Honest comparison, no slimy bait
WaffleInvoice vs Bonsai: Which is better for freelancers?
Pick WaffleInvoice if
Best if you want free, professional invoicing and payments without paying for an agreements-proposals-time-tracking bundle.
Pick Bonsai if
Best if you want one paid app for agreements, proposals, time tracking, invoicing, and even tax filing.
Feature comparison
| Feature | WaffleInvoice | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, unlimited invoices✓ | No, 7-day trial |
| Starting price | Free (Pro $19/mo)✓ | ~$25/mo |
| Card payments | Your own Stripe account | Stripe + PayPal |
| Client portal | Yes | Yes |
| Agreements & e-sign | Yes, basic | Yes, large template library✓ |
| Proposals | Estimates only | Yes, templated proposals✓ |
| Time tracking | Basic (Pro) | Yes, with timesheets✓ |
| Tax / bookkeeping module | No | Yes, Bonsai Tax add-on✓ |
| SMS reminders | Yes, built in (Pro)✓ | No, email only |
Pricing
WaffleInvoice
Free forever for unlimited invoices. Pro is $19/mo for recurring billing, automatic reminders, and time tracking.
Bonsai
No free tier. Starter is around $25/mo; 7-day trial. Payments via Stripe and PayPal.
WaffleInvoice vs Bonsai: the honest take
WaffleInvoice wins on price and simplicity. A free plan with unlimited branded invoices, a client portal, and SMS reminders covers the core billing job at zero cost, while Bonsai has no free tier and starts around $25 a month.
Bonsai wins as a complete freelance toolkit. Agreements with a deep template library, proposals, built-in time tracking with timesheets, project tasks, and an optional tax module make it a genuine all-in-one for freelancers who want to run agreements, work, and billing in one place.
The choice comes down to scope. If agreements, proposals, and time tracking are central to your workflow and you would otherwise buy them separately, Bonsai is good value. If your real need is just clean invoicing and payments, WaffleInvoice does that for free and you can add a standalone agreement or time-tracking tool only if and when you need one.
Both export your data, so trying WaffleInvoice for free alongside a Bonsai trial is a low-risk way to see which scope actually matches how you work.
Make the switch
Switch from Bonsai to WaffleInvoice
Free for unlimited invoices. Bring your clients over, connect Stripe, and send your first invoice in minutes. No credit card required.
WaffleInvoice vs Bonsai FAQs
Is WaffleInvoice cheaper than Bonsai?
Yes. WaffleInvoice is free for unlimited invoices (Pro $19/mo), while Bonsai has no free plan and starts around $25/mo. For invoicing-only needs, WaffleInvoice is far cheaper.
Does WaffleInvoice include agreements and proposals like Bonsai?
WaffleInvoice has estimates and a basic agreements module, but not Bonsai's full proposal builder, template library, or time tracking. For an agreements-and-proposals workflow, Bonsai is stronger.
Can I accept payments on WaffleInvoice?
Yes, through Stripe Connect on your own account. Bonsai supports Stripe and PayPal.
How do I move from Bonsai to WaffleInvoice?
Export your clients and invoices from Bonsai, create a free WaffleInvoice account, and add them. You can keep a Bonsai trial open while you compare.
Which is better for a freelancer?
A freelancer who wants an all-in-one for agreements, proposals, time, and invoicing may prefer Bonsai. One who mainly needs to bill clients and get paid will find WaffleInvoice simpler and free.
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