Dubsado vs Honeybook for Service Providers

As a graphic designer & marketing professional who’s been in the industry for basically forever (20+ years), I’ve learned that a seamless client experience is the key to building a successful and sustainable business.

Social media can help you reach new clients, which is super duper cool. But the REAL holy grail of marketing? It’s the exceptional service you provide that keeps folks coming back — and recommending you to their friends!

That’s why I nerd out soooo hard about choosing the right client management tool. A good CRM can streamline your workflows, automate tasks, and create a professional and personalized experience for your clients.

You’ve probably heard of Honeybook and Dubsado, two popular options in the market. But which one is the right fit for you?

I’ve personally used both Honeybook and Dubsado for 3+ years each, both for my own business and for clients I’ve set up. After years of testing and comparing, I’ve switched back to Honeybook. Let’s talk about why.

Honeybook vs Dubsado: my personal choice

Intuitive UI:

I’m a bit of an app junkie. Before I make a purchase, I’ll do a deep dive into the pros and cons, read reviews, and weigh the options, AND try it out! (Ask anyone who works here — they love it. *s)

I approached Honeybook vs. Dubsado with the same scrutiny. I wanted to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck AND the best fit for Knap Creative.

Dubsado, because it has a lot of functionality, can be a beast to pick up — so if you do, start simple.

Honeybook, despite similar functionality, feels easy-breezy. I find it easier to find my way around, plus they have clever little messages that pop up on the dashboard. I’m a sucker for that kind of stuff.

Improvements since 2019

Honeybook has come a long way since I first used it a few years back. They’ve added some features that I was missing, like a built-in scheduler and AUTOMATIONS. 🎉🎉 I’m so glad I can automate tasks like sending contracts, collecting payments, and scheduling appointments with Honeybook!

It’s like they’ve been listening to their users and making improvements where it counts. 🤣

Honeybook vs. Dubsado Comparison

As you can see, they’re almost the same!

Honeybook is a great choice if you:

• Value ease of use and a clean interface.
• Want to automate tasks and save time.
• Need a simple way to book appointments with clients.
• Prioritize a positive client experience.

Dubsado may be a better fit if you:

• Require advanced features like team collaboration and detailed reporting.
• Are willing to invest time in learning and configuring the platform.
• Don’t mind a more complex interface.

Ultimately, the best CRM for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Think about your business size, team structure, and the level of automation you require when making your decision.

What we don’t do in Honeybook

• P&L tracking — not all of our income comes through Honeybook, and we do our expense tracking in QuickBooks Online

What we do in Honeybook

INBOX / DASHBOARD

When you sign in, here’s what you see:

Honeybook on the left; Dubsado on the right. Technically these dashboards are comparable but as someone who’s very aesthetically driven, I prefer Honeybook!

I use Honeybook to keep an eye on what’s coming through for payments. It also helps me prioritize my inbox — I check my Honeybook inbox before my regular inbox, so our clients get top priority.

PROPOSALS, QUESTIONNAIRES, CONTRACTS, AND INVOICES

I’ve created and love using gorgeous, custom templates for proposals, questionnaires, invoices, you name it. Everything is consistently branded, intuitive, and just feels good!

Both platforms are have all of these options, but I find the Honeybook interface much easier to navigate when it comes to customizing these forms. Plus, you can actually find them because they’re not buried underneath a weird name in a weird place.

SCHEDULER

I was able to cancel my Calendly / Savvycal / million other options (I have tried them alllllll) in exchange for the Honeybook scheduler.

HB allows you to schedule different types of meetings with individual team members, block off your schedule, and also does the fancy-pants automations that remind your clients that a meeting is coming up! Meeting links are generated and sent automatically.

Plus, you can see your calendar without the million *other* to-do’s.

And let’s take a moment of appreciation plz that we don’t have 500 meetings a day, that’s taken a lot of time & intentional effort! (And, y’know, more systems.)

Dubsado and Honeybook both have schedulers! As I write this, Dubsado is in Beta and as far as I can see, there are no appointment reminders.

LEAD FORMS

We’ve got branded Honeybook lead forms that look super slick and help us snag the right clients. They’ve got clear copy that attracts folks who are a perfect fit, and they gather all the info we need before they even reach out. That way, we’re not wasting anyone’s time if the timing or budget isn’t quite right!

You can see it in action right here!

Again, both platforms have this capability and look relatively similar on the client side. I find it easier to set up in Honeybook.

So, which one is right for you?

At the end of the day, the best client management tool will depend on your specific needs and preferences — and most of it comes down to aesthetics over functionality.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Honeybook: If you value ease of use, automation, and a positive client experience, Honeybook is a fantastic choice.

• Dubsado: If you need advanced features like deep customization and team collaboration, Dubsado might be the way to go.

The key to choosing the right tool is to try it out and see which one feels more natural to you — and it’s SO EXCITING to streamline your workflow, save time, and provide an exceptional client experience!