Simple vs HoneyBook
Last reviewed: September 2026
HoneyBook pricing runs $36, $59 or $129 a month billed monthly, and Essentials covers only 2 seats, so a growing team lands on Premium. HoneyBook charges 2.9% + 25¢ per card and 1.5% on ACH. Simple is $99 for 5 users or $199 for 10, at 2.79% on every card.
Competitor pricing last reviewed September 2026. Published rates change; check the vendor's current pricing page: HoneyBook pricing pricing, HoneyBook payment fees pricing.
Key facts: Simple vs HoneyBook
- HoneyBook Starter $36 (1 seat), Essentials $59 (up to 2 seats), Premium $129 (unlimited seats), billed monthly. Published by HoneyBook.
- Annual billing is $29 / $49 / $109 a month. Published by HoneyBook.
- Starter rose from $19 to $36 in February 2025. Reported by weddingsaas.com; HoneyBook does not publish its price history.
- HoneyBook Payments is required: 2.9% + 25¢ cards, 2.7% + 10¢ Tap to Pay, 1.5% ACH.
How do HoneyBook seats change the price for a team?
| Plan | Monthly | Annual (per month) | Seats | Notable limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HoneyBook Starter | $36 | $29 | 1 | 2 lead forms, limited scheduler, no automations |
| HoneyBook Essentials | $59 | $49 | Up to 2 | Adds scheduler, automations, QuickBooks sync |
| HoneyBook Premium | $129 | $109 | Unlimited | Everything |
| Simple | $99 / $199 / $399 | Same | 5 / 10 / unlimited | Time tracking tools start on $199 |
HoneyBook plans published by HoneyBook at honeybook.com/pricing, reviewed September 2026.
The jump is the story. A third team member on HoneyBook means moving from $59 to $129. On Simple, a third, fourth and fifth user are already inside the $99 plan, and 10 users fit in $199. Every HoneyBook plan includes proposals, contracts with e-sign, invoices, payment plans, a client portal, a pipeline and expense tracking. HoneyBook lists no native time tracking.
What does HoneyBook charge per payment?
| Payment type | HoneyBook | Simple |
|---|---|---|
| Card on an invoice | 2.9% + 25¢ | 2.79% |
| Amex and card on file | 3.4% + 9¢ per HoneyBook's blog; pricing page says no premium card brand fees | 2.79% |
| In person | 2.7% + 10¢ (Tap to Pay) | 2.19% |
| ACH | 1.5% | Accepted |
| Instant deposit | +1% ($5 min) | Next-day and same-day funding available |
HoneyBook fees published by HoneyBook on its online payment software page and help center. HoneyBook's own pages conflict on Amex, so both figures are shown.
What would a 5-person firm pay on HoneyBook?
Using the same firm as our consulting software guide: $25,000 a month in card invoices, 20 invoices, 40% Amex or corporate. A team that tracks time needs Simple Medium, and HoneyBook Premium because of seats.
HoneyBook Premium: $15,000 x 2.9% + 12 x $0.25 + $10,000 x 3.4% + 8 x $0.09 = $778.72/mo + $129 = $10,893/yr
Simple Medium: $25,000 x 2.79% = $697.50/mo + $199 = $10,758/yr, about $135 less
Now a 2-person design studio with the same billing, no time tracking, on HoneyBook Essentials:
HoneyBook Essentials: $778.72/mo + $59 = $10,053/yr
Simple Small: $697.50/mo + $99 = $9,558/yr, about $495 less
With no Amex at all, HoneyBook Essentials is $730/mo + $59 = $9,468/yr, about $90 less than Simple Small
So HoneyBook wins for a two-person studio whose clients pay with ordinary cards. The Amex fee on HoneyBook's blog is what tips it the other way.
Is HoneyBook or Dubsado cheaper?
For a team, Dubsado usually is. Dubsado includes the owner plus 3 users free, while HoneyBook needs Premium past 2 seats. See Simple vs Dubsado for the math, or the full list of HoneyBook alternatives.
Who is each tool best for?
- HoneyBook is best for solo and two-person creative businesses (photographers, planners, designers) that want polished all-in-one client files.
- Simple is best for teams of 3 to 10 that bill corporate clients by card, need time tracking or also sell products in person.
Who should choose HoneyBook instead?
- Solo creatives who take little Amex and value HoneyBook's client experience.
- Teams that rely on HoneyBook's all-in-one client files and don't need time tracking.
Frequently asked questions
HoneyBook costs $36 for Starter, $59 for Essentials and $129 for Premium when billed monthly, or $29, $49 and $109 a month billed annually, as published by HoneyBook. There is a 30-day trial and you can cancel anytime.
HoneyBook charges 2.9% + 25¢ per card payment, 2.7% + 10¢ for Tap to Pay in person and 1.5% for ACH. Its blog lists 3.4% + 9¢ for Amex and card on file, while its pricing page says there are no premium card fees.
HoneyBook Essentials includes up to 2 seats. Starter has 1 seat and Premium has unlimited seats, so a team of 3 or more moves to Premium at $129 a month.
Yes. HoneyBook Starter rose from $19 to $36 a month in February 2025, as reported by weddingsaas.com. HoneyBook does not publish its price history.
Dubsado is usually cheaper for a team because it includes the owner plus 3 users free. HoneyBook needs Premium at $129 a month once you pass 2 seats.
One plan for the whole team
5 users for $99 a month, 10 for $199, and 2.79% on every card.