Ahhh Honeybook vs. Dubsado – I knew I’d write this blog post eventually! As a business coach who frequently tells wedding pros looking to scale their business that they need a CRM, this topic seems to come up a lot! Honeybook and Dubsado are both major players in the CRM industry, each with its pros and cons. While I will typically recommend Honeybook first, today I’m diving deeper into why you should choose one or the other (and what you can expect from a CRM in general as you grow your business. Ready to dive into this article on Honeybook vs. Dubsado and which CRM platform makes the most sense for your business?

By the end of this article, I guarantee you'll have all the information you need to make a decision between Honeybook and Dubsando. Let's take a look at each and weigh the pros and cons.

What is a CRM?

First, let's talk about a CRM and why you need one. So often, wedding pros will come to me and say, “Well, maybe I just need something like [insert software here] to fix my business.” And here’s what I want to say. There is NO tool or software on the market that you can buy and have it magically fix your business. I want you to invest in Honeybook or Dubsado intentionally – where you know exactly what the software can do for you and exactly how you’re going to use it! 

TL;DR: A CRM can definitely make your life easier, but paying the subscription fee isn’t enough!

A CRM, or Customer Relationship Management system, is a handy tool that helps businesses manage all their interactions and relationships with potential, current, and former clients. 

Simply put, a CRM like Honeybook or Dubsado can help you manage your leads when they inquire, send proposals, contracts, and invoices to help them book, and even help you manage your communication while working with them. 

Using a CRM in the wedding industry

To put this into context, weddings are high-stakes events where attention to detail is paramount – you're dealing with perhaps the most important day of someone's life! A CRM can help you keep track of all these details: the initial consultation meeting On top of that, the bride’s color palette preference, or even dietary requirements for guests. Plus, a CRM system can help you nurture these relationships by giving you friendly reminders to follow up on leads or send post-event thank-you messages. 

On top of all that, as your business grows and scales up, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage all customer interactions manually. A CRM system automates many tasks, such as scheduling appointments or sending automated emails, which both saves time and reduces errors.

In essence, a CRM like Honeybook or Dubsado isn't just an optional tool for wedding pros — it's an essential part of running a successful business in this industry. It enables you to provide personalized service at scale while saving time and effort so you can focus on what really matters: creating unforgettable experiences for your clients.

Now, let’s break down Honeybook vs. Dubsado so you know which one to choose!

Honeybook Overview

Y’all know I LOVE Honeybook. I have a full Honeybook review for 2024 here, but here is the short version: Honeybook is an all-in-one client management software designed to simplify your business processes, from inquiry to invoice. In my opinion, Honeybook should be your go-to solution for managing customer relationships, streamlining communication, and getting paid fast (ka-ching!). 

Features and Benefits of Honeybook

Like I said earlier, it’s more important to think about HOW you will use the tool than which tool to use. I share 7 ways to use Honeybook as a wedding planner here, but let's take a closer look at some of the key benefits of using Honeybook below:

• Client Management: Honeybook allows you to manage your clients and projects from a single online account. From creating and sending contracts to collecting payments and organizing client information, Honeybook streamlines your workflow, saving you time and effort.
• Customizable Templates: Say goodbye to manual paperwork and repetitive tasks. In the wedding industry, time is money! Honeybook provides customizable templates for popular services like invoices, contracts, and questionnaires. You can create professional-looking documents that reflect your brand's identity, ensuring a seamless client experience.
• Automated Communication: With Honeybook, you can automate client communication, eliminating the need for manual follow-ups. From sending reminders for upcoming payments to providing updates on project progress, Honeybook helps you keep your clients informed every step of the way.
• Integrated Payment Processing: Honeybook simplifies the payment process by offering integrated payment processing. You can accept credit card or bank transfer payments directly through Honeybook, ensuring a seamless and secure transaction for you and your clients.
• Chrome Extension: This is one of my favorite features with Honeybook (compared to Dubsado and other CRMs). The Chrome extension will help you stay organized inside your inbox and is a game changer when your clients are messaging you outside their Honeybook portal!

Dubsado Overview

Let's shift our focus to Dubsado, another popular CRM for wedding pros. While Dubsado has similar features to Honeybook, it's important to know the key differences between the two platforms to decide which one is right for you!

Features and Benefits of Dubsado

Dubsado offers a range of features that can help you manage your clients and grow your business. Here are some of the key benefits of using Dubsado:

• Client Management: Dubsado will help manage your client workflow from lead to invoice. There is a place for contracts, invoices, and questionnaires or forms to be sent to your clients. However, there are less options for once the client has started working with you. While Dubsado has limited reminders/task list functionality, you will likely have to consider a project management tool to keep yourself organized when it comes to the actual work you’ll be doing with the client.
• Customizable Forms: Like Honeybook, Dubsado allows you to create customized forms for contracts, questionnaires, and lead capture. You can design these forms with your branding elements, ensuring a consistent and professional look for your business. Compared to Honeybook, Dubsado form builder feels a little less intuitive, but it can be more customizable for tech-savvy wedding pros.
• Automated Communication: Like Honeybook, Dubsado allows you to create automated workflows to help save you time (and sanity). Similar to the forms above, I find their workflows to allow for greater customization (which is nice!), but I don’t find them as easy to create in the beginning as with Honeybook. And Honeybook is releasing some HUGE workflow updates in 2024 (more on that in a future blog post!)
• Payment Processing: Dubsado offers payment processing options, allowing you to accept credit card payments from your clients. However, unlike Honeybook, Dubsado requires a third-party processor, which may incur additional fees and give you added headaches.

The Key Differences: Honeybook vs. Dubsado

Now that we have a clear understanding of both Honeybook and Dubsado, let's compare the key differences between the two platforms:

Feature	Honeybook	Dubsado
Price	Starting at $19/month	Starting at $20/month
Mobile App	Yes	No
Integrated Payment Processing	Yes	Requires third-party processor
Security/Dispute Management	Yes	Yes
Scheduling	Yes	Yes
Task Management	Yes	No
Money-back Guarantee	2 months (60 days)	2 weeks (14 days)
Chrome Extension	Yes	No
Instant Deposit Available	Yes	No

Why Choose Honeybook vs. Dubsado?

While both Honeybook and Dubsado have loyal fans, as a wedding business coach for over a decade now, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact Honeybook can have on creative businesses. 

Here are some reasons why I recommend Honeybook over Dubsado:

Ease of Use

One of the coolest things about Honeybook is how easy it is to use. The platform is designed to be super intuitive and simple, making it a breeze for new users to get started. Whether you're coming from Dubsado or any other software, Honeybook's user-friendly interface lets you hit the ground running. Because as a wedding pro, you don’t have time to waste with tech!

They Make Getting Paid Easy

As your business coach, I want you to make it as easy as possible for people to pay you. Honeybook simplifies the payment process by offering integrated payment processing. Unlike Dubsado, which requires a third-party processor, Honeybook allows you to accept credit card or bank transfer payments directly through the platform. 

Powerful Mobile App

This is one place where Honeybook really shines over its competitors. As a business owner, you can stay connected and manage your business on the go with the Honeybook mobile app. Available for both Android and Apple devices, the app allows you to access your account, respond to inquiries, and send documents anytime, anywhere. Plus – you’ll love the sound it makes when you get paid!

Human-Centered Support

Running a business can be challenging, but with Honeybook, you're never alone (and I really mean that – as I’ve been using them for YEARS). Their customer support team is available 7 days a week to assist you. Whether you have a quick question or need more in-depth assistance, you can chat with Honeybook's support team or book a 1:1 call. 

Honeybook vs. Dubsado: A Summary

In the Honeybook vs. Dubsado debate, I believe that Honeybook is the clear winner for most creative entrepreneurs. Dubsado offers more customization options than Honeybook. However, this comes at a cost – it requires more time and effort to set up and maintain. With Honeybook, you get pre-made templates that are easy to customize with your branding elements. This saves you valuable time and allows you to focus on other important areas of your business (playing with a new CRM is NOT a money-making activity, my friend!). 

Ready to try out Honeybook for yourself? Sign up now and receive a 50% discount off your first year with my Honeybook Promo Code! Plus, with their risk-free trial, you can test out all the features before committing fully. And if you ever need help, their support team is just a click away. Say goodbye to tedious setup and maintenance and hello to a streamlined, easy-to-use platform with Honeybook. Trust us, your business (and sanity) will thank you.

Ready to get Honeybook and supercharge your client flow?

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