Dubsado vs. Competitors: Moxie, 17hats, & HoneyBook
Still Not Sure About Dubsado? Let’s Talk Alternatives (and Why It Wins)
If you’ve been Googling “Moxie vs Dubsado” or “CRM alternatives that won’t give you a migraine,” you’re in the right place.
As a Dubsado Certified Specialist who sets up systems for copywriters, web designers, and interior designers, I’ve seen the good, the glitchy, and the “oh no, what have I done?” when it comes to CRMs. And spoiler: Dubsado still comes out on top for most small business owners I work with.
But before we get into the Dubsado vs. Moxie vs. 17hats vs. Honeybook debate, let’s zoom out for a minute.
Because picking a CRM isn’t just about ticking off a features checklist. It’s about finding something that fits how you work, supports your client experience, and gives you a bit more breathing room in your day-to-day.
If you’re not totally sure whether a CRM even makes sense for where your business is at right now, hit pause and check out 8 Signs Your Business Is Ready for a CRM. It’ll help you get clear on whether you’re ready to invest in a system, or if a few well-organized Google Docs are still doing the trick.
Already feeling like you need something more sustainable? Here are a few things to consider before you commit to a platform:
- What CRM features matter most to you? If you’re a designer, maybe you want polished, on-brand formsand client portals that look like an extension of your website. If you’re a copywriter, smooth communication and space to customize your writing might be your priorities.
- Where is your business headed? If your business is staying a side hustle, you can probably keep things simple.
But if you’re booking more clients, raising your prices, or stepping into a full CEO role, you’ll want a CRM that can grow with you.
Once you’ve got a sense of what matters most to you, it’s time to compare your options. Which is what this blog is for!
I’ll walk you through Dubsado’s three big competitors: Moxie, Honeybook, and 17hats to see how they stack up in terms of features, flexibility, and overall vibe. Let’s find the one that fits your business now, and still makes sense a year from now, too.
Dubsado vs. 17hats: The Basic alternative
17hats is a straightforward CRM ideal for small business owners swamped with admin tasks. But how does it compare to Dubsado?
Features:
17hats offers automated workflows for sending emails and creating to-do lists, but Dubsado takes it further. With Dubsado, you can automatically generate invoices, send reminders, deliver schedulers, and update project statuses to keep everything on track.
However, 17hats’ simple features make it easier for beginners to learn and set up without help.
Cost:
While 17hats’ monthly essential plan is the most affordable option, its premier plan costs more than Dubsado’s with fewer features. Especially once you use my affiliate link to save 30% on one year of Dubsado!
Verdict
17hats suits new business owners or part-time entrepreneurs who need an affordable and easy-to-setup CRM. But if you’re weighing Dubsado vs 17hats because your biz is growing and you need more customization, Dubsado’s the stronger long-term fit.
Winner: Dubsado if you plan on growing your side hustle into a full-fledged business.
Dubsado vs. Moxie: The Newcomer Competitor
Moxie, a new player in the CRM market, caters to freelancers and contractors who frequently collaborate with other entrepreneurs. Let’s see how it stacks up against Dubsado.
Features
Both Moxie and Dubsado can send proposals, schedule meetings, and create automated workflows. However, Moxie has the added benefit of allowing project collaboration (task assignment, feedback, and updates) within the app.
Where Moxie falls short is in its ability to customize forms and create advanced workflows that ease your workload.
Cost
One of Moxie’s advantages is its affordability. It currently has one pricing option which matches Dubsado’s starter plan.
Verdict
Like with 17hats, choosing between Moxie and Dubsado depends on your business journey.
The folks I work with usually outgrow Moxie fast. Dubsado gives them more flexibility to automate their process and keep everything on-brand, which is exactly what you need when you’re scaling your business.
Winner:
Once again, Dubsado is the better CRM for small businesses that value customization or plan to scale in the future.
Dubsado vs Honeybook: The Big ultimate Showdown
Here it is, the two most popular CRMs for online service businesses: Dubsado and Honeybook. Each has its unique strengths and areas of focus, so let’s compare them.
Features
Honeybook and Dubsado have similar core features like proposals, invoices, and client portals. However, their key differences lie in the specifics.
Dubsado shines with its customizable forms and advanced workflows, allowing for a more tailored approach to client management. Honeybook, on the other hand, emphasizes file management and collaboration which is particularly useful for event-based businesses.
Cost
Dubsado and Honeybook have similar pricing plans but Honeybook has an additional higher tier for in-depth customer support.
Verdict
Whether Dubsado or HoneyBook is a better fit really comes down to how you run your business and how much control you want over the client experience. I’ve worked with a lot of creatives (like photographers and designers) who started on HoneyBook but ended up switching to Dubsado once they needed more control over how they onboard and communicate with clients.
Winner:
Once again, Dubsado is the winner for most small business owners willing to invest in a system that’s more customizable and scalable. The one exception? Event-based service providers like wedding planners, where Honeybook comes out ahead.
Comparing Dubsado with its top CRM alternatives
Setting up Dubsado after switching from another CRM can feel like a lot. But with the right support (hi, that’s me!), it becomes a system that works for you and grows with your business.
One of my past clients, Samara Bortz, made the switch from Honeybook and shared what the process looked like for her:
‘Setting up systems wasn’t high on my priority list but then I realized the inefficiencies in my business were negatively impacting my revenue. Using Dubsado as a manual invoice system was a huge waste of time and waste of money.
In my VIP Week with Martine, she expertly automated every step of my long client process, created on-brand forms, and gave me the tools to feel comfortable using Dubsado on my own.
I know I will gain HOURS back into my week – precious time I can devote to moving the needle forward in my business.’
Then there’s Abigail, a wedding photographer who also made the switch to Dubsado. She said,
“I was using HoneyBook and had automatic emails go out that I didn’t want to go out. I felt embarrassed and unprofessional, and I knew that not having the best client experience pre-wedding was the one thing keeping me from being a luxury photographer.
After hiring Martine, I immediately had more freedom! I can focus on other aspects of my business that I’ve been neglecting, and I’m so much more confident in my experience.”
Look, you’ve read the comparisons. You’ve seen where Honeybook falls short. You’ve listed Moxie’s limits. You’ve side-eyed 17hats.
And now you’re here, still thinking about Dubsado because you know your business deserves more than basic automations and half-customized forms.
So let’s stop dancing around it: Dubsado is the better choice when you’re building a brand that values client experience, clear systems, and actual scalability. That’s why creatives switch. That’s why my clients switch.
But switching CRMs and getting everything set up right? That’s where most people stall.
And that’s exactly where I come in.
Whether you’re coming from Honeybook, Moxie, or are tired of second-guessing every part of your client process, I’ll help you set up Dubsado so it runs clean, smooth, and exactly how you need it to.