Question 1

What does "zero platform fees" mean?

Accepted Answer

seashellOS charges absolutely nothing on top of your client payments. You only pay your payment processor's standard rate (card processing is typically around 2.9% + 30¢, though it varies by processor). Some platforms take more: Bonsai adds a 1% markup on every payment, and HoneyBook requires payments to run through its own in-house processing — their rate, their terms, no choice of processor. With seashellOS you connect your own Stripe, Square, or Helcim account, and everything beyond the standard processing fee stays with you.

Question 2

Is the Free tier really free forever?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Free tier is genuinely free with no time limit and no credit card required. You get up to 3 active clients, project management, invoicing, contracts, client messaging, and galleries. When you're ready for more, Pro and Pro+ tiers unlock unlimited clients, bookings, AI, and custom branding with generous free trials.

Question 3

What is the white-label client portal?

Accepted Answer

Every paid plan gives your clients a branded login portal with your logo and brand colors — it looks and feels like your own software, not generic SaaS. On Enterprise, it goes fully white-label: your own custom domain (e.g., portal.yourbusiness.com) with zero seashellOS branding anywhere. Clients can view projects, pay invoices, approve deliverables, and message you all in one place.

Question 4

Can I switch tiers later?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Upgrade or downgrade anytime. When you upgrade, you get immediate access to new features and we prorate the difference. When you downgrade, your current tier stays active until the end of your billing period. No penalties, no contracts.

Question 5

How does seashellOS compare to HoneyBook?

Accepted Answer

HoneyBook Essentials is $59/month — three times seashellOS Pro+ at $19.99/month — and every client payment must run through HoneyBook's own in-house processing at 2.9% + $0.25, so you never choose your processor. With seashellOS you connect your own Stripe, Square, or Helcim account, with zero platform fees on top. At $10,000/month in revenue the all-in difference is about $440/year in your favor — and seashellOS includes white-label client portals, the Shello AI assistant, and a full financial dashboard, features HoneyBook doesn't offer.

Question 6

Is my data safe? Can I export it?

Accepted Answer

Yes and yes. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest. We use PostgreSQL with strict tenant data isolation — your data is never mixed with other businesses. You can export all your data anytime in standard formats (CSV, JSON, PDF). No lock-in, no games.

Question 7

Do you support agencies with multiple team members?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our multi-tenant architecture is purpose-built for agencies. Each team member or sub-brand gets their own isolated workspace with their own clients, projects, and branding. You get centralized control and a single bill. Enterprise tiers include SSO and advanced team management.

Question 8

What is the Shello AI Assistant?

Accepted Answer

Shello is seashellOS's built-in AI that helps you draft client messages, plan project timelines, and get intelligent suggestions based on your business context. Available on Pro+ and Enterprise tiers. It's like having a smart assistant that understands your business.

Question 9

What payment methods do my clients see?

Accepted Answer

Your clients pay through your connected payment processor, which supports all major credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH bank transfers. The payment page is fully branded with your business identity — no seashellOS or processor branding visible.

Question 10

How do payment processing fees work — and how do I save on them?

Accepted Answer

Processing fees come from your payment processor, not from seashellOS — we never add a markup. Card payments typically run around 2.9% + 30¢, but the exact rate depends on which processor you connect: Stripe, Square, and Helcim all price differently (Helcim, for example, uses interchange-plus pricing that can be lower at higher volume). The biggest way to save is ACH bank transfers for large or recurring invoices — ACH is dramatically cheaper than cards. Wire transfers are also supported for high-value payments.

Question 11

What happens if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Cancel anytime with no penalties or fees. Your account stays active until the end of your billing period. After that, your data is preserved for 30 days so you can export it or reactivate. We believe in earning your business every month, not trapping you with contracts.

Question 12

Can I rent out my equipment through seashellOS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our Gear Rental Management system lets you list cameras, lenses, lighting, and audio equipment for rent. Clients browse your availability calendar, select dates, opt into damage waivers, and check out through your payment processor — including automatic deposit holds. The system includes renter identity verification, inspection workflows, trust scoring, and dispute resolution. Gear Rental is available on Pro+ and Enterprise tiers.

Feature	seashellOSPro+ ($19/mo)	BonsaiEssentials ($25/user)
Starting Price (comparable tier)	$9/mo (Pro)	$25/user/mo
Platform Transaction Fees	$0	+1% per transaction
White-Label Client Portal	Team
Custom Domain	Team
AI Assistant (Shello)
Financial Command Center		Premium ($39/user)
Multi-Tenant / Agency Mode
Client Messaging
Invoicing & Payments
Project Management
Gantt Charts		Premium ($39/user)
Free Plan	Free forever tier	7-day trial
International FX Fee	Processor standard	+2.5%
Per-User Pricing	$99 base + $14.99/seat	Per user
Gear Rental Management

seashellOS vs
Bonsai

At $10k/month in revenue, Bonsai costs you ~$1,270 more per year.

Four things Bonsai charges extra for — or lacks.

No 1% payment markup

Flat pricing, not per-user

Client messaging built in

Shello AI, included