Bonsai API
A REST API exists but is treated as integration plumbing: API keys generate self-serve from Settings, yet there is no developer portal, published spec, or SDKs. Real integration runs through Zapier (proposal, contract, and invoice triggers); webhooks are Zapier-mediated rather than first-party.
Frequently asked questions
Bonsai scores C on the API Report Card. A REST API exists but is treated as integration plumbing: API keys generate self-serve from Settings, yet there is no developer portal, published spec, or SDKs. Real integration runs through Zapier (proposal, contract, and invoice triggers); webhooks are Zapier-mediated rather than first-party.
Bonsai has an official API, but teams routinely hit its limits: gated access, partial coverage, or paid tiers. Most end up supplementing it with exports or an unofficial API layer like Supergood.
Bonsai (legal entity Bonsai Technologies Inc., marketed as 'Hello Bonsai' at hellobonsai.com) is an all-in-one business management suite built for freelancers, independent contractors, solo consultants, and small creative/professional-services agencies.
Vertical: misc (horizontal freelancer/agency operations suite; not aligned with any Supergood named vertical). Sub-vertical: Freelancer & Agency Business Management (proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management, time tracking). Client/lead CRM with custom intake forms and tagging. Proposal builder with template library and accept/decline tracking. Contract templates with legally-reviewed clauses and e-signature.
Medium-low, 4/10. Bonsai is one of the more recognized freelancer-suite brands alongside HoneyBook, Plutio, Dubsado, and FreshBooks, and is regularly featured in 'best freelance tools' roundups.
Owner: Bonsai Technologies Inc., privately held. Founders: Matt Brown (CEO), Matthieu Plessner. Founded: 2016; Y Combinator W16. HQ: San Francisco, CA. Funding: Seed-stage; YC + angels (~$1M reported); bootstrapped after seed.
Founded 2016 in San Francisco; Y Combinator W16 batch.
Grades measure one thing: can a customer's engineering team get their own data out programmatically? We check six things (whether a real API exists, how access is gated, data coverage, auth quality, docs and developer experience, and stability) and roll them into a letter grade. Grades get re-verified, and they only move on evidence.