A More Affordable Bonsai Alternative
Bonsai bundles contracts, proposals, and invoicing into one product — great if you need all three, expensive if you don't. CloudBooks strips it down to what most freelancers actually use daily: invoicing, time tracking, and getting paid.
Try CloudBooks FreeFeature Comparison
See how CloudBooks stacks up against Bonsai across the features that matter most to your business.
| Feature | C CloudBooks | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $9/mo | $25/mo (Starter) |
| Unlimited Invoices | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Contracts / e-Signatures | ||
| Proposals | ||
| Recurring Invoices | ||
| Payment Processing Fee | Stripe rates | 3.4% + 0.60 |
| Multi-Currency | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| Team Members Included | 5 on Team plan | Add-on |
| Client Portal | ||
| Free Trial | 15 days | 7 days |
Why Businesses Switch to CloudBooks
Here's why cost-conscious freelancers pick CloudBooks over Bonsai.
Less Than Half the Price
Bonsai's Starter is $25/mo. CloudBooks is $9/mo for the same invoicing + time-tracking workflow. If contracts aren't your bottleneck, that price difference goes straight to your bottom line.
Lower Payment Processing Fees
Bonsai charges 3.4% + $0.60 per online payment. CloudBooks uses Stripe rates directly, saving you 0.5-1% per transaction — meaningful on larger invoices.
Focus on Invoicing, Not Everything
Bonsai's strength is being an all-in-one for solo freelancers. CloudBooks is built around the invoice workflow itself, with fewer distracting features and a faster path from work-done to money-in.
Longer Free Trial
15 days vs Bonsai's 7. Enough time to send real invoices to real clients and see if the tool fits before committing.
Team-Ready When You Grow
Bonsai is designed for solo freelancers and charges more when you add teammates. CloudBooks includes 5 team members on the Team plan for $19/mo, ready when you scale.
Pair with Simpler Contract Tools
If you love Bonsai for contracts but not the price, you can use free tools like Docusign or HelloSign for e-signatures and CloudBooks for the invoicing side — saving $15+/mo.
Ready to Get Paid Faster?
Join 30,000+ freelancers and small businesses who use CloudBooks to create invoices, track expenses, and manage their finances effortlessly.