FreshBooks vs HoneyBook
Choosing between FreshBooks and HoneyBook for your tutoring business? This 2026 comparison breaks down features, pricing, and real user experiences to help you decide.
FreshBooks
HoneyBook
Independent comparison based on features, pricing, and user reviews
Quick Answer
FreshBooks vs HoneyBook in 2026
FreshBooks and HoneyBook are both tutoring management platforms with different strengths. FreshBooks excels at best-in-class invoicing — professional, customizable, with automatic reminders and view tracking, while HoneyBook is stronger for professional proposals, contracts, and e-signatures — makes solo tutors look established. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize scheduling flexibility, billing integration, or specific features for your tutoring business.
Based on feature comparison, pricing data, and verified user reviews
Overview of FreshBooks and HoneyBook
What is FreshBooks?
Cloud-based accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses. Handles invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and payments. Founded in 2003, raised $464M, serves millions of users. Excellent at accounting — but lacks scheduling, attendance, student management, and every other tutoring-specific feature.
What is HoneyBook?
Cloud-based clientflow management software designed for creative freelancers, photographers, event planners, and service professionals. Handles proposals, contracts, invoicing, scheduling, and client communication in one system. VC-backed ($479M raised, $2.4B valuation).
TLDR (summary)
FreshBooks and HoneyBook are both tutoring management platforms. FreshBooks is known for best-in-class invoicing — professional, customizable, with automatic reminders and view tracking, while HoneyBook excels at professional proposals, contracts, and e-signatures — makes solo tutors look established.
FreshBooks vs HoneyBook: Feature comparison
Compare features across key categories. Toggle 'Compare with Tutorbase' to see how a third option stacks up.
Comparison based on publicly available information and verified product documentation. Last updated January 2026.
Strengths & Weaknesses
An honest look at what each platform does well.
Where FreshBooks excels
FreshBooks has built its reputation on these core strengths.
Where HoneyBook excels
HoneyBook stands out in these key areas.
Where Each Falls Short
Common challenges users report with each platform.
FreshBooks limitations
Areas where FreshBooks users report challenges.
HoneyBook limitations
Areas where HoneyBook users report challenges.
Pricing Comparison
Compare FreshBooks and HoneyBook pricing plans.
FreshBooks
- Up to 5 billable clients
- Unlimited invoices
- Expense tracking
- Time tracking
- Only 5 clients
- No scheduling
- Up to 50 billable clients
- All Lite features
- Proposals
- Recurring invoices
- Same feature gaps for tutoring
- Unlimited billable clients
- All Plus features
- Accounts payable
- Project profitability
- Same feature gaps for tutoring
HoneyBook
- Unlimited clients and projects
- Invoices and online payments
- Proposals and contracts with e-signatures
- Calendar access
- No scheduler (booking/availability)
- No automations
- All Starter features
- Scheduler with unlimited sessions
- Automations (file delivery, follow-ups)
- QuickBooks Online integration
- Only 2 team members
- Transaction fees still apply
- All Essentials features
- Unlimited team members
- Priority support
- Multiple companies management
- Transaction fees still apply
- Most expensive tier for full functionality
Pricing information verified 2026-02-25. Always confirm current pricing directly with each provider.
What to consider when choosing between FreshBooks and HoneyBook
Both platforms have strengths, but there are some common challenges tutoring businesses face when choosing between these two options.
Drag & Drop Calendar is limited or unavailable in both
Common feedback from users evaluating both platforms
Recurring Lessons is limited or unavailable in both
Common feedback from users evaluating both platforms
Neither offers room management
Common feedback from users evaluating both platforms
Teacher Availability is limited or unavailable in both
Common feedback from users evaluating both platforms
Neither offers group lessons
Common feedback from users evaluating both platforms
The question to ask: If you need capabilities that span both FreshBooks's strengths and HoneyBook's strengths, is there an option that bridges both?
Some businesses have found another approach
When comparing FreshBooks and HoneyBook, some tutoring businesses have also explored Tutorbase as an alternative that takes a different approach.
Why some businesses chose Tutorbase instead
Neither FreshBooks nor HoneyBook fully addresses the challenge of drag & drop calendar is limited or unavailable in both. Many tutoring businesses find themselves needing capabilities that sit between what these two solutions offer.
Tutorbase was built specifically for tutoring businesses that need both powerful scheduling and integrated billing in one platform. Instead of choosing between feature sets, Tutorbase combines the strengths of traditional tutoring software with modern CRM and communication tools.
How Tutorbase approaches things differently:
- Built-in CRM with visual lead pipeline
- Native WhatsApp integration for client communication
- Modern drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Automatic lesson-to-invoice billing flow
Simple, transparent pricing
Free to use. 1% fee only when you invoice through Tutorbase.
No monthly subscription. No per-student fees. No hidden charges. If you invoice nothing, you pay nothing.
No pressure — just another option to evaluate in your research.
Explore all Tutorbase featuresMany tutoring businesses explore all their options before deciding — there's no rush
The Verdict
HoneyBook wins in more feature categories, but FreshBooks may be better for specific use cases.
Choose FreshBooks if
- You prioritize best-in-class invoicing — professional, customizable, with automatic reminders and view tracking
- You need strong expense tracking with receipt scanning and automatic bank import
- You prioritize time tracking that converts directly to invoices — useful for hourly tutoring
Choose HoneyBook if
- You prioritize professional proposals, contracts, and e-signatures — makes solo tutors look established
- You need strong invoicing with recurring billing, payment tracking, and automatic reminders
- You prioritize lead capture forms and inquiry management from website and social ads
Tutorbase
A third option to explore
Consider Tutorbase if:
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about choosing between FreshBooks and HoneyBook for your tutoring business.
HoneyBook wins more feature categories in our comparison. FreshBooks excels at best-in-class invoicing — professional, customizable, with automatic reminders and view tracking, while HoneyBook is stronger for professional proposals, contracts, and e-signatures — makes solo tutors look established. Choose based on your priorities.
More comparisons
Explore other head-to-head comparisons for tutoring software.
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Data Sources & Verification
Transparency matters. Here's where our data comes from:
Last Updated
February 25, 2026
Pricing
HoneyBook(verified February 25, 2026)
Migration Data
Based on actual customer migrations from FreshBooks & HoneyBook to Tutorbase
Found outdated info? We strive to keep our competitor data current. Email us at contact@tutorbase.com and we'll verify and update within 48 hours.