Connect Dubsado to Shift so you can merge all your web apps into your browser
Download ShiftWhat is Dubsado?
Dubsado is a client relationship management (CRM) and business management platform designed primarily for freelancers, service-based businesses, and small teams. It combines lead capture, client and project management, proposals, contracts, scheduling, invoicing, payments, and client communication within a single system.
Businesses can create reusable forms and templates for proposals, questionnaires, contracts, and lead capture. Contracts support electronic signatures, while invoices can be configured for one-time payments, payment schedules, and recurring billing where supported. Dubsado also provides client portals where clients can access documents, appointments, invoices, and other information associated with their project.
Dubsado's workflow automation tools can perform sequences of actions based on project activity or predefined timing. For example, a workflow can send an intake questionnaire, wait for its completion, send a contract, create an invoice, and schedule follow-up communication. Dubsado also connects with supported email, calendar, payment, accounting, and automation services. Available integrations, automation capabilities, brands, and other features depend on the current Dubsado plan and configuration.
How Dubsado works in Shift
Add Dubsado from the Shift App Directory to give it a dedicated app tile in the Shift sidebar. You can then create a Space that groups Dubsado with the email, calendar, accounting, cloud-storage, and document tools used for the same client-management workflow.
For example, create a client onboarding Space with Dubsado, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive. Open the client's project in Dubsado to review their contact information and project status, then keep the related email or source documents alongside Dubsado using a side-by-side view. From the Dubsado project, you can send a proposal, contract, questionnaire, or invoice using the templates and settings configured in your account.
For automated onboarding, open Dubsado's workflow configuration while keeping your process documentation or email templates visible in another app. You can review each workflow step, including supported actions such as sending forms or emails and changing project status, while referring to the process the automation is intended to follow. The workflow itself continues to run through Dubsado; Shift provides access to Dubsado and the supporting apps from the same Space.
A separate billing Space can group Dubsado with accounting and email apps. Open Dubsado's invoices or the relevant client project, review payment status, and keep your accounting system alongside it when reconciling payments or following up on outstanding invoices. Payment collection remains handled through the payment processor connected to Dubsado.
Shift's multi-account functionality can keep separate Dubsado logins signed in when you manage different businesses or account environments. Spaces can separate activities such as lead management, onboarding, active projects, and invoicing, while Focus Mode can limit the visible workspace to the current process. Session persistence keeps supported Dubsado sessions available after restarting Shift, although Dubsado or connected services may still require authentication when their own sessions expire.
Alternatives to Dubsado
- HoneyBook — An all-in-one client management platform for creative freelancers and small businesses that combines inquiries, proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, scheduling, and automation; consider HoneyBook when you want these client-management functions within its particular workflow and document system.
- Bonsai — A freelancer-focused business platform centered on contracts, proposals, invoicing, time tracking, client management, and financial tools; consider Bonsai when freelance administration, time tracking, and billing are central requirements.
- 17hats — A business management platform for solopreneurs that combines CRM functionality, automation, proposals, scheduling, invoicing, and other administrative tools; consider 17hats when you want client management and general business administration within the same platform.
- Waco — A simpler business tool focused on the proposal-to-invoice workflow for freelancers; consider Waco when proposals, client approvals, and invoicing are your primary requirements rather than broader CRM and workflow automation.
- SuiteDash — A business management platform built around white-label client portals, CRM, project management, billing, file sharing, and automation; consider SuiteDash when branded client-facing portals and a broader collection of business-management tools are priorities.
FAQ
1. How much does Dubsado cost?
Dubsado offers paid subscription options with features that vary by plan. Pricing, billing frequencies, included features, and trial terms can change, so check Dubsado's current pricing page before selecting a subscription.
2. Is Dubsado a CRM?
Yes. Dubsado provides CRM functionality for managing leads, clients, projects, communications, and project status. It extends beyond a traditional contact database by including proposals, contracts, questionnaires, scheduling, invoices, payments, client portals, and workflow automation.
3. How do Dubsado workflows work?
Workflows automate a sequence of supported actions within a client project. For example, a workflow could send an initial questionnaire, wait for a specified condition or period, send a contract, create an invoice, and send subsequent communication. The available actions, triggers, and conditions depend on Dubsado's current workflow functionality and account configuration.
4. Can clients sign contracts in Dubsado?
Yes. Dubsado supports contracts with electronic signatures. Businesses can create reusable contract templates, customize them for individual projects, and send them to clients as part of a manual or automated client workflow.
5. Can I accept payments through Dubsado?
Dubsado supports payment collection through compatible payment-processing options. Depending on the connected processor and account configuration, businesses can use invoices for one-time payments, payment plans, and supported recurring payments. Processing fees, supported payment methods, and availability are determined by the applicable payment provider and current Dubsado integration.
6. Does Dubsado have a free plan?
Dubsado provides an evaluation option that allows prospective users to test the platform before moving to a paid subscription. Trial structure and limits can change, so check Dubsado's current signup and pricing information rather than relying on a fixed number of free clients or trial days.
7. What is the difference between Dubsado and HoneyBook?
Dubsado and HoneyBook both combine CRM, contracts, invoices, payments, scheduling, and client-management workflows. Their approach to automation, templates, client-facing documents, integrations, account structure, and available features differs. Comparing the current feature sets against your onboarding, billing, and automation requirements is the most useful way to evaluate them.
8. Can I use multiple Dubsado accounts in Shift?
Yes. Shift's multi-account functionality can keep separate supported Dubsado sessions signed in simultaneously. You can organize each account into its own Space with the corresponding email, calendar, accounting, and document apps used for that business.
