Is HoneyBook Worth It? My Honest Review After 5 Years

Being a business owner is hard work. As entrepreneurs, we juggle so many things that it’s easy for some tasks to get lost in the chaos. If you’re anything like me, you have a million sticky notes with little reminders so that you don’t forget the more tedious tasks (hello, tax paperwork). Discovering HoneyBook helped transform my business in so many ways–and cut down on the number of sticky notes I use!

What is HoneyBook?

HoneyBook is an all-in-one client management system designed specifically for creative entrepreneurs and small business owners! It streamlines everything from inquiries and contracts to payments and scheduling—so you can focus on your creative tasks instead of drowning in admin work. Think of it as your business’s personal assistant, keeping everything organized, automated, and professional. 

Before HoneyBook: The Chaos Was Real

Before I found HoneyBook, my business was scattered. I accepted cash and check payments, manually tracked them, and tried to stay on top of sales tax. I sent emails from Gmail, rewriting the same answers to questions over and over, and I had no scheduling system, so booking sessions meant a back-and-forth email marathon. My contracts and releases? Printed and shoved into a file cabinet. Client details? Scattered across sticky notes, email threads, and who-knows-where.

The bottom line? There was no real structure for growth. I was just making it work but not efficiently. As my business grew, I knew something needed to change.

Enter HoneyBook: The System That Changed Everything

Once I started using HoneyBook (over 5 years ago!), for Marissa Elise Photography and Evermore Place, everything changed:

• Payments on Autopilot: Clients pay online—no more awkward check collections or tracking down unpaid invoices. Plus, that cha-ching notification? Priceless!
• Contracts Signed in Seconds: No more printing and filing 🎉 Clients sign digitally, and it’s automatically stored. Do people even own file cabinets anymore?
• Emails Done for You: Pre-written templates (that I make!) mean I no longer type the same emails over and over. Two clicks, and it’s sent!
• Easy Online Scheduling: No more back-and-forth. Clients pick their time, and it’s booked instantly.
• All Your Business, Wherever You Are: Every project, payment, and conversation lives in one place — and the HoneyBook app means you can manage all of it from your phone between shoots.
  

Oh, and the support? Actually helpful! You can talk to a real person whenever you need, though their AI fixes most issues quickly. And the system? It actually grows with you. Five years later and I’ve never looked back!

The Honest Truth: What to Know Before You Sign Up

I’m not trying to convince you that HoneyBook is perfect, because nothing is! After 5+ years of using the system, here’s what I wish someone had told me going in:

• It’s not the cheapest option out there. If you’re a brand new business owner, the monthly cost might feel daunting until you’re consistently booking clients.
• There is a learning curve. Setting up your templates and workflows the right way takes an afternoon (or two), but then you’re good to go!
• You’ll want the Essentials plan (at least) to get the automation magic. The Starter plan is fine, but the real “set it and forget it” features I love require a little more $$$.

Your HoneyBook Questions, Answered

Is HoneyBook worth it? For creative entrepreneurs juggling contracts, invoices, and scheduling, absolutely yes! Especially if you value your time as much as your money (I know I do!). I’ve used it for 5+ years and it’s still the backbone of how I run both of my businesses.

Is HoneyBook good for photographers? Definitely! Since it’s actually built with creative entrepreneurs in mind, it checks every box I need as a brand photographer.

What’s the difference between HoneyBook and Dubsado? HoneyBook is more polished and beginner-friendly out of the box; Dubsado offers more customization but takes longer to set up. If you want to be up and running fast, HoneyBook has the edge.

Ready to Ditch the Chaos?

HoneyBook is more than a client management system—it’s a game changer for creative business owners who want to get organized, save time, and ultimately make more money.

Intrigued? You can start with a free trial and use my exclusive affiliate code to save big (I’m talking 30% big!!) on your first year. It’s an investment but trust me, HoneyBook is totally worth it!

P.S. If you’re like me, you’re constantly looking for ways to streamline the administrative side of entrepreneurship, so there’s more time for the fun stuff! I put together a Creative Tech Toolbox featuring my seven favorite tools to simplify your business (HoneyBook is definitely one of them!). Click Here to see what else made the list!

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