HoneyBook
Client management for creative freelancers with beautiful proposals and contracts
How it works
HoneyBook is a client management and business workflow platform built for creative freelancers and small creative businesses. Its signature feature is Smart Files: interactive, beautifully designed proposals, contracts, and invoices with built-in e-signatures and online payments. The platform automates the client journey with customizable pipelines, automated email sequences, task reminders, and scheduling. It includes a client portal, mobile app, and AI-powered tools for content generation. HoneyBook is available in the US and Canada only. The platform raised prices significantly in February 2025, with the Starter plan moving from ~$19/mo to $29/mo (annual).
Is it right for you?
Consider if you
- Photographers, designers, and creative service providers who send proposals
- Event planners and wedding professionals managing complex client workflows
- Solo creatives who want proposals, contracts, invoices, and scheduling in one place
Skip if you
- Those who need expense tracking or accounting (HoneyBook is client management, not finance)
- Product-based or ecommerce businesses
- Teams larger than ~10 people (Premium plan caps at 10 users)
Your money and data
HoneyBook uses bank-grade 256-bit SSL encryption for all data in transit and at rest. Payments are processed through PCI-DSS compliant payment processors. Contracts and legal documents use e-signature technology compliant with the ESIGN Act and UETA. Data is stored on secure cloud servers with regular automated backups. HoneyBook's platform and infrastructure undergo regular third-party security audits.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful, interactive Smart Files for proposals, contracts, and invoices that impress clients
- Powerful workflow automations for the entire client journey from inquiry to payment (Essentials+)
- Built-in scheduling and online payment acceptance reduce tool fragmentation
Cons
- Major price increase in February 2025: plans rose 38-89% from previous pricing
- No built-in expense tracking, accounting, or tax features (strictly client management)
- Payment processing fees add up: 2.9% + $0.25 for cards, 1.5% for ACH on top of subscription
Pricing details
Starter ($29/mo annual, $36 monthly): unlimited clients/projects, Smart Files, invoicing, payments, client portal, mobile app, AI tools. Essentials ($49/mo annual, $59 monthly): adds workflow automations, scheduling, Zapier integration, SMS reminders, remove HB branding, up to 2 team members. Premium ($109/mo annual, $129 monthly): unlimited team (up to 10), multiple brands/companies, advanced reporting, priority support, expense tracking. 7-day free trial, no credit card required. 60-day money-back guarantee. Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.25 (Visa/MC), 3.4% + $0.09 (Amex/Discover), 1.5% (ACH).
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