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Bonsai

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Company health

Employee growth
4% increase in the last year
Web traffic
16% decrease in the last quarter
Financing
December 2015 - $120K

Ratings

G2
4.3/5
(101)
Capterra
4.6/5
(79)
TrustPilot
4.3/5
(60)

Bonsai description

Bonsai is an all-in-one business management platform designed for agencies, consultants, and freelancers. It helps you manage clients, projects, billing, and more from a single location. Bonsai offers tools like time tracking, invoicing, contract creation, and expense tracking to simplify your workflow and improve efficiency. It aims to save you time and get you paid faster by automating tasks like recurring billing, payment reminders, and expense reports.


Who is Bonsai best for

Bonsai is an all-in-one management platform streamlining client, project, billing, and time tracking. Users praise its user-friendly interface, integrated tools, and automated features. However, some have noted issues with high transaction fees and customer support responsiveness. It's best for freelancers and small agencies seeking a unified workspace.

  • Best for small to medium-sized agencies, consultants, and freelancers.

  • Ideal for marketing, advertising, and software businesses.


Bonsai features

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
Supported

Bonsai allows creating, sending, and tracking invoices, including recurring invoices and late fees.

Supported

Bonsai supports expense tracking and categorization for managing cash flow.

Supported

Bonsai supports built-in time tracking with timers, manual entry, and reporting.

Supported

Bonsai offers client management, interaction tracking, and a client portal.

Supported

Bonsai supports creating and customizing proposals, including tracking and integrations.

Qualities

We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software

Value and Pricing Transparency

Rather negative
-0.3

Customer Service

Neutral
+0.16

Ease of Use

Strongly positive
+0.87

Reliability and Performance

Neutral
-0.09

Ease of Implementation

Strongly positive
+0.86

Scalability

Rather negative
-0.33

Bonsai reviews

We've summarised 240 Bonsai reviews (Bonsai GetApp reviews, Bonsai TrustPilot reviews, Bonsai Capterra reviews and Bonsai G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of Bonsai
  • User-friendly interface praised for its simplicity and ease of use.
  • All-in-one platform integrates essential freelance tools like time tracking, invoicing, contracts, and proposals.
  • Contract and proposal templates are highly appreciated for saving time and ensuring professionalism.
  • Automated payment reminders and streamlined workflows improve efficiency.
  • Excellent customer support, when available, is praised for its helpfulness and responsiveness.
Cons of Bonsai
  • High transaction fees and delayed payouts are frequently criticized.
  • Difficulty contacting customer support and slow response times are common complaints.
  • Account cancellations without clear explanations frustrate some users.
  • Limited customization options for contracts and invoices are a drawback for some.
  • Lack of advanced project management features like a Kanban board is a common request.

Bonsai pricing

The commentary is based on 52 reviews from Bonsai Capterra reviews, Bonsai G2 reviews and Bonsai GetApp reviews.

Bonsai's pricing is generally considered affordable, especially for freelancers and small businesses needing integrated features. While some users find the tiered pricing structure and add-ons expensive, many feel the value justifies the cost, especially with features like automated invoicing and time tracking. However, payment processing fees and payout times have caused dissatisfaction for some.

Users sentiment

Rather negative
-0.3

See the Bonsai pricing page.


Bonsai alternatives

  • Logo of HoneyBook
    bonsai vs HoneyBook
    Better for client management and interaction streamlining. More US-centric. G2 and Trustpilot reviews available. More difficult initial setup and steeper learning curve. Limited proposal and brochure customization.
    Read more
  • Logo of Hurdlr
    Hurdlr
    Better for expense tracking, mileage logging, and tax calculations. Has stronger momentum.
    Read more
  • Logo of BQE CORE
    BQE CORE
    Better for architecture, engineering, and professional services firms. Has more momentum. A Bonsai alternative and competitor.
    Read more
  • Logo of Plutio
    Plutio
    Better for real-time collaboration and client communication. More customizable and adaptable, but has a steeper learning curve. Has garnered more mixed reviews and slower momentum recently.
    Read more
  • Logo of Xero
    Xero
    Better for established businesses needing accounting software. Broader industry fit. More positive reviews on Capterra and G2. Integrates with hundreds of business apps.
    Read more
  • Logo of Workleap Officevibe
    Workleap Officevibe
    Better for improving employee experience and engagement. Focuses on feedback, recognition, and performance management. Well-suited for mid-sized companies. A good Bonsai alternative for HR leaders.
    Read more

Bonsai FAQ

  • What is Bonsai and what does Bonsai do?

    Bonsai is a business management platform for agencies, consultants, and freelancers. It streamlines client, project, and billing management with time tracking, invoicing, contracts, and expense tracking. Bonsai automates recurring billing and payment reminders, helping users save time and get paid faster.

  • How does Bonsai integrate with other tools?

    Bonsai integrates with several tools to enhance its functionality. It connects with Zapier, allowing integration with thousands of apps. It also integrates with proposal and contract signing tools like HelloSign and accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.

  • What the main competitors of Bonsai?

    Alternatives to Bonsai include Plutio, BQE Core, and BigTime. Plutio is a good option for freelancers and small businesses. BQE Core focuses on professional service firms like architecture and engineering. BigTime is designed for growing service-based businesses needing project management and billing software.

  • Is Bonsai legit?

    Bonsai is a legitimate platform trusted by many users for its user-friendly interface and all-in-one design. However, potential users should be aware of reported issues with high transaction fees, occasional difficulties with customer support, and limited customization options. Consider these factors when evaluating if Bonsai is safe and suitable for your needs.

  • How much does Bonsai cost?

    I couldn't find pricing details for Bonsai. For the most current pricing information, it's best to visit the vendor's website or contact their sales team. This will give you accurate pricing tailored to your specific needs.

  • Is Bonsai customer service good?

    Bonsai's customer service receives mixed reviews. While some users praise the helpful and responsive support team, others express frustration with slow response times, difficulty contacting support, and unhelpful canned responses. Several users note improved support over time, but others have had negative experiences.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.