HoneyBook Raised Prices 89% — Here's What to Do
In January 2026, HoneyBook announced a price increase that shocked its user base: the Essentials plan jumped from $19/month to $39/month — an 89% increase overnight. The premium plan? Now $79/month, up from $49. Users are furious, and rightfully so.
Reddit threads are filled with freelancers who feel blindsided. Many built their entire business workflow around HoneyBook, and now face a difficult choice: absorb the cost, pass it to clients, or migrate to a new platform. If you're in that boat, this guide is for you.
Why HoneyBook Raised Prices
HoneyBook's price hike isn't surprising if you've been paying attention. The company raised $250M in VC funding and has been under increasing pressure to show a path to profitability. When venture-backed SaaS companies burn through their runway, customers pay the price — literally.
The frustrating part is that the product hasn't meaningfully improved. Users report the same clunky interface, the same limited customization, and the same workflow that was designed for wedding planners and retrofitted for everyone else. You're paying 89% more for essentially the same tool.
The Best HoneyBook Alternatives in 2026
Here's an honest comparison of the top three alternatives:
Romjee — Best Overall ($29/mo)
Romjee is purpose-built for modern freelancers. Unlike HoneyBook, which started as an event planning tool, Romjee was designed from day one for designers, developers, photographers, videographers, and consultants.
- Price: Free for 2 clients, $29/mo Pro, $79/mo Studio (with team features)
- Standout feature: AI-powered proposals that generate polished proposals in 30 seconds
- Client portal: Every client gets their own branded login — not just a PDF link
- Invoicing: One-click Stripe payments, auto-reminders, milestone billing
- File sharing: Version tracking, client approvals, organized by project
- What it lacks: Newer platform, smaller community (but growing fast)
Dubsado — Best for Complex Workflows ($25/mo)
Dubsado is the power-user choice. It's highly customizable with advanced workflow automation, but that flexibility comes with a steep learning curve.
- Price: $25/mo Starter, $45/mo Premier
- Standout feature: Workflow automation — if/then triggers for everything
- Drawback: The interface feels dated, setup takes days not minutes, and there's no AI features
Bonsai — Best for Solo Consultants ($29/mo)
Bonsai focuses on the financial side — contracts, invoicing, accounting, and tax prep. It's excellent if you need a business management tool, but weaker on client-facing features.
- Price: $29/mo Starter, $49/mo Professional
- Standout feature: Built-in accounting and tax estimates
- Drawback: No real client portal — clients interact via email links, not a dedicated login
Why Romjee Is the Best Choice for Most Freelancers
Here's the honest truth: if you need complex workflow automation, Dubsado might be your pick. If you need accounting and tax features, Bonsai is solid. But if you want the best client experience at a fair price — the thing that actually wins and retains clients — Romjee is the clear winner.
The AI proposals alone save hours per week. The client portal makes you look like a premium agency. And at $29/month with no per-seat pricing, it's the best value in the category.
How to Migrate from HoneyBook
Switching platforms feels daunting, but it's simpler than you think:
- Export your data: Download your client list, project history, and contracts from HoneyBook (Settings → Data Export).
- Sign up for Romjee: The free plan lets you test with 2 clients before committing.
- Set up your portal: Upload your logo, set your colors, configure your payment settings. Takes about 5 minutes.
- Import clients: Add your active clients. Romjee sends them a welcome email with their portal login.
- Move active projects: Create projects for any in-progress work. Upload existing files and invoices.
- Cancel HoneyBook: Once you've verified everything is working, cancel your HoneyBook subscription.
Pro and Studio users get free migration assistance — our team will help you move everything over so nothing falls through the cracks.
The Bigger Picture
HoneyBook's price hike is a reminder of the risk of building your business on a VC-funded platform that prioritizes growth over sustainability. When the bill comes due, customers pay. Choose a tool that's priced fairly from day one — your future self will thank you.