11 Bloom alternatives and competitors in 2024

Omid G -

Bloom is an all-in-one solution for freelancers and creative service businesses. It evolved from a Portland-based photo printing service called Picr. In recent years, it rebranded into a powerful suite of business management tools that help photographers and other creatives share files, manage their clients, and automate workflows — all from an intuitive user interface (UI).

However, despite Bloom’s popularity, some of its customers think that it could be improved. For example, some users have suggested the platform could be easier to set up, while others feel it needs better and deeper features. All this speaks to a clear need for quality Bloom alternatives.

Thankfully, there are lots of great tools out there that fit the bill. But before we share the best 11 Bloom alternatives making waves in 2024, let’s outline what features and functions you need to look out for.

What to look for in a Bloom.io alternative

Evaluating the various Bloom alternatives for creative service-based businesses involves comparing feature sets, ease of use, and prices. Let’s take a quick rundown of what Bloom does best so you can see what suits your business.

  • CRM: Customer relationship management (CRM) tools are essential for freelancers and other creative service businesses. Bloom’s CRM is nicely designed and helps you keep track of your different customers. It might lack the complexity of other CRMs, but it's perfect for smaller teams.
  • Invoicing and payments: Bloom lets users create invoices and offers their clients a range of payment options, such as CashApp, Venmo, and Zelle. It also allows for ACH transfers, which can save you a lot of money on fees.
  • Client booking system: Bookings are the lifeblood of creative service businesses. Bloom comes with booking features that allow users to select services and packages, schedule desired dates, and sign contracts.
  • Document sharing: As we mentioned above, Bloom was initially built for photography business owners. Easy image sharing is a big part of offering a good service for clients. If you’re evaluating Bloom alternatives, secure and easy file sharing is a must.
  • Task management: Bloom comes with excellent task management features that provide a visual way to keep track of what jobs you’ve completed and which tasks require your attention.
  • Automation: Finally, Bloom helps reduce the time your service business spends on admin by automating client communication and follow-ups.

Top 11 Bloom alternatives for service businesses

Okay, so now that you know what credible Bloom alternatives look like, it’s time to share the different options out there for service-based creative businesses.

Here are the top 11 Bloom alternatives in 2024:

  1. Copilot
  2. Dubsado
  3. Plutio
  4. Indy
  5. FuseBase
  6. Moxo
  7. SuiteDash
  8. Flowlu
  9. Bonsai
  10. Zendo
  11. HoneyBook

Alright, let’s take a closer look at each platform.

1. Copilot

  • Pricing: Starts at $29 per month

While Copilot is a newer platform than some of the other Bloom alternatives on our list, it has quickly established itself thanks to its beautiful interface and robust set of features. The platform is built around a slick, professional client portal that centralizes communications. However, the true power of the platform comes from the modular approach to adding more features.

Each creative services team has different goals, needs, and workflows. Copilot understands this diversity. As a result, you can add your choice of apps to help you with different processes, such as messaging, billing, document sharing, contracts, and forms.

Copilot provides value across the entire client journey, from sending proposals and contracts to onboarding and project management through shared workspaces. What’s more, it integrates with all your third-party tools and even provides automations to make your workflows more efficient.

Overall, it beats out Bloom because it’s more scalable and customizable, and comes with a superior interface and more features. What’s not to like?

Notable features

Here are Copilot’s most popular features:

  • Intuitive client portal that keeps client communication and collaboration in one place.
  • Secure file sharing that can host photos and other documents.
  • Customizable templates to create proposals, contracts, and invoices.
  • Workflow automation tools to reduce onboarding and admin.
  • Fantastic billing app that offers clients a flexible range of payment options and allows you to offer subscriptions or productized services.

Copilot reviews

Here’s what review sites have to say about Copilot:

2. Dubsado

  • Pricing: Start for free; paid plans start at $200 per year or $20 per month

Dubsado is a popular business management tool focused on creative service businesses. It helps teams streamline client interactions and automate their workflows. It also contains lots of tools to help with projects, such as time-tracking, file sharing, and centralized communication.

While Dubsado is packed with features, there are some shortcomings. For example, the interface and client portal are less modern than the other Bloom alternatives on our list. However, Dubsado is affordable, customizable, and a solid option for freelancers who need to get their invoices right.

Notable features

Here are Dubsado’s most popular features:

  • Customizable client portal that you can shape around your brand.
  • Powerful workflow automation capabilities.
  • Excellent client management features, like lead capture, project tracking, and communication tools.

Dubsado reviews

Here are what 3rd-party review sites think of Dubsado (reviews from actual customers):

3. Plutio

  • Pricing: Starts at $19 per month per user

Plutio is a well-established all-in-one business platform that helps service businesses manage clients and tasks, send invoices, and deliver projects. It comes with a wide range of tools, such as a CRM, customizable workspaces, and a client portal.

When compared to Bloom, Plutio offers more in the project management department. Built-in time tracking tools, great project management visualization tools, and flexible forms for contracts and proposals are just a few of the plus points. However, high costs and less-than-perfect integration features are something you need to stay aware of when considering Plutio.

Notable features

Here are Plutio’s most popular features:

  • Great client portal that centralizes communication and collaboration.
  • Automated workflows that help cut down on admin.
  • Highly customizable workspaces that you can fit around your flows.

Plutio reviews

Here’s what actual Plutio clients rate the product on third-party websites:

4. Indy

  • Pricing: Indy offers a basic free version, with pro accounts starting at $9 per month

Indy was built for freelancers and independent creative professionals. Its big strength lies in how it streamlines the client journey, from proposals, contracts, onboarding, invoicing, and more.

Just like Bloom, Indy is a solid option for smaller teams. It’s a basic all-in-one platform that helps you consolidate your software stack into one secure and user-friendly client portal. It’s also very affordable when compared to other Bloom alternatives on our list. However, it lacks the flexibility and breadth of features of rival tools.

Overall, it’s a great option for individual freelancers, but it won’t suit teams with more complex needs.

Notable features

Here are Indy’s most popular features:

  • Customizable templates and e-signature functions for proposals and contracts.
  • Client portal for sharing documents, communication, and payment processing.
  • Built-in time-tracking for accurate invoicing and project management.

Indy reviews

Here is what Indy customers think of their business management solution:

  • GetApp: 4.7/5 star rating
  • Capterra: 4.7/5 star rating
  • Software Advice: 4.7/5 star rating

5. FuseBase

  • Pricing: Starts at $9 per month

FuseBase is a client collaboration platform that unifies communication, file sharing, and task management into one easy-to-use platform. Formerly known as Nimbus, the platform has gained popularity in recent years because of its suitability for professional services teams.

Some of the reasons FuseBase is up there with the best Bloom alternatives include its excellent client portal, time tracking, and file-sharing tools.

It also comes with a wide variety of project management templates, solid client onboarding capabilities, and lots of third-party integrations. However, the mobile app could do with some improvements.

Notable features

Here are FuseBase’s most popular features:

  • Superb communication options, including built-in messaging and video conferencing.
  • Excellent task management capabilities, including deadlines, task allocation, and customizable workflows.
  • Built-in time tracking and invoicing tools that will suit creative freelance teams.

FuseBase reviews

Here’s what FuseBase users have to say about the platform:

6. Moxo

  • Pricing: Moxo does not publicly display their pricing

Moxo was built to streamline client communication. It achieves these aims by providing a secure and hassle-free client portal for sharing documents, messaging, and tracking and managing projects. While it was initially aimed at financial teams, it has evolved in recent years to meet the needs of creative services teams who need to beef up their security.

Bloom is, in effect, a CRM for photographers. Moxo does well beyond that due to its advanced security features and compliance-friendly setup. What’s more, Moxo places a great focus on client interaction, with tools to boost relationships across the entire client lifecycle.

Notable features

Here are Moxo’s most popular features:

  • A superb suite of tools for managing tasks and projects.
  • Bank-grade document sharing with e-signature capabilities.
  • Integration with popular third-party tools like Salesforce, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.

Moxo reviews

Here are what 3rd-party review sites think of Moxo (reviews from actual customers):

7. SuiteDash

  • Pricing: Starts at $19 per month per user

SuiteDash is a well-respected all-in-one business management tool. It has a user-friendly interface and broad features set that outstrips Bloom’s more CRM-focused approach. Instead, SuiteDash helps businesses with project and task management, scheduling appointments via integrated calendars, and getting paid with simplified invoicing and billing tools.

Of course, SuiteDash’s capabilities don’t stop there. It also contains a learning management system (LMS), which is a huge boon for businesses that want to offer courses and training programs for clients or employees. Throw in a powerful CRM, secure file sharing, and customizable forms, and it’s clear to see why SuiteDash is one of the best Bloom alternatives.

Notable features

Here are SuiteDash’s most popular features:

  • Slick CRM is used to manage leads and track sales.
  • Marketing automation tools for email campaigns and lead nurturing.
  • Project management tools to help provide a transparent and efficient service.

SuiteDash reviews

Here’s what users of SuiteDash have to say about the platform:

To find out more about SuiteDash, read our article on the best SuiteDash alternatives.

8. Flowlu

  • Pricing: Flowlu does not publicly show its pricing

Flowlu is a powerful suite of tools that helps creative freelancers manage a wide range of business processes. It offers a CRM, centralized workspaces, and a hose of financial tools for generating invoices and contracts. However, its project management features are where it truly excels.

While the pricing and learning curve might prove steep for some independent freelancers, it’s packed with such a comprehensive set of features that these shortcomings won’t be too big a deal for most users.

Notable features

Here are Flowlu’s most popular features:

  • Clean, beginner-friendly interface.
  • Excellent invoice, expense tracking, and budgeting tools.
  • Projects, tasks, communication, customer relations, and finances are all integrated, minimizing the need for multiple tools.

Flowlu reviews

Here’s what review sites have to say about Flowlu:

Related reads: Best Flowlu alternatives for service business teams

9. Bonsai

  • Pricing: Starts at $25 per month ($21 per month when billed annually)

Bonsai is another all-in-one platform. While it started out as a simple app aimed at freelancers, it has grown into a far more comprehensive platform thanks to features for project and client management, invoicing, and even tax.

There are lots of reasons why Bonsai is an upgrade on Bloom. For example, it has a wider amount of features, including financial tracking and accounting tools. It's a good option for proposals and contracts, and it has streamlined workflow automation features that help save a lot of admin and make your business more responsive. However, some users have complained that Bonsai is expensive and that it lacks customization options for other tools.

Notable features

Here are Bonsai’s most popular features:

  • Excellent legally-sound templates for proposals and contracts.
  • Task management and time tracking will appeal to freelancers who charge hourly rates.
  • Solid tax and accounting features.

Bonsai reviews

Here are what 3rd-party review sites think of Bonsai (reviews from actual customers):

10. Zendo

  • Pricing: Starts from $49 per month

Zendo is a solid client portal and collaboration tool. Designed by the team behind TimeCamp, it’s a great choice for small to medium-sized teams that want to improve client communications.

Some of the best Zendo features include a client portal that allows you to centralize chat, email, and file sharing within each project. When paired with Zendo’s workflow automation options, teams can reduce a lot of time spent on admin and divert it into completing projects and providing next-level client experiences.

Finally, Zendo also helps to sell subscription and productized services through its cool service catalog. However, it’s worth remembering that Zendo is still being developed, so some of its features need some work.

Notable features

Here are Zendo’s most popular features:

  • Service catalog helps communicate your value with clarity and transparency.
  • Excellent client portal for sharing files, tracking project progress, and communicating with your team and clients.
  • Integrated communication tools for a unified omni-channel approach.

Zendo reviews

Here are what 3rd-party review sites think of Zendo (reviews from actual customers):

11. HoneyBook

  • Pricing: Free trial, then $19/month

HoneyBook is tailor-made for creative industry freelancers who want to provide smooth client experiences. Like many of the other Bloom alternatives on our list, HoneyBook’s primary value comes from its ability to consolidate several different tools for invoicing, contracts, and project management.

Some of the reasons that make HoneyBook worth checking out include its integrated calendar for scheduling client appointments, great onboarding flows, and the centralized client portal. However, it also boasts billing and payment tools and solid project management capabilities, meaning it’s a better all-around tool than Bloom.

Notable features

Here are HoneyBook’s most popular features:

  • Generates invoices, send reminders, and processes payments.
  • A solid integrated calendar will help teams land more leads and appointments.
  • Excellent project management features like time-tracking, timelines, file sharing, and more.

HoneyBook reviews

Here are HoneyBook’s reviews from actual customers:

Related reads: Dubsado vs HoneyBook: An honest comparison and review

Conclusion

Bloom is a popular CRM platform that helps photographers and other creative service professionals streamline business processes and admin while offering excellent client experiences. However, while there is a lot to love about the platform, it’s not as customizable as other tools that offer similar features.

Copilot offers the right blend of affordability and features that will suit creative professionals. With a CRM, a modern client portal, secure messaging and file sharing, endless integrations, and a versatile billing app, you have everything you need to run your business from day one. To find out what all the fuss is about, try a 14-day trial for Copilot today.

Better than Bloom