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Head-to-head · Freelance Management System

Bonsai vs 17hats

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Bonsai #1 in Freelance Management System 8.9/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Bonsai
17hats #5 in Freelance Management System 8.3/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit 17hats

Bonsai leads on 0 checks, 17hats on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBonsai · 8.9/10
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresBonsai · 1 of 5

Bonsai scores higher on our rubric for freelance management system: 8.9 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Bonsai is the better fit for freelancers managing client work and billing. 17hats is the better fit for solo service providers automating client intake.

  • Bonsai fits best

    Freelancers managing client work and billing

  • 17hats fits best

    Solo service providers automating client intake

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Bonsai 8.9/10 Visit ↗ 17hats 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.3
Ranking #1 in Freelance Management System #5 in Freelance Management System
Best for Freelancers managing client work and billing Solo service providers automating client intake
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $9/user/mo $600/yr
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial 7 days 7 days
Free trial length 7 days 7 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Desktop, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Chrome extension Web
Integrations 8 integrations 13 integrations
Features Bonsai 1/5 · 17hats 0/5
Contract management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Time tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Invoicing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payment processing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Worker classification Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
  • Client portal brings invoices, documents, files, and tasks together
  • QuickBooks Online and Xero accounting integrations
  • Connects lead capture, booking, contracts, portals and payments
  • Automates emails, documents and tasks through workflows
  • Integrates with calendars, payment services and QuickBooks Online
Cons
  • Invoices and payments start on Essentials, not Basic
  • Elite has a three-user minimum
  • Annual billing is required for the lowest listed plan prices
  • No free plan; the monthly subscription starts at $60
  • Available on the web only
  • Its many features may exceed the needs of a narrow client-intake workflow
Our verdict

Freelancers and client-based businesses can use Bonsai to manage projects, client relationships, time, expenses, and billing in one platform. Its scope extends from proposals and contracts to recurring invoices, online payments, and…

Read the review →

17hats brings client management and business administration together for service-based small businesses, including photographers. Solo providers can capture leads, collect questionnaire responses, schedule bookings, manage project details…

Read the review →
  1. BonsaiFreelance Management System 8.97-day trial
  2. 17hatsFreelance Management System 8.37-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bonsai — where it wins

    • Recurring invoices support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly schedules
    • Client portal brings invoices, documents, files, and tasks together
    • QuickBooks Online and Xero accounting integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Invoices and payments start on Essentials, not Basic
    • Elite has a three-user minimum
    • Annual billing is required for the lowest listed plan prices

  • 17hats — where it wins

    • Connects lead capture, booking, contracts, portals and payments
    • Automates emails, documents and tasks through workflows
    • Integrates with calendars, payment services and QuickBooks Online

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the monthly subscription starts at $60
    • Available on the web only
    • Its many features may exceed the needs of a narrow client-intake workflow
  • Bonsai8.9/10 · 7-day trial

    Bonsai brings projects, client work, billing, and time tracking into one platform.

    Visit BonsaiFull verdict →
  • 17hats8.3/10 · 7-day trial

    A broad client-management toolkit for solo providers, with a $60 monthly entry price.

    Visit 17hatsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All freelance management system comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update