Real-data stack · Snapshot v0.7 · checked 2026-10-23
Relationship CRM + newsletter stack for a fractional CMO
Short answer: folk + Kit + Dubsado (three tools) costs $85/mo on annual billing ($1,020/yr), or $104/mo month-to-month. The alternative (Bonsai all-in-one (cheaper software)) comes to $62/mo. Every dollar below is computed from our Pricing Snapshot, not typed by hand.
Recommended: folk + Kit + Dubsado (three tools)
| Layer | Pick | Units | Annual $/mo | Monthly $/mo | Status | Admin hrs/wk (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRM | folk Standard — relationship-first CRM for referrers and past clients | 1 | $24 | $30 | Vendor-verified | 1 |
| Kit Creator (1,000 subscribers) — the newsletter that feeds the pipeline | 1 | $33 | $39 | Vendor-verified | 1 | |
| Client ops | Dubsado Starter — SOW, contract, retainer invoice by ACH | 1 | $28 | $35 | Vendor-verified | 1.25 |
| Total | $85 | $104 | 3.25 | |||
Why this recipe fits this practice
- Your pipeline is relationships: past clients, referrers and newsletter readers. folk is a relationship-first CRM; Kit Creator adds the sequences that turn readers into calls.
- The all-in-one looks cheaper: Bonsai Premium + Kit is $62/mo vs $85/mo for three tools, $276/yr less.
- But at $8,000 retainers, Bonsai ACH (1%, no cap) costs $80 per invoice vs $5 on Dubsado. Across 3 clients that is $2,700/yr, which wipes out the software saving.
The fee math
| What | Result | How we got it |
|---|---|---|
| Three-tool stack, annual billing | $85/mo | folk $24 + Kit Creator $33 + Dubsado Starter $28 |
| Bonsai all-in-one, annual billing | $62/mo | Bonsai Premium $29 + Kit Creator $33 |
| Software saving from the all-in-one | $276/yr | (three-tool − all-in-one) × 12 |
| Yearly ACH fees, 3 × $8,000 (example size) | $180 Dubsado vs $2,880 Bonsai | 0.8% max $5 vs 1.0% per payment, × 36 payments |
| Net: all-in-one costs more per year | +$2,424 | ACH fee gap − software saving |
“Example size” invoices are worked examples, not market data. Put in your own number.
Alternative: Bonsai all-in-one (cheaper software)
| Layer | Pick | Units | Annual $/mo | Monthly $/mo | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client ops + CRM | Bonsai Premium — deals pipeline + client ops in one tool | 1 | $29 | $39 | Vendor-verified |
| Kit Creator | 1 | $33 | $39 | Vendor-verified | |
| Total | $62 | $78 | |||
Watch-outs
- If you route Bonsai payments through Stripe or PayPal instead of Bonsai Payments, Bonsai adds a 1% platform fee on top.
- Kit bills on active subscribers. The $33/mo figure is for 1,000 subscribers.
- folk sequences and dashboards need Premium ($48 annual / $60 monthly).
- If your clients pay by card, the three tools cost about the same to collect through (2.9% + $0.30 on both Dubsado and Bonsai) and the all-in-one wins on software.
FAQ
Is an all-in-one cheaper for a fractional CMO?
On software, yes ($276/yr less). On a $8,000 retainer paid by ACH, no: Bonsai’s uncapped 1% ACH fee costs $2,700/yr more across 3 clients than Dubsado’s $5 cap.
What does the recommended stack cost?
$85/mo on annual billing ($104/mo month-to-month), with the newsletter at 1,000 subscribers.
Related: Payment fees: HoneyBook vs Dubsado vs Bonsai · One tool vs best-of-breed · ActiveCampaign vs Kit · All niche stacks · Stack-bill change log