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Quick verdict: Dubsado (Starter $20/mo, Premier $40/mo) wins on value and customization. 17hats moved to a single all-inclusive plan at $60/mo ($600/yr) — simpler to understand but pricier, with some features (time tracking, extra brands) as paid add-ons. Pick Dubsado for flexibility and lower cost; 17hats if you prefer one simple plan.
Compared at a glance (2026)
| Dubsado | 17hats | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $20/mo (Premier $40) | $60/mo single plan |
| Model | Tiered | One all-inclusive plan + add-ons |
| Best for | Value + custom workflows | Simple, single-plan preference |
Pricing verified against 2026 sources incl. SoloPad and Taskip. Confirm current prices on each vendor’s site.
How we review: total cost, customization, ease of use, and real user feedback — see our methodology. Last updated July 2026.
Dubsado and 17hats are both all-in-one client-management tools for creatives and solo service businesses — contracts, invoices, workflows, and scheduling in one place. The decision usually comes down to pricing philosophy and how much you like to customize: Dubsado is cheaper and endlessly configurable, while 17hats sells one simple all-inclusive plan for people who would rather not think about tiers.
Pricing: tiered value vs one flat plan
Dubsado is the cheaper entry — $20/mo Starter, $40/mo Premier for unlimited clients, plus a free trial (up to three clients) to test it fully. 17hats has consolidated to a single all-inclusive plan around $60/mo ($600/yr); it is easy to understand but costs more, and a few extras (time tracking, additional brands) are paid add-ons. For most solos, Dubsado delivers more capability per dollar; 17hats appeals if you value one predictable bill over saving money.
Customization and automation
Dubsado is the more powerful, flexible platform. Its workflows support detailed triggers, delays, and conditional logic, and its forms and contracts are deeply customizable to your brand. 17hats automates the common lead-to-booking steps cleanly but with less depth and fewer branching options. If you enjoy engineering a tailored client process, Dubsado rewards it; if you want capable automation without the setup time, 17hats is simpler.
Ease of use and the client experience
17hats leans on a modern, minimalist dashboard that new users learn quickly, with a smooth mobile app for managing work on the go. Dubsado is clean but busier, and its power means a steeper initial setup. Both give clients a portal to view proposals, sign contracts, and pay online; Dubsado’s is more customizable, 17hats’ is faster to get running. Pick based on whether you want control or immediacy.
Bookkeeping and integrations
Dubsado pulls ahead on finances — profit-and-loss reporting, expense tracking, and a QuickBooks integration, plus Zapier for hundreds of app connections. 17hats covers invoicing, payment tracking, and basic bookkeeping with fewer detailed reports. If you want richer financial insight and integrations inside the tool, Dubsado is stronger; 17hats keeps the money side simple. For the HoneyBook angle on Dubsado, see our HoneyBook vs Dubsado guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dubsado or 17hats cheaper?
Dubsado is cheaper for most users — $20–$40/mo versus 17hats’ single ~$60/mo plan. Dubsado also has a free trial with up to three clients so you can test it before paying. 17hats costs more but bundles everything into one predictable plan.
Which has better automation?
Dubsado. Its workflows offer deeper triggers, delays, and conditional logic for building a fully automated client process. 17hats automates the common lead-nurture and booking steps well but with less depth and fewer customization options.
How much does 17hats cost?
17hats now uses a single all-inclusive plan at about $60/mo ($600/yr), with annual billing discounts. Some features like time tracking and extra brands are paid add-ons, so confirm current pricing on 17hats’ site before subscribing.
Is Dubsado worth it?
Yes, for solo businesses and creatives that want to automate contracts, invoicing, scheduling, and emails while keeping costs low. Its customization reduces manual follow-up work; the trade-off is a steeper initial setup than 17hats.
The bottom line
Choose Dubsado if you want the best value and the freedom to customize and automate your workflow in detail. Choose 17hats if you prefer one simple all-inclusive plan and a fast, modern interface over squeezing out savings. Both offer trials — run a real client through each and keep the one that matches how much you like to tinker.