Indy

Indy is a web-based all-in-one business management platform designed for independent workers who need contracts, proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and client management in a single workspace. For indie authors who also freelance — editing, writing coaching, ghostwriting — Indy handles the business side without requiring a separate contract tool, invoice platform, and time tracker.

The free tier gives full access to every tool but caps usage at 3 proposals, 3 contracts, and 3 invoices per month, with a maximum of 3 active clients. For a part-time author-freelancer with a handful of ongoing clients, this may be sufficient without any monthly commitment.

What You Get#

• Contracts with e-signature: Create, send, and collect e-signatures on standard freelance contracts. The free tier includes 3 per month; Pro removes the cap.
• Proposals: Send project proposals before engagement. 3 per month free; unlimited on Pro.
• Invoicing: Create invoices with line items and collect payment via PayPal, Stripe, or Zelle. Recurring invoices require the Pro plan.
• Time tracking: Log hours per client or project directly in the app. Available on both free and Pro.
• Task management: Organize project work with a built-in task system. Free and Pro.
• Client portal (Pro only): Branded client-facing space where clients can view contracts, invoices, and communication history.
• AI Digital Assistant (Pro only, Beta): A ChatGPT-powered writing tool embedded in contracts, proposals, and invoice send pages. Drafts content based on role and project context to speed up document creation.

Plans#

Free — $0: Access to all tools with hard limits: 3 proposals, 3 contracts, 3 invoices per month, 3 clients, 10 GB storage.

Pro — $25/month monthly, $225/year ($18.75/month billed annually), or $300 per 2 years ($12.50/month equivalent): Removes all document and client limits, adds branded client portal, recurring invoices, line item templates, white labeling, 1 TB storage, Google Calendar two-way sync, Zapier and Gmail integrations, and live chat support. Includes AI Digital Assistant (Beta). 7-day free trial; 30-day money-back guarantee. Note: the pricing page now defaults to displaying the discounted $12.50/month "save 50%" biennial rate — the true month-to-month price is still $25.

Pricing note: Indy has raised prices multiple times — from $5.99/month at launch to $12/month in March 2023 to $25/month currently. Users on older plans have reported being moved to new pricing without adequate notice.

Who It's For#

• Author-freelancers who invoice clients: Editors, writing coaches, and ghostwriters who need a professional contract + invoice workflow without the expense of a dedicated business suite.
• Part-time freelancers on the free tier: Authors with 2–3 recurring clients who stay within the 3-document-per-month limit get meaningful functionality at $0.
• Authors graduating from spreadsheets: A cleaner starting point than creating contracts in Google Docs and invoicing in a separate tool.

Strengths#

• Free tier is genuinely functional: Unlike Bonsai (no free plan), Indy's free plan includes real contracts, e-signature, and invoicing — not just a preview.
• No platform transaction fee: Indy doesn't take a cut on top of Stripe and PayPal's processor fees.
• Capterra 4.7/5 from ~103 reviews: Well-rated for ease of use and value.

Limitations#

• No native mobile app: Indy is web-only. A mobile-responsive browser experience is in beta, but there is no iOS or Android app as of early 2026. Bonsai and HoneyBook both have native mobile apps.
• Free tier is restrictive: 3 documents and 3 clients per month means one new project per type can push an author over the cap quickly.
• Not a tax or bookkeeping tool: Indy records income and hours but has no tax estimation engine, no quarterly tax calculator, and no IRS filing capability. For bookkeeping and taxes, use Wave, FlyFin, or Keeper separately.
• Pricing hike history: Three price increases since launch ($5.99 → $12 → $25) have drawn complaints from users who felt the changes were handled poorly.
• AppSumo reviews mixed (3.22/5, 23 reviews): Complaints about feature gaps, support responsiveness, and account data deletion upon cancellation.

Alternatives#

Bonsai ($9–$29/month) is the closest alternative — more polished, has a native mobile app, includes accounting/tax reports, and starts at a similar price to Indy Pro after the price increases. Indy wins only if you need the free tier or prefer the simpler interface. HoneyBook ($19–$39/month) targets more established agencies but forces its own payment processor — Indy's flexible payment options (PayPal, Stripe, Zelle) are a meaningful advantage.