Comparison
WaffleInvoice vs Bonsai
Bonsai is an all-in-one freelancer platform with contracts, proposals, invoices, and project management. WaffleInvoice is a free invoicing tool that focuses entirely on getting you paid. Here is how they actually compare.
Quick verdict
Who should pick which?
Pick WaffleInvoice if...
You want professional invoicing with estimates, a client portal, and payment reminders - completely free. No contracts or project management needed.
Pick Bonsai if...
You need legally-vetted contracts, project management, and time tracking bundled with invoicing - and you are willing to pay $17–52/month for that suite.
The core difference
Bonsai bundles contracts, proposals, time tracking, and project management into a paid suite. WaffleInvoice is 100% free and focuses on the invoicing workflow that actually gets you paid.
Feature comparison
Side-by-side: what each tool offers.
| Feature | WaffleInvoice | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes - unlimited invoices forever | No free tier |
| Starting price | Free (paid team plan available) | $17/month (Starter) |
| Invoice limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Client limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Estimates / quotes | Yes, with one-click conversion to invoice | Yes (proposals) |
| Recurring invoices | Yes | Yes |
| Online payments (ACH & card) | Yes (Stripe) | Yes (Stripe & PayPal) |
| Automatic payment reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Client portal | Yes - full portal with history | Limited |
| Contracts & e-signatures | No | Yes |
| Time tracking | No | Yes |
| Project management | No | Yes |
| Expense tracking | No | Yes |
| CRM / client intake forms | No | Yes |
| Accounting / bookkeeping | No | Basic reports only |
| Setup time | Minutes - start invoicing immediately | Longer - suite configuration required |
WaffleInvoice
Unlimited invoices, unlimited clients, no credit card required. Paid tier adds team features and premium support.
- Unlimited invoices and clients on the free plan
- Estimates that convert to invoices in one click
- Automatic payment reminders
- Card payments via Stripe (2.9% + 30c), ACH just 0.8% capped at $5
- Branded client portal with billing history
- No credit card required to start
Bonsai
No free tier. Starter at $17/month, Professional at $32/month, Business at $52/month. Annual billing discounts available.
- Starter: $17/month - invoicing, contracts, proposals
- Professional: $32/month - adds client CRM and scheduling
- Business: $52/month - subcontractors and multiple users
- No free tier - free trial only
- Annual billing reduces cost by ~17%
Being honest
Where Bonsai has more to offer.
Bonsai is a broader platform. If you need contracts, time tracking, and project management alongside invoicing, it delivers in one place.
Legally-vetted contracts
Bonsai provides contract templates reviewed by lawyers covering common freelancer scenarios. If you regularly need client contracts alongside invoicing, this saves research time.
E-signature built in
Clients can sign contracts directly inside Bonsai. Useful when your workflow moves from signed contract to invoice without using a separate signature tool.
Time tracking
Built-in timer for hourly work that links directly to invoices. If you bill by the hour and want tracking in the same product, Bonsai handles it end to end.
Project management
Task lists, project timelines, and workflow stages. A fit for freelancers who manage multi-phase projects and want project status alongside billing in one view.
Expense tracking
Log business expenses and attach receipts. Useful at tax time if you are tracking billable expenses to pass through to clients.
Client CRM and intake forms
Lead tracking, client intake questionnaires, and scheduling. Bonsai targets freelancers who want a full client-management workflow, not just invoicing.
Where we win
Why freelancers choose WaffleInvoice over Bonsai.
Completely free
WaffleInvoice has a genuine free tier with no invoice or client limits and no expiry. At $0 versus $17–52/month, it is the obvious choice if invoicing is all you need.
Better invoicing focus
Every screen in WaffleInvoice is about billing. No contracts, no project boards, no time entry forms cluttering the interface. The invoicing workflow is cleaner and faster.
Dedicated client portal
Clients get a full portal to view invoice history, pay online, and download receipts. Bonsai does not offer the same depth of client-facing experience.
Estimate-to-invoice workflow
Create a professional estimate, send it for approval, and convert it to an invoice in one click. A tighter quote-to-payment flow than Bonsai for service businesses.
No bloat for billing-only needs
Most freelancers handle contracts in Docusign or a PDF and use other tools for project management. WaffleInvoice does not charge you for features you already have elsewhere.
Faster start
Sign up, add a client, send an invoice. No onboarding wizard for contracts, time entries, or CRM fields. You are billing in two minutes instead of two hours.
Ready to switch?
Try WaffleInvoice free - no card, no expiry, no catch.
Stop paying $17–52/month for features you do not need. Send your first invoice in under two minutes.
Common questions
WaffleInvoice vs Bonsai - FAQ
Is WaffleInvoice a good Bonsai alternative?
Yes, if your main need is invoicing. WaffleInvoice offers unlimited invoices, estimates, a client portal, and payment reminders for free. Bonsai adds contracts, time tracking, and project management but costs $17–52/month. If you are paying for Bonsai primarily for invoicing, WaffleInvoice saves you the subscription.
Does WaffleInvoice have contracts like Bonsai?
No. WaffleInvoice focuses entirely on the invoicing and billing workflow - estimates, invoices, online payments, and client portal. If you need legally-reviewed contract templates and e-signatures built into your billing tool, Bonsai provides that. Many freelancers handle contracts separately and use WaffleInvoice just for billing.
Can I track time in WaffleInvoice?
Not currently. WaffleInvoice does not have a built-in time tracker. If you bill by the hour, you would use a separate time tracking tool (like Toggl or Harvest) and then enter the total on your invoice. Bonsai includes time tracking that links directly to invoices.
Is Bonsai worth the price over WaffleInvoice?
It depends on what you need. If you need contracts, e-signatures, time tracking, and project management alongside invoicing, Bonsai delivers real value in one place. If you mostly need to send invoices and get paid - and you handle contracts elsewhere - WaffleInvoice gives you a better invoicing experience for free.
Does Bonsai have a free plan?
No. Bonsai does not offer a permanent free tier. They provide a free trial, but ongoing use requires a paid subscription starting at $17/month. WaffleInvoice is free forever with no invoice or client limits.
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