Why Freelancers Look for a 17hats Alternative
17hats is a genuine all-in-one, but its pricing is the sticking point for a lot of freelancers. It now runs on a single plan at about $60 a month (billed yearly it works out lower), which is one of the highest entry points in the client-management category. There is a free tier, but it caps you at a handful of invoices a quarter, so most working freelancers quickly hit the paid plan. For a solo freelancer watching costs, that is a lot to pay for a client-management tool.
- The price is high for a solo. A single $60 a month plan is steep next to alternatives that start under $10.
- The free tier is very limited. A cap of a few invoices a quarter is not enough for a real freelance business.
- They want the same workflow for less. Proposals, contracts, invoicing, and payments without the premium price.
What Freelancers Actually Need
- The full client-to-cash workflow: proposals, contracts, invoicing, and payments in one place.
- Retainers for ongoing clients, billed automatically.
- A price that suits a solo, without paying a premium entry fee.
The Best 17hats Alternatives for Freelancers
| Tool | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|
| AgencyKit | The full workflow plus retainers, at a solo-friendly price | $9/month |
| Bonsai | Solo freelancers wanting proposals and invoicing | about $21/month |
| Plutio | Solo service providers wanting projects | about $19/month |
| 17hats | Solopreneurs who want one all-inclusive plan | about $60/month |
Add up the yearly cost, not just the monthly
When a tool costs $60 a month, the yearly figure is what really matters: that is over $700 a year for client management alone, before payment processing fees. A tool at $9 a month is closer to $100 a year for a similar core workflow. For a solo freelancer, that difference can be a meaningful slice of a month’s income.
Why AgencyKit Fits Freelancers
AgencyKit gives you the same client-to-cash workflow, proposals, contracts, invoicing and payments, plus retainers and time tracking, at a flat price per account from $9 a month rather than a premium entry fee. There is a 14-day free trial with no card. See the best all-in-one freelancer software and the best software to run a freelance business.
How to Switch
Set up the new tool, recreate your templates, start new clients there, and let active 17hats work finish before you cancel. See the full list of 17hats alternatives.
Wrapping Up
17hats is a solid all-in-one, but at around $60 a month it is a premium choice, and its free tier is too limited for a real business. For most freelancers, the same workflow, proposals, contracts, invoicing, and retainers, is available for a fraction of the price. That is where AgencyKit fits a solo freelancer, from $9 a month.
Key Takeaways
- 17hats runs on a single plan around $60 a month, one of the highest entry points in the client-management category
- Its free tier caps invoicing at a few per quarter, too limited for a real freelance business
- Most freelancers can get the same workflow, proposals, contracts, invoicing, and retainers, for far less
- AgencyKit offers that workflow plus retainers and time tracking from $9/month per account
- Switching is mostly recreating your templates, then a billing cycle to fully transition
Frequently Asked Questions
The best fit gives you the same client-to-cash workflow, proposals, contracts, invoicing, payments, and retainers, at a solo-friendly price. 17hats now runs on a single plan around $60 a month, one of the highest entry points in the category. AgencyKit offers a similar workflow plus retainers and time tracking from $9 a month, which suits a cost-conscious freelancer.
17hats has moved to a single all-inclusive plan priced around $60 a month, with lower effective rates when billed yearly or every two years, and it sometimes runs a first-purchase promotion. There is a free tier, but it caps invoicing at a small number per quarter, so most working freelancers end up on the paid plan. Always check 17hats’ own pricing page for the current figures.
It depends on how much you value having everything in one all-inclusive plan against the price. At around $60 a month, 17hats is a premium choice compared with alternatives starting under $10. For a freelancer who uses the full feature set and prefers one simple plan, it can be worth it, but many find they can get the same core workflow for far less.
17hats offers a free tier with unlimited contacts and projects, but it limits invoicing to a small number per quarter, which is not enough for most working freelancers. The free plan works for trying the tool or a very light workload, but a real freelance business that sends regular invoices will need the paid plan, which is where the $60 a month cost comes in.
Several alternatives cost far less than 17hats’ roughly $60 a month plan. AgencyKit starts at $9 a month billed per account, and tools like Plutio and Bonsai sit around $19 to $21 a month. On top of any subscription, all tools with built-in payments charge processing fees, so compare the total. For most solo freelancers, the savings versus 17hats are significant.
AgencyKit covers the same core client-to-cash workflow, proposals, contracts with e-signature, invoicing, and online payments, and adds retainers and built-in time tracking, at a much lower entry price. Every tool has its own strengths, so if there is a specific 17hats feature you rely on, check it, but for the standard freelance workflow AgencyKit covers the same ground for far less.
Set up the new tool, recreate your proposal, contract, and invoice templates, start new clients there, and let active 17hats work finish before you cancel. Export your data first. Our 17hats alternatives guide covers the options, and the whole move usually takes an afternoon of setup plus one billing cycle to fully transition.
Sources & References
- 17hats, official pricing page (2026). 17hats.com
- G2 and Capterra, 17hats reviews and alternatives (2026). g2.com
- AgencyKit features & pricing (2026). agencykit.tech/pricing