EVENT SOFTWARE COMPARISON
Built for Events.
Not Everything Else.
HoneyBook works for consultants, designers, and tutors. Check Cherry was built from the ground up for DJs, photo booths, bartenders, event venues, and event pros who need software that understands how events actually work.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.
Check Cherry, rated by real event pros
Built to grow with you
Most Check Cherry businesses started as a side hustle. As they grew, added staff, took on more events, and offered more services, Check Cherry grew with them. The platform has been shaped by ten years of feedback from businesses just like yours.
A general tool can run the basics, but it won't grow into the event-specific tools, like travel fees, inventory, and staff scheduling, that you'll lean on as you scale.
Switching systems later is painful, so it's worth getting right the first time. A few dollars a month is small next to your client experience and the hours back in your week. Invest in the system built for where you're headed, not just where you are today.
Independent reviews
Higher rated than HoneyBook on Trustpilot
CHECK CHERRY
4.8HONEYBOOK
3.6See the verified reviews on Trustpilot . Ratings as of June 2026.
The differences that actually matter
Both cover the basics: proposals, contracts, invoices, and payments. Here's where Check Cherry and HoneyBook genuinely differ.
| Check Cherry | HoneyBook | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Event pros (DJ, booth, bar, photo, venue) | Any service business |
| Event pricing (travel fees, peak-date & weekday rates) | Built in | Not included |
| Add-on & equipment inventory | Built in | Not included |
| Event staff & crew scheduling | Built in | Not included |
| Getting set up | Event-ready out of the box | A general toolkit you configure |
| Connect Claude or ChatGPT | Built in | Not available |
| Starting price | From $29/mo | From $29/mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
Based on publicly available information as of May 2026. Both products update often, so check each company's site for current details.
Which one should you choose?
In short: choose Check Cherry if your work is events and you want event pricing and inventory built in, and choose HoneyBook if you run a non-event service business or want a longer free trial.
Choose Check Cherry if
- Your work is events: DJ, photo booth, bartending, photography, or a venue.
- You want travel fees, peak-date pricing, add-on inventory, and staff scheduling built in.
- You'd rather be event-ready out of the box than configure a generic tool.
- You want to ask Claude or ChatGPT about your bookings, leads, and payments in plain English.
Choose HoneyBook if
- You run a non-event service business, like a designer, coach, or consultant.
- You want a longer free trial to evaluate (HoneyBook offers 30 days).
- You're already deep in HoneyBook and don't need event-specific tools.
A feature list won't tell you the whole story
A lot of event pros run their business across a booking form, a separate contract tool, a spreadsheet for travel fees, a calendar, and a notes app. Check Cherry is the one place where the booking, the contract, the deposit, the travel fee, the staff assignment, and the client's portal all live together and stay in sync.
That's the difference you feel every day, and it's why two tools that both list "contracts" aren't the same thing. When something comes up the week of a big event, you reach a real person who knows event work. It's what customers mention most: everything in one place, and support that actually helps.
So don't stop at the feature table. The best way to compare any two systems is to walk through the customer journey yourself: start a trial, build a package, and book it the way your client would. What your customer experiences is the comparison that matters.
Where Check Cherry is different
The honest differences that matter for an event business
Built for events
Event-specific booking, packages, and date availability out of the box. HoneyBook is a general-purpose tool you configure yourself for any service business.
Event pricing built in
Automatic travel fees, peak-date flex pricing, and add-on inventory. These aren't part of a generalist tool like HoneyBook.
Built for the whole event
Run DJ, photo booth, bartending, photography, and event venues from one account, with song requests, design selection, and staff scheduling built in.
Up and running faster
Event-ready out of the box, instead of building your workflow from a blank generalist toolkit. Most businesses are live in a day or two.
What switchers say
Event pros who made the switch
"We moved from HoneyBook because Check Cherry was more affordable AND made for photo booth companies."
"After using other CRMs since 2016, it was time to make upgrades. When we did a deep dive on Check Cherry, it wasn't long before we made the switch."
"We tried another CRM but setup was a nightmare and tech support took 24 to 48 hours. Check Cherry? Customer service is incredible."
Switching questions
Common questions about making the switch
Is Check Cherry a good HoneyBook alternative?
For event businesses, yes. Check Cherry covers the same proposals, contracts, invoicing, and payments as HoneyBook, then adds event-specific pricing, add-on inventory, and staff scheduling, and is built specifically for how events work. HoneyBook is a strong choice if you run a non-event service business.
Can I connect Check Cherry to ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Check Cherry includes a built-in AI assistant connection (MCP), so you can ask Claude or ChatGPT about your bookings, leads, and payments in plain English. HoneyBook has its own internal AI features but doesn't let you connect your own AI assistant. The Check Cherry API and AI assistant connection are included on every plan.
Will I lose my data if I switch from HoneyBook?
No. You can export your clients, contact information, and event history from HoneyBook and import them into Check Cherry, and our team will walk you through it. Most businesses are up and running within a day or two, and you can run both systems side by side while you settle in.
What about my existing contracts?
Existing contracts signed in HoneyBook remain valid. For new bookings, you'll create contracts in Check Cherry. Many businesses finish current bookings in their old system while using Check Cherry for new leads.
Is there a learning curve?
Check Cherry is designed to be intuitive, and most features work the way you'd expect. We also have video tutorials, help articles, and live chat support to help you get up to speed quickly.
How do I claim the 50% discount?
Start your free trial, then chat with our team and show your current HoneyBook subscription (a screenshot of your billing page works). We'll apply the 50% discount to your first year.
Switch and Save 50%
Already paying for HoneyBook? Show us your current plan and we'll take 50% off your first year of Check Cherry, and walk you through moving your data over.
Switching is Easy
We'll help you every step of the way
Start Your Free Trial
Sign up and explore Check Cherry free for 14 days. No credit card required.
Show Us Your Plan
Chat with us and show your current HoneyBook subscription to unlock 50% off.
We'll Help You Move Over
We'll walk you through importing your clients, events, and templates, so you're not starting from scratch.
See if Check Cherry fits your business
Try it free for 14 days. No credit card required.