The Bonsai alternative built for India.
Bonsai is a good tool — for US freelancers billing in USD via Stripe. ClearWork covers the same proposals → contracts → invoicing workflow, plus GST, UPI, and IT Act 2000 e-sign that Bonsai simply doesn't have. And it's about 9x cheaper.
Everything Bonsai does. Plus everything India needs.
GST invoicing, not USD line items
Bonsai has no GSTIN field, no CGST/SGST/IGST split, no SAC codes. ClearWork auto-calculates the right tax split based on your client's state — every invoice is Rule 46 compliant.
UPI payments, not Stripe/PayPal only
Bonsai collects money through Stripe and PayPal — neither works well for Indian clients. Every ClearWork invoice has a UPI + card link via Razorpay, so clients pay in one tap.
E-sign that holds up in Indian courts
Bonsai's e-sign isn't validated under the IT Act 2000. ClearWork uses OTP-based signing that's legally enforceable under the IT Act 2000's Second Schedule.
WhatsApp reminders, not just email
Indian clients respond to WhatsApp, not email. ClearWork sends automatic reminders at 3, 7, and 14 days overdue — Bonsai only emails.
ClearWork vs. Bonsai
Same workflow. A fraction of the price. Built for how Indian clients actually pay.
| Feature | ClearWork | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹149/mo (Pro), free plan forever | $17–20/mo (~₹1,400–1,700), 7-day trial only |
| GST invoicing (CGST/SGST/IGST) | ||
| UPI payment collection | ||
| E-sign valid under IT Act 2000 | ||
| TDS tracking (194J/194C) | ||
| WhatsApp payment reminders | ||
| Proposals + contracts + invoicing | ||
| Client portal |
Common questions
Is Bonsai available in India?
Bonsai works technically (you can create an account), but it has no GST invoicing, no UPI payment collection, and its e-signature isn't validated under India's IT Act 2000. Most Indian freelancers end up needing a second tool alongside it for taxes and payments.
How much cheaper is ClearWork than Bonsai?
Bonsai's cheapest plan is $17/month (~₹1,400). ClearWork's Pro plan is ₹149/month — about 9x cheaper — and there's a free plan forever for freelancers with up to 5 clients, which Bonsai doesn't offer beyond a 7-day trial.
Can I migrate my Bonsai clients and data to ClearWork?
Yes. Export your client list from Bonsai as a CSV (Settings → Export) and import it into ClearWork in a few minutes. You'll recreate your invoice template once (GSTIN, bank details, UPI ID) and you're set up for new projects going forward.
Does ClearWork have everything Bonsai has?
ClearWork covers proposals, e-sign contracts, invoicing, time tracking, and a client portal — the full Bonsai feature set — plus GST compliance, UPI payments, TDS tracking, and WhatsApp reminders that Bonsai doesn't have. Bonsai remains a fine choice if you only invoice in USD and never need Indian tax compliance.
Switch from Bonsai in under an hour.
Start free trial15-day free Pro trial · Then free forever · No credit card needed
Also comparing other tools? HoneyBook alternative · Dubsado alternative · All alternatives