Honeybook - Project Management

Our Verdict

HoneyBook offers a unique and powerful take on project management, specifically designed for service-based businesses and creative agencies. Unlike traditional PM tools that focus strictly on internal task lists, HoneyBook manages the entire project lifecycle—combining client communication, contract signing, task tracking, and payment collection into one seamless flow.

Its standout feature is the customizable Project Pipeline, which gives project managers an instant, visual snapshot of where every active job stands. By integrating financial tools (invoices and contracts) directly into the project workspace, it eliminates the need to switch between multiple apps to keep a project moving forward.

While it may lack the complex technical features needed for large-scale software development (like Gantt charts or code repositories), it excels at client-facing project management. For small teams and independent contractors who need to look professional, automate repetitive admin tasks, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks, HoneyBook is an exceptional all-in-one solution.

Pros

Visual pipelines track every project stage at a glance
"Smart Files" combine contracts, invoices, and tasks in one view
Client portal centralizes all project communication and files
Automations handle repetitive admin work like follow-ups.

Cons

Lacks advanced PM tools like Gantt charts or task dependencies
Reporting features are too basic for deep data analysis

Products & Pricing

HoneyBook offers three plans, each with a 7-day free trial (no credit card required) and account set-up assistance. The plans below are based on the annual fees that HoneyBook offers.

Starter

The starter plan costs $16/mo and includes everything you need to create great client experiences. This plan includes unlimited clients and projects, allowing you to manage your workload without restrictions. You can easily handle invoices and payments, create professional proposals and contracts, and keep your schedule organized with the integrated calendar.

You also receive access to all professional templates, making it simple to design and send polished documents. Your clients can access their own client portal, enhancing communication and transparency. Additionally, the plan includes basic reports to help you track your business performance, making it an excellent choice for professionals looking to streamline their operations while delivering top-notch service.

Essentials

The starter plan costs $32 per month. This package includes all the features from the Starter Plan, plus additional tools to streamline your workflow. You gain access to a scheduler for easy appointment management, automation to simplify repetitive tasks, and integration with QuickBooks Online for seamless financial tracking. You can also manage expenses, view profit and loss reports, and collaborate with up to 2 team members. The package allows you to remove the “Powered by HoneyBook” branding from your client communications, giving you a more professional appearance. Standard reports are included to provide deeper insights into your business performance, making this package ideal for those looking to elevate their business operations.

Premium

Priced at $66/mo it helps you scale up your business with priority support for your whole team. This plan includes all the features from the Essentials Package, with additional benefits tailored for larger operations. You can add unlimited team members, ensuring everyone in your organization has access to the tools they need. You’ll also receive priority support, so any issues or questions are addressed quickly. The plan supports multiple companies, making it ideal for business owners managing more than one venture. An onboarding specialist is provided to help your team get up and running smoothly, and advanced reports offer in-depth insights to help you make informed decisions as you grow your business.

Starter

$16 /mo

Free 7-day trial

Essentials

$32 /mo

Free 7-day trial

Premium

$66 /mo

Free 7-day trial

In-depth review

Project Financial Tracking & Analytics

For project managers, keeping track of the budget is as important as tracking tasks. HoneyBook’s reporting tools provide a real-time view of your project financials. You can instantly see Total Booked Value versus Actual Payments Collected, allowing you to identify cash flow bottlenecks immediately. The “Lead Source” report is particularly useful for project intake analysis, showing you which channels (e.g., Instagram, Referrals, Google) are generating the most valuable projects. While it lacks the complex “Burn Rate” charts of enterprise tools like Jira, its financial clarity is perfect for service-based businesses that need to know exactly which projects are profitable and which are stalling.

Team Collaboration & Permissions

HoneyBook allows you to bring your entire project team into the workspace without sacrificing privacy. You can invite unlimited team members to collaborate on projects, assigning specific roles and permissions. For example, you can give a contractor access to view tasks and schedules for a specific project without allowing them to see the total budget or client contact details. This granular control ensures that your internal team, freelancers, and clients can all work together in one space while keeping sensitive business data secure.

The “Smart Files” System

Traditional project management often involves juggling separate PDFs for contracts, questionnaires, and invoices. HoneyBook replaces this with Smart Files—interactive, branded documents that combine all these elements into one. From a design perspective, this is a game-changer. You can send a single “Project Kickoff” file that presents the timeline, collects the deposit, and captures the client’s digital signature in one smooth flow. This reduces friction significantly, preventing the “email tag” that often delays project starts.

Integrations & Ecosystem

No project management tool lives in a vacuum. HoneyBook integrates natively with tools that drive your daily workflow.

Zoom: Automatically generates meeting links for project reviews scheduled in HoneyBook.
QuickBooks Online: Syncs all project invoices and payments to your accounting software, ensuring your “books” match your “projects.”
Zapier: Connects HoneyBook to thousands of other apps (like Asana, Trello, or Slack), allowing you to trigger external tasks whenever a project stage changes in HoneyBook.
Gmail/Outlook: The “Chrome Extension” brings project details directly into your inbox, so you can manage client emails without leaving your email client.

Features & Functionality

HoneyBook is a comprehensive project management platform specifically engineered for service-based businesses and creative entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional PM tools that focus solely on internal tasks, HoneyBook bridges the gap between project execution and client management. It allows you to manage the entire lifecycle of a project—from the initial inquiry and contract signing to final deliverables and payment—all within a single, centralized dashboard.

Customizable Project Pipelines

At the heart of HoneyBook’s project management capabilities is the Project Pipeline. This visual, Kanban-style board gives you an instant bird’s-eye view of where every active project stands. You can fully customize the stages to match your specific workflow (e.g., “Inquiry,” “Proposal Sent,” “Project Kickoff,” “In Progress,” “Final Review,” “Completed”). Moving a project from one stage to the next is as simple as dragging and dropping. This structure ensures that no project falls through the cracks and allows project managers to instantly identify bottlenecks or follow up on stalled items.

Automated Workflows & Task Management

HoneyBook excels at reducing administrative overhead through its robust Automations. You can set up “if this, then that” triggers to automate repetitive project tasks. For example, you can create a workflow where, the moment a client signs a contract:

The project stage automatically updates to “In Progress.”
A “Welcome Packet” is emailed to the client.
A specific task list (e.g., “Create mood board,” “Schedule kickoff call”) is automatically assigned to your internal team. This ensures standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed for every project without manual intervention.

Centralized Client Portal

Effective project management requires seamless stakeholder communication. HoneyBook provides a dedicated Client Portal for every project. This secure hub allows your clients to log in and view all relevant project documents, sign contracts, pay invoices, and communicate directly with you. By centralizing these interactions, you eliminate the chaos of scattered email threads and ensure that both your team and the client always have access to the latest project status and files.

Integrated Scheduling & Resource Allocation

Managing time is a critical part of managing projects. HoneyBook’s integrated Scheduler eliminates the back-and-forth of finding meeting times. You can send availability links for project kickoffs, milestone reviews, or feedback sessions directly from the project workspace. Because the scheduler is synced with your calendar, it prevents double-booking and ensures your team’s time is allocated efficiently across multiple active projects.

Project Financials & Contracts

While most PM tools separate the work from the money, HoneyBook integrates them. You can create and send digital contracts and proposals directly from the project file. This means the scope of work (SOW) is legally bound and immediately accessible alongside the project tasks. Having invoices and payment tracking integrated into the project view allows project managers to ensure that work only proceeds when deposits are paid, keeping the project budget and timeline in perfect sync.

Ease of Use

HoneyBook is widely recognized for prioritizing user experience over complex, cluttered interfaces. For project managers and business owners who need to track multiple workstreams without getting bogged down in technical configurations, HoneyBook offers a refreshing, streamlined alternative to traditional, heavy PM software.

Customer Service

HoneyBook offers a great support system to ensure small business owners have access to help whenever they need it. Their support team is available 7 days a week to assist with troubleshooting and technical questions. Users can reach out via email at or contact their billing team directly. For those interested in learning more about HoneyBook before signing up, the sales team is also accessible through the same email address to answer questions about the platform’s capabilities. Plus, there is a live chat option that is available around the clock.

In addition to live support, HoneyBook provides a comprehensive library of resources, including written guides, FAQs, articles, and video tutorials. These resources are available 24/7, making it easy for users to find answers on their own schedule.

They host interactive webinars and live demos to help users get familiar with the platform. Their “Welcome Webinar: How to Navigate HoneyBook” covers everything from organizing projects in the Pipeline and setting up invoices to managing scheduling and bookkeeping. These sessions are a great way for users to quickly get up to speed and maximize the platform’s potential.

Overall, HoneyBook’s support system is well-rounded, combining live assistance with extensive educational tools to ensure users feel confident and supported at every stage of their journey.