How we picked
A CRM that takes payments collapses the gap between closing a deal and getting paid. The five below pass three tests: they send invoices or payment requests from inside the CRM, they collect real payments (card and usually ACH) without a third-party checkout, and they log the payment against the client record so your pipeline and your cash are in one place. We focused on service businesses and freelancers, where this matters most.
What to consider
- Card and ACH support. Cards are table stakes; ACH/bank transfer saves real money on larger invoices. HoneyBook, Keap, and Bonsai support both; confirm ACH availability on your plan.
- Processing fees. The subscription is only half the cost. Check the per-transaction rate — some platforms set their own, others pass Stripe's through. For high invoice volume, a 0.5% difference matters more than the monthly fee.
- Automation around payment. The real win is automatic reminders for unpaid invoices, recurring/installment billing, and payment-triggered workflows. Keap and HoneyBook are strongest here; vcita ties payment to scheduling.
- Branded client experience. For client-facing businesses, a branded invoice and payment page builds trust. HoneyBook and Thryv emphasize this; Bonsai keeps it clean and simple for solo work.
- Accounting sync. Payments still need to reach your books. Look for QuickBooks/Xero sync — present in HoneyBook, Keap, and Bonsai — so you're not re-keying revenue.
Pricing snapshot
These are priced as flat monthly platforms rather than per-seat CRMs, which suits the solo and small-team users they target. HoneyBook starts around $29/mo (annual) and bundles CRM, contracts, invoicing, and payments. Bonsai is similarly priced for freelancers and adds light accounting. vcita and Thryv price by plan and business size, with Thryv aimed at local service businesses wanting everything in one place. Keap is the most expensive (from roughly $129/mo) because it pairs payments with serious marketing automation. Remember the real cost is subscription plus per-transaction processing fees — for a business sending a few large invoices a month, ACH support and the processing rate will outweigh the plan price.