Honeybook vs Dubsado: Is One Better For Photographers?

Last updated: May 22nd, 2026.

When it comes to managing the business side of photography (or any visual art), a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can be a lifesaver. After experimenting with a few (okay – a lot), I’ve found that Honeybook and Dubsado stand out over and over again as my go-to tools. Both have their pros and cons, and I’ll break it all down for you here. If you’re torn between Honeybook vs Dubsado, this post should help you decide which one suits your needs best.

Already using Dubsado or Honeybook and thinking about making the switch to the other? Check out my guide to switching CRMs without losing your mind.

If you want to see how HoneyBook and Dubsado stack up against other options, I compare five CRMs side by side in my best CRM for photographers guide. Or, if you’re ready for a complete systems overhaul, check out Systems in Session, my done with you experience where we design and implement your full client experience inside either Dubsado or Honeybook in 60 days.

For my photographers specifically, I’ll let you in on a little secret: Honeybook now integrates with Pic-Time! So if that’s your photo software of choice, it might be a good idea to start there!

Availability

First things first, location matters. Honeybook is only available in the United States and Canada. So, if you’re living outside these places, Dubsado is the best solution. Quick and easy, right? This is an important starting point for narrowing down your options. And while I will talk about payment processing below, it’s also worth noting that Honeybook processes payments within the platform, so Americans can only charge in USD and Canadians in CAD. That may not make a difference to a photographer, for example, but if you’re a graphic designer in Canada working with US clients, that might be a deal breaker for you too.

Key Similarities: Honeybook vs Dubsado

First, let’s talk about what these two platforms have in common (and why I think that they are the best CRMs for photographers).

Customization Options Between Honeybook vs. Dubsado

Both Honeybook and Dubsado offer amazing customization options, which is fantastic news for all you visual artists out there! It’s one of the reasons these two are my favorite CRMs. If you want your CRM to reflect your unique style or brand identity, and your customers appreciate aesthetics, both platforms make it easy for you to customize everything. This flexibility means your client interactions will always feel personal and on-brand (which is a HUGE win, especially for us busy solopreneurs out there!).

Speaking of customization, I don’t just mean adding your logo everywhere. Both platforms also let you use your brand colors and font choices. This ensures your forms and communications look cohesive and professional (and trust me – your clients will definitely notice and appreciate that extra touch of care in every interaction).

Embedding Images and Videos in Forms

Now, let’s chat about forms. You can add images and videos to forms in both CRMs. This feature is super handy for sharing mock-ups, actual images, or clothing options for sessions. Imagine how professional and personalized your forms will look, making a stellar first impression every time! Not sure what forms you need? I share 4 forms you need to have here!

Integrations

Both CRMs integrate seamlessly with QuickBooks, Google Calendar, and Zoom for video calls for non-Starter plans. Plus, they have internal schedulers for booking sessions and meetings. These integrations save you time and help keep everything in one place, making your workflow smoother than ever (sounds nice doesn’t it?).

Redirect URLs

Lastly, redirect URLs are another handy feature both platforms offer. What this means is that they allow you to send a client to a specific URL after they complete a form. There’s a slight difference here: Dubsado offers this feature only after a lead capture or proposal, while Honeybook provides it for ANY SmartFile. It’s a small distinction, but depending on your process it could be a deciding factor.

Key Differences: Honeybook vs Dubsado

Now that I’ve raved about both of them appropriately, let’s talk about the key differences (so you can decide which one is right for you!).

Pricing

First, let’s talk dollars and cents. While the price point for Honeybook and Dubsado were relatively similar before 2025, significant price increases and feature changes for Honeybook made pricing a factor in 2025, but as of December 1st, 2025 a Dubsado price increase has put them both at approximately the same price for 2026.

They each offer a starter plan, but I 100% do not recommend this for Dubsado or Honeybook as neither plan includes workflows/automations. I think workflows and automations are SO IMPORTANT when it comes to taking things off your plate as a business owner (which is one of the main reasons you’ll want to use a CRM in the first place!).

Honeybook’s Starter Plan is $36/month and includes 2 lead forms, 1 contact form, 1 scheduler form, and basic reporting. There is no access to automations, AI Assistants, or advanced integrations with Quickbooks, Zoom, and Zapier. There are no limits on project/clients or SmartFiles. You can access the Pic-Time integration, full financial features, mobile app, pipeline, and email + calendar integrations.

Dubsado’s Starter Plan is $35/month and includes 1 lead capture (contact form) and no restrictions on project/clients, invoicing, client portals, or form/email templates. There is no access to workflows, public proposals, bookkeeping integrations, or scheduling.

Honeybook’s Essentials Plan is $59/month and it includes: 10 live lead forms, 3 live contact forms, and up to 2 members to your account + bookkeeper access. This tier also includes unlimited schedulers, form & email templates, automations, access to the AI Assistant, SMS reminders for clients, custom fonts, and advanced integrations with Zapier, Zoom, Quickbooks, and Meta Lead Ads. This is most comparable to Dubsado’s Premier Plan.

Dubsado’s Premier Plan is $55/month and includes unlimited schedulers, templates, and 3 team members. You have access to bookkeeping integrations, advanced integrations with Zoom and Zapier. Additional brands are $10/each.

Honeybook’s Premium Plan is $129/month and includes unlimited forms, schedulers, advanced reports, multiple brands supported on one account, and up to 10 team members.

Unless you require the AI Assistant and Financial Features inside Honeybook, Dubsado’s Premier Plan is the bigger bang for your buck.

Appointment and Project Dates

If you often book sessions or appointments without bringing people into your CRM using a contact form, Honeybook shines here. Anything you book on a scheduler can automatically become the project date with a simple click. This feature alone might make Honeybook your winner if you prefer this streamlined process. While I did mention that both Honeybook and Dubsado have a native scheduler, Dubsado’s can be a little clunky in comparison.

File Expiration Options

Both Honeybook and Dubsado offer file expiration features (if that’s important to you) but they are in slightly different ways.

• Dubsado: You can set expiration dates based on a fixed date, after a form has been sent, or based on a project date.
• Honeybook: Offers expiration after a form has been sent or after a form has been viewed.

Team Management

When it comes to running your business with a team, I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of either platform in this regard. But if I had to choose, Honeybook takes the lead. It allows different email signatures for each team member and connects individual calendars and email accounts. This feature can be a game-changer if you have multiple people interacting with clients, because Dubsado really doesn’t have a workaround for this.

Workflows & Automations

At a glance, both Honeybook and Dubsado offer the ability to automate parts of your workflow, but this is one of the biggest points of difference for me.

• Dubsado: You can activate as many workflows on a project as needed, manually or automatically, even at the same time. The one trigger that gives Dubsado the advantage is “after form NOT completed“. This is what allows you to have automated follow-up emails when a lead or client does NOT complete the booking process or a questionnaire.
• Honeybook: While Honeybook and Dubsado both have great workflows and automation options, one advantage with Honeybook is you do not need to send a scheduler from the automation in order to trigger an automation action based on that scheduled session. NOTE: In the latest version of the Honeybook Automations Builder, you can do conditional logic and apply more than one automation to a project.

Honeybook vs Dubsado: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some FAQs to answer some of your burning questions. If your question isn’t listed here or in this blog, feel free to contact me! I’m always here to help and ensure you have all the information you need.

Wrapping Up: Honeybook Vs Dubsado

I hope this deep dive helps you make an informed decision! Ultimately, both Honeybook and Dubsado can be fantastic tools for managing your photography or visual arts business. The key is setting them up to work for you. Whether you prioritize seamless scheduling, customization, or team management, there’s a CRM that fits your needs. And remember, with Honeybook’s new integration with Pic-Time, the possibilities are expanding even further!

PSST: I have Dubsado and Honeybook workflow templates, perfect for photographers! And if you want to take your business to the next level, pick up my client experience bundle in the shop! It’s filled with all the forms and resources you need to elevate your client experience and streamline your processes inside either of these amazing CRMs.

So, which one will you choose? Honeybook vs Dubsado? Whatever your decision, make sure it aligns with your workflow and business goals. And hey, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification. I’m always here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out!