Buying guide · 2 tools researched · prices checked 27 Sep 2026
Best Business Management software, by situation
We researched 2 Business Management tools, including Bonsai and Dubsado. There is no single best option: find the situation closest to yours, see what it costs, and check the trade-off against the runner-up.
Our picks
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01 Proposals, contracts and invoicing for freelancers
Bonsai
Bonsai is a sensible choice for freelancers moving from basic time tracking into a repeatable client workflow. The attractive Basic price does not include invoicing or contracts; Essentials is the true starting point for end-to-end client work, while reporting and integrations require Premium.
- What it costs
- A two-person practice on Essentials at the annual rate costs US$38 per month equivalent, or US$456 per year, before tax.
- Skip it if
- Buyers expecting proposals and invoices in the US$15 Basic tier
- Runner-up
- plutio
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02 Client intake and billing for creative businesses
Dubsado
Dubsado Starter gives solo service firms a client portal, invoices and unlimited projects for a fixed annual fee. Premier is necessary for automated workflows, advanced scheduling and public proposals. Multi-user teams need to count the separate user-band charges, which can change the effective price substantially.
- What it costs
- A Premier account with five additional users costs US$525/year plus US$300 in user-band charges, or US$825/year before tax.
- Skip it if
- Teams needing automation on Starter or many additional users without extra fees
- Runner-up
- bonsai
How the options compare
| Compare |  Bonsai |
 Dubsado |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers and small agencies needing proposals, contracts and invoicing beside project work | Creative and professional-service businesses standardising client intake and billing |
| Starting price | US$15/user/month for Basic billed annually | US$335/year for Starter |
| Free plan / trial | Free trial available; no permanent free plan stated | Start for free; confirm free-period terms in account |
| Pricing model | Per-user subscription with annual and monthly rates | Annual plan plus extra charges for users and brands |
| Biggest limitation | Invoicing, proposals and contracts are absent from Basic | Automations and advanced scheduling require Premier; additional users cost extra |
| Price checked |
Prices are taken from each vendor's own pricing page on the dates shown. Taxes and add-ons may apply; confirm before you buy.
