Date selection plus signing in one flow
Send one booking link and let the client pick dates before anything is confirmed. The home page shows the booking step, then contract review and signing in the same flow.
Hardbook
Hardbook is a web tool for day-rate freelancers to send one link for date selection, contract signing, and optional deposit collection before a booking is confirmed. It supports browser-based client access, Google Calendar sync, and paid tiers with branding controls.
What Hardbook is
Hardbook is a booking and contract-signing tool for day-rate freelancers who need a client to pick dates and sign before the job is confirmed. It combines scheduling, contract capture, and optional deposit collection into one shared link.
The site positions it as a way to close the gap between an agreed shoot or session and a signed agreement. Instead of moving between separate scheduling and e-signature tools, the freelancer sends one portal that the client can open in a browser with no app or account.
Core features
Contract templates for recurring work
Hardbook supports contract templates, including MSA and SOW workflows, so the agreement can be generated from the booking details instead of typed from scratch each time.
Deposit collection at signing
The product can collect an optional deposit at signing through the freelancer’s own Stripe account, so the booking is tied to payment as well as signature.
Google Calendar sync
It connects to Google Calendar and places the booked dates on the calendar after signing, reducing the chance that held dates and signed work drift apart.
Client-facing branding options
Plans on the pricing page include branding controls such as a portal link, image or video background, a custom domain on Studio, and removal of Hardbook branding on higher tiers.
Operational tools and plan limits
Higher plans add email reminders, auto-approval, performance reporting, income forecasting, and AI contract drafts, with plan-specific limits listed on the pricing page.
Common use cases
Lock in a freelance booking
Use Hardbook when a client has agreed in principle and you want one link to handle availability, signature, and confirmation without back-and-forth messages.
Reuse contract templates for recurring jobs
For repeat clients, use the template system to send the appropriate contract type without recreating the agreement every time.
Take a deposit when the contract is signed
If your booking should require money down, collect an optional deposit at the moment of signing through your own Stripe account.
Keep bookings synchronized with Google Calendar
Freelancers who manage dates in Google Calendar can keep the confirmed booking aligned with their calendar instead of tracking holds in a separate place.
Present a branded booking front door
Studios or freelancers who want a branded client experience can use higher-tier branding controls such as custom domains and removal of Hardbook branding.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combines date selection and contract signing in a single client flow.
- Supports Google Calendar sync and optional deposit collection through Stripe.
- Lets freelancers reuse contract templates for MSA and SOW workflows.
- Offers a free plan and paid tiers with clearer branding and workflow controls.
- The client experience is browser-based and does not require an account or app.
Cons
- The public site does not fully document all integrations or advanced workflow limits.
- Several plan details are visible on the pricing page, but the broader product documentation shown here is limited.
FAQ
Does my client need to install anything?
No. The site says clients open a link in the browser, with no app, no account, and no charge to them.
What kinds of contracts can I send?
Hardbook supports an MSA for new clients and an SOW for repeat ones. The site says you write the templates once, and Hardbook picks the right one for each booking automatically.
What happens if the client doesn’t sign?
If the client does not sign, the booking is not confirmed and the date stays open.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. The pricing page says you can cancel monthly or yearly, and your signed contracts and booking history stay yours to export when you leave.
Is there a free plan?
The pricing page says Free is a free plan forever, with one active portal, and Pro and Studio are paid plans for higher-volume use and branding controls.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Booking and contract signing
- Primary users
- Day-rate freelancers
- Platform
- Web app
- Core workflow
- Client picks dates, signs contract, and can pay a deposit before the booking is confirmed
- Integrations mentioned
- Google Calendar and Stripe
- Pricing model
- Free plan plus paid Pro and Studio tiers
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