Updated October 18, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
Freshworks vs HoneyBook
Freshworks
Higher score in this comparison
HoneyBook
What sets them apart
| Compare | FreshworksReviewVisitVisit | HoneyBookReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Free trial length | 14 days | 30 daysHigher |
| Plan tiers | Growth, Pro, Enterprise | Starter, Essentials, Premium |
| Product | CRM, Help deskCovers more | CRM |
| Integrations | Not confirmed | 40 |
| Compliance certifications | SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27701:2019, SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 3 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Freshworks scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Free plan: only Freshworks.
- Free trial length is higher at HoneyBook: 30 days vs 14 days.
- Support channels: only Freshworks offers Email, Phone.
- Support channels: only HoneyBook offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Freshworks: 2010 vs 2013.
- Freshworks is available in 3 more countries.
- Audience: only Freshworks offers Enterprise.
- Pricing model: only Freshworks offers Free plan.
- Product: only Freshworks offers Help desk.
Our verdict on each
Freshworks
Freshworks focuses on AI powered customer support and employee service software built around automated workflows. It is a software provider for agile enterprises and growing teams that want employee and customer requests handled on one shared platform across IT and business functions with less friction.
HoneyBook
HoneyBook suits small businesses that want a CRM, scheduling, payments and e-signature in one subscription, not buyers who need a free plan. Entry pricing starts at $36 on a Starter, Essentials, Premium structure, and support runs through help centre and community.
Score breakdown
| Area | Freshworks | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Higher | 9.2Entry sits at $36 on a free trial model, while ClearCRM, Dolisoft and HubSpot all offer a free plan. |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 8.7One subscription covers automation, project management, payments, scheduling and e-signature, with 40 integrations. |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 8.8Run by HoneyBook Inc. in US, founded in 2013, with support through help centre and community. |
Licences and countries
| Country | Freshworks | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
Available in 3 countries for both. Additional countries for Freshworks: 4. Additional countries for HoneyBook: 1.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Freshworks | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| CRM software | 5 of 161 | 13 of 161 |
A third option
Erply has free trial length at 60 days, against 14 days for Freshworks and 30 days for HoneyBook.
Erply reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Freshworks | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Small business, EnterpriseCovers more | Small business |
| Pricing model | Free plan, Free trialCovers more | Free trial |
| Legal entity | Freshworks Inc. | HoneyBook Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2010Lower | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Help centre, Community |
Business tools
| Fact | Freshworks | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $36 |
| Usage limits | Not confirmed | Up to 2 live lead forms |
| Tool type | Not confirmed | Automation, Project management, Payments, Scheduling, E signature |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Freshworks | HoneyBook | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 14 daysat the median | 30 dayshighest quarter | 14 days |
| Integrations | Not confirmed | 40below the median | 77 |
Median across 81 listed software products.
Pros and cons
Freshworks
Pros
- Combines customer support and employee service on shared AI workflows
- Covers email, chat, messaging and voice with unified customer context
- Extends the same platform to HR, Finance and Legal teams
Cons
- Narrow focus on service operations rather than broad business software
- Built for agile enterprises at scale, less simple for tiny teams
HoneyBook
Pros
- One subscription covers automation, project management and payments rather than separate tools for each job.
- 40 integrations connect the CRM to the tools a small business already runs.
- A free trial of 30 days lets a team test the workflow before paying, and HubSpot, ClearCRM and Dolisoft free-plan users can compare the trial against a free tier.
Cons
- Free plan: no, so a small business cannot run HoneyBook at no cost the way HubSpot, ClearCRM and Dolisoft allow.
- Usage is capped at Up to 2 live lead forms, which is a tight ceiling for a team collecting more inbound enquiries.
- Support runs through help centre and community only, with no listed phone or live chat route for a business that cannot wait on a community answer.
Who each suits
Freshworks
Who it suits
- Agile enterprises coordinating IT and customer support
- Business teams sharing one employee service platform
- Support leaders seeking round the clock automated assistance
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams needing tools outside service and support operations
HoneyBook
Who it suits
- Small service businesses running bookings, client payments and contracts from one place
- Solo operators and small teams that only need a free trial rather than a free plan
- Businesses already settled on the Starter, Essentials, Premium plan structure
Who should look elsewhere
- HubSpot users who want to start on a free plan and add paid tiers later
- ClearCRM users who need contact volume beyond Up to 2 live lead forms
- Dolisoft users who want a self-hosted open source option
Current offers
HoneyBook
Current offer
Discount code
Enjoy 2 months free on annual plans: 2 months free
On annual plans
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Freshworks | HoneyBook |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | No | Yes |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| India | Yes | No |
| Netherlands | Yes | No |
| Australia | Yes | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | Yes |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Freshworks
What does Freshworks provide?+
Freshworks provides AI powered software for customer service and employee service. It supports scalable experiences intended to boost productivity, streamline operations and drive growth. The focus is coordinated support across customer and employee requests.
How does Freshworks support customer conversations?+
Freshworks supports conversations across email, chat, messaging and voice. Agents work from a unified view of customer history and context. The workspace is designed to help teams resolve questions faster and prioritize important work.
HoneyBook
Does HoneyBook have a free plan?+
The free plan is no. HoneyBook lists no permanently free version, and its model is a free trial instead. Access starts with a trial that runs 30 days, after which a paid subscription is needed. HubSpot, ClearCRM and Dolisoft each publish a free plan, so readers who want a permanent no cost starting point have alternatives to weigh.
What does HoneyBook cost to start?+
Entry pricing starts at $36, and plans are organised as Starter, Essentials, Premium. Because there is no free plan, that entry figure is what a small business actually pays once the trial ends, so the renewal figure is the one to budget against. For context, the median per user entry price across the sites tracked here is €21.75.