17hats vs Dubsado: The Detailed Comparison You Missed

When you look at 17hats vs Dubsado, both tools help you manage leads, contracts, and payments. However, the point is that they’re built for different kinds of businesses.

• 17hats is best for small creative businesses that want a quick setup, simple workflows, and less time spent learning the system.
• Dubsado is better for service providers that need advanced automation, dynamic proposals, and more detailed client portals.

But that’s only the start. The real difference shows up when you compare how each handles forms, workflows, payments, and client collaboration. Keep reading, because that’s where the choice becomes clear.

Key Takeaways

• 17hats is built for freelancers and small creative shops that need simple workflows, fast setup, and easy-to-use forms. Dubsado, on the other hand, is better for service providers and agencies managing larger projects.
• With 17hats, automation follows a step-by-step structure: emails, reminders, and questionnaires run smoothly once scheduled. Dubsado’s automation reacts to client activity to let you build a deeper workflow.
• 17hats offers branded invoices, simple payment plans, and Stripe-based payments. Dubsado gives you recurring billing, autopay, and multi-currency support.

17hats vs Dubsado: Quick Comparison Table

Here’s a side-by-side breakdown to help you see where each tool excels before getting into the details.

17hats vs Dubsado: A Detailed Comparison

17hats is best for freelancers who value simplicity, while Dubsado works better for service providers managing complex projects. That being said, let’s see why and how these two tools feel so different.

Target Users

17hats appeals to freelancers and small businesses seeking simplicity. Meanwhile, Dubsado fits service providers needing strong automation, advanced workflows, and high-ticket client management.

If you’re running a solo business, freelancing, or growing a small creative shop, 17hats was built with you in mind. It helps you cut down the daily chaos by keeping leads, projects, contracts, and invoices in one workspace. 

Instead of switching between tools, you get simple workflows, customizable forms, and a client portal for smooth communication. 

Dubsado speaks more to service providers who want full control over the client experience from start to finish. You can create dynamic proposals that instantly connect to contracts and invoices. 

Plus, its automation runs deeper, with flexible billing plans, workflow triggers, and a client portal that supports bigger teams. The tradeoff is the learning curve. You’ll need patience to set it up properly, but once mastered, it can handle more complex operations.

Forms and Templates

17hats focuses on simple, fast-to-use forms with automated workflows. In contrast, Dubsado delivers highly customizable templates that connect proposals, contracts, and invoices in one flow.

With 17hats, you can effortlessly create and set up forms. Plus, you can embed contact and lead forms on your website or share as links, instantly creating client records and projects. 

Also, it allows you to customize questions, track lead sources, and trigger workflows that send automated replies or questionnaires. Templates extend into quotes, contracts, and invoices to ensure consistency while reducing manual effort.

Dubsado takes a more flexible route. Its form builder is packed with options, questionnaires, surveys, welcome guides, and discovery forms you can style to match your brand. Smart fields automatically populate client details in the right places, and proposals serve as dynamic templates. 

Additionally, a client can select a package, add extras, and view everything flow seamlessly into a contract and invoice.

Client Portal

17hats provides a simple, secure client portal for sharing essentials. On the contrary, Dubsado delivers a more detailed hub with invoices, schedules, updates, and automated client access.

With 17hats, your clients get a private login to view the essentials. From there, they can see quotes, contracts, invoices, questionnaires, and event details you’ve chosen to share. You can even add a short welcome message with links or images. 

It’s a clean, straightforward hub that cuts down on emails and helps your clients stay in the loop.

Dubsado, on the other hand, gives your clients a richer experience. Alongside forms and invoices, they can check appointment schedules, payment history, shared resources, and even see how a project is moving along. 

You decide what’s visible, and password protection keeps everything safe. Because the portal ties directly into Dubsado’s automation, updates show up for clients without you having to send constant reminders. 

Workflow Automation

17hats offers structured, customizable workflows to automate communication and tasks. In contrast, Dubsado provides advanced, customizable automation for service providers seeking deeper client journey control.

You can set up step-by-step workflows to handle everyday tasks for you using 17hats. Emails go out on time, questionnaires land in your client’s inbox, and reminders pop up without manual work. 

Also, you can drop in tokens like names or event dates, so each message feels personal instead of copy-pasted. 

Dubsado takes automation a little further. Instead of just scheduled actions, it reacts to what your client does. A new inquiry can send a welcome packet right away. Once a contract is signed, the system can create the invoice automatically. 

When payment clears, onboarding kicks off. Everything links together from proposals to scheduling to billing, so your client journey keeps moving.

Invoicing

17hats simplifies invoicing with branded templates and project-linked payments. In the meantime, Dubsado offers autopay, recurring billing, and multi-currency support for global payments.

With 17hats, you can add your logo, adjust colors, and include personal notes so every bill feels professional. Also, you can build in taxes, discounts, tips, or even set up payment plans. For repeat work, schedule invoices to go out automatically. 

Each one gets back to the client’s project file, so you don’t have to chase paperwork. 

Dubsado takes a different approach. You can create an invoice in minutes, add line items, set terms, and let the system send reminders for you. What makes it stand out is the ability to bundle everything together. 

A client picks a package, signs the contract, and pays the invoice in one flow. For ongoing work, you can set custom schedules and add autopay. 

Payment Process

17hats simplifies payments with Stripe-based invoices and ACH in the U.S. Meanwhile, Dubsado adds multi-currency support, buy-now-pay-later, instant payouts, and flexible surcharging for client convenience.

Using 17hats, you can design professional invoices with line items, discounts, taxes, or recurring payment plans. Clients pay securely online through Stripe using major credit cards or ACH transfers (U.S. only). 

You can also log manual payments, such as cash or check, for accurate bookkeeping. The best part is, 17hats charges no extra fees beyond Stripe’s standard rates.

Dubsado goes further by combining invoicing, payment plans, and recurring billing into one streamlined system. Clients can pay through ACH transfers in the U.S. and Canada, credit cards in over 135 currencies, and even buy-now-pay-later options. 

It offers instant payouts that can reach you within 30 minutes. Furthermore, where local laws allow, you have the option to add a small surcharge to customer bills to cover processing fees. 

As for transaction costs, they’re the same as Stripe’s. For example, a U.S. card charge is 2.9% + $0.30, and an ACH bank transfer has a 0.8% fee, capped at $5.

Project Management

17hats offers structured project categories and task tracking. Again, Dubsado provides flexible status tracking with automated workflows for deeper pipeline visibility.

You can use 17hats to break work into categories, set milestones, and assign tasks so you miss nothing. Each project becomes a neat folder holding your emails, questionnaires, and documents. 

Plus, the dashboard gives you a quick pulse check on what’s due, what’s pending, and where your attention should go next. 

Dubsado takes a more flexible route. Instead of fixed categories, you track projects by status and move them through your pipeline. You can set up automatic triggers to handle repeated jobs for you. This means common tasks, such as issuing an invoice, sending a follow-up, or progressing a lead, all happen automatically.

Scheduling

17hats focuses on straightforward calendar sync, reminders, and group event booking. In contrast, Dubsado emphasizes flexible, client-friendly scheduling with pay-to-book and integrations.

The 17hats syncs with Google Calendar to prevent conflicts while letting you block personal days and add buffer times. At the same time, automated reminders go out ahead of each meeting, and you can ask for payment at the time of booking. 

It also supports group scheduling to make it useful for workshops or events. 

Dubsado adds a more client-centered layer. Beyond syncing with major calendars, it integrates directly with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. 

Also, clients book in their own time zones, receive confirmations, and can reschedule with a single click. Plus, you can bundle appointment options, customize availability rules, and even charge for sessions upfront. 

Proposal

17hats offers simplified proposals that convert into contracts and invoices. Meanwhile, Dubsado provides dynamic, automated proposals designed for flexibility and closing high-value projects.

With 17hats, your proposals look clean and are easy to understand. You can create quotes that include different service packages, pricing levels, and extra options. Then, you can instantly turn any quote into a formal contract or an invoice. 

To help clients decide sooner, you can set expiration dates on quotes. Best of all, every document links directly to its project.

For bigger sales, Dubsado offers greater flexibility. You can fully customize proposals with your branding and placed on your website. Plus, interactive templates allow clients to choose their own packages or select upgrades. 

After a client makes a choice, the system automatically generates the contracts and invoices. 

Pricing and Plans

Mobile App

17hats provides a dedicated mobile app with invoicing, scheduling, and notifications. On the contrary, Dubsado relies on browser access to offer fewer mobile-native features for on-the-go users.

17hats offers a dedicated mobile app to bring invoicing, scheduling, lead management, and client communication into one portable hub. You can send quotes, review contracts, or check payments while away from your desk. 

Plus, its push notifications ensure you never miss a new inquiry or client update.

Dubsado, on the other hand, provides limited mobile access through a browser-based experience. You can still do important things like view projects, send emails, and handle invoices. 

However, the overall app experience isn’t as refined as what you get with 17hats. Still, its web version ensures you can view important functions even without a native app.

17hats vs Dubsado: Which is the Better Option?

Picking between 17hats and Dubsado really depends on how you work. Both tools simplify client management, but they’re built for different styles of running a business.

Go with 17hats if you —

• Work for yourself as a freelancer, solopreneur, or small creative business
• Want something you can set up quickly without spending weeks learning it
• Like clear, simple workflows instead of complex automation chains
• Need forms you can customize and a portal that keeps things easy for clients
• Prefer invoicing and task tracking that just gets the job done

Go with Dubsado if you —

• Run service-based projects that are larger or more involved
• Need advanced automations that react to client actions, not just schedules
• Offer high-value packages or long-term contracts with recurring payments
• Rely on proposals that connect smoothly to contracts and invoices
• Don’t mind a steeper learning curve for a system that gives you more control

Is There Any Better Alternative to HoneyBook and Dubsado?

While 17hats and Dubsado simplify client workflows, many businesses seek more flexibility, built-in collaboration, and stronger management features. Agency Handy brings these together in one platform.

Here’s a quick comparison —

When you compare 17hats and Dubsado, it often feels like choosing between “easy but limited” or “powerful but complicated.” That’s where Agency Handy feels natural, flexible, and built for growth.

• White-Label Customization: 17hats and Dubsado don’t offer full branding customization, but Agency Handy does. You can use your own domain, logo, and colors across invoices, emails, and client portals, so your clients only see your brand.
• Order and Task Management: Other platforms stop at projects. With Agency Handy, every order can be broken into tasks, assigned deadlines, and tracked on a Kanban board. 
• Ticketing for Clients: Neither 17hats nor Dubsado has it. Agency Handy gives you a proper ticketing system so every support request is logged, assigned, and resolved without delays.
• Billing & Payments: While 17hats and Dubsado lean heavily on Stripe, Agency Handy lets clients pay through PayPal, Wise, Stripe, manual banking, or even crypto. Automated reminders help you get paid faster.
• Time Tracking: 17hats offers time tracking, but as an add-on costing $5. But Dubsado doesn’t cover this at all. Agency Handy includes timers, manual logging, and timesheets so your hours are recorded and billable.
• Embed Tools You Already Use: Instead of switching between tabs, embed Google Drive, Figma, or YouTube directly inside Agency Handy. 
• Role-Based Access: Competitors keep permissions basic. With Agency Handy, you can set detailed access rules and even customize the sidebar so each user only sees what matters.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between 17hats vs Dubsado depends on how you work. 17hats is simple, quick to set up, and Dubsado, on the other hand, brings advanced automations with a steeper learning curve.

Meanwhile, Agency Handy steps in with features neither tool covers. With white-label branding, built-in ticketing, time tracking, and multi-payment options, it’s the best choice for agencies aiming to scale confidently.

FAQs

1. Which platform handles payments better: 17hats or Dubsado?

17hats limits payments to Stripe cards and ACH (U.S. only). Dubsado accepts 135+ currencies, ACH in U.S./Canada, buy-now-pay-later, Tap to Pay, and instant payouts within 30 minutes.

2. Is Dubsado harder to learn than 17hats?

Yes. 17hats has a short learning curve, while Dubsado requires time and patience to master. However, Dubsado’s extra complexity pays off if you need more control and customization.

3. Can I track projects and tasks on both platforms?

Yes. 17hats uses structured categories and task lists. Dubsado allows more flexible status tracking, automated to-do lists, and dynamic dashboards for pipeline visibility.