Client management — comparison
The HoneyBook alternative without the transaction fees
HoneyBook bundles client management with scheduling — but charges card fees on every payment and gates scheduling behind its $49 plan. Tydl is a HoneyBook alternative with flat pricing and no per-transaction fees.
HoneyBook made its name by bundling client management, proposals, and payments into one tool for wedding and event pros. The catch: there is no free tier, the scheduler only unlocks on the $49 plan, and card payments carry a 2.9% + $0.25 fee on every transaction.
Tydl is a HoneyBook alternative that keeps the bundle — proposals, contracts, invoices, bookings, and a client portal — without the fee structure. Flat pricing, no per-transaction markup, and a free plan to start.
Where HoneyBook shines
- Well-designed client workflows and templates for service businesses
- Proposals, contracts, and invoices in one ecosystem
- Strong brand recognition among event and creative professionals
Where it falls short
- No free tier — every account starts on a paid plan
- Card processing fees (2.9% + $0.25) are applied on top of your subscription
- The scheduling feature is gated behind the $49/month plan
- Pricing jumps quickly for solo operators: $29 to $109 per month
HoneyBook pricing vs Tydl
Starter: $29/month — no scheduler Growth: $49/month — unlocks the scheduler Premium: $109/month 2.9% + $0.25 per card transaction on top of subscription
Starter
$29/mo
scheduler not included
Growth
$49/mo
scheduler unlocked
Premium
$109/mo
billed annually
Tydl
Free
5 links + 3 invoices/mo; Starter at €12, Pro at €39
Tydl vs HoneyBook
| Feature | HoneyBook | Tydl |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | None | 5 links + 3 invoices/mo |
| Transaction fees on cards | 2.9% + $0.25 | None — we add no markup |
| Scheduling on cheapest plan | Not included | Included free |
| Proposals & contracts | Yes | Yes — with e-signature |
| Invoices from bookings | Manual | One click from the booking |
| Client portal | Yes | Yes — on Pro |
| Payment gateways | Own processor only | Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal, or bank transfer |
| Flat pricing, no per-seat fees | Flat, but fees on payments | Flat, no fees, no per-seat |
HoneyBook — your questions, answered
Is HoneyBook free?
No. HoneyBook starts at $29/month with no free tier, and its scheduler is gated behind the $49/month plan. Tydl's free plan includes scheduling and invoicing.
Does HoneyBook charge transaction fees?
Yes. Card payments processed through HoneyBook carry a 2.9% + $0.25 fee on top of your subscription. Tydl adds no markup on top of your own Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal, or bank gateway.
Can I keep my proposals and contracts if I switch?
Yes. Tydl includes proposals and contracts with e-signature on Pro, plus projects, time tracking, and expenses — the full client workflow without HoneyBook's fee structure.
The full client workflow, minus the per-transaction tax.
Free plan with 5 scheduling links and 3 invoices a month. No credit card, no per-seat pricing, no transaction markup.
Get your booking link free