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.
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!
Okay, before we get started, while I’m sharing about Honeybook vs Dubsado today, I also dive into the details of seven top CRM options in my comprehensive CRM comparison guide. Or, if you’re ready for a complete systems overhaul, check out my CRM Blueprint Course, which provides step-by-step instructions for setting up both Dubsado and Honeybook.
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).
Pricing
First, let’s talk dollars and cents. The price point for both Honeybook and Dubsado is pretty much the same for their top tier plans. They each offer a starter plan, but I 100% do not recommend a starter plan on Dubsado. That plan is $20/month, but lacks workflows, which I think 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!). In contrast, the Honeybook starter plan is $16/month, but includes their automations (aka workflows). NOTE: it is limited to your first $10k in processed invoices, so after this you will be prompted to upgrade to a non-starter plan.
So once you are past the starter phase, the cost is relatively the same. This makes it easier to focus on the features that truly matter to you (and a CRM is NEVER where I recommend trying to save money since it’s a pain to switch down the road when your business grows!).
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. 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!).
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.
Which platform is more user-friendly for beginners?
Both Honeybook and Dubsado are designed with user-friendliness in mind, but Honeybook tends to be more intuitive for beginners if I’m being honest. Its clean interface and guided setup make it easier to get started quickly.
Do Honeybook and Dubsado have mobile apps? If so, how functional are they?
Yes, both Honeybook and Dubsado have mobile apps. Honeybook’s app is highly rated for its smooth functionality and ease of use on the go. Dubsado’s app was just released and isn’t as feature-rich as Honeybook’s app, yet. But I wouldn’t base your decision on a mobile app alone!
Do both platforms provide templates for contracts, invoices, and emails? How customizable are they?
Yes, both Honeybook and Dubsado provide templates for contracts, invoices, and emails, and they are highly customizable. You can tweak them to match your brand’s voice and style.
PSST!: I have fabulous templates in my shop for both platforms that you can snag to make your life even easier! Grab them in my shop, here!
Do Honeybook and Dubsado offer free trials? If so, for how long?
Yes, both Honeybook and Dubsado offer free trials. Honeybook provides a 7-day free trial, while Dubsado offers a more generous unlimited time trial. You can take as much time as you want to test out the features in Dubsado, but as soon as you have processed 3 clients the trial will end. Be sure to do all your testing with the sample client so you don’t waste your clients too early.
Want to give them a try? I’ve got affiliate links for both—click through to start your free trial on Honeybook or Dubsado today!
How do both platforms handle payment processing and invoicing?
I mentioned this earlier, but I want to go more into detail here. Both Honeybook and Dubsado offer payment processing and invoicing, but differ in one major way. Dubsado supports connecting your own major payment gateways like Stripe, Square, and PayPal, making it easy to send invoices and receive payments directly through the platform, but receiving payments directly into your own accounts. You have more control with Dubsado. With Honeybook, it acts as the payment processor, using Stripe, but the funds are sent to your bank account in a similar fashion.
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!
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