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Project Management

Basecamp vs Bonsai: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Basecamp and Bonsai. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Basecamp starts at Custom pricing and Bonsai starts at Custom pricing. Compare all 9 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: August 24, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated August 24, 2026
Try Basecamp freeTry Bonsai freePrice updated 4d agoUpdated this month
Best Value

Basecamp - Basecamp for team project management; Bonsai for freelance business operations.

Basecamp vs Bonsai: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureBasecampBonsai
Starting PriceCustom pricingCustom pricing
Number of Plans54
Free TierYesNo
Pricing Modelflatper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Basecamp and Bonsai are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Project Management tools. Together they offer 9 pricing plans with 86 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Basecamp stands out with a free plan for getting started. Basecamp uses flat pricing while Bonsai uses per-seat pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Project Management needs.

Pricing Plans
Basecamp
Basecamp
Try free
Bonsai
Bonsai
Try free
Tier 1
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • 1 GB storage space ? You can upgrade if you ever need more file storage.
  • 5 users max
  • Project templates
  • Multiple tools per project
  • Time tracking
  • Enhanced admin features
  • 5 GB storage space ? You can upgrade if you ever need more file storage.
  • 24/7/365 support
  • Project templates
  • Multiple tools per project
  • Time tracking
  • Enhanced admin features
  • Annual billing
  • Up to 10 active projects ? Archived or deleted projects don’t count against your total. You could have dozens of projects, but only 10 can be active at once.
  • 25 GB storage space ? You can upgrade if you ever need more file storage.
  • UNLIMITED users, no per-user fees ? Add as many people as you want at no additional cost.
  • UNLIMITED tools per project ? Add multiple message boards, chat rooms, card tables, or other tools to a single project.
  • Project templates ? Create reusable project and to-do list templates with the same structure, workflows, and setup across projects.
  • Bring your own AI agents ? CLI access and skills for AI agents you run on your computer.
  • ChatGPT and Claude AI connectors ? Official Basecamp support for ChatGPT, Claude, and AI agents with full MCP support (coming soon).
  • 24/7/365 support
  • Time tracking
  • Enhanced admin features
  • Annual billing
  • 100 GB storage space ? You can upgrade if you ever need more file storage.
  • Time tracking ? Track hours/time spent working on projects.
  • 24/7/365 support
  • Enhanced admin features
  • Annual billing
  • Time tracking ? Track hours/time spent working on projects.
Start with Free
Basic
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Time tracking
  • Task management
  • Unlimited projects
  • CRM
  • Service library
  • iOS & Android app
  • Unlimited clients
Start with Basic
Tier 2
Freelancer, $25/mo
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • 5 GB storage space ? You can upgrade if you ever need more file storage.
  • 24/7/365 support
  • Project templates
  • Multiple tools per project
  • Time tracking
  • Enhanced admin features
  • Annual billing
Start with Freelancer, $25/mo
Essentials
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Everything in Basic plus
  • Invoices & Payments
  • Proposals & Contracts
  • All templates
  • Forms & Questionnaires
  • Scheduling
  • Client portal
  • Expense tracking
  • Income tracking
Start with Essentials
Tier 3
Studio, $59/mo
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Up to 10 active projects ? Archived or deleted projects don’t count against your total. You could have dozens of projects, but only 10 can be active at once.
  • 25 GB storage space ? You can upgrade if you ever need more file storage.
  • UNLIMITED users, no per-user fees ? Add as many people as you want at no additional cost.
  • UNLIMITED tools per project ? Add multiple message boards, chat rooms, card tables, or other tools to a single project.
  • Project templates ? Create reusable project and to-do list templates with the same structure, workflows, and setup across projects.
  • Bring your own AI agents ? CLI access and skills for AI agents you run on your computer.
  • ChatGPT and Claude AI connectors ? Official Basecamp support for ChatGPT, Claude, and AI agents with full MCP support (coming soon).
  • 24/7/365 support
  • Time tracking
  • Enhanced admin features
  • Annual billing
Start with Studio, $59/mo
PremiumPopular
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Everything in Essentials plus
  • Project insights
  • Workload management
  • Gantt view
  • Deals pipeline
  • Custom fields & properties
  • Client tasks & messaging
  • Profit & Productivity reports
  • Remove Bonsai branding
  • Integrations (QuickBooks, Zapier, Calendly, Google)
Start with Premium
Tier 4
Pro, $99/mo
Custom pricing
Includes
  • 100 GB storage space ? You can upgrade if you ever need more file storage.
  • Time tracking ? Track hours/time spent working on projects.
  • 24/7/365 support
  • Enhanced admin features
  • Annual billing
Start with Pro, $99/mo
Elite
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Everything in Premium plus:
  • Custom permissions
  • Timesheet locking
  • Add markup to expenses
  • Xero integration
  • Custom data import
Start with Elite
Tier 5
Unlimited, $299/mo, billed annually
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Time tracking ? Track hours/time spent working on projects.
Start with Unlimited, $299/mo, billed annually
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Basecamp

Simple project management and team communication in one place

View all Basecamp plans

Bonsai

Business management for freelancers with contracts and invoicing

View all Bonsai plans
Our Pick

Basecamp

Basecamp for team project management; Bonsai for freelance business operations.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Try Basecamp freeFree plan available

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Basecamp if:

  • •You manage team projects and need message boards, to-dos, and file sharing
  • •Basecamp's flat pricing covers unlimited users at $299/month
  • •You need team project communication beyond individual freelance workflows

Choose Bonsai if:

  • •You are a freelancer or small agency that needs contracts, invoicing, and project tracking
  • •Your primary need is managing clients and getting paid
  • •Bonsai at $17/month covers the full freelance business workflow

Basecamp and Bonsai serve different users. Basecamp is for teams managing projects together. Bonsai is for freelancers managing client relationships and billing. These don't compete for the same buyer.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Basecamp vs Bonsai

How many pricing plans does Basecamp have vs Bonsai?
Basecamp offers 5 pricing plans, while Bonsai offers 4 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Basecamp or Bonsai offer a free plan?
Basecamp offers a free plan, while Bonsai does not. If budget is a concern, Basecamp lets you get started at no cost.
What is the most popular Bonsai plan?
The Premium plan is Bonsai's most popular tier, priced at Custom pricing. Key features include Everything in Essentials plus, Project insights, Workload management.
Does Basecamp or Bonsai offer custom enterprise pricing?
Yes, both Basecamp and Bonsai offer custom enterprise pricing tiers with quote-based pricing. Contact each vendor for a tailored quote.
What pricing models do Basecamp and Bonsai use?
Basecamp uses a flat pricing model, while Bonsai uses per-seat pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do Basecamp and Bonsai compare for Project Management?
Both Basecamp and Bonsai are Project Management tools. Basecamp offers 5 plans starting at Custom pricing, while Bonsai offers 4 plans starting at Custom pricing. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Project Management needs.
AI Recommendations

Sources

  1. Basecamp Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
  2. Bonsai Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page

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