Let’s get real for a second. I’ve seen behind the scenes of enough photography businesses to know this:
- You don’t have time to play tech Tetris.
- You do need a streamlined way to send invoices, contracts, and workflows without spiraling into “where did I save that email?” panic.
- And a sticky note to “remembering to email them later” is not a system. (You know who you are.)
I’ve tried all the platforms, set them up, rebuilt them, tested automations, cried over broken zaps. And while there are a few strong contenders out there, HoneyBook is the one I always come back to.
Dubsado vs. HoneyBook: What Actually Works for Photographers?
Here’s the thing: both Dubsado and HoneyBook are powerful. They offer similar big-picture features contracts, invoices, workflows, automation. But the difference really comes down to how they work and how easy they are to use.
Dubsado is like the IKEA of CRMs. Customizable? Absolutely. But you’re going to need an instruction manual, a YouTube tutorial (or five), and probably a strong cup of coffee to get it all running smoothly. It’s robust but not exactly intuitive. If you have the time and tech confidence to tinker and troubleshoot, it can become a great setup. But that learning curve? It’s real.
HoneyBook, on the other hand, feels more like a well-designed boutique. Everything is clean, organized, and surprisingly easy to navigate. It’s built with creative businesses in mind especially photographers and it shows. The templates plug and play for a polished brand forward vibe, the automations are clear, and things just… flow.
Where Dubsado sometimes overwhelms with options, HoneyBook guides you through. And for most of my clients, that simplicity leads to faster setup, better follow-through, and less stress overall. (Which, let’s be honest, is the whole point of having a system.
HoneyBook Essentials vs Dubsado Premier: What Are You Actually Paying For?
It’s easy to focus on the monthly fee but choosing the right CRM is more about how it works for you than what it costs on paper. What you really want to know is how much time, money, and energy is this thing going to cost you before it starts pulling its weight?
So, let’s stack them up side by side. HoneyBook Essentials runs about $49 per month when billed annually, or $59 if you go month-to-month. Dubsado Premier comes in a bit lower at around $33.30 per month annually, or $40 month-to-month. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Okay Erin, Dubsado’s cheaper, case closed.”
But hold up… let’s look at what it really takes to use these tools effectively and why I keep coming back to Honeybook.
Setup Realities: What It Actually Takes to Get Rolling
Monthly costs matter a lot when you are a small business BUT time & energy expenditures are also a very real cost. When I’m considering a system I look at how easy it is to set up, make changes, and replicate as a business grows and adapts.
In my experience HoneyBook shines here. Once you create a workflow or smartfile, duplicating it or tweaking it for a new offer or session type is straightforward and intuitive. The interface feels natural, so you can copy and customize without feeling like you’re trying to crack a secret code.
It’s designed to keep your business moving fast because when you’re juggling clients, editing photos, and trying to remember where you left your coffee, you don’t need extra tech headaches.
Dubsado on the other hand? Replicating workflows is possible, but it’s often more complex and can get tangled quickly. Customizations are powerful but require patience and sometimes a spreadsheet or two to manage properly. What might take a few clicks in HoneyBook can turn into a mini project in Dubsado.
If you want a CRM that feels like a helpful teammate one that lets you build once and reuse easily without pulling out your hair HoneyBook wins hands down every time for me.
Let’s Wrap This Up (Before I Go Full Systems Nerd)
Whether you’re a Type A planner or a creative who needs structure without rigidity, HoneyBook is the kind of tool that meets you where you’re at and scales with you as you grow.
No stressy tech. Just solid systems, thoughtful tools, and support that keeps your business moving even while you’re out shooting magic.
If you’re deep in the Dubsado weeds or are already on HoneyBook and need a little glow-up? I’ve got you. Want to peek inside my setup or chat through whether it’s the right fit for you? I’m just a DM away.
Until then, keep creating and let the backend handle itself 💛
Your Systems BFF,
Erin
PSA: There’s an amazing offer right now for first-time HoneyBook users in the US or Canada who are Pic-Time Professional or Advanced subscribers to get a full free year of HoneyBook through their partnership. Not my link, just a genuinely great deal I wanted you to know about!)
If that doesn’t apply to you, I’ve still got you covered. You can use my referral code to get a special discount on your first year of HoneyBook.
I do earn a referral bonus when you sign up using my link but I only recommend tools I truly use, love, and trust to make my clients’ lives easier (and mine too). It’s a great way to test it out without paying full price and yes, I 100% think it’s worth it.
