Bonsai - Track Time & Get Paid 4+

I’d been searching for apps to help manage projects for our Audio Recording and Production studio. Lots of apps either didn’t quite fit, and even their paid services were lacking. I’ve been incredibly happy with Bonsai, and have found their free services to be very helpful, but have been very happy to upgrade to the full service pricing. Bonsai’s feature that allows you to allow access to certain aspects of the tracking to customers and collaborators is phenomenal, but I do find the cost for adding a partner to be a little high.

After 20+ years in a B2B vertical, I find myself giving the freelance thing a go. Hello Bonsai is fantastic for what I need - primarily an invoicing tool with automated reminders, and the ability for clients to pay via ACH, credit card, or other methods like a check (or manually recorded if they pay outside the system). A second great feature is making proposals - and lots of templates to use, and one was perfect for what I needed - and the built-in ability to get a binding e-signature, no need for Docusign! A third feature that I use everyday is the project / task timer, so easy to keep track of billable hours, no need to use Toggl or another tool like that. And easy to change the hours manually, or keep track of many different projects / clients all at once. Haven’t had to use a lot of expense tracking but will be for sure needing it come tax time. Highly recommended!

I tolerated the perpetually glitchy UI because I just needed something to track my time and generate invoices. I’m a basic part time 1099 contractor. Other clients in the past have paid me through their payroll companies, but this month was my first invoice paid through Bonsai. I was paid on Friday the 28th, received and email telling me my account was frozen on Saturday the 29th, and was asked to verify my identity through a link that was never sent to me. So now it is the weekend, my account is frozen, no one will respond (see: weekend), and Bonsai is holding my money hostage. I can’t access my account to verify my identity or provide other information. When I set up my account I was as thorough as possible - there was no indication provided of “We at Bonsai will send your account into SUDDEN DEATH MODE the moment you receive money!” while I was setting up my account. Find another app - Bonsai is shady & their platform is buggy.