Bonsai alternative · pay once
A pay-once Bonsai alternative for freelancers who just need time, quotes and invoices
On Bonsai, invoices start with the Essentials plan at $25 a month, or $19 a month billed yearly. If you mainly track hours, send quotes and invoice the time, Proposeroo Desk does that part in your browser for $29 once, with unlimited clients on Pro.
Proposeroo Desk vs Bonsai, side by side
An honest look, including where Bonsai does more.
| Proposeroo Desk | Bonsai | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29 once (Pro) · free with 1 client · Team of 5 $79 once | Basic $15/user/mo ($9 yearly, no invoices) · Essentials $25/user/mo ($19 yearly) · Premium $39 ($29 yearly) · Elite $59 ($49 yearly, 3 users minimum) |
| Free option | Free forever with 1 client, every feature | 7-day free trial, then a paid plan |
| Time tracking | One-click timer + manual entries | Yes, on every plan |
| Invoices | Invoice unbilled time in one click; PDF; paid/overdue tracking | Essentials and above, with online payments |
| Quotes / proposals | Quotes that convert to invoices | Proposals and contracts (Essentials and above) |
| Online payments, client portal, scheduling | No | Yes (Essentials and above; processing fees apply) |
| Remove vendor branding | Pro removes the invoice footer | Premium and above |
| Account needed | No | Yes |
| Where data lives | Your browser on your device | Bonsai's servers |
What a subscription costs you over time
Pick the tool you pay for now. These are list prices from each vendor's own pricing page, checked October 17, 2026.
Desk Pro covers unlimited clients and every v1.x update. Free with 1 client if you want to try it first.
List prices only. Not counted: intro discounts (FreshBooks currently advertises 80% off for the first 4 months), payment processing fees, taxes, add-ons, extra seats, and Harvest's usage-based charges on paid plans. Harvest also has a free plan (1 seat, 2 projects). Bonsai invoicing starts at its Essentials plan; Basic ($9 to $15/mo) tracks time but doesn't include invoices. Sources: freshbooks.com/2026-faq-price-change · freshbooks.com/pricing · getharvest.com/pricing · hellobonsai.com/pricing · honeybook.com/pricing. Prices can change; check each vendor's site. Orvian Market isn't affiliated with any vendor named here.
Which one fits you?
Both can be the right call. Here's how to pick.
Pick Proposeroo Desk if…
- You use Bonsai mostly for the timer and invoices
- You don't want to pay $228 to $300 a year just to send invoices
- You want client data on your own device, exportable as JSON and CSV
Stay with Bonsai if…
- You send contracts or want clients to pay online from the invoice
- You use the client portal, forms, scheduling or expense tracking
- You need mobile apps, cloud sync or accounting integrations
FAQ
How much does Bonsai cost?
Bonsai's pricing page lists Basic at $15 per user per month ($9 billed yearly), Essentials at $25 ($19 yearly), Premium at $39 ($29 yearly) and Elite at $59 ($49 yearly, 3 users minimum). Invoices and payments start with Essentials. Check Bonsai's site for current details.
Does Bonsai have a free plan?
Its pricing page describes a 7-day free trial, after which you choose a paid plan. Proposeroo Desk is free with 1 client and every feature, with no time limit.
Can I move my Bonsai data?
There's no direct Bonsai import. Add your current clients in a minute and start tracking from today. Keep Bonsai's exports for your records.
Is there another free option?
Yes. If you only need basic invoices and don't mind an online account, Zoho Invoice has a free plan (its pricing page lists up to 3 projects and 500 invoices a year, with Zoho branding). Desk is the pick if you bill by the hour and want time turned into invoices.
More comparisons: Desk vs FreshBooksDesk vs HarvestDesk vs HoneyBookWindows, no subscriptionFree quote checker
Bonsai prices are from its public pricing page (hellobonsai.com/pricing), checked October 17, 2026. Zoho Invoice details are from zoho.com/us/invoice/pricing, checked October 17, 2026. Prices can change; always confirm on the vendor's site. Orvian Market is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bonsai. All trademarks belong to their owners. Refunds: request one through your Gumroad receipt within 14 days of purchase.
Track the time. Send the invoice. Pay once.
Free with 1 client. Pro is $29 one time, with a 14-day refund through Gumroad.