YesFlow vs. HoneyBook vs. Bonsai: Which Platform Is Best for Freelancers in 2025?
If you're a freelancer looking for a better way to deliver work and collect payments, you've probably come across HoneyBook and Bonsai. Both are popular all-in-one business management platforms with invoicing, contracts, and client portals. But are they the right fit for your needs?
In this comparison, we'll break down how YesFlow, HoneyBook, and Bonsai stack up across pricing, features, and the actual freelancer experience. By the end, you'll know which platform saves you more time (and money).
Quick Comparison Table
*HoneyBook charges 2.5% and Bonsai charges 2.9% on all payments processed through their invoicing systems (on top of standard Stripe processing fees of 2.9% + 30¢). YesFlow charges 0% platform fees—you only pay Stripe's standard processing rate.
What Are These Platforms?
HoneyBook
HoneyBook is a comprehensive business management platform designed for creative entrepreneurs and service-based businesses. It combines:
- Client relationship management (CRM)
- Contract and proposal creation
- Invoicing and payment processing
- Scheduling and automations
- Client portals and messaging
HoneyBook is ideal for photographers, planners, coaches, and consultants who want everything in one place—from lead capture to final invoice.
Bonsai
Bonsai (formerly AND.CO) is an all-in-one freelance business platform that includes:
- Contract templates and e-signatures
- Invoicing and payment processing
- Time tracking and expense management
- Tax preparation tools
- Client portal and file sharing
- CRM and project management
Bonsai is ideal for freelancers who want comprehensive business management, especially those who need time tracking and tax features.
YesFlow
YesFlow is a secure file delivery and payment platform built specifically for creative freelancers who need to protect their work until they get paid. It focuses on solving one problem really well: getting client approval and payment without the back-and-forth chaos.
YesFlow is ideal for designers, developers, writers, and video editors who need watermark protection, instant client access, and zero platform fees.
The Real Difference: All-in-One vs. Laser-Focused
HoneyBook & Bonsai: The Swiss Army Knives
Both HoneyBook and Bonsai try to be your entire business stack. You get contracts, scheduling, CRM, proposals, invoicing, and more.
Pros:
- Great if you're starting from scratch and have zero tools
- Strong automation features (especially HoneyBook for client onboarding)
- Bonsai adds time tracking and tax features that HoneyBook doesn't have
- Good for service businesses with complex workflows
Cons:
- 2.5-2.9% platform fees add up fast (on a $5,000 project, that's $125-145 gone)
- Overkill if you just need to deliver files and get paid
- Requires learning and maintaining an entire ecosystem
- Features you'll never use inflate the price
YesFlow: The Sniper Rifle
YesFlow does one thing perfectly: protect your work until you get paid, then deliver it instantly once approved.
Pros:
- Zero platform fees—keep more of what you earn
- Automatic watermarking means clients can't use your work without paying
- Pay-before-download ensures you never send final files before payment clears
- Dead simple: create delivery, send link, get paid
- No client login friction
Cons:
- No contracts, proposals, or CRM (but you might already have tools for those)
- Not ideal if you need an all-in-one business suite
- Best for image-based creative work
Pricing Breakdown: The Hidden Costs
Let's say you're a designer who invoices $10,000/month in client work.
HoneyBook
Monthly: $39/mo
Platform fees (2.5%): $250/mo
Stripe (2.9% + 30¢): $290/mo
Total: $6,948/year
Bonsai
Monthly: $25/mo
Platform fees (2.9%): $290/mo
Stripe (2.9% + 30¢): $290/mo
Total: $7,260/year
YesFlow
Monthly: $29/mo
Platform fees: $0
Stripe (2.9% + 30¢): $290/mo
Total: $3,828/year
💰 Save $3,120/year vs HoneyBook
Save $3,432/year vs Bonsai
That's the cost of a new MacBook Pro. Just by switching platforms.
Feature Deep Dive
Payment Protection: YesFlow's Biggest Advantage
HoneyBook & Bonsai let you send invoices and collect payments, but once you email final files (or share them via Dropbox/Google Drive), the client has them. There's no built-in protection to prevent them from ghosting after downloading your work.
YesFlow automatically watermarks all preview files and blocks downloads until payment clears. Clients can review, request revisions, and approve your work—but they can't access the final, clean files without paying first.
This is a game-changer for freelancers who've been burned before.
Client Experience: Simplicity Wins
HoneyBook & Bonsai require clients to create accounts if they want to access project portals, messaging, or file sharing beyond basic invoice payments.
YesFlow sends clients a single link. They click, review, pay, and download. No signup. No password. No friction.
For client-facing simplicity, YesFlow wins.
Business Management: HoneyBook & Bonsai's Strength
If you need to automate multi-step client onboarding sequences, manage contracts, track time, or handle taxes, HoneyBook and Bonsai excel here.
HoneyBook is particularly strong for client-facing businesses (photographers, event planners) with its automation workflows and proposal templates.
Bonsai adds time tracking, expense management, and tax preparation tools that make it appealing for hourly consultants and freelancers who need those features.
YesFlow doesn't compete in this space. It's focused purely on the delivery-to-payment moment, not the full client lifecycle.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose HoneyBook if:
- You're starting from scratch and need an all-in-one system
- You want strong client automation and proposal workflows
- You don't mind paying 2.5% platform fees
- You run complex client workflows (events, photography packages)
Choose Bonsai if:
- You need time tracking and tax prep
- You want contracts, proposals, and invoicing in one place
- You're okay paying 2.9% platform fees
- You bill hourly and need time tracking
Choose YesFlow if:
- You're a creative freelancer (designer, developer, writer)
- You've been burned by non-paying clients
- You want to keep 100% of your earnings
- You already have tools for contracts/CRM
- You want the simplest client experience (one link, no login)
The Bottom Line
All three platforms serve freelancers, but they solve different problems.
HoneyBook is for service businesses who want client automation and are willing to pay 2.5% platform fees for that convenience.
Bonsai is for freelancers who want comprehensive business tools (time tracking, taxes, contracts) and don't mind paying 2.9% platform fees for the full suite.
YesFlow is for creative freelancers who need watermark protection, instant payment collection, and zero platform fees—without the bloat of features they'll never use.
If you've ever sent final files and watched a client disappear without paying, YesFlow is built for you.
Ready to fully protect your file deliveries?
See how YesFlow protects your work until you get paid.
Start Free →Frequently Asked Questions
Does YesFlow charge transaction fees?
No. YesFlow charges 0% platform fees. You only pay Stripe's standard payment processing rate of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
How much do HoneyBook and Bonsai charge?
HoneyBook charges 2.5% platform fee on top of Stripe's processing fees. Bonsai charges 2.9% platform fee on top of Stripe's fees. These percentages add up quickly on larger projects.
Can clients download files before paying?
No. YesFlow watermarks all preview files and blocks downloads of final, clean files until payment is confirmed.
Do I need a Stripe account to use YesFlow?
Yes. YesFlow uses Stripe Connect to handle payments securely. When you sign up, you'll connect your Stripe account (or create one if you don't have one yet—YesFlow makes this easy).
Once connected, your clients pay directly through Stripe, and funds go straight to your connected bank account. YesFlow takes zero platform fees—you only pay Stripe's standard 2.9% + 30¢ processing fee per transaction.
This means you keep 100% of your earnings (minus Stripe's processing), with none of the 2.5-2.9% platform fees that HoneyBook and Bonsai charge on top.
What file types does YesFlow support?
YesFlow supports a wide range of files including images (JPG, PNG, WEBP, GIF, SVG), design files (PSD, AI, PDF), fonts, and more. Watermarking is applied to image files for preview protection.
How many files can I include in one delivery?
YesFlow offers 2 free deliveries to test the platform with no credit card required. Free users can include up to 100 files per delivery, while Pro ($29/month) supports up to 500 files per delivery (50MB per file).
Why should photographers choose YesFlow over HoneyBook or Bonsai?
YesFlow is the best choice for photographers who want complete protection for their work:
- ✓ Automatic watermarking – Every preview image is watermarked until payment clears
- ✓ Massive file uploads – Send up to 500 images per delivery with Pro ($29/mo)
- ✓ Dashboard with all deliveries – Track every client delivery in one place
- ✓ No client account needed – Clients just click a link to view, approve, and pay
- ✓ Zero platform fees – Keep 100% of your earnings (only Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢ processing)
- ✓ Pay-before-download protection – Clients cannot access final hi-res files until they pay
While HoneyBook offers workflow automation and Bonsai adds time tracking, neither platform protects your actual photo files the way YesFlow does. And at just $29/month with zero platform fees, YesFlow saves photographers thousands per year compared to HoneyBook (2.5% fee) or Bonsai (2.9% fee).
For photographers delivering 50+ images per project, YesFlow's watermarking and pay-before-download features are essential protection.
Disclaimer: Pricing and features are accurate as of January 2026. HoneyBook's platform fee of 2.5% and Bonsai's platform fee of 2.9% apply to payments processed through their respective payment systems. External payment processors may have different fee structures. Always verify current pricing on each provider's official website before making a decision.
Enjoyed this article?
Get weekly freelance tips delivered to your inbox. No spam, ever.