Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

HoneyBook vs Square Appointments

HoneyBook 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner Square Appointments
Square Appointments 4.9★ · Free to download 75

Square Appointments is the better choice for businesses prioritizing a free tier and basic appointment scheduling, while HoneyBook offers a more comprehensive CRM solution despite its higher cost and mobile app issues.

Full reviews: HoneyBook · Square Appointments

Square Appointments excels with its free tier and reliable payment processing, though its mobile app can be glitchy. HoneyBook provides a robust all-in-one CRM with strong automation and client management, but users frequently report issues with its mobile app and high fees.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: HoneyBookR2R4R8R9
HoneyBook HoneyBook is praised for its comprehensive all-in-one features, including smart files, automations, contracts, invoicing, lead capture, and client communication, which streamline business operations R2R4R8. However, some users find the smart files not user-friendly and desire more flexibility with quotes and invoices R9.
Square Appointments Square Appointments is valued for its core scheduling, payment processing, and client organization features . Users appreciate its ability to send confirmations and reminders . However, some wish for features like mass messaging , the ability to book multiple clients for the same time , or more flexibility in setting availability .
Ease of Use (Desktop vs. Mobile) tieR1R3R4R5
HoneyBook While HoneyBook's desktop version is generally loved and considered easy to use for setting up workflows and templates R5R16, its mobile app is a major point of frustration. Users report frequent crashes, freezing, slow loading times, and an inability to open or publish invoices, edit smart files, or function properly on iPads R1R3R4R7. Some also find the setup process difficult .
Square Appointments Square Appointments is generally considered user-friendly for basic scheduling and payments . However, its mobile app also suffers from significant issues, including slow loading, frequent crashes, freezing, and problems with saving notes or processing payments . Users also report issues with the keyboard blocking text and difficulty with certain editing functions on mobile .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R4R7R10
HoneyBook HoneyBook users frequently report bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly with the mobile app, leading to frustration and lost productivity R1R4R7. Some users have experienced issues like missed calendar sessions or being locked out of their account R10.
Square Appointments Square Appointments also faces significant reliability issues, with users reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and slow loading times, especially after updates . There are reports of payments not processing correctly , funds being transferred to non-existent accounts R63, and the app not allowing new appointments to be created .
Price & Value edge: Square AppointmentsR11R21R28R39
HoneyBook HoneyBook is perceived as expensive, with transaction fees on top of monthly fees R11R21R28R39. Some users feel the price increase is not justified by new updates or improved performance .
Square Appointments Square Appointments offers a free tier that is highly valued by users, especially for those not ready to invest in a website R62R68R71R72. However, some paid features are desired in the free package R62. There are complaints about high increases in monthly subscriptions for paid tiers and issues with being logged out if using the free app . Some users also report being forced to sign up for credit card services to use scheduling, even when paying a monthly fee .
Customer Support edge: HoneyBookR10R13R22R25
HoneyBook HoneyBook's customer support receives mixed reviews. Some users praise the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team and their database of help topics . However, others report that support is not helpful, relies too much on AI, and fails to resolve issues like account lockouts or app bugs R10R13R22R25.
Square Appointments Square Appointments' customer support is largely criticized. Users report horrible experiences, with support staff not knowing answers, being unresponsive, or putting users in infinite loops for help . Some have experienced issues with funds not being transferred correctly and support not resolving the problem R63.
Pick HoneyBook if

You need a comprehensive, all-in-one CRM solution with strong automation, contract management, and client communication features, and are willing to primarily use the desktop version due to mobile app limitations R2R4R8.

Pick Square Appointments if

You are a small business or a new entrepreneur looking for a free or affordable appointment scheduling and payment processing solution, and can tolerate occasional mobile app glitches R62R68R71R72.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of recent negative reviews regarding mobile app performance and bugs, despite high lifetime ratings. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is notable for Square Appointments, where many positive reviews likely come from users satisfied with the free tier's basic functionality, while negative reviews often highlight issues with advanced features or paid subscriptions.

Frequently asked

Does HoneyBook have a good mobile app?
No, HoneyBook's mobile app is frequently criticized by users for being buggy, slow, crashing often, freezing, and not being fully functional, especially on iPads R1R7R16R22.
Is Square Appointments free?
Yes, Square Appointments offers a free tier that is appreciated by many users for basic scheduling and payment processing, but some advanced features are only available in paid packages R62R68R71R72.
Which app is better for managing client communication?
HoneyBook appears to have an edge in comprehensive client communication and management, offering features like client portals, automated reminders, and streamlined communication threads R8R20R23R44.
Do either of these apps have issues with payment processing fees?
Both apps have user complaints regarding payment processing fees. HoneyBook users mention transaction fees on top of monthly fees R11R21R39, while Square Appointments users report issues with easy customer disputes leading to lost funds and high subscription increases R63.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] HoneyBook 5/5 · US Love it: This software keeps my business running! The smart files are incredible and the reminders are are absolute must have!
  2. [R4] HoneyBook 1/5 · US In a toxic relationship with Honeybook: At first, HoneyBook was everything I needed. I could send invoices, collect signatures, schedule payments, capture leads, communicate with clients, receive payments, and keep my books organized all in one place. It felt like the perfect solution for my business. But lately, our relationship has become toxic... Simple tasks have become frustratingly difficu
  3. [R8] HoneyBook 5/5 · US HoneyBook SAVED my business: I can’t say enough good things about HoneyBook. They truly helped shape my entire business model and the way I communicate with my clients on a professional level is just amazing! If you have a business you NEED HoneyBook!
  4. [R9] HoneyBook 3/5 · US Need more flexibility with the quote/Invoice & recipients email should look normal in their inbox.: It would be great to have the quote or invoice with multi invoice in one with grand total for all in the end. For example divide by date or events when there is multi location and with multiple events but one client and contract. The recipients email should look normal in their inbox. Email comes bo
  5. [R1] HoneyBook 2/5 · US Bugs: Fix the bugs yall. I’ve been using yall for 6 years and never had an issue this bad like shesh. I stopped paying 60 monthly because of it.
  6. [R3] HoneyBook 3/5 · US iPad version: I just wish that I could use the whole screen for my iPad to work with this app
  7. [R5] HoneyBook 5/5 · US Love this platform: This had made my life so much easier running my business. I wish I would have known about it years ago.
  8. [R7] HoneyBook 2/5 · US The phone app: I was on the fence whether or not I was gonna renew this year. The convenient workflow and honestly, the templates for the contracts are really what made me conveniently stick around however, the amount of times I’ve gotten frustrated with the phone app because it either crashes or freezes. It’s really inconvenient. Me just going to my desktop instead of trying to quickly handle som
  9. [R10] HoneyBook 1/5 · US Awful. Just use a different CRM. Honeybook is a waste of money.: They will not resolve issues for you. Ive been locked out of my account because my 2FA is not working and they can’t help me even download my contracts. All of this given they charge much higher than standard CRM/Invoicing platforms. If you don’t want your business to be in trouble SERIOUSLY AVOID them.
  10. [R11] HoneyBook 4/5 · US Overall good, but expensive fees: Overall very useful, but transaction fees on top of the monthly fee adds up.
  11. [R21] HoneyBook 3/5 · US it gets the job done!: I like HoneyBook however I don’t like the hidden fees for when they deposit money into the account. I do wish that the platform was completely transparent with all fees, especially being that the monthly is over $30 and in some cases 50 bucks. Other than that it’s a easy way to streamline Customer service in a client process, but those fees get on my nerves. also, I would lo
  12. [R28] HoneyBook 2/5 · US It’s Getting Worse: I used to LOVE this app. I would recommend it to all my business friends. Now, I don’t know what is going on. I keep having glitches, they charge a lot to process payments and it’s one problem after another when using the mobile app. I’ve literally lost money because of this app. Very discouraging.
  13. [R39] HoneyBook 3/5 · US Overall good app: I’ve been using HoneyBook for over a year now. I love the features with scheduling, creating projects, invoices, contracts, and etcetera. I would say it’s definitely worth it for those features. I never had any bug crashes or issues. My major problem is all of their fees. Not only do we pay monthly (not a problem) and there are transaction fees (again not a problem) but if you
  14. [R13] HoneyBook 1/5 · US Ai driven slop..: OS is awful unless you are on an iPad/phone. Support staff very kind but not helpful at all, as they rely on AI to handle most problems and every person who was responded to my problems addresses a slightly different problem than the one I asked about. At least the AI attempted to answer my question correctly and not skimming it. Contracts are such a disaster I paid for adobe f
  15. [R22] HoneyBook 2/5 · US Lots of bugs lately: Over the past couple months the app has been so glitchy. Anytime I try to add a smart file to a project the app freezes up and I’m forced to quit it. I’ve contacted the HoneyBook support team multiple times about this with no solution. I’m forced to only use the desktop version of HoneyBook which is extremely frustrating. For the price, this shouldn’t be an issue I have to dea
  16. [R25] HoneyBook 1/5 · US Customer service awful: No phone call help and tech support is awful!!
  17. [R16] HoneyBook 2/5 · US Love the Desktop Version but App Doesn’t Work: I’ve been using HoneyBook to run my business for several years and love the desktop version. Hands down the best CRM platform I’ve found. Unfortunately the App is basically unusable since anytime I try to create or pull up a file for a project in the mobile version, I just get a blank page and the circle of death. This is true both on my iPhone and iP
  18. [R62] Square Appointments 4/5 · US Features: I enjoy using this app, very reliable & the free features you’re able to use is definitely worth using. Some of the paid features should be included in the free package but overall it’s nice to use. Better than some other platforms.
  19. [R68] Square Appointments 5/5 · US Great!: This app is great for people who are not ready or able to invest in a website and need something for free.
  20. [R71] Square Appointments 5/5 · US The best!: Love this app! Nice and simple and no big fees!
  21. [R72] Square Appointments 3/5 · US Not so User Friendly: App is good but can be confusing when you trying to deeper into the tools. Not enough website designs. Works well for collecting payments with fair pricing on fees and it’s free.
  22. [R20] HoneyBook 5/5 · US Photographer/Owner: I’ve been using HoneyBook for 5 years to manage my photography and photo booth business, and it has truly been a game changer. Having everything in one place has streamlined my entire workflow, from client communication and billing to tracking, automations, and all the behind-the-scenes admin work. Over the years, the continued updates and integrations have only made it more pow
  23. [R23] HoneyBook 5/5 · US Event Planner: HoneyBooks has made tracking my event easy. I get notifications when things are happening. The custom automations are a life saver.
  24. [R44] HoneyBook 5/5 · US Love it!: Love it it does all my automations, tracks clients, keeps communication threads, contracts, and takes payments. There are so many pre features to run a whole business!
  25. [R63] Square Appointments 3/5 · US Very disappointed with Square.: A customer paid me for a service, but the funds were transferred to a bank account that does not exist. Square still marked the payment as if I had received the money. Trying to do the right thing, I refunded my customer. As a result, my Square balance is now negative, and I supposedly owe money that I never actually received in the first place. I am now being hel

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store