For businesses weighing their options
The free HoneyBook alternative with photo & video session updates.
HoneyBook's published pricing starts at $36/month ($29 billed annually) plus card fees it publishes at 2.7–2.9% + 10–25¢. MakeHay gives you the client portal, packages, deposits, scheduling, and invoicing free — and adds the thing clients actually rave about: photo and video updates from every session, sent while you work.
Free forever. No credit card. Set up in minutes.
Switching? We'll help you move your customer list — support@makehay.io.
Side by side
MakeHay vs HoneyBook, feature by feature
HoneyBook is polished, mature software with a deep template library — this isn't a takedown. The difference is the monthly bill, and what happens during the work itself: MakeHay lets you send the client photos and videos mid-session, straight into their portal.
| Feature | MakeHay | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free — no trial clock, no seat fees | From $36/mo ($29/mo annual) as of mid-2026 |
| Photo & video session updates to clients | ||
| Client portal (schedule, messages, documents, invoices) | ||
| Two-way messaging with photos | ||
| Service packages (good/better/best) | ||
| Deposit collected at approval | ||
| Online payments (card + ACH) | Card + ACH through your own Stripe account (see pricing) | Card fees published at 2.7–2.9% + 10–25¢; ACH 1.5% |
| Automated follow-ups & reminders | ||
| Contracts & e-signatures | Signed online — audit trail + signed PDF (ESIGN/UETA) | |
| Lead-capture form you can embed on your site | Free — script, popup, or link | |
| Weather-aware scheduling for outdoor sessions | ||
| Template & brochure library | 100+ designed templates |
HoneyBook pricing and fees from honeybook.com/pricing as of mid-2026 — verify current pricing there. HoneyBook is a trademark of HoneyBook, Inc.; MakeHay is not affiliated.
See the full pricing comparison and try the free satellite measurement tool before you sign up.
Why businesses switch
Everything you switch for, free
Measure the site before you drive to it
Pull up any address on satellite view, trace the areas, and measure the runs — square feet and linear feet, straight into your quote. Older imagery is one dropdown away when today's photo hides what you need to see.
Quotes in the units you bid in
Per square foot, per linear foot, per item, or flat — with categories so the customer sees a clean total, good/better/best packages when you want to upsell, and one-tap approval that skips the printer.
Weather watching every job
Every scheduled visit carries the forecast for that address, and the rules you set once per trade or service — rain, temps, cure window — turn it into warnings. Rain on the job day, a cold snap that stops a cure, rain inside the cure window after you leave — you get warned first, and pointed to the clearer day.
Scheduling made for real jobs
Multi-day jobs, split visits, recurring routes — drag them on the calendar, and unscheduled work sits in a tray so nothing gets forgotten.
Paid without the chase
Approved quote to invoice in one click. Card and ACH online, checks recorded in seconds, and automatic follow-ups so overdue money doesn't stay overdue.
A portal your customers actually use
Every customer gets one private link — messages with photos, documents you request, a heads-up on any contract waiting for their e-signature, and invoices they pay. No app, no password. Free, like everything else.
An honest note
If your business leans hard on HoneyBook's template library and brochure builder — and the subscription isn't a pain point — HoneyBook remains a strong choice. MakeHay wins when you want $0 software, you quote and schedule sessions, and showing clients the work (photos, videos, updates) is part of the service.
FAQ
Common questions
Can my clients see updates while I'm working with their dog?
Yes — that's the feature that brings trainers to MakeHay. Snap photos or short videos during the session, add a note, and send: your client gets an email and the media lands in their private portal gallery. HoneyBook has no equivalent.
Does MakeHay have a client portal like HoneyBook's?
Yes. Every customer gets one private link with their upcoming sessions, session updates, messages, documents, quotes, and invoices with balances. No password for them to forget — and you can reset or disable the link anytime.
Can I sell 4-, 6-, or 12-session packages like HoneyBook's?
Yes — quotes support up to three tiered options with one highlighted as recommended. Your client picks a tier and approves with one tap, and you can collect a deposit at that moment.
What about contracts and signatures?
MakeHay has both: one-tap quote approval with a full audit trail (sent, viewed, approved, by whom, when), and formal e-signatures for contracts and waivers. Your client signs from the link MakeHay emails them, on any device — no account needed; MakeHay records who signed, when, and from where, and stores the signed PDF with their documents — built to ESIGN and UETA requirements.
Is MakeHay really free? How?
CRM, scheduling, quotes, invoicing, the client portal, updates, and e-signatures are all free. Online payments carry processing costs, as on any platform (details on the pricing page). No subscription, ever.
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