Alternatives
Bonsai alternative: when the contract needs negotiating
Bonsai is an all‑in‑one business tool — leads, projects, time tracking, invoices, payments — with proposals and contracts from its Essentials plan. Contracts.io only does the contract: draft, negotiate and sign on one link.
Bonsai
Bonsai’s public pages cover CRM, proposals, contracts, time tracking, scheduling, invoices and online payments, with “Proposals & Contracts” from its Essentials plan.
Source: Bonsai pricing; Bonsai contracts. We only repeat what they publish about themselves.
Contracts.io
Contracts.io is a two-sided contract drafter. You describe the deal in one sentence; Lex drafts the contract in plain English beside the legal wording. You send one share link. The other side reads, redlineA redline is a proposed edit on a draft contract — words added, struck out or rewritten — not a signed change.More in the glossary, and Accepts, Counters or Declines, with their own private Lex. Both sides then e-signatureAn e-signature is any electronic way of showing agreement to a document, such as a typed name, a drawn signature or a click.More in the glossary. The other side never pays and never needs an account.
Where the jobs overlap
- Both include contracts that can be sent and signed online.
- Both provide templates to start from rather than a blank page.
Where they differ
- Bonsai bundles CRM, projects, time tracking, invoices and payments. Contracts.io focuses only on drafting, two‑sided negotiation and e‑sign.
- On Contracts.io the client negotiates on the same link without an account; each change is Accepted, Countered or Declined.
- Bonsai prices in USD per user per month; Contracts.io publishes GBP prices and keeps the other side free.
| Contracts.io | Bonsai | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (checked 28 Oct 2026) | Free £0 (3 active contracts); Plus £15/mo; Pro £29/mo; Team £119/mo (5 seats); Enterprise from £750 | Basic $9; Essentials $19; Premium $29; Elite $49 per user per month billed annually ($15/$25/$39/$59 monthly). Contracts from Essentials |
| Who it is for | Freelancers, studios and small businesses agreeing a contract with the other side | Freelancers, agencies and consultancies running client work end to end |
| Two‑sided negotiation | Yes — one link; Accept, Counter, Decline | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| Does the other side need an account? | No — they open the link free | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| E‑signature | Yes — on one frozen version | Yes: "Send, sign & store your legally‑binding online contracts" |
| AI drafting | Lex drafts from one sentence, with Plain English beside the legal wording | AI assistant described for tasks; AI contract drafting not stated on the pages we checked |
| Jurisdiction focus | England and Wales first; pages for Scotland, New York and California | Not stated; USD prices; IRS references on pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes — £0 for 3 active contracts | No free plan; 7‑day trial |
When to choose which
Contracts.io
- You need to agree the words with the client, not run a CRM or take payment.
- You want Accept / Counter / Decline on one link, with every version kept.
- You want Plain English beside each clause and a private Lex on both sides.
Bonsai
- You want one tool for leads, proposals, contracts, invoicing and payments.
- You need a client portal, scheduling or time tracking alongside contracts.
- Your process is “create a document, send it, collect a signature,” and that already works.
The legal wording governs. See pricing and features.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bonsai have a free plan?
No. Bonsai’s pricing page describes a 7‑day free trial with full access, then a paid plan. Contracts.io has a free plan at £0 with 3 active contracts.
Can Contracts.io send invoices like Bonsai?
No. Contracts.io doesn't invoice, take payments, track time or manage projects. It drafts, negotiates and e‑signs contracts.
Which Bonsai plan includes contracts?
Bonsai’s pricing page lists "Proposals & Contracts" from the Essentials plan ($19 per user per month billed annually, $25 monthly) and above.
Does the other side need an account on Contracts.io?
No. You send one share link. The other side opens it, reads the Plain English beside each clause, proposes changes and signs, without making an account or paying.
Is this legal advice?
No. Plain English explains each clause, and the legal wording governs.