For service pros weighing their options
The free HoneyBook alternative with photo & video session updates.
HoneyBook's published pricing starts at $36/month ($29 billed annually) plus 2.9% + 25¢ on every card payment. 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 for one user. 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, files, invoices) | ||
| Service packages (good/better/best) | ||
| Deposit collected at approval | ||
| Online payments (card + ACH) | Stripe processing + 0.75% platform fee | 2.9% + 25¢ per card payment |
| Automated follow-ups & reminders | ||
| Contracts & e-signatures | One-tap quote approval (e-sign on the roadmap) | |
| 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.
Why crews switch
Software that already knows outdoor work
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 is checked against the forecast for that address. Rain on the job day, a cold snap that stops a cure, snow that triggers a plow route — you get warned first, and pointed to the clearer day.
Scheduling made for outdoor work
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.
One tool, not five — and free
Measuring, estimating, CRM, scheduling, and invoicing in one place, with no monthly subscription. No exporting takeoffs from one app into quotes in another.
An honest note
If your business leans hard on HoneyBook's template library, brochure builder, and formal contract workflows — and the subscription isn't a pain point — HoneyBook remains a strong choice. MakeHay wins when you want $0 software, your work happens on-site, 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, quotes, and invoices with balances. No password for them to forget — and you can reset or disable the link anytime.
Can I sell session packages?
Yes — quotes support up to three tiered options (say, 4, 6, or 12-session packages) 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 records a one-tap approval with a full audit trail (sent, viewed, approved, by whom, when) on every quote. Formal e-signature blocks are on the roadmap; for most session businesses the approval trail plus your terms on the quote covers the agreement.
Is MakeHay really free? How?
Everything that costs us nothing to run is free — CRM, scheduling, quotes, invoicing, portal, updates. MakeHay earns a small 0.75% platform fee when you take online payments, and down the road we'll charge for costly add-ons like text messaging. No subscription, ever.
Ready for software built for the way you work?
Start free today — and if you're switching, we'll help you move in.
Free forever for one user. Set up in minutes.