# Best Bonsai Alternative 2026 - Free Freelancer Software

> Looking for a free Bonsai (HelloBonsai) alternative? Brightdesk offers free invoicing, bookings & client management for freelancers, with contracts and e-signatures on Pro. Save $200+/year.

Canonical: https://brightdesk.app/bonsai-alternative

## Brightdesk vs Bonsai: Feature Comparison

| Feature | Brightdesk | Bonsai | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional Invoicing | Yes | Yes | Both create invoices |
| Digital Contracts | Yes | Yes | E-sign contracts (Brightdesk Pro) |
| Client Management | Yes | Yes | CRM features |
| Payment Tracking | Yes | Yes | Track what's owed |
| Free Forever Plan | Yes | No | Brightdesk is free |
| Event Booking Management | Yes | No | Event dates, sessions, advances (no client self-scheduling) |
| Proposals | No | Yes | Bonsai has proposals |
| Time Tracking | No | Yes | Bonsai tracks time |
| Tax Preparation | No | Yes | Bonsai has tax features |
| Client Feedback | Yes | No | One-tap review requests (Brightdesk Pro) |

## Pricing compared

| Plan | Brightdesk | Bonsai | You save |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Starter | Free | $21/month | $252/year |
| Professional | $99/year | $32/month | $285/year |
| Business | $99/year | $52/month | $525/year |

## Frequently asked questions

### How is Brightdesk different from Bonsai?

Bonsai is a comprehensive freelance suite with proposals, time tracking, accounting, and tax preparation. Brightdesk focuses on the core essentials: invoicing, contracts, and client management. If you need time tracking and tax features, Bonsai is better. If you want free, simple invoicing, with contracts on an affordable Pro plan, choose Brightdesk.

### Does Brightdesk have proposal templates like Bonsai?

Brightdesk doesn't have dedicated proposal features. You can list your services and prices in your service catalog and on your public profile, and send contracts (Pro) for formal agreements. For extensive proposal needs, Bonsai excels.

### Can I track time in Brightdesk?

Currently, Brightdesk doesn't have time tracking. We focus on project-based and fixed-price work common in creative industries. If you bill hourly and need time tracking, Bonsai or Toggl might be better fits.

### What does Brightdesk have that Bonsai doesn't?

Brightdesk includes event booking management (multi-event weddings, advances, balances) and client review requests (Pro). Brightdesk is also free forever for core features, while Bonsai starts at $21/month.

### Is Bonsai worth $21-52/month?

If you use all of Bonsai's features (proposals, time tracking, tax prep), it can be worth it. But many freelancers only use invoicing and contracts. If that's you, Brightdesk gives you invoicing free and contracts for $99/year.

### Can I migrate from Bonsai to Brightdesk?

Yes! Export your client data from Bonsai and add them to Brightdesk. You'll need to recreate contract templates, but our simple interface makes this quick. Past invoices stay in Bonsai.

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