HoneyBook Alternative for Freelancers
A simpler HoneyBook alternative for freelancers
HoneyBook is a full business suite, and a good one. If you run a team with scheduling, automations and online payments, it covers a lot. If you work solo, you may want something quicker and easier to use.
CloveDesk is a client portal built for freelancers. Send quotes, get them signed, share files and invoice clients, all on one flat subscription.
No credit card required
What to choose?
Pick HoneyBook if you want clients to pay inside the platform, or you need scheduling, automations, a CRM and lead forms.
Pick CloveDesk if you mainly need to send quotes, get them signed, share files and invoice clients, and want it ready in minutes. CloveDesk comes equipped with an Expense Management system as well as a much simpler project management feature that allows you to keep tabs on your workspace.
CloveDesk and HoneyBook compared
| Features | CloveDesk | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Solo freelancers | Service businesses of many kinds |
| Client portal | Yes | Yes |
| Quotes and proposals | Yes | Yes |
| Contracts and e-signature | Yes, drawn or typed, with audit trail | Yes |
| Invoices | Yes, marked paid by you | Yes, payable online |
| Online payments | Not yet | Yes |
| Scheduler, automations, lead forms | No, by design | Yes, on higher plans |
| Team members | One user | Up to 2 on mid plans, more on Premium |
| Pricing model | Flat subscription, no processing fees from us | Subscription plus card and bank processing fees |
Why freelancers choose CloveDesk
- No login for your clients. They open a magic link from your email. No account, no password.
- One job, done well. Quote, sign, share files, invoice. Nothing to learn that you will not use.
- A workspace for every client. Projects, files, quotes, invoices and expenses live together.
- Your branding. On paid plans your logo and details appear on what your clients see.
- Flat pricing. Plans are below, and we take nothing from your payments.
Where HoneyBook is stronger
We would rather you pick the right tool. HoneyBook lets clients pay invoices inside the platform. It also adds scheduling, automations, lead capture and team access. CloveDesk does not do these yet, and some we may never add.
How to switch
- Start the free trial. No card needed.
- Update your business profile.
- Create a workspace for one current client.
- Send their next quote from CloveDesk and see how it feels.
You can run both side by side while you decide.
Pricing
Free
$0/ Valid for 30 Days
- 1 Workspace
- 1 Project
- 10 Quotes
- 3 Invoices
- 3 Documents
- 100 MB Storage
- 10 MB Max file size
- E-signature (Quotes, Invoices, Docs)
- Expense Management
Basic
$4.99/monthly
- 5 Workspaces
- 5 Projects Per Workspace
- 100 Quotes
- 100 Invoices
- 50 Documents
- 1 GB Storage Storage
- 50 MB max file size
- E-signature (Quotes, Invoices, Docs)
- Expense Management
- Branding (Logo & Colors)
- ✓ Custom expense categories
- ✓ Activity log
Pro
⭐ most popular
$9.99/monthly
- 100 Workspaces
- Unlimited Projects
- Unlimited Quotes
- Unlimited Invoices
- Unlimited Documents
- 10 GB Storage
- 500 MB max file size
- E-signature (Quotes, Invoices, Docs)
- Expense Management
- Branding (Logo & Colors)
- ✓ Custom expense categories
- ✓ Activity log
- ✓ Project stage management
- ✓ Auto Payment Followup
Questions
- Can I use CloveDesk and HoneyBook together?
Yes. Many freelancers test CloveDesk with one client before moving anything over.
Can my clients pay invoices in CloveDesk?
Not yet. Your invoice shows your payment terms, and you mark it paid when the money arrives.
Do my clients need an account?
No. They open the link you send them to view, download and sign. Once they have opened any quote/invoice, they will be able to sign-in back to the portal, should they wish to. And you can always send them a magic link to login anytime.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, and it needs no card. Sign up with your email and a magic link.
Comparison based on HoneyBook’s public pricing page, checked October 2026. HoneyBook is a trademark of its owner. CloveDesk is not affiliated with HoneyBook.