HoneyBook raised prices 90% overnight. Here are the best alternatives for wedding photographers who just need proposals and payments.
HoneyBook raised its prices significantly in recent years — the Starter plan jumped nearly 90% overnight. For wedding photographers who just need proposals and payments, paying $59–$129/month for a full CRM feels like overkill.
If you're looking for a simpler, cheaper alternative, here's an honest breakdown of what's available in 2026.
Before comparing tools, it helps to know what you actually need vs. what you're paying for in a full CRM.
Most photographers need: a clean way to present pricing packages, online contract signing, deposit collection, and maybe a few automated emails.
Most photographers don't need: full project management pipelines, lead tracking dashboards, team collaboration tools, or complicated automations.
If you're a solo wedding photographer doing under 30 weddings a year, you're probably overpaying for features you never use.
Price: Free to start (pays per transaction)
ShootRate is built specifically for wedding photographers who want to send professional proposals and collect deposits — nothing more, nothing less. You create your packages, send a link, and the couple books and pays right there. No monthly subscription to get started. Best for photographers who want a lean, purpose-built tool without the CRM overhead.
Price: $20–$40/month
Dubsado is the most popular alternative to HoneyBook among photographers. It has a steeper learning curve but offers more flexibility. In a poll of 400+ photographers, Dubsado was chosen 2x more often than HoneyBook. Best for photographers who want full workflow automation and don't mind a setup investment.
Price: ~$25/month
Studio Ninja is built specifically for photographers (unlike HoneyBook which targets all service businesses). It's cheaper than HoneyBook with similar core features. Clean UI, solid contract and invoicing tools. Best for photographers who want a photographer-specific CRM at a reasonable price.
Price: $19–$25/month
Bonsai covers proposals, contracts, and invoicing. Not photography-specific but works well for those who also do other freelance work.
Price: Free under $10k/month processed
Maroo includes lead capture, quotes, contracts, invoicing, and payment processing at no monthly cost for lower-volume photographers. Worth considering if you're just starting out.
If HoneyBook's price hike pushed you to look around — you're not alone. For most solo wedding photographers, the choice comes down to: need just proposals + payments → ShootRate (free to start); need a full CRM → Dubsado or Studio Ninja; need the cheapest possible full CRM → Maroo or Bonsai.
Don't pay for features you won't use. Start lean, upgrade when you outgrow it.
No monthly fees to start. Create your packages, send a link, collect the deposit — all in one flow built for wedding photographers.
Get Started Free →