How much does HoneyBook charge?
HoneyBook starts at $19/month for Starter, $39/month for Essentials, and $79/month for Premium. If you take payments through the platform, card payments cost 2.9% + $0.25 per transaction, while ACH bank payments cost 1.5%.
Last verified May 2026 · Feebite Editorial · Independent fees calculator
HoneyBook review for honeybook.com
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.1/5
Best for: service-based freelancers and small agencies that want CRM, proposals, contracts, invoicing, and payments in one system.
Not ideal for: sellers who only need cheap invoicing, or businesses with high payment volume where processing fees matter more than workflow tools.
Fees & Pricing — The Full Picture
HoneyBook is not just an invoicing app. It bundles client relationship management, proposals, contracts, scheduling, invoices, and payment collection into one platform aimed at service businesses. That all-in-one setup can save time, but the total cost depends on both your plan and how clients pay you.
Subscription pricing
| Plan | Monthly price | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $19/mo | Solo freelancers needing core CRM + invoicing basics |
| Essentials | $39/mo | Growing service businesses needing a more complete workflow |
| Premium | $79/mo | Teams or established businesses that need the fullest feature set |
Payment processing fees
| Payment method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Card payments | 2.9% + $0.25 |
| ACH bank payments | 1.5% |
The key thing to understand: HoneyBook has both a software subscription and transaction fees. If you send invoices but get paid outside the platform, your cost is mainly the monthly plan. If you collect through HoneyBook Payments, processing fees become a meaningful part of your total spend.
What the fees look like in practice
Below are simple examples using only the known published rates.
| Invoice amount | Card fee at 2.9% + $0.25 | ACH fee at 1.5% | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $3.15 | $1.50 | ACH saves $1.65 |
| $500 | $14.75 | $7.50 | ACH saves $7.25 |
| $1,000 | $29.25 | $15.00 | ACH saves $14.25 |
| $2,500 | $72.75 | $37.50 | ACH saves $35.25 |
For larger invoices, ACH is clearly cheaper than card processing. That matters because HoneyBook is often used by photographers, designers, planners, coaches, and other service professionals sending mid-to-high value invoices rather than lots of tiny payments.
Bottom line on value
If you only want to send an invoice once in a while, HoneyBook can feel expensive compared with basic invoicing tools. But if you actively use the CRM, lead tracking, proposals, contracts, and payment collection together, the monthly fee may be easier to justify. In other words: it is usually strongest as a workflow platform, not as a low-cost payments solution.
Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | CRM + invoicing + contracts for service businesses |
| Pricing | Starter $19/mo, Essentials $39/mo, Premium $79/mo |
| Free plan | No |
| Founded | Not confirmed here |
| HQ | Not confirmed here |
| Best feature | All-in-one client workflow from inquiry to contract to invoice |
| Worst limitation | Transaction fees can add up, especially on card payments |
How It Compares
HoneyBook sits in a crowded space. Its real competitors are not only invoicing apps, but also broader service-business platforms.
| Name | Fee | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| HoneyBook | $19/mo, $39/mo, or $79/mo; payments cost 2.9% + $0.25 (cards) or 1.5% (ACH) | Service businesses wanting CRM + proposals + contracts + invoicing in one place | Best if workflow matters more than lowest fees |
| Dubsado | Custom pricing varies by plan | Freelancers wanting deep client workflow automation | Strong alternative if customization matters more than simplicity |
| Bonsai | Pricing varies by plan | Independent freelancers wanting proposals, contracts, and invoicing in a cleaner package | Often simpler for solos, but depends on feature priorities |
HoneyBook’s edge is convenience. Its weakness is that convenience is not free: you pay a monthly subscription, and then you may still pay standard-ish processing fees on top.
Pros
- Combines CRM, invoicing, contracts, and client communication in one platform.
- Pricing is straightforward at $19/mo, $39/mo, and $79/mo, without needing a custom quote.
- ACH payments at 1.5% are meaningfully cheaper than card payments for large invoices.
- Well suited to project-based service businesses that need proposals and signed agreements before billing.
- Can reduce admin sprawl by replacing several separate tools with one client workflow system.
Cons
- No free plan, so even light users have a fixed monthly cost.
- Card processing at 2.9% + $0.25 is not especially cheap if you invoice large amounts.
- May be overkill for freelancers who just need basic invoices and payment links.
- Total cost can be easy to underestimate because subscription fees and payment fees stack together.
Who Should Use HoneyBook
Perfect for: photographers, designers, planners, consultants, coaches, and other service businesses that manage leads, send proposals, collect signatures, invoice clients, and want those steps under one roof.
Skip it if: you mostly need simple invoicing, rarely send contracts, or process enough volume that minimizing payment fees is more important than having an integrated CRM.
How to Get Started
- Choose the plan that matches your workflow needs: Starter ($19/mo), Essentials ($39/mo), or Premium ($79/mo).
- Set up your core client pipeline, invoice templates, contracts, and proposal documents before inviting real clients in.
- Decide how you want to get paid: card payments at 2.9% + $0.25 or ACH at 1.5% where suitable.
- Run a test project from inquiry to signed contract to paid invoice so you can spot bottlenecks before fully migrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does HoneyBook cost per month?
HoneyBook has three published plans: Starter at $19/month, Essentials at $39/month, and Premium at $79/month. There is no free plan in the facts reviewed here, so your base cost starts with a monthly subscription even before any payment processing fees.
What are HoneyBook's payment processing fees?
HoneyBook charges 2.9% + $0.25 for card payments and 1.5% for ACH bank payments. For high-value invoices, ACH is usually the cheaper option. Your total cost depends on both your monthly plan and how many payments you process through the platform.
Is HoneyBook worth it for freelancers?
HoneyBook can be worth it if you need more than invoicing. Its value comes from combining CRM, contracts, proposals, and payments in one system. If you will actively use those features, $19/mo to $79/mo may be reasonable; if you only need billing, it may be too expensive.
This review was last updated May 2026. Fees and availability may change — always check HoneyBook's website for the latest information.