Client Octopus vs Dubsado
Two client management tools, two very different foundations — here's how they actually compare.
The short version: Dubsado is a mature, standalone SaaS CRM built for creative freelancers, with deep scheduling and automation on its top tier. Client Octopus is a WordPress plugin that lives inside the site you already run, includes automated reminders and call booking from its cheapest paid tier, and has a genuinely usable free plan rather than a time-limited trial. If you don't run WordPress, Dubsado is the more natural fit. If you do, Client Octopus keeps everything — and your data — in one place you already control.
At a glance
Where they differ most
Hosted SaaS — separate login, separate dashboard 21-day free trial only, no permanent free plan Starter from $35/mo, Premier (automations, scheduling) from $55/mo Extra team members cost $25–$60/mo beyond the first 3 Additional brands cost $10/mo each
Runs inside the WordPress site you already own Free plan with unlimited proposals, invoices, and leads Pro from $9.99/mo — includes automations and call booking Agency includes 10 team seats flat, no per-user add-on math No per-brand fees
Feature by feature
The detailed comparison
Pricing
Dubsado charges $35/month (Starter) or $55/month (Premier) — automated workflows, advanced scheduling, and public proposals are locked behind the $55 Premier tier. Client Octopus's $9.99/month Pro plan already includes automated reminders and call booking with calendar sync, and the free plan covers unlimited proposals and invoices with no trial clock running out. Where Dubsado only offers a time-limited 21-day trial, you can run Client Octopus's free plan indefinitely.
Hosting and data
Dubsado is a hosted SaaS platform — your client data lives on Dubsado's servers, accessed through a separate login. Client Octopus is a WordPress plugin: it installs on the site you already run, and your proposals, clients, invoices, and leads live in your own WordPress database rather than a third-party platform.
Payments
Both let you accept card payments at standard processing rates — Dubsado through Dubsado Payments (powered by Stripe, 2.9% + 30¢ for US cards), Client Octopus through your own connected Stripe or PayPal account. The practical difference is ownership: with Client Octopus, it's your Stripe or PayPal account directly, not a processor tied to the platform.
Automation and scheduling
Dubsado's automated workflows and advanced scheduling are genuinely mature, but only available on the $55/month Premier plan. Client Octopus includes automated proposal reminders on every plan, including Free, and call booking with two-way Google/Microsoft/Apple Calendar sync from the $9.99/month Pro plan.
Team members
Dubsado includes 3 free users, then charges $25/month for 4–10 users, scaling up to $60/month for larger teams. Client Octopus's Agency plan ($24.99/month) includes 10 team seats in the price, with no separate per-user billing to calculate.
Feature comparison
| Dubsado | Client Octopus | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $35/mo | Free |
| Permanent free plan | — | ✓ |
| Runs inside WordPress | — | ✓ |
| Proposals | Premier only | ✓ (all plans) |
| Contracts / e-signature | ✓ | ✓ |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recurring invoices | Payment plans only, not subscriptions | ✓ (all plans) |
| Client portal | ✓ | Pro/Agency |
| Lead capture forms | 1 form (Starter), unlimited (Premier) | Unlimited (all plans) |
| Automated reminders | Premier only | ✓ (all plans) |
| Call booking + calendar sync | Premier only ($55/mo) | Pro ($9.99/mo) |
| Native outbound webhooks | Zapier only (Premier) | ✓ native, Pro/Agency |
| AI writing assistant | — | Pro/Agency |
| Team seats included | 3 | 10 (Agency) |
Pricing and features verified against Dubsado's pricing page in September 2026. Dubsado's pricing has changed before (most recently in December 2025) — double-check current rates before deciding.
Who each is best for
Be honest with yourself about which fits
Choose Client Octopus if…
You already run a WordPress site and would rather keep client data there than in a separate app, you want automations and call scheduling without paying for a top-tier plan, or you want to properly trial the core workflow for free before committing to anything.
Choose Dubsado if…
You don't have a WordPress site at all and want a fully standalone platform, or you need Dubsado's specific mature workflow-automation engine and are happy paying for its Premier tier to get it.
Switching over
Moving from Dubsado
Dubsado has a straightforward CSV export — go to Address Book or Leads and click Export to download your client list. Client Octopus has its own CSV importer for clients — upload the file you exported from Dubsado, map the columns yourself (including split First/Last Name fields), preview the results, and bulk-create your client records. Active proposals and invoices are rebuilt using Client Octopus's own builders — see the documentation for a full walkthrough of each.
If you get stuck partway through, reply to any Client Octopus email or reach out via the contact link in the footer and it'll get to a real person, not a support queue.
Try Client Octopus free
No trial clock — the free plan runs indefinitely, so you can see how it fits your workflow before you decide anything.