HoneyBook vs. 17hats
The Design-Forward Leader vs. The Organized Business Veteran
The Verdict
This is a classic comparison between ease-of-use and back-end power. HoneyBook is famous for its beautiful 'Smart Files' and intuitive interface that focuses on the client journey. 17hats is a more technical platform that prioritizes business organization, bookkeeping, and complex multi-brand management.
If you want the best-looking proposals and the easiest learning curve, choose HoneyBook. If you want a platform that handles your banking, bookkeeping, and deep business logic in one place, choose 17hats.
Score Comparison
CRM & Lead Management
Email Capabilities
Booking & Proposals
Galleries & Delivery
Print Sales
Portals & Proofing
Automations
Scheduling
Payments & Taxes
UX & Mobile
Who Should Pick What
Best fit: HoneyBook
The Visual Brand Enthusiast
HoneyBook's Smart Files are unmatched for branding. They look like mini-websites and provide a much more modern experience for the client compared to 17hats' document-based approach.
Best fit: 17hats
The Numbers-Driven Owner
17hats includes built-in bookkeeping and bank reconciliation. If you want to manage your taxes and business health in the same place you book clients, 17hats is the winner.
Best fit: HoneyBook
Mobile First Business
HoneyBook's mobile app is highly polished and allows you to manage almost every aspect of your business on the go. 17hats has an app, but it is primarily for task management.
Feature Face-Off
Client Experience
Edge: HoneyBookHoneyBook's 'Smart Files' combine contracts, invoices, and questionnaires into one beautiful, interactive flow. 17hats uses a more traditional, document-by-document approach.
Bookkeeping
Edge: 17hats17hats offers native bank integration and detailed bookkeeping. HoneyBook has basic financial reporting but usually requires QuickBooks for real accounting.
Automations
Edge: TieBoth offer strong automations. HoneyBook's are easier to set up visually, while 17hats' automations can handle deeper, more complex business logic.
Multi-Brand Support
Edge: 17hats17hats is built to handle multiple business brands under one login more effectively than HoneyBook, which is primarily designed for a single cohesive brand.
The Real Cost of Ownership
HoneyBook pricing starts at ~$16-19/mo for the first year but scales to $39/mo. 17hats often offers more predictable pricing around $15-20/mo depending on the tier. Both require a separate gallery service (~$20/mo) for photographers.
Why many photographers choose Sprout Studio instead
While HoneyBook and 17hats are both strong contenders, Sprout Studio is the only platform that truly combines the CRM logic with high-end photo galleries and automated sales sequences in one ecosystem.
Read the Sprout Studio Review →