stripe and PayPal. While it offers basic project management and client portals, it excels in simplifying financial workflows rather than advanced team collaboration or CRM features.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop invoice customization
- Seamless time tracking integrated directly with invoicing
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go expense logging and approvals
Cons
- Limited advanced project management and team collaboration tools
- Reporting capabilities are basic compared to dedicated accounting software
- Pricing tiers limit clients and billables in lower plans, scaling costs quickly
Best For
Solo freelancers and small creative agencies prioritizing effortless invoicing, time tracking, and basic client management over robust project workflows.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo, 5 clients, 50 bills), Plus ($33/mo, 50 clients, 500 bills), Premium ($60/mo, unlimited), with annual discounts and 30-day free trial; Select plan custom.
Harvest
specializedTime tracking and invoicing tool that helps freelancers log hours, manage projects, and bill clients accurately.
Effortless desktop timer with automatic tracking and productivity reminders
Harvest is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing software designed for freelancers, agencies, and small teams to monitor billable hours across projects. It enables seamless expense logging, budget management, and professional invoice generation directly from tracked time. With robust reporting tools and integrations like QuickBooks and Stripe, it simplifies billing and financial oversight for freelance workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with excellent mobile and desktop apps
- Accurate time tracking with reminders and offline support
- Strong integrations for invoicing and payments
Cons
- Limited CRM and client management capabilities
- No native proposal or contract tools
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies focused on precise time tracking and streamlined invoicing.
Pricing
Free Solo plan for individuals; Pro at $12/user/month (billed annually) includes unlimited projects and invoicing.
Hubstaff
specializedFreelancer management software with time tracking, payroll, activity monitoring, and invoicing capabilities.
Automated screenshots and activity rate tracking providing concrete proof of work without manual timesheets
Hubstaff is a robust time tracking and remote team management platform tailored for businesses overseeing freelancers and remote workers. It provides automatic time tracking, activity monitoring via screenshots and keyboard/mouse logging, GPS tracking, project/task management, invoicing, and payroll integrations. While strong in accountability features, it focuses more on employer-side oversight than comprehensive client-freelancer collaboration tools typically found in dedicated freelance platforms.
Pros
- Precise time tracking with screenshots and activity levels for verifiable billable hours
- Seamless invoicing, payments, and payroll integrations
- Comprehensive reporting and productivity analytics for teams
Cons
- Intrusive monitoring features like screenshots can raise privacy concerns for freelancers
- Pricing is per-user, which adds up for larger freelance teams
- Lacks advanced client CRM, contract management, or proposal tools
Best For
Agencies and small businesses managing remote freelance teams that prioritize time verification and productivity monitoring.
Pricing
Free plan for solo users; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Starter, billed annually) up to $20+/user/month (Enterprise).
Toggl Track
specializedSimple yet powerful time tracking app for freelancers to monitor time, generate reports, and integrate with invoicing.
Idle detection that automatically captures and suggests time entries for forgotten tracking sessions
Toggl Track is a user-friendly time tracking app that enables freelancers to log hours via timer, manual entry, or idle detection across projects and clients. It provides detailed reports, profitability analysis, and basic invoicing based on tracked time, with extensive integrations for tools like Google Workspace and Asana. While excellent for time management, it lacks advanced freelance features like contract signing or payment processing.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with one-click timer
- Robust reporting and profitability insights
- Generous free plan and seamless integrations
Cons
- Basic invoicing without payment gateways
- Limited built-in client and task management
- No advanced proposal or contract tools
Best For
Freelancers and solopreneurs who prioritize accurate time tracking and hourly billing over full project management suites.
Pricing
Free plan available; Starter ($9/user/mo), Premium ($18/user/mo), Enterprise (custom) – billed annually.
BigTime
enterpriseProfessional services automation platform for managing freelance teams with time, billing, resource planning, and reporting.
Skills-based resource scheduling and real-time capacity planning
BigTime is a professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for agencies, consultancies, and professional firms, providing time tracking, expense management, project planning, and invoicing tools. It enables resource scheduling, workload forecasting, and profitability analysis to streamline freelance and billable operations. While powerful for teams managing multiple projects, it focuses more on internal operations than freelancer marketplaces or client acquisition.
Pros
- Robust time and expense tracking with mobile app
- Advanced project profitability reporting and forecasting
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks, Salesforce, and accounting tools
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for setup and customization
- Pricing scales quickly with users, less ideal for solo freelancers
- Limited built-in tools for freelancer sourcing or contracts
Best For
Mid-sized agencies and professional services firms managing billable teams and freelance resources.
Pricing
Starts at $12/user/month (Pro plan, annual billing), up to $39/user/month (Enterprise); free trial available, minimum 5 users.
Accelo
enterpriseEnd-to-end professional services software for agencies to automate sales, projects, time tracking, and retainer billing.
Smart retainer management with automated recurring billing and revenue forecasting
Accelo is an all-in-one professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for agencies, consultancies, and service-based businesses to manage clients, projects, and operations end-to-end. It offers CRM, sales pipelines, project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, invoicing, and retainers, enabling freelance managers to oversee time, billing, and profitability across teams. While versatile for freelance management, it shines in automating workflows for scaling operations rather than pure freelancer marketplaces.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one suite eliminates tool fragmentation
- Strong automation for workflows, retainers, and profitability tracking
- Robust reporting and resource scheduling for team oversight
Cons
- Steep learning curve and dated interface
- Overkill and pricey for solo freelancers
- Limited native freelancer onboarding or marketplace features
Best For
Small to mid-sized agencies managing freelance teams, client projects, and retainers for operational efficiency.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (Khala plan, billed annually), scaling to $99+/user/month for advanced tiers; custom enterprise options available.
Conclusion
The landscape of freelance management software offers tools tailored to diverse needs, from all-in-one platforms to specialized solutions for time tracking or client communication. At the pinnacle, Bonsai leads with its comprehensive suite that integrates proposals, contracts, invoicing, and payments seamlessly. HoneyBook and Dubsado follow as strong alternatives—HoneyBook for robust client management, Dubsado for streamlined workflow automation—ensuring every freelancer finds a fit. Together, these tools empower smoother operations and greater efficiency.
Don’t miss out on Bonsai, the top-ranked tool that simplifies the freelance journey. Start today to experience how its all-in-one features can transform your business and free up time for what matters most.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
