Bonsai vs HoneyBook: Which Platform Actually Helps You Scale in 2025?
If you're reading this, you're not just evaluating tools.
You're making a decision about how to run your business.
Maybe you've been winging it. Too many tabs open while using a little Notion here... A little contract template there... A few invoice PDFs, an outdated CRM, and whatever calendar app you remembered to look at that day
Now, things are starting to get busy (filling up) and cracks are starting to show.
So now, here you are, looking at Bonsai and HoneyBook.
Great names in the "all-in-one" realm for freelancers, creatives, and small business owners.
Both say they will organize your chaos. Take care of your clients. Save you time.
But they are both built differently. And depending on the direction your business is heading, one of them will hold you back before you complete the sentence.
And yes, there's a third option that is built for people that feel tape isn't the answer.
Let’s analyze.
Quick Comparison Table
Pressed for time? Here's a handy comparison overview of Bonsai, HoneyBook, and highMpact, the new all-in-one platform actually built to truly manage the complex mess of modern businesses with clients!
Scroll down to see each exactly how each one stacks up, and why so many people are quickly and quietly switching to highMpact.
3. So Who Are These Tools For, Anyway?
Let’s just get something clear before we start the evaluation of features.
This isn't about whichever tool has more stuff. It's about your business and what you really need.
Bonsai is for solo freelancers. If you want basic contracts, quick invoices, and a simple way to track time or get a proposal out, Bonsai keeps it light and easy. It is basic it's not overstuffed with features, but it is solid at the basics.
HoneyBook is for smaller teams or creatives who need more structure. HoneyBook gives you client pipelines, branded portals, and some automation. You will still have to deal with some limits on the customizable aspects, but it feels nicer than Bonsai.
highMpact is for the person who is tired of trying to piece things together. If you are someone like a coach, service provider, or business owner trying to scale, this one provides everything all in one, CRM, invoicing, scheduler, automations, and even land page and course features.
You don't just need "a better way to send an invoice". You need a system that runs while you sleep. This is where highMpact fits in.
4. Comparison by Feature
Now, let’s get into the things that actually matter to you. Here’s how Bonsai and HoneyBook stack up, and how highMpact fills the void when you are ready for more.
4.1 Client Management: CRM, or a fancy spreadsheet?
Bonsai keeps it straightforward. You can see client information, send files, and check-in on a project’s status, but there isn’t a pipeline or tags whatsoever.
HoneyBook gives you a visual flow for leads and clients. You drag people around in stages and track how someone is doing.
highMpact gives you the whole nine yards for a CRM. A pipeline, tags, filters, deal stages, custom fields, and the ability to send 2-way SMS and email all in the same place.
4.2 Invoicing and Payment Processing
Bonsai can do basic one-off, recurring, and subscription invoices. Straightforward but not very customizable.
HoneyBook lets you bundle invoices with contracts and schedulers. It looks clean and works well for service packages.
highMpact can do everything Bonsai and HoneyBook can do, plus some automations. For example, you can automatically trigger review requests, upsell offers, or email sequences the moment someone pays you.
4.4 Management of Projects and Tasks
Bonsai provides basic task lists and a simple Kanban board setup that works, but tends to limit itself to being a solo user feature.
HoneyBook ties tasks directly to projects but lacks a full project hub, which includes reminders and due dates.
highMpact adds Kanban boards, team assignments, calendars, and automations with the ability to create a workflow, roles, and dependent tasks, all within a single timeline.
4.5 Automation of Workflow
Bonsai has light automation capability which consists mainly of billing reminders or periodic payments.
HoneyBook offers flow based on emails, but only status updates as something moves through the pipeline.
highMpact extends this far more - we can send follow-up texts, manage social media keyword campaigns, trigger review requests, and automate dm responses. This is beyond just automation on the backend - it relates to client facing automation, and expansion automations.
4.6 Client Portal & Communication
Bonsai offers clients a place to see files and contracts but it’s pretty basic.
HoneyBook has a beautiful client portal with which clients can check invoices, messages, and updates on projects.
highMpact allows clients to message you directly, check files, sign contracts, pay invoices, and receive automatic reminders. all presented in a branded portal that feels professional.
4.7 Scheduling & Booking
Bonsai syncs with the calendar on your phone and allows you to create a booking page. You can add your logo and colors.
HoneyBook connects forms with schedulers so you can book leads more quickly! However, no group scheduling.
highMpact builds scheduling right into your CRM, allowing you to collect payments, send reminders, and follow-up automatically, all in one app.
4.8 File Storage & Document Sharing
Bonsai offers you unlimited storage. Just drag and drop and it’s done.
HoneyBook has limits based on your plan, but it is well integrated into contracts and forms.
highMpact gives you unlimited file uploads and allows you to attach documents to client profiles, steps in automation, or proposals which can include, NDAs, PDFs, custom forms, etc., and you can tell they’ve been opened.
5. Pricing Breakdown: What Are You Really Paying For?
Let's dive into the numbers. Because the reality is that selecting a tool isn't just picking the nifty feature set to commit to every month.
Here’s the real breakdown:
Bonsai starts at $15/month and gets to $59/month. The $15 gets you the basics, but if you want some of the other functionality, for example, automations or advanced reports, then you know you are going to want to pay at least $39/month.
HoneyBook starts at $36/month, and gets to $129/month. It has more tools to start with than Bonsai, especially if you have a team. But then you probably know that they still lock a few features behind the pricing tiers too, and I know some people have mentioned surprise fees (like they charge extra for processing your payment).
highMpact is $197/month, flat. This may seem like more money coming out of pocket, but here's what it actually includes:
Full crm, with pipeline, tags, and custom fields
Invoices, subscriptions, and built in logos with stripe integration
Email + SMS followups
Landing pages and full website builder
Online course platform
Affiliate tracking system.
2 way email + sms with automations designed into the messaging
If you were trying to do all of things that's 4 other tools you'll likely be paying for with Bonsai or HoneyBook. Which is why we say - highMpact isn't for "testing the waters."
6. What Real Users Say: Unfiltered Feedback
You can believe what we share with you. This is direct feedback from users in review sites such as G2 and Capterra are saying about Bonsai and HoneyBook.
What users love:
Very clean interface.
Great invoicing and time tracking.
Contracts are easy to send for signature and get paid.
What users dislike:
The automations are limited or require upgrades.
The CRM function is basic, so there are not enough options too organize the leads.
Support is often slow when issues arise.
What users love:
Beautiful client portal.
Keeps clients/projects organized.
Good option for creatives of help packages and services.
What users dislike:
Some tools feel fixed unless you pay for a higher plan.
Can't afford it if you grow.
Integration and branding can be limited and inflexible.
Why highMpact exists.
This is why highMpact was built, to solve what others do not address.
Instead of 5 different apps, together highMpact has:
The CRM tools that are weaker in Bonsai.
The automations that HoneyBook users ask for.
Tools that no one else provides like: 2-way texting, affiliate tracking, and full course hosting.
Here is the review from a user after using highMpact for 15months:
"""Since moving my digital products onto highMpact, I’ve gained so much confidence in setting up new offers and building sales pages that convert. In just 15 months, I’ve welcomed 334 new customers and launched a recurring revenue product that runs on autopilot.The automations inside highMpact give me a lot of freedom. I no longer have to constantly supervise or manually deliver anything, customers get instant access to their purchases without me lifting a finger. It’s freed up so much time and energy for me to focus on creating new things and being with my family instead of packing and shipping physical orders or monitoring my emails.Kalyca is truly one of the best parts of the platform. She’s warm, encouraging, and always quick to help when I have questions. She never makes you feel like a burden, and you can tell she truly cares about your success. If you’re considering highMpact, do it. It might feel a little intimidating at first to learn something new, but you’ll be up and running before you know it, and so grateful you took the leap. It’s absolutely worth the investment in your business and your peace of mind.""" - Krystal Whitten
For more testimonial click here...
7. So... Which Should You Choose? (Freelancer Scenarios)
As ChatGPT would put it, "in the end, the choice between bonsai or honeyBook or highmpact depends on the user's use case and preferences." I don't mean to sound robotic, but it really is true
Here's the plain English cliff notes:
1. You're a solo freelancer wanting to keep it simple.
You're just mainly billing, getting contracts signed, and don't need a fully functioned out CRM so go with Bonsai.
2. You're Person or small team who wants a solid experience for your clients.
If you are wanting a pipeline, branded proposals and client portal that looks clean, check out HoneyBook.
3. You are a person who is ready to scale rather than piece everything together.
You moved away from random tools and are ready for a solution that can run everything.
Follow highMpact here.
8. Wait... What is highMpact?
If this is your first time hearing about highMpact, here’s a quick summary:
It’s the tool you wished existed when you first started freelancing before you were basically duct taping together some type of a CRM, your invoicing app, your course platform, your emails, your calendar, your funnel builder, and a bunch of automation that kind of works but not really.
highMpact is all that, in one place, made for creators, coaches, and service businesses who are tired of playing small.
Where It Started
What’s the backstory? The founder is a coach, who got sick of using 7 different tools only to send out an invoice and book a call. After a few months of spending more time managing all his software, than serving clients, highMpact was born; built from scratch for actual business use.
What It Actually Does
Below is a summary of what you get access to immediately once you log in:
✅ Full CRM with tags, pipelines, filters, 2 way SMS and email
✅ Invoicing, subscribing, and stripe payments
✅ Built in appointment scheduler
✅ Unlimited landing pages and websites
✅ Full course hosting and delivery
✅ Affiliate management center
✅ Social campaigns automations
✅ Sequence for review and follow-up
✅ Client portal and document hub
All connected. All built in. No more tool-hopping.
🔗 Go to highMpact →
You don’t need to grow your tech stack
9. Frequently Asked Questions: Bonsai vs HoneyBook vs highMpact (Updated in 2025)
You probably have some questions. Let’s tackle the most frequently asked questions people are typing into Google.
Q: What is the best platform for freelancers?
A: If you are just getting started and simply need contracts and a clean invoicing process, then Bonsai is a good option. If you want branded experiences and client pipelines, HoneyBook may be a good next step. However, if you are ready to manage everything for your clients from leads to launches and want complete control over how you grow your systems along the way - highMpact is built for this.
Q: What integrations do they offer?
Bonsai integrates with QuickBooks, Slack, Google Calendar, and some tools through Zapier.
HoneyBook integrates with QuickBooks, Gmail, Zoom, and Zapier.
highMpact integrates with Stripe, Google Calendar, and Zapier. However, in most cases you will not need to use an outside integrated system because it includes the things you would typically integrate into your systems (landing pages, email marketing, schedulers, etc.) already built into the platform.
Q: Can I use these to schedule calls or meetings?
Bonsai and HoneyBook will both allow you to create a branded booking page and connect their calendar.
highMpact does this too; in addition, it allows you to collect payments from your clients when they book, send automated reminders, and follow up via text, social media, or email messages.
Q: Which of these are HIPAA compliant?
A: At the time of writing, none of these platforms promote full HIPAA compliance. If you’re in health care or manage sensitive client data, be sure to check with each company directly before storing personal health information.
Q: Can I automate review requests?
Bonsai and HoneyBook do not do this out of the box.
highMpact does. You can automatically send review requests after a payment you’ve received or after an appointment or project has concluded, even by text.
Q: What if I need proposals, invoicing, and follow up emails - all in one flow?
Bonsai can help initiate proposals and invoices, but you’ll have to manually send follow up emails or use another app.
HoneyBook has a variety of nice proposal + contract + invoice bundle, although its automations are limited.
highMpact allows you to initiate a proposal, obtain a signature, take payment, and trigger email or SMS follow up... all in one complete workflow with no need for additional tools.
10. Final Conclusion: If You are Tired of Pieced-together Tools…
Look, all three platforms work for what they are intended to do.
Bonsai is clean and simple.
HoneyBook stands out for its polish and client-facing interface.
highMpact is the ultimate solution for those who have become tired of the fuss of multiple browsers, windows, and systems and just want to work with one platform that runs their business.
If you are ready to stop patching together multiple tools and you want your CRM, scheduler, contracts, courses, and automations all in one location highMpact is not just a better choice - it is the only choice built for where you are going.
🔗 Go to highMpact
