17hats vs Bigin by Zoho CRM: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
17hats
All-in-one business management app for freelancers: proposals, contracts, invoicing, scheduling, and bookkeeping in one place.
Bigin by Zoho CRM
8.0(450 reviews)
Lightweight CRM from Zoho designed for small businesses that find full CRM platforms too complex.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | 17hats | Bigin by Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Freelance photographers, designers, and consultants managing 15-30 active clients | Micro-businesses and solopreneurs needing their first CRM under $10/month |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $15/mo | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
17hats
Pros
- Replaces 6+ separate tools for proposals, contracts, invoicing, scheduling, and bookkeeping
- Automated client workflow chains from lead capture to signed contract to invoice in minutes
- Flat monthly pricing with unlimited contacts — no surprises as your client list grows
- E-signature built into contracts eliminates the need for DocuSign or HelloSign
- Bookkeeping module generates profit/loss reports sufficient for tax preparation
Cons
- Built for solopreneurs only — no team features, task assignment, or multi-user collaboration
- No sales pipeline management or deal tracking for structured selling processes
- Scheduling feature lacks the polish and flexibility of dedicated tools like Calendly
- Reporting is minimal with no custom dashboards or advanced analytics
- Mobile apps work but lag behind the desktop web experience significantly
Bigin by Zoho CRM
Pros
- Incredibly affordable at $7/user/month for the Express plan
- Setup takes under 30 minutes with minimal learning curve
- Clean mobile app with built-in dialer and business card scanner
- One-click migration path to full Zoho CRM when you outgrow it
- Connected pipelines let you manage sales, onboarding, and support together
Cons
- No advanced reporting or custom analytics dashboards
- Automation limited to basic rules without complex workflow branching
- No custom modules - you work with what Bigin provides
- Free plan restricted to just 1 user and 500 contacts
- Teams over 15-20 people will likely outgrow it within a year
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| 17hats | subscription | $15/mo |
| Bigin by Zoho CRM | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose 17hats if...
Freelance photographers, designers, and consultants managing 15-30 active clients
Choose Bigin by Zoho CRM if...
Micro-businesses and solopreneurs needing their first CRM under $10/month
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.