Head-to-head · Freelance Management System
Indy vs 17hats
Indy leads on 2 checks, 17hats on 0, and 0 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 scoreIndy · 7.2/10
- Free planonly Indy
- Most featuresIndy · 1 of 5
Indy scores higher on our rubric for freelance management system: 7.2 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.
Indy offers free plan; 17hats doesn't. Indy offers time tracking; 17hats doesn't publish it.
Indy is the better fit for budget-conscious freelancers needing core billing tools. 17hats is the better fit for solo service providers automating client intake.
- Indy fits best
Budget-conscious freelancers needing core billing tools
- 17hats fits best
Solo service providers automating client intake
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Side by side
| Feature | Indy 7.2/10 Visit ↗ | 17hats 7.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.2 | 7.1 |
| Ranking | #5 in Freelance Management System | #6 in Freelance Management System |
| Best for | Budget-conscious freelancers needing core billing tools | Solo service providers automating client intake |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Free trial length | 7 days | 7 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 13 integrations |
| Features Indy 1/5 · 17hats 0/5 | ||
| Contract management | Not published | Not published |
| Time tracking | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Invoicing | Not published | Not published |
| Payment processing | Not published | Not published |
| Worker classification | Not published | Not published |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment | Not published | Not published |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Indy brings invoicing, proposals, contracts, client management, projects, tasks, calendar tools, forms, file storage, and time tracking into one web-based workspace for freelancers and independent professionals. It is particularly relevant… 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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Indy — where it wins
- Free plan includes projects, time tracking, and 10GB file storage
- Proposals and contracts include templates and e-signing workflows
- Pro Bundle adds recurring invoices and a branded client portal
Where it doesn't
- Free plan limits proposals, contracts, invoices, and clients to 3 per month
- Available on the web only
- Unlimited core documents and clients require the paid Pro Bundle
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
- Indy7.2/10 · Free plan · paid from $12.50/mo · 7-day trial
A web-based freelance toolkit with free core tools and paid billing and client features.
Visit IndyFull verdict → - 17hats7.1/10 · From $60/mo · 7-day trial
A broad client-management toolkit for solo providers, with a $60 monthly entry price.
Visit 17hatsFull verdict →
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All freelance management system comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update