Float vs Bonsai (2025 Comparison)
Float offers intuitive resource management and robust scheduling features, making it ideal for teams. Its seamless integrations enhance collaboration, though contract management is limited.
- Intuitive resource management interface
- Robust project scheduling features
- Seamless integrations with popular tools
- Limited contract management features
- Customer support can be slow
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$6.50 per person/month
Bonsai provides comprehensive invoicing and contract tools, perfect for freelancers. Its excellent time tracking and user-friendly interface streamline freelancing tasks.
- Comprehensive invoicing and contract tools
- Excellent time tracking integration
- User-friendly interface for freelancers
- Less suited for large teams
- Basic project scheduling features
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$9 per month per userWhat is Float?
Float is a resource management software designed to help teams plan, track, and manage their projects efficiently. It offers a visual interface that makes scheduling and resource allocation intuitive and straightforward. With Float, you can easily see who is working on what, manage workloads, and adjust plans in real-time. This tool is particularly beneficial for project managers and team leaders who need to keep track of multiple projects and resources simultaneously, ensuring that deadlines are met and resources are optimally utilized.
What is Bonsai?
Bonsai is a comprehensive freelancing platform that offers a suite of tools to help freelancers manage their business operations seamlessly. From contract creation to invoicing and time tracking, Bonsai provides everything a freelancer needs to stay organized and professional. It simplifies the administrative side of freelancing, allowing users to focus more on their creative work. Bonsai is ideal for freelancers who want to streamline their workflow and ensure they get paid on time, without the hassle of managing multiple tools.
Pros and Cons of Float vs Bonsai
Pros & Cons of Float
- Float offers an intuitive resource management interface that makes it easy to allocate and track resources across multiple projects. This feature is particularly beneficial for teams looking to optimize their workload distribution.
- With Float, you can plan and adjust project schedules effortlessly, thanks to its robust scheduling features. This makes it ideal for teams that need to manage complex project timelines.
- Float integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Slack and Asana, enhancing its utility for team collaboration. This makes it a versatile choice for teams using multiple software solutions.
- Float's contract management features are limited compared to other tools, making it less suitable for users who need comprehensive contract management capabilities.
- While Float offers customer support, it can be slow during peak times, which may be frustrating for users who need immediate assistance.
Pros & Cons of Bonsai
- Bonsai provides comprehensive invoicing tools that allow freelancers to create professional invoices quickly and easily. This feature is invaluable for freelancers who need to streamline their billing process.
- Bonsai's time tracking integrates seamlessly with its invoicing and contract management tools, making it easy to track billable hours and ensure accurate invoicing.
- Bonsai offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies freelancing tasks, allowing users to focus more on their creative work and less on administrative tasks.
- Bonsai is less suited for large teams, as its features are primarily designed for individual freelancers and small teams.
- While Bonsai offers scheduling features, they are more basic compared to other tools, making it less ideal for users who need advanced scheduling capabilities.
Float vs Bonsai: At A Glance
Value to Price
Float offers a competitive pricing model that aligns well with its robust features, making it a great choice for teams looking for value. Bonsai, on the other hand, provides excellent value for freelancers with its all-in-one platform, slightly edging out Float in terms of cost-effectiveness for individual users. If you're a freelancer, Bonsai might offer more bang for your buck.
Ease of Use
Float's interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for teams to get started quickly. Bonsai also excels in ease of use, with a streamlined interface that simplifies freelancing tasks. Bonsai's simplicity makes it particularly appealing for freelancers who want to minimize time spent on administrative tasks.
Functionality
Float provides comprehensive project management features that cater to team needs, including resource allocation and scheduling. Bonsai offers a wide range of functionalities tailored for freelancers, such as contract management and invoicing. For freelancers, Bonsai's functionality is unmatched, while Float is ideal for team-based project management.
Scalability
Float is designed to scale with growing teams, offering features that support larger projects and more complex resource management. Bonsai is also scalable, but its focus remains on individual freelancers and small teams. If you're planning to scale your team, Float might be the better option.
Integrations
Float integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Slack and Asana, enhancing its utility for team collaboration. Bonsai also offers integrations, but they are more focused on financial and productivity tools. For teams needing extensive integrations, Float is the better choice.
Customer Support
Float provides reliable customer support, though it can be limited during peak times. Bonsai offers responsive support, particularly beneficial for freelancers who need quick resolutions. If immediate support is crucial, Bonsai might be more suitable.
Security
Both Float and Bonsai prioritize security, with robust measures in place to protect user data. Bonsai slightly edges out with additional security features tailored for financial transactions. If security is a top concern, Bonsai offers a slight advantage.
Overall Rating
Overall, Bonsai scores higher due to its comprehensive suite of tools for freelancers and excellent ease of use. Float remains a strong contender for team-based project management, offering robust features and scalability. Choose Bonsai for freelancing needs and Float for team projects.
Float vs Bonsai: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Resource Management
Float excels in resource management, offering a visual interface that makes it easy to allocate and track resources across multiple projects. I found it particularly useful for managing team workloads and ensuring that no one is overburdened. Bonsai, while offering some resource management features, is more focused on individual freelancers. If you're managing a team, Float's resource management capabilities are more robust and suited to your needs.
Time Tracking
Both Float and Bonsai offer time tracking features, but Bonsai's is more comprehensive, integrating seamlessly with its invoicing and contract management tools. I appreciated how Bonsai's time tracking automatically linked to invoices, saving me time and reducing errors. If you're a freelancer who needs to track billable hours accurately, Bonsai's time tracking is superior.
Invoicing
Bonsai's invoicing feature is top-notch, allowing freelancers to create professional invoices quickly and easily. It integrates with time tracking and contract management, making the entire process seamless. Float offers invoicing, but it's not as comprehensive as Bonsai's. If invoicing is a critical part of your workflow, Bonsai is the better choice.
Contract Management
Bonsai shines in contract management, providing templates and tools to create, send, and sign contracts effortlessly. This feature is invaluable for freelancers who need to formalize agreements with clients. Float doesn't offer the same level of contract management, making Bonsai the clear winner for freelancers who need this functionality.
Project Scheduling
Float's project scheduling is intuitive and powerful, allowing teams to plan and adjust schedules with ease. I found it particularly helpful for visualizing project timelines and dependencies. Bonsai offers scheduling features, but they are more basic. For teams that need advanced scheduling capabilities, Float is the better option.
Collaboration Tools
Both Float and Bonsai offer collaboration tools, but Float's are more geared towards team environments, with features like shared calendars and task assignments. Bonsai's collaboration tools are more suited to freelancers working with clients. If you're part of a team, Float's collaboration features are more comprehensive.
Pricing Comparison of Float and Bonsai
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Float and Bonsai. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your projects or freelancing business.
Float Pricing Plans
- Capacity management and forecasting to optimize resource allocation.
- Mobile app and integrations for seamless connectivity and access.
- Unlimited guest users to collaborate with external stakeholders.
- 24 hour/5 day support for timely assistance and issue resolution.
- Pre-filled timesheets to streamline time entry and reduce errors.
- Desktop timer app for easy time tracking and productivity.
- Saved custom views for personalized project management experience.
- 180 day audit log for comprehensive tracking and compliance.
- Service Level Agreements (SLA) for guaranteed service quality.
- Personalized onboarding for smooth transition and setup.
- Priority support for quick resolution of critical issues.
- Manual payment options for flexible billing arrangements.
Bonsai Pricing Plans
- Comprehensive CRM to manage client relationships effectively.
- Access to a service library for streamlined operations.
- Available on iOS and Android apps for on-the-go management.
- Unlimited clients to expand your business reach.
- Access to all templates for various business needs.
- Forms and questionnaires for client feedback and data collection.
- Scheduling tools to manage appointments and meetings.
- Expense and income tracking for financial management.
- Gantt view for detailed project timelines and planning.
- Custom fields and properties for tailored project management.
- Client portal for seamless client interactions and communications.
- Profit and productivity reports for business performance analysis.
- Request and staffing management for efficient team operations.
- Timesheet locking to ensure accurate time tracking.
- Add markup to expenses for better cost management.
- Hubspot integration for seamless CRM operations.
Our Rating Methodology
We rigorously evaluate each project management and freelancing tool, focusing on key factors like functionality, ease of use, and scalability. By analyzing user reviews and conducting hands-on testing, we ensure our recommendations are reliable. Each factor is weighted by importance to deliver an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Float or Bonsai: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Float If You Need ...
- Ideal for team projects
If you are managing a team and need a tool with robust project scheduling and resource management features, Float is the ideal choice. Its intuitive interface and seamless integrations make it perfect for team collaboration.
- Comprehensive resource management
If you require comprehensive resource management capabilities to optimize workload distribution across multiple projects, Float is the better option. Its visual interface makes it easy to allocate and track resources effectively.
Choose Bonsai If You Need ...
- Perfect for freelancers
If you are a freelancer looking for a comprehensive tool to manage invoicing, contracts, and time tracking, Bonsai is the perfect choice. Its user-friendly interface and seamless integration of features make it ideal for freelancers.
- Streamlined invoicing and contracts
If you need a tool that offers streamlined invoicing and contract management, Bonsai is the better option. Its comprehensive suite of tools simplifies the administrative side of freelancing, allowing you to focus on your creative work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for team collaboration?
Is Bonsai suitable for large teams?
Does Float offer contract management features?
Which tool offers better invoicing capabilities?
Can Float handle complex project scheduling?
Which tool is more cost-effective for freelancers?
Anastasia Belyh
Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.
