For service-based businesses, agencies, and freelancers, the early stages of a client relationship are crucial. If you’re still juggling multiple tools to send proposals, get contracts signed, collect payments, and onboard clients, you’re not only wasting time but also risking an inconsistent client experience. Enter modern proposal and onboarding suites — all-in-one platforms designed to make the client journey seamless and professional from the first touchpoint.
TLDR:
Businesses today need efficient tools that streamline proposals, contracts, payments, and onboarding. The right platform can save hours of admin work, improve conversion rates, and set the tone for a client relationship. This article reviews the top four all-in-one suites that combine these key features. Each tool balances functionality, design, and automation differently, so you can find what best aligns with your business needs.
Why Unified Client Onboarding Matters
Using different platforms for proposals, contracts, payment collection, and onboarding often leads to:
- Disjointed communication that confuses clients
- Higher drop-off rates between acceptance and payment
- Longer turnaround times caused by technical friction
On the other hand, a single suite that provides a centralized, frictionless experience can lead to:
- Faster deal closures
- Better client retention
- Cleaner records for compliance and tax season
Let’s look at the best platforms that currently offer all-in-one solutions for proposals, contracts, payments, and onboarding experiences.
1. HoneyBook
Best for: Freelancers and small agencies in creative or event-focused industries.
Why it stands out: HoneyBook offers everything from proposals and contracts to invoicing and onboarding questionnaires, all inside a single user interface. Clients can review, sign, and pay — often in a single interaction.
Key Features:
- Beautiful proposal templates with embedded contracts and invoices
- Automated workflows for sending follow-ups and questionnaires
- Native payment processing and e-signature capability
- Client portal for ongoing communications and file sharing
The platform’s mobile features are impressive, allowing both business owners and clients to interact wherever they are. HoneyBook also integrates well with tools like Google Calendar and Zoom, making it a strong option for relationship-focused businesses.
Price Range: Starting at $19/month (annual plan), with unlimited transactions and clients.
2. 17hats
Best for: Solopreneurs and professionals seeking customizable workflows with built-in client management.
Why it stands out: 17hats is a veteran in the all-in-one business suite market. It combines robust CRM features with client-facing touchpoints, making it extremely useful for managing the entire lifecycle of a client relationship.
Key Features:
- Proposal builder with tiered pricing and sliding scale options
- Automated contract generation and e-signatures
- Integrated payment systems (Stripe, Square, PayPal)
- Dated workflows, task reminders, and built-in CRM tags
17hats also includes lead capture forms that automatically feed into its pipeline management system. Unlike other tools, it offers advanced automation that tailors onboarding messages and documents based on service selection.
Price Range: Starts at $15/month for light use. Full professional plans begin at $45/month.
3. Dubsado
Best for: Service providers who want deep customization and advanced branding.
Why it stands out: Dubsado offers an extremely flexible interface that allows businesses to design visually stunning proposals and manage complex workflows. You can also brand every step of the client’s journey, which is perfect for agencies prioritizing brand integrity.
Key Features:
- Build-your-own form templates including proposals, contracts, and intake forms
- Client portals that maintain past invoices, notes, and signed contracts
- Automated payment reminders and recurring invoicing
- Detailed workflow and trigger-based messaging systems
Dubsado has one of the steeper learning curves but offers some of the most powerful features for businesses looking to refine and automate every part of their client acquisition flow. While it lacks a dedicated mobile app, the desktop browser experience is top-tier in professionalism.
Price Range: $20/month for the starter plan, $40/month for unlimited workflow automation.
4. ClientJoy
Best for: Agencies and consultants focusing on lead management and seamless client onboarding.
Why it stands out: ClientJoy combines CRM, client onboarding, invoicing, and proposal creation with a startup-friendly pricing model. It’s especially advantageous for growing teams that want to manage client experience at scale.
Key Features:
- Smart pipeline tracking with onboarding checklists built into each stage
- Client proposal templates that include embedded contracts and e-signature support
- Flexible payment options and integration with RazorPay, PayPal, and more
- Personalized dashboards for each client with document and communication history
ClientJoy leans slightly more toward sales CRM than the others on this list, making it ideal if you need rigorous sales tracking features in addition to outlook-quality onboarding flows. The platform also supports white-labeling, a premium feature not often found in tools at this price point.
Price Range: Affordable lifetime deals are often available; regular pricing starts around $15/month.
How to Choose the Best Platform for Your Business
Each of the above platforms has unique strengths. To help you decide, consider the following factors:
- Ease of use: Are you looking for plug-and-play templates or are you comfortable setting up custom workflows?
- Branding needs: Do you want minimal customization or full visual control?
- Team size: Are you a solo operator or managing multiple account managers or sales reps?
- Client profile: Are your clients used to sleek digital experiences, or are they more traditional in how they expect documents and payments?
If you’re unsure, test-drive the platforms. Most offer free trials ranging between 7 and 14 days — time enough to build a sample workflow, test payment processing, and feel your way through the user journey from both business and client perspectives.
Final Thoughts
The right proposal and onboarding suite isn’t just about saving time — it’s about strengthening how clients perceive your business from the outset. A solid system enables you to deliver a confident, frictionless, and professional experience that improves trust and increases conversions. Whether you’re managing dozens of clients or just starting out, investing in an all-in-one experience can be a game-changer.
In a fast-evolving business world, your onboarding process shouldn’t feel like a cobbled-together patchwork. Let your tools elevate the caliber of your service — right from “Hello.”