As a business owner, I highly recommend having the right CRM (client relationship management) for your business. To free up your time and also deliver a wonderful client experience, you need to streamline your processes and boost productivity. A CRM should help you manage leads, onboard clients, and be a place to store all of your client communications. Two of the most popular options for service-based businesses are HoneyBook vs. Dubsado, each with its advantages. But which one is right for you? Let’s break it down.

Honeybook for Your Business

HoneyBook is ideal for creatives looking for a user-friendly, plug-and-play system. It’s easy to get started and comes with built-in templates for contracts, proposals, and invoices, making it perfect for those who want to get set up quickly.

Key Strengths:

• Ease of Use: HoneyBook is known for its intuitive interface for business owners, making it easy to set up without much training or technical knowledge.
• Templates: It offers pre-made templates for contracts, emails, and proposals, which can save time.
• Creatives Focused: HoneyBook is popular in industries like photography, event planning, and floral design due to its simplicity.
• Automation – Honeybook offers simple workflows that we visually laid out.
  

However, HoneyBook has some limitations:

No White-Labeled Emails:

Emails are sent from HoneyBook’s system, which means they aren’t fully branded under your business. This can make your communications feel less professional. See below.

Example email coming from Honeybook:

Access Required for Clients:

Clients need to log in to view proposals, contracts, or invoices. This adds an extra step when they click links and buttons in your emails. If your contracts and invoices need to be shared with others, this is a real problem. If you are a photographer working with wedding planners, this can be difficult and time-consuming to share contracts and information.

No “One-Off” Payments:

Typically when you book a client, you set up their payment plan. For example, as a wedding photographer, you might set up your client with a two payment system (retainer then final balance) and they agree to that. But then 3 months down the road they want to make an extra payment. They can’t just voluntarily put a payment on their balance, it has to be set up by you as an extra payment in their plan. This makes more work for you and is also a huge pain point for your clients.

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Dubsado: Customization & Powerful Automation

If you’re looking for a CRM with more customization and advanced automation, Dubsado is the better choice. It’s designed to be customized for your client process and business needs. This gives you the power to create workflows, custom forms, and advanced automation.

Dubsado Key Strengths:

• Advanced Customization: Dubsado allows you to design every aspect of your workflows, forms, and email templates.
• Automation: Dubsado excels in automating processes like lead follow-ups, onboarding, invoicing, and scheduling.
• White-Labeled Emails: Unlike HoneyBook, Dubsado lets you send fully branded emails from your domain, providing a more professional client experience.
• Easy Link Sharing: You can forward and send links for proposals, contracts, and invoices without requiring clients to log in—offering a much smoother client journey.
• Better Client Portal: The portal for clients on Dubsado is easier to use and can hold tons of resources and ease of payments for your clients.

While Dubsado offers more flexibility, it also has a steeper learning curve. The initial setup can take longer because of its advanced features, but the long-term payoff in time savings and efficiency is significant.

Cost Comparison for Honeybook vs. Dubsado

Both HoneyBook and Dubsado are priced similarly. Honey is $32 per month for the essential plan and $40 per month for Dubsado. Both offer plans at lower price points for the starter plan. While Honeybook offers a 2-week free trial, Dubsado allows you to use the software for free for up to three clients. I like this because it gives you time to dive into the software without time restrictions.

Dubsado’s additional features and customization options might justify the higher cost for business owners needing more from their CRM. HoneyBook remains a great, affordable option for those who want simplicity and ease and need to get up and running quickly.

Who Should Use HoneyBook?

If you’re an entrepreneur who needs a simple, easy-to-use CRM with built-in templates, HoneyBook is a great option. It’s perfect for those who don’t need heavy customization or advanced workflows.

Who Should Use Dubsado?

For businesses that require customized workflows, automated systems, and more control over branding, Dubsado is the clear choice. It’s ideal for service-based business owners who want a CRM that scales with their needs.

Which is Right for You, HoneyBook vs. Dubsado?

Both HoneyBook and Dubsado offer valuable tools to streamline your business, but your choice depends on your specific needs. If you want ease of use with minimal setup, HoneyBook is a solid pick. However, if you’re looking for full customization, advanced automation, and white-labeled communication, Dubsado is the winner for me!

Use my code kellymccrackenva for an additional 30% off your first month or year.

Are you currently using Honeybook and ready to switch? We should talk.

If the thought of switching from Honeybook to Dubsado has you trembling in fear, I get it. It can seem like a lot but I’m confident that together we get make the switch seamless and have you a pro at Dubsado in just a couple of weeks. But don’t just take it from me, read the success stories of my clients!