HoneyBook vs Dubsado Comparison

To better understand which is the most suitable, it’s best to dig deep into the core features, integration, usability, responsiveness of support teams, and the pricing structures of both HoneyBook and Dubsado.

Features

HoneyBook features

Each new project in HoneyBook automatically creates a client-dedicated page for managing interactions and payments, helping users get a 360-degree view of project stages. An intuitive reports section also reveals crucial data on lead influx and source performance.

The service’s template gallery has over 70 premade designs for anything, from contracts to proposals. Generating invoices is also straightforward. Plus, There’s an invaluable time-tracking tool, helpful for allocating time to projects and setting revenue projections for each task.

HoneyBook’s integrated payment processor facilitates direct payments and echoes the rates of services like PayPal. Moreover, users can automate overdue payment alerts and have an anti-fraud team monitor transactions.

While its customer service features don’t go beyond email communication, businesses can send out bulk emails and take advantage of flexible marketing workflows that automate follow-ups and triggers based on client behavior.

HoneyBook’s branding options include editing color schemes and layouts and embedding company logos on your website.

Dubsado features

Dubsado also focuses on project management, presenting an organized view of jobs, clients, invoices, contracts, and sources. Its built-in calendar and time tracker enhance business management, automating scheduling and reminders while helping determine billable hours.

Its extensive template gallery covers contracts, proposals, invoices, lead captures, and even questionnaires, which are all customizable to adapt to your branding preferences.

After integrating an email provider, users may design canned email templates with client details automatically filled in through smart fields. Plus, any company can embed Dubsado’s dedicated client portals on its website to give customers access to emails, contracts, and invoices all in one place.

The service’s workflows automate all actions for customer behavior, status updates, and overdue payment reminders. Additionally, Dubsado integrates with popular payment processors like Stripe, Square, and PayPal.

Given its project-centric nature, Dubsado’s reporting section lacks in-depth client analytics. However, this is compensated for by the well-structured and intuitive metrics for revenue, costs, inquiries, project sources, booking averages, and net income.

HoneyBook vs Dubsado: which one provides more features?

Both HoneyBook and Dubsado boost business management through an array of ready-made, customizable templates for contracts, proposals, and invoices. While HoneyBook has a smoother document-creation process, Dubsado enables users to embed public proposals on their websites for offers that don’t require an initial contact.

Since most small businesses seeking a CRM solution already have a payment processor in place, HoneyBook’s lack of integration with this kind of solution may be limiting. All transactions must go through the platform, so it doesn’t account for external revenue. The opposite is true of Dubsado, which integrates seamlessly with PayPal, Stripe, and Square.

Although the two services provide similar time-management tools, Dubsado secures the upper hand with its extensive automation workflows, encompassing triggers for client behavior, status updates, and payment reminders.

Both systems integrate with Quickbooks for enhanced bookkeeping. However, HoneyBook features a powerful lead-tracking functionality, unlike its competitor. Unfortunately, neither platform delves deep into client analytics.

Integrations

HoneyBook integrations

The service’s integration with Quickbooks is fundamental for invoice management and accounting, and for lead sourcing and funneling, there’s Facebook and Instagram Leads integration. Additionally, the software integrates with Zapier for extra automation support.

Dubsado integrations

The best part is that by integrating with Zapier and downloading the Zapier+Dubsado Chrome extension, users can access dozens of capabilities and a vast array of new integrations.

HoneyBook vs Dubsado: which one offers more integrations?

HoneyBook and Dubsado are still fledglings regarding integrations, with Dubsado having a slight advantage with two additional apps in its repertoire.

Dubsado would benefit from optimizing its integration with Google Workspace for better project management and communication. At the same time, HoneyBook could bolster its reporting and bookkeeping abilities with a direct integration with Xero.

Both platforms should broaden their integration horizons by partnering with apps that tailor to the needs of freelancers and small businesses, like Shopify or Etsy, two of the most important players in the ecommerce world.

Ease of use

HoneyBook ease of use

Navigating HoneyBook’s platform is commendably easy. Its dashboard has a sleek, clutter-free layout, displaying overviews for projects, tasks, and reports, with further tools conveniently accessible via a side tab.

Each feature’s tab is accompanied by brief explanations that guide users throughout the platform, ensuring swift and efficient onboarding. Selecting one’s niche and branding preferences is one of the first steps, as HoneyBook adds the relevant templates based on these choices.

This platform is perfect for organizing busy agendas, encompassing several features like the ability to automatically contact customers with meeting time suggestions.

HoneyBook’s desktop app is only available through a third party. Still, its mobile app boosts its usability to a remarkable degree, delivering a polished experience that mirrors its mobile-optimized web version completely. It even provides a unique ‘Breathe’ tool that guides users through taking slow breaths during demanding moments.

Dubsado ease of use

Dubsado is one of the most intuitive CRM systems out there. The clean, pragmatic dashboard provides a glimpse of the user-friendliness that’s replicated in each of Dubsado’s sections.

During the onboarding process, users can rely on an on-screen assistance widget equipped with FAQs, articles, and an agent chat. Outside the platform, a readily available help center offers an array of how-to articles and immersive video tutorials.

Nonetheless, Dubsado’s device support leaves room for improvement. While its desktop app is available through a third party, it doesn’t provide any native mobile apps, which hinders its accessibility. Also, the Gmail integration remains a work in progress, as you can’t manage projects directly from the Gmail app.

On the bright side, Dubsado and Zapier have a joint extension for Chrome, which facilitates data exchange and action triggers between platforms.

HoneyBook vs Dubsado: which one is easier to use?

Both CRM systems excel in usability, each with distinct strengths that cater to diverse user preferences. HoneyBook puts great value on accessibility, striving to make everything clear and understandable and offering assistance within the platform or on its website. The mobile app provides an outstandingly seamless experience while including all the features of the web version. The ‘Breathe’ tool is an incredible addition, helping alleviate the stress often associated with small business management.

On the other hand, Dubsado’s interface is just as intuitive and practical across its different sections. Navigating through the Projects tab gives users a perfect 360-degree view of their activities, accompanied by the reassurance that assistance is always one click away. However, the service’s device support is more limited, lacking dedicated iOS or Android apps. Its browser version is mobile-optimized, but even in this aspect, HoneyBook’s mobile optimization holds an advantage. Both services only offer desktop apps through third parties.

Overall, HoneyBook is a strong choice for those who seek accessibility and ease of use. Meanwhile, Dubsado’s extensive help resources and Zapier-supported extension make it an appealing option.

Pricing

HoneyBook pricing

HoneyBook has transitioned from offering two plans to a more comprehensive 3-tier approach. Its Starter plan includes essential features, like supporting unlimited clients and projects. Upgrading to Essential introduces enticing additions such as a scheduler tool, automation capabilities, and QuickBooks integration and accommodates up to two users. The Premium tier provides an all-encompassing experience, granting access to unlimited team members, priority support, multiple brand management, and even a dedicated account manager.

Sweetening the deal, HoneyBook offers regular and considerable discounts, and opting for annual billing also reduces the cost. Additionally, its 7-day free trial is an excellent introduction to the service without the added pressure of a commitment. If that’s not enough, HoneyBook’s 60-day money-back guarantee should give users enough time to acquaint themselves with the platform risk free.

Dubsado pricing

Dubsado’s forever-free version is the perfect introduction to CRM systems for inexperienced users. It lets one user work with up to three clients and unlimited projects, offering enough time to become familiar with the platform’s inner workings before committing.

The Starter and Premium plans include the full spectrum of features, with the latter including automation workflows, multiple lead captures, scheduler templates, and Zapier integration.

As with HoneyBook, users can opt for an annual billing cycle, which saves up to 40%. Furthermore, both paid plans come with three free users and support multiple brands under the same account for an additional $10 per brand.

Dubsado users can request refunds within given timeframes: 14 days for annual billings and a whole month in case of a monthly subscription.

HoneyBook vs Dubsado: which one is cheaper?

These platforms’ pricing structures are strikingly similar. HoneyBook’s top-tier plan accommodating multiple companies mirrors Dubsado’s multi-brand capability across its paid plans. Overall, both solutions maintain a consistent price-to-feature ratio throughout their subscription plans.

Ultimately, Dubsado provides a free-forever version, extending way beyond HoneyBook’s 1-week free trial and allowing users ample time to explore the platform before committing. However, HoneyBook has frequent promotional campaigns, potentially resulting in significant savings for users who time their subscriptions strategically.

When weighing up the cost, the best thing to do is for users to stay updated on both companies’ promotions.

Customer support

HoneyBook customer support

HoneyBook takes its commitment to customer service very seriously. Its support team is available seven days a week during business hours through live chat and email, with the option to call for billing inquiries.

The company provides a comprehensive, modern-looking blog and help center that features many articles, walkthroughs, and problem-solving resources. HoneyBook also hosts webinars at least once a week, helping foster a dynamic learning environment. Plus, it maintains a strong presence on social media platforms, namely Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Dubsado customer support

For such a small team, Dubsado’s customer support is exceptional. Subscribers can reach out via chat and email and enjoy quick response times. The platform offers several onboarding avenues for customers on all plans, such as live weekly webinars, one-on-one calls with agents, and specialized assistance from certified Dubsado experts.

Moreover, there are tons to read in Dubsado’s help center, which gathers articles from simple how-tos to advanced walkthroughs. There’s also an active blog with insightful industry perspectives.

Dubsado actively engages with customers on Facebook via a close-knit community organized for the exchange of ideas, templates, and more.

HoneyBook vs Dubsado: which one provides better customer support?

Once again, these CRM solutions don’t differ much regarding their customer support options. Both provide great response times, effective solutions, and an abundance of resources.

Dubsado stands out slightly due to its efforts in building a user community and the fact that specialized support is not restricted to Premium plan subscribers, like with HoneyBook.

Which one is better: HoneyBook or Dubsado?

Determining which option is superior comes down to your business’s distinctive needs and priorities. One thing is clear: neither platform provides extensive client records, so relationship-based companies that need this may want to look elsewhere.

HoneyBook wins points for its useful lead-tracking tool and integrations. The handy and sleek-designed mobile app comes with all the features of the browser version. Moreover, the service hosts frequent promotions and campaigns.

Conversely, Dubsado has a broader feature set, with more customer support avenues and advanced automation workflows. Its flexible pricing structure caters to teams of varying sizes and multiple brands. Plus, its free-forever plan, albeit modest in features, is a wonderful starting point.

Ultimately, any decision should be based on the careful examination of each platform’s features and compatibility with your projects’ requirements. Read our extensive reviews of HoneyBook and Dubsado to learn more.