Why people leave HoneyBook
1. HoneyBook only processes payments in the US and Canada. This is the most common dealbreaker. International users can log in, but they cannot collect client payments through HoneyBook unless their business is based in North America. For freelancers and agencies in the UK, Europe, Australia, and beyond, that makes it unusable as a billing system.
2. The 2025 price increases. HoneyBook raised prices across the board — the Starter plan jumped roughly 89% (from $19 to about $36/month) — and there's no free plan, only a 7-day trial. Team access requires the top Premium tier (~$109–$129/month).
3. Transaction fees on top of subscription. HoneyBook adds 2.9% + $0.25 per card payment (1.5% for bank transfers) on top of what you already pay monthly.
4. It's built for solo creatives, not agencies. HoneyBook shines for individual photographers and planners, but its project, team, and reporting depth is limited if you're running multi-client agency delivery.
What to look for in a HoneyBook alternative
- Global payments — the ability to connect your own processor and get paid anywhere.
- A free or low entry tier — so you can start without a North-America-only paywall.
- Multi-currency — bill clients in their own currency, for real international billing.
- Team and agency features — projects, tasks, time tracking, reporting.
- White-label client portals — a branded experience your clients actually use.
Why ClientDeck is the strongest HoneyBook alternative
| ClientDeck | HoneyBook | |
|---|---|---|
| Works outside US/Canada | Yes, worldwide | Payments US/Canada only |
| Free plan | Yes | No (trial only) |
| Entry price | $9/mo | ~$36/mo |
| Bring your own processor | Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay | HoneyBook's own (US/CA) |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Limited / USD-centric |
| Agency projects + time tracking | Yes | Limited |
| AI client reports | Yes | Not dedicated |
| White-label portals | Yes | Yes |
ClientDeck covers the jobs HoneyBook users rely on — proposals with e-signature, invoicing with reminders and recurring billing, branded client portals, and project management — and adds the things HoneyBook can't offer outside North America: native multi-currency and your own Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay. It starts free and tops out at $24/month flat, so it scales with a team without Premium-tier pricing.
Honest note: other alternatives
ClientDeck isn't the only option. Dubsado is global and automation-heavy (but complex to set up and costlier with add-ons). Bonsai is polished for solo US freelancers (but bills per user, which gets expensive for teams). If your priority is the deepest automation, evaluate Dubsado; if you're a solo US freelancer wedded to built-in US tax tools, look at Bonsai. For most people leaving HoneyBook over geography, price, or team needs, ClientDeck is the most direct fit.
Frequently asked questions
ClientDeck, because it works worldwide. HoneyBook can't process payments outside the US and Canada, whereas ClientDeck lets you connect your own Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay and bill in multiple currencies.
Yes. ClientDeck has a free plan, while HoneyBook offers only a 7-day trial with no permanent free tier.
ClientDeck is significantly cheaper — free to start and $9–$24/month flat, versus HoneyBook's roughly $36–$129/month.
Yes. Recreate your clients, proposals, and invoices in ClientDeck, connect your payment processor and accounting tools (QuickBooks, Xero), and you're operational.
Outgrew HoneyBook — or never qualified for it?
Start free with ClientDeck