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.
Aeto
Project management, task-level time tracking, and invoicing. Mac menu bar timer. 30-day trial, no card. $10/month flat.
Pick Aeto if: your clients are already signed and you want focused delivery tools — without the proposals layer and at half the price.
Bonsai
All-in-one freelance platform: proposals, contracts, CRM, project management, and invoicing. Strong for businesses that need the full pipeline.
Pick Bonsai if: you send proposals, collect e-signatures, or rely on iOS/Android apps — and you want all of it in one place.
| 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, and you have to enter a credit card. Aeto offers 30 days with no card required. For freelancers evaluating a tool that fits into their billing cycle, 30 days gives you enough time to complete a client project and invoice from it before committing.
Simpler pricing.
Bonsai uses per-user pricing starting at $15 per month. To generate invoices, you have to upgrade to the $25/mo plan. Aeto is $10/month flat — everything included, no tier surprises.
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.
Q.01Is Aeto a good Bonsai alternative?
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.
Q.02Does Aeto have proposals and contracts like Bonsai?
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.
Q.03How does Aeto pricing compare to Bonsai?
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.
Q.04Does Bonsai have a Mac desktop app?
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.
Q.05Which has a better free trial, Aeto or Bonsai?
Aeto offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. Bonsai offers a 7-day free trial and requires credit card information. For freelancers who want to evaluate a tool through a complete billing cycle, 30 days is more useful.