b stack radar

HoneyBook vs SmartTask Comparison

Compare HoneyBook vs SmartTask features, pricing, and more.

Last updated: November 2026

HoneyBook logo

HoneyBook

5.8/10

HoneyBook is a client management platform for US and Canadian independent service businesses. It covers proposals, contracts, invoicing, scheduling, automations and project tracking.

SmartTask logo

SmartTask

6.7/10

Winner

SmartTask is a work management platform that combines projects, time tracking, a client portal and a sales CRM for agencies and client delivery teams.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature
HoneyBook logo
HoneyBook
SmartTask logo
SmartTask
Scores
Overall Rating5.8/106.7/10
Customization6/107/10
Analytics5/106/10
Integration5/105/10
Support7/108/10
Ease of Use8/107/10
Security5/105/10
Cost5/109/10
Scalability4/105/10
Pricing
Free planNoYes
Cheapest paid plan$36/mo
Starter
$6/user/mo
Premium
Estimated cost for 10 users$129/mo
Premium
Free
Free Forever
Features
Scheduling
File sharing
Client collaboration
App integrations
Task management
Workflow automation
Reporting
Team messagingNot listed
Task listsNot listed
Gantt chartsNot listed
Timeline viewNot listed
Time trackingNot listed
DashboardsNot listed
Kanban boardsNot listed
Collaboration toolsNot listed
WhiteboardsNot listed

HoneyBook vs SmartTask cost by team size

SmartTask costs less at every team size we checked.

Team sizeHoneyBookSmartTask
1 user$36/moStarterFreeFree Forever
5 users$129/moPremiumFreeFree Forever
10 users$129/moPremiumFreeFree Forever
25 users$129/moPremiumFreeFree Forever
50 users$129/moPremiumFreeFree Forever

The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.

Which One Should You Choose?

HoneyBook logo
Why choose HoneyBook

  • Higher Ease of Use score (8/10 vs 7/10)
  • Better fit for freelancers (9/10 vs 6/10)

SmartTask logo
Why choose SmartTask

  • Has a free plan (HoneyBook does not)
  • Lower estimated cost for 10 users: Free vs $129/mo
  • Higher Cost score (9/10 vs 5/10)
  • Higher Customization score (7/10 vs 6/10)
  • Better fit for agencies (9/10 vs 5/10)

Pros & Cons

HoneyBook logo
HoneyBook

Pros

  • Smart Files combine a proposal, contract and invoice in one client flow, which reviewers credit with faster bookings.
  • Every plan includes unlimited clients and projects, and pricing is flat rather than per seat.
  • Review scores are high: 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra and 4.4 out of 5 on G2.
  • AI tools are included on every plan, and HoneyBook offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
  • Premium allows unlimited team members for a fixed monthly price.

Cons

  • The February 2025 price increase roughly doubled the Starter plan, and reviewers still complain about it.
  • Card and ACH processing fees add to costs, and standard payouts take several business days.
  • Task management is light compared with dedicated project management tools.
  • It is available only in the US and Canada.
  • Reviewers describe the mobile app as weaker than the desktop version for automations and reporting.

SmartTask logo
SmartTask

Pros

  • The free plan has no cap on users, projects or guests, which is unusually generous for small teams.
  • Paid plans are cheap at 6 and 11 USD per user per month on yearly billing.
  • It combines project management, a sales CRM, a client portal and billable time tracking in one tool, so agencies need fewer separate apps.
  • Reviewers on G2 and Capterra often praise how quickly new users learn it and how responsive support is.

Cons

  • Capterra reviewers say the interface looks dated and the app can be slow to start.
  • Reviewers report bugs and slowdowns, particularly in the mobile app.
  • Timeline view, dashboards and time tracking require the Business plan.
  • No whiteboard view and no two-way Google Calendar sync, according to reviewers.
  • The vendor is very small, about 9 to 50 staff, which may concern larger buyers.

Not sold on either?

Frequently Asked Questions

SmartTask scores higher on our CRM criteria: 6.7/10 against 5.8/10 for HoneyBook. The largest gap is in Cost: 5/10 for HoneyBook and 9/10 for SmartTask.

SmartTask costs less for 10 users: free on its Free Forever plan, against about $129/mo on its Premium plan for HoneyBook, billed monthly.

SmartTask has a free plan; HoneyBook does not list one.

SmartTask is the better fit for agencies: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 5/10 for HoneyBook.

Related Comparisons