Similar features, different platform.
Bonsai and Aeto cover similar ground: project management, time tracking, and invoicing for freelancers. The main differences are that Bonsai is a full operating system for a team-based business. Bookkeeping, CRM, resourcing, budget tracking, pipeline, and more … for a lot more money.
30-day free trialNo credit card requiredmacOS 12+Apple Silicon
Aeto vs. Bonsai.
Bottom line
Similar features, different audience. Aeto is $10/month flat with a menu bar timer available in the Mac app
| Feature | Aeto | bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| Project management | Yes, Kanban + task lists | Yes, Kanban + tasks |
| Time tracking | Task-level, in-app and menu bar timer | Task-level, in-app timer |
| Proposals and contracts | No | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes (paid upgrade) |
| Mac desktop app | Yes | Yes |
| Menu bar timer | Yes | No |
| Pricing | $10 / month flat | $15-59 / month |
| Free trial | 30 days, no card | 7 days, must add a card |
Where Bonsai Excels.
Bonsai is a well-built all-in-one app that includes proposals, contracts, and e-signatures alongside project management, time tracking, and invoicing. If you need to send proposals and collect signatures as part of your workflow, Bonsai covers that natively. It also has iOS and Android apps, as well as a broader integration library.
Where Aeto Fits Better.
Menu bar timer
Aeto’s menu bar timer lets you start and stop tracking from the macOS menu bar with one click, without switching windows. Bonsai’s timer is in-app only, which means you need the browser tab open and visible to use it.
Longer free trial
Bonsai offers a 7-day free trial. Aeto offers 30 days. For freelancers evaluating a tool that fits into their billing cycle, 30 days gives you enough time to actually complete a client project and invoice from it before committing. And Bonsai requires you to put in a credit card to run the trial.
Simpler pricing
Simpler pricing: Bonsai uses per-user pricing starting at $15 per month, or $9 per month on an annual plan. For a solo freelancer, that is comparable to Aeto’s $10 per month (or $8.33 per month on the $100 annual plan). Aeto is built for the solo operator, and the price reflects that: one flat rate, no surprises. If you want to generate invoices, you have to upgrade to the $25/mo plan (or $19/mo on the annual plan). Some of the reporting in Aeto would take you to the $39/mo plan in Bonsai.
Active-client focus
Aeto does not include proposals or contracts. If your workflow starts after the client is signed, that is a feature rather than a limitation: fewer screens, less complexity, focused on the work itself.
Answers to the
questions we get most.
Everything you’re likely to ask before you start the trial.
Yes, particularly for Mac users. Aeto and Bonsai cover similar ground for freelance project management, time tracking, and invoicing. The key differences are that Aeto has a native Mac desktop app with a menu bar timer and a 30-day trial, while Bonsai is a CRM with project management, proposals, and contracts and a 7-day trial.
No. Aeto is designed for the active-engagement workflow and does not include proposals, e-signatures, or contract templates. If those are part of your client process, Bonsai covers them. If your clients are already signed and you need to manage and bill the work, Aeto is the more focused option.
Aeto is $10/month flat for one user. Bonsai starts at $15/month per user for the Basic plan, which does not include invoicing or contracts. Invoicing requires the Essentials plan at around $25/month per user. For a solo freelancer who needs invoicing, Aeto is comparable in cost. For small teams, Aeto’s flat pricing is more predictable.
Yes. Bonsai has a desktop app, but it does not include a menu bar timer so you can always see when your timer is running.
Aeto offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. Bonsai offers a 7-day free trial and you have to put in your credit card information. For freelancers who want to evaluate a tool through a complete billing cycle, 30 days is more useful.