Given that both platforms provide strong invoicing solutions, it is essential to comprehend the main distinctions between Bloom and Bonsai in order to make the best choice for your company.
Invoicing features like custom templates, estimates and expense tracking are provided by both Bloom and Bonsai. However, Bonsai is better suited for professional service providers due to its mileage tracking, tax computations, user permissions and project-based billing.
While Bonsai offers a premium plan with no free trial that ranges from $15/month to $59/month, Bloom offers a free plan for new businesses and freelancers on a tight budget. Both support up to three users and provide storage allocations.
Whereas Bonsai limits usage to single users and only the Elite plan supports small teams, Bloom and Bonsai offer unlimited user tiers, making them perfect for expanding agencies.
Bloom provides comprehensive CRM integration, API access and website embedding capabilities while Bonsai specializes in financial management with bank connections, pre-built reports and custom report creation.
While neither service provides round-the-clock help, both provide data encryption, GDPR compliance, FDIC pass-through deposit insurance, automatic backup options and comparable customer support channels.
While Bonsai provides advanced financial reporting, mileage tracking and business analytics for seasoned professionals, Bloom is more affordable for expanding teams and offers unlimited users and integration options. Both are excellent at what they do.
| Bloom | Bonsai | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Features | ||
| Custom Templates | Multiple portfolio and invoice templates available | Hundreds of customizable invoice templates |
| Send Estimates/Quotations | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring Billing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Time Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Mileage Tracking | No | Yes |
| Automated Payment Reminders | Yes | Yes (reminder button available) |
| Project-Based Billing | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Handling | Yes | Yes |
| User Permissions/Role Management | Yes | Yes |
| File Uploads | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing and Plans | ||
| Free Plan Availability | Yes | No (7-day free trial only) |
| Pricing Range | Starter: $9/month Standard: $22/month Plus: $39/month |
Basic: $15/month Essentials: $25/month Premium: $39/month Elite: $59/month |
| Trial Period | 7 days | 7 days full unlimited access |
| User Limits | Starter: 1 user Standard: 1 user Plus: unlimited users |
Basic: 1 user Essentials: 1 user Premium: 1 user Elite: 3 users |
| Client Limits | Not explicitly limited | Unlimited clients & projects |
| Storage Limits | Starter: 100 GB/month Standard: 1 TB/month Plus: 2 TB/month |
Not specified |
| Payment Processing Fees | Credit Card (Stripe): 2.9% + $0.30 American Express: 3.4% + $0.30 ACH: 0.8% |
Stripe fees apply |
| Ease of Use | ||
| User Interface | Simple and elegant design | Simple to Moderate |
| Onboarding Experience | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App Availability | Yes | Both |
| Mobile App Functionality | Project Management, Workflows, Instant Booking, Client Communication | Yes |
| Integration | ||
| Payment Gateways Supported | Stripe, Square, Alternative Payment Methods | Stripe Payments Company |
| Accounting Software Compatibility | QuickBooks, Xero | QuickBooks, Xero others |
| CRM Integration | Zapier, Direct Integrations, Calendar Sync, Website Embeds | Limited CRM integrations |
| API Availability | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Bank Connections | No | Yes |
| Pre-Built Financial Reports | No | Yes |
| Custom Report Creation | No | Yes |
| Security & Compliance | ||
| Dashboard Metrics | Yes | Yes |
| Data Encryption | Yes | FDIC pass-through deposit insurance eligible |
| GDPR Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| Backup Options | No | Automatic |
| Customer Support | ||
| Support Channels | Chat, Email | Chat/Email |
| Help Center/Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Support | No | No |
| Adaptability | ||
| Multi-Currency Support | Yes | Yes |
| Localization | Yes | Limited languages |
| Industry-Specific Customization | Yes | Yes (freelancers, contractors) |
| Scalability | Freelancers to Small-Medium Agencies | Freelancers and small businesses |
| Read Bloom Review | Read Bonsai Review |
