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HoneyBook vs Hiver (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Anastasia Belyh

Last Update

Nov 22, 2024

We earn a commission from partner links on Keevee. Commissions do not affect our editor's opinions or evaluations.

Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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HoneyBook

HoneyBook is an all-in-one client management solution for creative professionals. Its comprehensive project management and invoicing features streamline workflows, allowing you to focus on your creative work.

  • Comprehensive project management features.
  • Easy invoicing and payment tracking.
  • Customizable templates for branding.
  • Limited email management capabilities.
  • Learning curve for new users.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$16 per month
Good Value For Price
4.1

0

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Hiver

Hiver transforms Gmail into a powerful customer support tool. Its seamless integration and robust email management features enhance team collaboration and improve customer satisfaction.

  • Seamless Gmail integration.
  • Efficient shared inbox management.
  • Robust email tracking features.
  • Limited project management tools.
  • No invoicing features.

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$19 per month per user

What is HoneyBook?

HoneyBook is a comprehensive client management software designed to streamline business operations for creative entrepreneurs and freelancers. It offers tools for project management, invoicing, and client communication, all in one place. By automating administrative tasks, HoneyBook allows users to focus on their creative work, enhancing productivity and client satisfaction. Its user-friendly interface and customizable templates make it easy to manage projects and maintain professional relationships.

What is Hiver?

Hiver is a Gmail-based helpdesk solution that transforms your email into a powerful customer support tool. It allows teams to manage shared inboxes, assign tasks, and track email conversations efficiently. Hiver's intuitive interface and seamless integration with Gmail make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to enhance their customer support operations without leaving their email platform. It helps teams collaborate effectively, ensuring timely responses and improved customer satisfaction.

Pros and Cons of HoneyBook vs Hiver

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Pros & Cons of HoneyBook

Comprehensive project management
  • HoneyBook offers a wide range of project management features that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Its tools are designed to help creative professionals manage their projects efficiently.
Easy invoicing and payment tracking
  • With HoneyBook, creating and tracking invoices is straightforward, making it easier for businesses to manage their finances and ensure timely payments from clients.
Customizable templates
  • HoneyBook provides customizable templates that allow users to maintain consistent branding across all client communications, enhancing professionalism and brand recognition.
Limited email management
  • HoneyBook's focus on project management means it lacks robust email management features, which might be a drawback for businesses that rely heavily on email communication.
Learning curve for new users
  • New users may find HoneyBook's extensive features overwhelming at first, requiring time and effort to fully understand and utilize the platform's capabilities.
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Pros & Cons of Hiver

Seamless Gmail integration
  • Hiver integrates seamlessly with Gmail, allowing users to manage customer support and team collaboration directly from their email, enhancing efficiency and productivity.
Efficient shared inbox management
  • Hiver's shared inbox feature enables teams to collaborate effectively, ensuring that customer queries are addressed promptly and efficiently, improving customer satisfaction.
Robust email tracking
  • Hiver's email tracking capabilities provide valuable insights into email interactions, helping businesses monitor communication effectiveness and improve response times.
Limited project management
  • Hiver's focus on email management means it lacks comprehensive project management tools, which might be a limitation for businesses needing more robust project tracking features.
No invoicing features
  • Hiver does not offer invoicing capabilities, which could be a drawback for businesses that require integrated financial management tools within their email platform.

HoneyBook vs Hiver: At A Glance

Decision FactorHoneyBookHiver
Value to Price
Excellent4.5
Good4.2
Ease of Use
Good4.2
Excellent4.3
Functionality
Excellent4.4
Good4.1
Scalability
Excellent4.3
Good4.0
Integrations
Good4.1
Excellent4.4
Customer Support
Good4.2
Excellent4.3
Security
Excellent4.3
Good4.2
Overall Rating
Excellent4.3
Good4.1

Value to Price

HoneyBook offers a robust set of features at a competitive price, making it a great value for creative professionals. Its all-in-one platform reduces the need for multiple subscriptions, saving costs. Hiver, while slightly more expensive, provides excellent value for businesses heavily reliant on email-based customer support. If you prioritize comprehensive client management, HoneyBook is the better choice.

Ease of Use

Hiver's integration with Gmail makes it incredibly easy to use, especially for teams already familiar with the platform. HoneyBook, while user-friendly, may require a learning curve for those new to client management software. If you want a seamless transition with minimal training, Hiver is the way to go.

Functionality

HoneyBook excels in providing a wide range of functionalities, from project management to invoicing, all tailored for creative professionals. Hiver focuses on enhancing email-based customer support, offering features like shared inboxes and task assignments. For comprehensive business management, HoneyBook is superior.

Scalability

Both HoneyBook and Hiver offer scalable solutions, but HoneyBook's extensive features make it more adaptable for growing businesses. Hiver is ideal for scaling customer support operations within email platforms. If you anticipate significant business growth, HoneyBook is the better option.

Integrations

Hiver's seamless integration with Gmail is a standout feature, allowing teams to manage customer support without leaving their email. HoneyBook offers integrations with various tools, enhancing its versatility. If email integration is crucial, Hiver is the preferred choice.

Customer Support

Both tools offer reliable customer support, but Hiver's focus on email-based support gives it an edge in this dimension. HoneyBook provides excellent support for its platform, ensuring users can maximize its features. If email support is your priority, Hiver is the better option.

Security

Security is a priority for both HoneyBook and Hiver, with robust measures in place to protect user data. HoneyBook's comprehensive security features make it a reliable choice for client management. Hiver's focus on email security ensures safe communication. If data security is paramount, both tools are commendable.

Overall Rating

HoneyBook's comprehensive features and competitive pricing make it a top choice for creative professionals. Hiver's seamless email integration and customer support focus make it ideal for businesses reliant on email communication. Choose HoneyBook for all-in-one client management, or Hiver for enhanced email support.

HoneyBook vs Hiver: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesHoneyBookHiver
Project Management
Excellent4.5
Good3.8
Invoicing
Excellent4.4
Good3.9
Client Communication
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.5
Shared Inboxes
Good3.9
Excellent4.6
Task Assignments
Good4.0
Excellent4.5
Email Tracking
Good3.8
Excellent4.7

Project Management

HoneyBook offers a comprehensive project management suite that allows you to track tasks, deadlines, and client interactions seamlessly. I found it particularly useful for managing multiple projects simultaneously. Hiver, on the other hand, focuses more on email-based task management, which might not be as robust for complex projects. If you need a full-fledged project management tool, HoneyBook is the better choice.

Invoicing

With HoneyBook, invoicing is a breeze. You can create, send, and track invoices all within the platform, which I found incredibly convenient. Hiver doesn't offer dedicated invoicing features, focusing instead on email management. If invoicing is a critical part of your workflow, HoneyBook is the way to go.

Client Communication

Hiver excels in client communication, especially if your business relies heavily on email. Its integration with Gmail makes it easy to manage conversations and ensure timely responses. HoneyBook also offers client communication tools, but they are more integrated into its project management features. If email is your primary communication channel, Hiver is the superior option.

Shared Inboxes

Hiver's shared inbox feature is a game-changer for teams managing customer support. It allows for seamless collaboration and task assignment directly from your email. HoneyBook doesn't offer this feature, focusing more on client management. If shared inboxes are essential for your team, Hiver is the clear winner.

Task Assignments

Both HoneyBook and Hiver offer task assignment features, but Hiver's integration with Gmail makes it more intuitive for email-based tasks. HoneyBook's task management is more suited for project-based workflows. If your tasks are primarily email-driven, Hiver is the better choice.

Email Tracking

Hiver's email tracking capabilities are impressive, allowing you to monitor email opens and responses directly from Gmail. HoneyBook doesn't offer this feature, focusing more on client management. If email tracking is crucial for your business, Hiver is the superior option.

Pricing Comparison of HoneyBook and Hiver

We’ve compiled the pricing tables and highlighted the key features of both HoneyBook and Hiver to aid in your decision-making process. Let’s explore what each platform has to offer.

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HoneyBook Pricing Plans

Starter
For Small Businesses
$16

per month

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Starter includes:
  • Recurring and custom invoice schedules with online payments.
  • Interactive proposals and contracts for eSigning and payments.
  • Calendar sync to track sessions, meetings, and projects.
  • Access to all professional templates for clientflow stages.
Essentials
For Growing Businesses
$32

per month

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Includes Starter, plus:
  • Automations for workflow with auto-sent files and messages.
  • QuickBooks Online integration for payment auto-sync.
  • Expense management to track project and overall expenses.
  • Profit and loss insights to calculate net profit or loss.
Premium
For Large Enterprises
$66

per month

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Includes Essentials, plus:
  • Priority support with expedited email and chat assistance.
  • Multiple companies access with a single login.
  • Onboarding specialist for setup success in first 90 days.
  • Advanced reports for actionable team and client insights.
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Hiver Pricing Plans

Free
For Individuals
$0

per month

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Free plan includes:
  • Organize and track emails as tasks with visibility into workload.
  • Support customers on their preferred channel like WhatsApp.
  • Empower customers to self-serve with a centralized library.
  • Collaborate as a team with notes, @mentions, and permalinks.
Lite
For Small Businesses
$19

per month per user

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Free, plus:
  • Build rule-based automation with triggers and conditions.
  • Auto-assign emails in a round-robin fashion among team.
  • Ensure contracts and goals are met with defined resolution times.
  • Add custom data points to conversations for reporting.
Growth
For Medium Enterprises
$29

per month per user

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Lite, plus:
  • Customize reports to meet business reporting needs.
  • Enhance workflow by integrating with thousands of apps.
  • Access advanced analytics for team performance.
  • Use Zapier to automate daily tasks with favorite apps.
PRO
For Large Enterprises
$49

per month per user

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Growth, plus:
  • Measure and boost customer satisfaction with CSAT surveys.
  • Set business hours to track SLAs during operating hours.
  • Leverage AI capabilities for email template suggestions.
  • Access advanced analytics with custom dashboards.
Elite
For Large Teams
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes PRO, plus:
  • Create and assign tailored roles with specific permissions.
  • Ensure confidentiality and security of healthcare information.
  • Simplify access management with single sign-on functionality.
  • Get a customer success manager for maximizing platform value.

Our Rating Methodology

We rigorously evaluate each client management tool, focusing on key aspects like functionality, ease of use, and customer support. By analyzing user feedback and testing features, we ensure our recommendations meet diverse business needs. Each factor is weighted to provide a reliable final rating, helping you choose the best tool for your operations.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

HoneyBook or Hiver: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose HoneyBook If You Need ...

  • Comprehensive client management

    If you are a creative professional or freelancer looking for a comprehensive client management solution, HoneyBook is the ideal choice. Its project management, invoicing, and client communication features streamline your workflow, allowing you to focus on your creative work.

  • Integrated invoicing features

    If invoicing is a critical part of your business operations, HoneyBook's integrated invoicing features make it the better choice. You can create, send, and track invoices all within the platform, ensuring efficient financial management.

Choose Hiver If You Need ...

  • Email-based customer support

    If your business relies heavily on email for customer support, Hiver is the superior option. Its seamless integration with Gmail and robust email management features enhance team collaboration and improve customer satisfaction.

  • Shared inbox management

    If managing shared inboxes is essential for your team, Hiver's shared inbox feature is a game-changer. It allows for efficient collaboration and task assignment directly from your email, ensuring timely responses to customer queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

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.