Harvest vs Bonsai vs Kosmo
We all know that being a freelancer can be tough. There are so many different things to keep track of, from clients to projects to deadlines. And, on top of all of that, you must try to find time to market your business and find new clients. It can be a lot to handle, but luckily there are tools to help. In this blog post, we will compare some of the most popular project management tools to help you decide which one is right for you.
Let’s take a closer look at Harvest, Bonsai and Kosmo to see which one might be the best project management option for your business.
Harvest vs Bonsai vs Kosmo Features Comparison
| Feature | Harvest | Bonsai | Kosmo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, $12/month | Monthly plans $19, $29 | Free or $9/month |
| Projects | 2 Free, Unlimited (paid) | Unlimited (paid) | 2 Free, Unlimited (paid) |
| Invoicing | yes | yes | yes |
| Time Tracking | yes | yes | yes |
| Task Management | no | yes | yes |
| Proposals | no | yes | yes |
| Contracts | no | yes | yes |
| Total Price Per Year | Free, $129 | $192 or $288 | 👍 Free or $90 |
Overall the three platforms offer many similar features. In the end, users are likely to make their decision based on personal preference and needed features. Kosmo for example offers completely custom contracts that can be signed online as well as invoices that allow you to add your own branding.
Kosmo’s platform is simple to use and intuitive, cutting down on onboarding time so freelancers can continue focusing on what they do best.
Following are a few snapshots of what an Invoice would look like on each platform.
Invoice preview using Harvest
Invoice preview using Bonsai
Invoice preview using Kosmo
What is the price difference between Harvest, Bonsai and Kosmo?
Bonsai does not offer a free plan and you need to enter your credit card information to use their 14 days trial. They offer a limited plan for $19/month, but if you would like to use all features you need to subscribe to Bonsai’s Plus plan at $29/month. Bonsai also charges you a 1% fee on top of the PayPal and Stripe fees, if you want to use your own PayPal or Stripe account.
Harvest offers a free plan that allows you to have up to 2 active projects within their software. When you need more projects, you’ll have to update to their $12/month plan.
Kosmo’s free plan includes 2 clients, 2 projects, 1 invoice per month and more essential features. Plus, you don’t need to enter your credit card to get started. If your freelancing business grows you can upgrade to the unlimited plan for $9/month. Kosmo also allows you to add your own PayPal and Stripe account and does not charge any processing fees.
The yearly price difference when comparing all three platforms is significant. Harvest offer both a limited free plan and a paid plan at $129 per year. Bonsai starts at $192/year, but also has a $288/year plan. Kosmo offers a free plan as well as a $90/year pro plan.
Harvest vs Bonsai vs Kosmo: The Final Verdict
Harvest, Bonsai and Kosmo are all freelance project management platforms designed to help freelancers (and other businesses) optimize their operations. All three platforms offer similar features that differ on complexity and customization options. In the end it comes down to what the freelancer truly needs to run an efficient business.
Harvest does a good job as a time-tracking app, but lacks some important features like proposals, todo-lists and standard contracts, that many freelancers are looking for in a project management software. Their $12/month plan is definitely more affordable than many competitors, but also comes with fewer features that several competitors offer as part of their standard premium plan.
If you don’t work for a large agency and are looking for a clean uncluttered interface, beautiful branded invoices, customizable documents and a competitive price – Kosmo will work best for you. Also, you can use your own payment accounts like PayPal and Stripe. Kosmo does not charge any processing fees on those payments.
Overall, Bonsai provides a lot of functionality at different price points (if you want them all you need to purchase all their add-ons like Bonsai Tax at another $10/month), but the lack of a free plan makes it less appealing to freelancers that don’t have many new clients sign up on a weekly basis. The yearly price of $192 might be a bit too much for many freelancers and the additional 1% fee on PayPal and Stripe payments is another expense to be aware of.
If you are still undecided take a look at these HelloBonsai alternatives:
- Bonsai vs Harvest
- Bonsai vs Plutio
- Bonsai vs Honeybook
- Bonsai vs Freshbooks
- Bonsai vs Dubsado
- Bonsai vs 17hats
- Bonsai vs Fiverr Workspace
Do you prefer the features of Harvest? Checkout these comparisons:
🤖 Why should I sign up for Kosmo?
- Functional free plan with Clients, Projects, Time Tracking, Invoices and everything needed to get new and established freelancers going.
- Simple and easy to use platform.
- Beautiful invoices and proposals.
- Founder level support that cares about your business.
Get Organized & Win More Clients
Kosmo has everything you need to run your freelancing business.
