Hello,

I am looking for some feedback regarding the Blesta billing script. We are currently using WHMCS but looking to make the switch to blesta.

The reason i feel Blest would be best, is because of the interface. To me there interface is alot more professional.

Now i have found that there billing system is lacking some features needed.

Overall the software is nice.

Can someone please give me some input or feedback regarding this billing script?

I am looking for feedback from people using the billing script or have used it in the past.

Please let me know if it is a smart move to switch.

Thanks

Fr those who have no idea what Blesta is. You can view the script here and leave some feedback.

http://www.blesta.com/

Thanks

What exactly makes you want to move away from WHMCS, apart from the interface? I'm not here to defend WHMCS or Blesta, however WHMCS is what I would call a more mature interface (it might not look pretty, but it is at least useable.)

Blesta's interface is pretty clunky, but that's my personal opinion. I would say that Blesta, in time, will be a very good product, however at the moment it is still very young; though the potential there is good and will one day be better than WHMCS unless WHMCS makes some serious changes.

Thanks for your reply and input.

Here is some of the reasons.

1. Blesta is not a 1 man show like Matt. I have no issue with Matt but i am just saying that more can be done when you have more then 1 developer.

2. Blesta offers phone support. (Not that it is really needed. But in some cases it can be needed)

3. Paul and Cody are really nices guys and know what they are doing. (Paul and cody being Blesta Developers.

4. The client side interface. I find it is more professional. (The admin side could use a little work.

5. WHMCS support is not all that great when needed and they only offer ticket support.
6. The Blesta developers do custom jobs on request which i think is wicked.


Now there is down falls to Blesta.

They lack some main features that are needed by most companys.

Right now our company is thinking about the switch. However we are not sure as of yet due to some lack of features.

Any other input on this would be great. Please tell me what you think of Blest.

Thanks

I can't believe I'm saying this - and I'm not defending WHMCS in any way:

I believe WHMCS is more than just Matt, there also might be a guy called John and maybe someone else - though they may only be working support rather than development. I don't want to be too specific in case I offend anyone, but I'm sure someone with more information and the time to check WHMCS's forums will jump in and defend WHMCS to the death and probably tell you the names of the other developers. In the event that it is just Matt for development, I completely agree with you. :)

I agree that phone support is a great benefit; WHMCS offers paid phone support but the pricing isn't publicly available. I guess that it's better than nothing, but free phone support is better. :)

Grand. :)

The client side interface is, by default, nicer than WHMCS. That said, if I had to work with it everyday, I would think about cutting my fingers off. Similarly, if my "host" used WHMCS, I would have to cut my fingers off anyway. Ever noticed with nearly all WHMCS integrations that you can tell the software is WHMCS just by the way everything looks? :) I'm just kidding about the fingers - I wouldn't seriously cut them off, I might bash them or something, but probably not cut them off; I'm sure Blesta can be skinned to be the way you want it to look, but yes I'll agree it looks better by default.

A paid phone number is available; however how likely is it that you will need anything more than ticket support, in the event that either you stick with WHMCS or move to Blesta?

I believe WHMCS developers also do the same.

Could you go into more detail on which features are missing from Blesta? I bet that if you really need them, the developer's from Blesta will add them for you; they seem like a very nice bunch of guys (from what you say, and from my own experience.)

It sounds like you really like Blesta; I personally think it's got a lot of potential. What it comes down to is: does it work for your business? A software package can have 1000s of features that you wont ever use, but if it doesn't include one you need, it's not for you.

If you can get the features you want from Blesta, I believe that from your requirements and what you dislike about WHMCS, you would be in a good position to justify migrating from WHMCS to Blesta. I believe Blesta also offers a discount for refugees from another software package. :)

I like you already:).
1. From what i can it is just Matt developing WHMCS, which is fine.
Now i could be wrong but i think im right.
2. WHMCS support is not all that great and when you really need it you might as well jump of a building.
3. Blesta offers phone support free as you said and i think that is a big thing when companys really need help with an issue.
4. Totally agree 100% that the Blesta client side interface is better then WHMCS which is 1 of the main reasons we want to move away from WHMCS.
5. Wow, im shocked you said that every WHMCS integrations looks the same. I am so happy i am not the only 1 that has noticed. WHMCS is widly used and every host that uses this software looks the same.
I hate it.
This is why i want to switch to Blesta as it looks more unique and more professional in my eyes.

Now to answer your questions on the features Blesta is lacking.

Payment gateway modules.
1. AlertPay (https://www.alertpay.com)
2. PayPal Payment Pro (https://www.paypal.com)
Fraud Protection modules.
1. Telesign (http://www.telesign.com)
Domain Registrars modules
1. ResellerClub (http://www.resellerclub.com)
Other features needed.
1. The option to log into a clients account from the admin panel.
2. The option to upload attachments to tickets.
3. The option to upload credit to accounts.

1. The option to set tickets (On Hold)
2. The option to set tickets (In progress)
3. Security questions (incase of lost or stolen email accounts)
4. Product addons (This is a must) This is something needed for addons like dedicated ip address ect.
5. The option to create qoutes.
6. The option to merge accounts.
7. The option to merge tickets.

Thanks

Ouch, that's quite a list of features that it is missing. Have you consulted with the developer's over whether any of those features will be implemented, and if so how long it will take?

Unfortunately, if your business relies on those features, the only thing you can do is keep using your existing software until Blesta has those features available. I would advise against paying for anything custom regarding those modules, as they are pretty "standard" and many people would be interested in them.

To be honest, I thought Blesta had already integrated all those modules; though now I can see I was completely off. I expect that the developers will include those modules, it's just a matter of time. :(

If you really want your client area to look a bit like the Blesta client area, you could always skin WHMCS to look like Blesta. :) :evilb:

I believe one of Blesta's developers is a member on this forum; you might be wise to give him a shout if you haven't already here: pphillips (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/member.php?u=35876).

3. Paul and Cody are really nices guys and know what they are doing. (Paul and cody being Blesta Developers.


You make it sound like we're a 2 man show, you forgot about Tyson! :D I don't blame you though, he's less of a front man. hehe


2. The option to upload attachments to tickets.
3. The option to upload credit to accounts.


In 2.2, which we just released on Monday does have support for uploading attachments to tickets both through the interface and through email piped tickets.

I may not understand what you mean exactly on #3, but you can add credits to client accounts. Any payments entered above and beyond the invoiced amount, or by itself when no invoices are open automatically show up as a credit.. just a note though, this works with credit card charges (and checks, manual paypal entry, in house credits, etc) but doesn't work yet with our non-merchant gateways like PayPal or Google Checkout or 2Checkout.

You've brought up some good points with some of those other features and I'm happy to say we already have plans to implement most of them. :)

Hi R393,

I'd like to address your points.

1. You are wrong on this one :) We have 2 developers and 5 staff in total.

2. We certainly try to be. Please let me know your ticket number where you had an unsatisfactory experience so I can review it.

3. Phone support on a call anytime basis unfortunately becomes impossible to do when you grow to as many users as use our product compared with the number of staff. But we do offer it on request as an extra (as was mentioned) and support via ticket is usually much more convenient for exchanging logins, urls, etc...

4. This is a matter of opinion but it is customisable if you specifically want to change anything

5. Not every WHMCS integration is the same - just those who don't bother to fully customise it. A lot of hosts like to get up and running as quickly & easily as possible and therefore use the default templates & icons. There's not a lot we can do about this except make it fully customisable for those that want to make it different.

6. We also do custom development work on request

Thanks,
Matt

I think admins cannot see the list of domain/hosting accounts on Blesta.

I think admins cannot see the list of domain/hosting accounts on Blesta.

All hosting/domain/other services are listed in the admin area under Billing > Services and under each clients client page.

All hosting/domain/other services are listed in the admin area under Billing > Services and under each clients client page.

Sorry, I saw it now, great. Using of your software seems more easy than others. Because there are not too many functions on admin panel. But if you add some more usefull functions when it will be better(for example List Hosting Accounts - List Domains - - List Resellers - List Other Products... etc.)

I'm looking at blesta too, unfortunately WHMCS do not offer billing cycles option for hosting packages. But Blasta lack of some features (Specially with coupons) and some modules

I tried both Blesta 2.0 and WHMCS and although I really really wanted to use Blesta it just lacked too much functionality to justify the effort. In my specific case I wanted to be able to customize the order process to include add-ons and tailor the process more for VPS server purchases, and coupons etc. This is possible to do but I think will require the development of custom modules/order system etc. In WHMCS it's simply built right in.. and I just couldn't justify the development effort considering the other lack of features.

I am subscribed to the mailing list and will continue to check in on Blesta's progress and hope to re-evaluate it in the future as every release seems to bring new features (e.g. of importance to me, 2.2 added support ticket attachments! :)

I checked blesta's site, they are more expensive than whmcs. I can buy whmcs at almost $12/mo from licensepal

I will be switching to Blesta from CE. The have an amazing deal right now for it. With respect to blesta I will not post it since I have not seen it on WHT. If you check there website you can find the link. A little birdie told me about the deal.

I think at lot of the features such as product addons etc can be done via using the API so you can then totally customize each and every aspect.

Maybe someone from Blesta would like to confirm that?

http://www.blesta.com/documents/API_Documentation.pdf

That's the API documentation; I'm not entirely sure what product addons you mean as I can't see any addon functions within the documentation?

http://www.blesta.com/manual/API:Get_Custom_Field

Found the link to it from their forums + I remember one of my clients telling me about it....

Again though I am just relaying information.

I think at lot of the features such as product addons etc can be done via using the API so you can then totally customize each and every aspect.

Maybe someone from Blesta would like to confirm that?

The API was designed initially for creating order forms. Every order form in Blesta uses the API (even our integrated order form). So, yes, you can create product addons for your order forms through the API, however we have plans to improve the process greatly (e.g. include add-ons into the integrated order system, quantity control, etc.).

We're all about making things easier to use. Heck, we even make switching to Blesta easy :D

I've tried both systems. With WHMCS v4, the end user portal has been re-designed, and I must say the developers did a phenomenal job, so in my opinion that issue is out. The question is how much you need your system to do for you. While I appreciated how simple and easy to use Blesta was, we ended up going with WHMCS because it does a lot more - from support to the custom plans add-on that lets customers build their own hosting plan. We tried to use Blesta and an external help desk system, but it only complicated things to have two separate systems - with separate logins - for billing and support. I hope to see Blesta more developed in the future, with advanced support ticketing, a KB engine, and over all more features, but for now we're sticking with WHMCS.

As a side note, one other thing I'd like to see from either WHMCS or Blesta is an integrated Live Help Chat module. Our help desk system (SmarterTrack) used to have the KB, tickets, and live help integrated, but when we dumped Blesta for WHMCS we also dumped SmarterTrack, so now we need an external live chat system...

I will be switching to Blesta from CE. The have an amazing deal right now for it. With respect to blesta I will not post it since I have not seen it on WHT. If you check there website you can find the link. A little birdie told me about the deal.

We'll be making an announcement in the software and scripts forum tomorrow, Monday Aug 3rd.


http://www.blesta.com/documents/API_Documentation.pdf

That's the API documentation; I'm not entirely sure what product addons you mean as I can't see any addon functions within the documentation?

The PDF documentation is a little out dated and will be removed soon. Please refer to www.blesta.com/manual/ for the most current information, including regarding the API as it replaces our previous documentation.

You guys must understand that Blesta is a new software, WHMCS has been out for quite a while. With some time Blesta will add the features that is lacking.

About the pricing, WHMCS license may be a bit cheaper now, but when Blesta get more Resellers the cost of the monthly licenses will be 25% less which bring the price range about the same as WHMCS.

Blesta should come down on pricing if they want to compete with WHMCS / Clientexec :)

What say ?

The price is pretty competitive for the value of the software.

As well as its powerfulness (if thats even a word)

Does Blesta allow override their support module by other helpdesk software?

I had never heard of Blesta before tonight. Someone referred me to them (and this thread)... I heard they had a cheap $39 owned special going on, but unfortunately it looks like you have to own WHMCS to get it and we just lease it.

That and the lack of an affiliate/referral system really hurts.

I had never heard of Blesta before tonight. Someone referred me to them (and this thread)... I heard they had a cheap $39 owned special going on, but unfortunately it looks like you have to own WHMCS to get it and we just lease it.

That and the lack of an affiliate/referral system really hurts.

But damn, the demo sure seems nice. I'm really liking the minimalistic feel... not so cluttered. Just simple and easy on the eyes.

Why have I never heard of Blesta before tonight?

Does Blesta allow override their support module by other helpdesk software?

You can yes, by editing the templates to point the support links to your support application. However there is no single-login support yet - you can't log into Blesta and automatically be logged into your support app.. at least not without some tweaking.


That and the lack of an affiliate/referral system really hurts.

This will likely be coming, though some other features are getting a lot more requests so it's not at the top of our list at the moment.

But damn, the demo sure seems nice. I'm really liking the minimalistic feel... not so cluttered. Just simple and easy on the eyes.

Why have I never heard of Blesta before tonight?

Thanks! .. and, that's a good question, I wish I had a good answer.