Workey vs HoneyBook
HoneyBook excels at booking creative clients with proposals and a polished portal. Workey focuses on the get-paid loop: track hours, invoice, remind, and sign contracts at a lower monthly cost.
Workey Starter is $10/mo vs HoneyBook Starter at $36/mo (monthly billing)
Both offer contracts and a client portal. HoneyBook adds scheduling, proposals, and in-portal messaging
Workey leads on time tracking depth, PDF contract import, recurring invoices, and email engagement analytics
Feature comparison
| Feature | Workey | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
Permanent free plan Use core features without a credit card or trial countdown. | IncludedFree tier with 1 active project | Not included30-day trial, no credit card required |
Paid plan entry (monthly) | $10/mo (Starter) | $36/mo (Starter) |
Time tracking (timer + timesheet) | IncludedTimer, timesheet calendar, quick check-in | Partial:Basic time logging; not a dedicated timer-first workflow |
Invoice generation from tracked hours | Included | IncludedUnlimited on all plans |
Email invoices to clients | IncludedPlan email cap applies: sent from your name, replies go to your inbox | Included |
Automated payment reminders | Included3 / 7 / 14 days after the initial invoice email | IncludedAutomations on Essentials+ |
Recurring invoices Auto-generate invoices on a schedule instead of recreating each month. | IncludedNew invoice created automatically each period | IncludedRecurring payment schedules |
Online payments (client pays by card in-app) | Not includedNot currently available | IncludedBuilt-in checkout + processing fees |
Contracts + e-signatures | IncludedWrite in-app or upload a PDF: signed by typed name, with a dated audit trail on the signed PDF | IncludedTemplates + e-sign |
Import lawyer-drafted PDF contracts Upload an existing PDF and have clients sign it without retyping the document. | IncludedOriginal layout preserved; cert page appended after sign | Partial:Template-first; custom PDF workflows vary |
Saved client directory Reuse client details across projects, invoices, and contracts. | IncludedClients page + picker on every form | IncludedClient workspace per contact |
AI assistant (plain English commands) | IncludedCreate projects, log time, draft invoices by typing | IncludedHoneyBook AI for templates and copy |
Email open & click insights | IncludedInvoice + contract sends: delivery, opens, clicks | Partial:Activity tracking in client feed |
Expense tracking | Included | IncludedEssentials+ |
Dedicated client portal | IncludedPer-client link: outstanding balance, all invoices & contracts; no login | IncludedFull hub: proposals, messages, payments |
HoneyBook pricing shown is from their public pricing page (monthly billing). Annual billing drops Starter to $29/mo. Payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.25 card, 1.5% ACH) apply on top of subscription. Verify on honeybook.com before purchasing.
When HoneyBook may fit better
- •You are a photographer, planner, or creative who books clients through proposals and needs scheduling automations
- •You want built-in scheduling, workflow automations, and QuickBooks sync on day one
- •You process client payments through HoneyBook and rely on their template library for every touchpoint
When Workey may fit better
- You bill by the hour or project and need accurate time tracking before invoicing
- You want contracts (write or upload a PDF), a client portal, and automated invoice reminders without a $36/mo floor
- You prefer a lightweight dashboard over a full client-relationship suite
Frequently asked questions
Is HoneyBook better for photographers and event planners?
Often yes. HoneyBook's proposal templates, scheduler, and client portal are built for creative booking workflows. Workey is better when your primary pain is tracking billable hours, generating invoices from that time, and chasing late payments.
Does Workey replace HoneyBook's client portal?
Partially. Workey gives each client a portal link where they see outstanding balances, every invoice, and every contract, no login required. HoneyBook's portal is broader: proposals, messaging, scheduling, and card payments in one branded hub. If booking creative clients through proposals is your core workflow, HoneyBook still has the edge.
Which is cheaper for a solo freelancer?
Workey Starter is $10/mo with branded invoice email and automatic reminders included. HoneyBook Starter is $36/mo monthly ($29/mo billed annually) and charges payment-processing fees when clients pay by card. Workey does not currently process client payments inside the app, so you decide how you collect.