10 Best Project Management Software with Client Portal in 2024

Is client communication a nightmare? Lost in endless email chains, missing files, and constant questions about updates? 

Project management chaos can cripple your agency. Without a central system, you’ll drown in scattered files, endless email chains, and missed messages. 

These communication problems can wreck projects, damage your professional image, and leave clients feeling frustrated.

Well, this is where project management software with client portal comes in. Here’s what it does:

• Creates a single space for your team and clients to communicate.
• Allows easy sharing of files between all parties.
• Enables tracking of project progress in real-time.
• Eliminates lost emails and fragmented conversations.

However, among numerous choices, you might feel puzzled to choose one. Hence, we’ve done the legwork and shortlisted the top 10 client portal software options for agencies, design firms, and businesses juggling multiple client projects.

Let’s begin. 

Quick List of The Best Project Management Client Portal Software

1. Agency Handy: Best for small to large digital agencies to manage clients, projects, teams, tasks, and billing — all in one hub.
2. Wrike: Best for comprehensive teamwork management, featuring powerful workflow automation, advanced analytics, and security measures.
3. Asana: Best for connecting strategic goals with teamwork through AI-powered features, multiple project views, and workflow automation.
4. Click-up: Best for streamlining workflows and replacing multiple apps for task management, document collaboration, reporting, and customization.
5. Monday: Best all-in-one work management tool, covering projects, tasks, documents, and requests, with visual interfaces and customizable workflows.
6. OneDesk: Best for businesses needing both customer support and project management in a single, cloud-based platform, prioritizing data security and compliance.
7. Zoho Projects: Best for enterprise project management and team collaboration, offering highly customizable workflows, and native Zoho tool integrations.
8. Accelo: Best for service businesses, focusing on sales, project management, client work, support, billing, and analytics for profitability and productivity.
9. Basecamp: Best for small teams, simplifying project management with consolidated tools, cost savings, and a commitment to sustainable business practices.
10. Celoxis: Best for comprehensive work management in enterprises, offering project planning, insights, and collaboration with flexible deployment.

Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s explore each of these top project management client portal software options in detail. We’ll take a closer look at their features, strengths, and how they stand out in the crowd, providing you with a comprehensive understanding to help you choose the best fit for your business needs.

What is A Project Management Client Portal Software?

A client portal is a central collaboration hub for productive project management. The online platform provides clients with full visibility into tasks, timelines, and key deliverables. Gone are the days of endless email chains and scattered file sharing.

Within the portal, seamless communication and file sharing occurs in one integrated space. Clients can provide feedback in real time, keeping them engaged throughout the entire process. This transparency fosters a trusting, synergistic relationship between your team and the client.

Ultimately, a top-notch client portal eliminates bottlenecks, accelerates decisions, and ensures projects stay on track for successful delivery and satisfied stakeholders. It’s mission control for flawless collaboration.

What are The Advantages of Using Project Management Client Portal Software?

Imagine having a digital command center where every project detail is at your fingertips. That’s what project management client portal software offers, transforming it into the nerve center for all your project activities and improving team collaboration.

• Task Management: Most project management client portal software needs the ability to create, assign, and track tasks and to-do items for team members, with due dates and descriptions, so everyone knows what needs to be done and when.
• Project Planning: Use tools to break down large projects into smaller tasks, set milestones, set deadlines, and map out a timeline. You’ll be able to see your project from start to finish
• File Sharing:  Forget the mess of email attachments. This platform acts as a single, tidy place for all your files, where team members can grab what they need without a hitch.
• Communication Tools: Say goodbye to juggling multiple apps for discussions. All your chats, boards, and comments live in one spot, making it super easy to keep conversations focused and flowing.
• Progress Tracking: Visual tools like Gantt charts or Kanban boards show you exactly where things stand at a glance. It’s a straightforward, visual method to keep the whole team informed and on track.
• Client Portal: This feature changes the game for client relationships. Clients have their own gateway to log in, see updates, and collaborate directly, boosting their involvement and satisfaction.
• Mobile Access: Whether you’re at the desk or on the move, access your projects from any device. It keeps your team agile and responsive, no matter where they are.
• Reporting and Analytics: Armed with powerful analytics, you can track how your projects are doing and where your team’s efforts are going. It’s all about making smarter decisions with better data.
• Automation and Workflow Management: You can automate the repetitive tasks, set up custom to fit your team, and watch your efficiency skyrocket. It’s all about doing more with less effort.
• Integration with Other Tools: Compatibility with other business systems like CRM, accounting software, or productivity apps, creates a more connected and efficient workflow.

So far, we’ve outlined the key features you need in project management client portal software. Now, let’s compare the best options available. Each one is designed to fit your project management needs and help your business succeed.

Best Project Management Client Portal Software 

In this segment, we’ll explore the top choices each with unique features designed to improve your project management experience. From progress tracking to invoicing and pricing options, these platforms cater to diverse business needs. Let’s check out what sets each software apart.

Now that we’ve introduced the top project management client portal software, it’s time to take a closer look at each one. We’ll go into their features, advantages, and drawbacks, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of what each platform offers. 

Additionally, we’ll explore user feedback and reviews, offering insights into real-world experiences.

1. Agency Handy

Agency Handy is specifically designed for order management and digital agencies like yours with a customized client portal. When we tested it, we saw how well it helps align with sales, production, and accounting teams, and keeps everyone on the same page—including your clients—throughout each project.

One thing you’ll love about Agency Handy is how easy it is to onboard clients. You can easily transition from a proposal to a live project, capturing all the essential details right from the start with customized order and intake forms. Agency Handy helps keep everyone aligned and prevents any mix-ups.

The platform also has a great visual task board, like Kanban Boards, and built-in communication tools. These features make it simple to manage your projects and collaborate in real-time. You can keep your clients updated on the progress and timeline of their projects without any hassle.

Compared to ClickUp, which is a more general work management tool with a broad range of features for various workflows, Agency Handy offers a personalized experience that’s tailored just for agencies like yours. It includes specialized features like service catalog, project management, client collaboration, and integrated invoicing that greatly improve your workflows.

Overall, Agency Handy acts as a one-stop platform for managing the entire project lifecycle—from getting new clients on board to delivering projects and handling billing.

With its focus on agency-specific needs and easy integration of key features, it’s designed to optimize your workflows, improve communication with clients, and boost overall efficiency.

Features of Agency Handy

Here are the features that make Agency Handy stand out as a great project management client portal software:

Show Your Services

Start with Agency Handy’s detailed Service Catalog. You can present your services with vibrant descriptions and clear pricing options, whether they’re one-time or recurring. There are also add-ons to encourage clients to purchase more. 

This interactive catalog makes it easy for potential clients to see what you offer and helps turn them into customers by highlighting your capabilities in an engaging way.

Here’s what you can do with Agency Handy’s Services feature:

Customizable Forms

Once the prospect is ready, you can use customizable Order Forms and Intake Forms to gather all the project details right away, which cuts down on back-and-forth messages. 

Clients can place orders, specify project requirements, and even check out by themselves, speeding up the sales process. Plus, eye-catching, on-brand Proposal templates that allow file attachments will boost your professional look and smoothly close deals.

Here’s what you can do with Agency Handy’s customizable Forms feature:

Client Management

Once you bring new clients on board, Agency Handy keeps everything organized in one spot with centralized Client Profiles. These profiles store all client details, order histories, and communication logs. Having a complete overview simplifies managing your clients and allows you to make informed decisions based on their data.

Here’s what you can do with Agency Handy’s Clients feature:

Project Execution

Now that you have all the details, make sure your projects run smoothly with the Order Dashboard. It includes Kanban boards and task assignment features to keep everything on track. With excellent File Management capabilities, all project files are well-organized by order, making them easy to access and refer to whenever needed.

Here’s what you get with Agency Handy’s Orders and Files features:

Team Collaboration

You know that feeling when your crew is humming like a well-oiled machine? Agency Handy makes that the norm, not an anomaly. Within each project, your team can seamlessly share files, provide feedback, communicate via dedicated channels, and track progress – all in one streamlined space. Say goodbye to endless email clutter and hello to true collaborative harmony.

Client Collaboration

Agency Handy’s Client Portal puts your clients in the co-pilot seat throughout the entire project journey. From browsing your service menu to tracking task status, leaving feedback, and submitting support tickets, your clients gain that all-important transparency and control. That open line of sight builds serious trust and cements those valued long-term relationships.

Here’s what your clients get with Agency Handy’s Client Portal feature:

Delivery and Billing

As projects come to close, Agency Handy’s automated invoicing and payment tracking (including split payments) ensure you get paid on time, every time. For those recurring engagements, the subscription management engine handles future tasks, deadlines, and billing cycles with ease – while clients manage their subscriptions directly through the portal. Cash flow, optimized.

Here’s what you get with Agency Handy’s Invoice and Subscription features:

Ongoing Support

Agency Handy’s built-in ticketing system ensures no inquiry goes unanswered. Your team can prioritize, assign, and collaborate to swiftly squash any concerns, solidifying that stellar reputation for top-notch service.

Here’s what you get with Agency Handy’s Tickets feature:

Security and Permissions

With sensitive client data on the line, security is job one. Agency Handy’s granular access controls and industry-standard permissions keep everything locked down tight. At the same time, your team members get appropriate access based on roles like admin or project manager. It’s a win-win for confidentiality and productivity.

Team Management 

Stay on top of your talent pool with Agency Handy’s centralized team directory and user management capabilities. Adding or removing team members, assigning predefined roles, controlling access permissions – it’s all there to optimize your internal operations and maintain an efficient, collaborative workforce.

Reporting and Analytics

Knowledge is power, and Agency Handy’s comprehensive reporting packs a serious punch. Analyze mission-critical metrics like revenue streams, order volumes, team performance, and more. These data-driven insights empower you to optimize processes and make informed decisions to propel your business forward.

Here’s what you get with Agency Handy’s Dashboard feature:

Operational Efficiency

Efficiency is the name of the game, and Agency Handy puts your clients in the driver’s seat. With self-service capabilities like browsing service catalogs, purchasing offerings, managing subscriptions, and submitting tickets, your clients can get what they need without endless back-and-forth. Those accelerated turnaround times? They’re game-changers.

Seamless Communication

We all know communication breakdowns can derail any project. Not on Agency Handy’s watch. This platform keeps your entire crew in lockstep with real-time notifications on updates, file uploads, approvals, and more. No bottlenecks, no misunderstandings – just a finely-tuned collaboration machine.

Global Expansion

Is international expansion on your radar? Agency Handy has you covered with built-in multi-language support right out of the box. That means localized, seamless experiences for clients worldwide as you extend your reach into new markets.

Branding and Customization

Your brand image deserves the spotlight. With Agency Handy’s custom capabilities, you can infuse your unique identity across every client touchpoint. Logos, colors, email templates, custom domains – it’s all there to reinforce that professional polish and amplify brand recognition.

Here’s what you get with Agency Handy’s robust Customization feature:

Best Use Case of Using Agency Handy

Let’s find out how you can maximize your efficiency and client satisfaction by utilizing Agency Handy’s comprehensive suite of features tailored specifically to their needs.

• Digital Agencies: Agency Handy’s client portal acts as a centralized hub for managing projects. Clients can submit tasks, upload files, and track progress through intuitive dashboards and task boards. It enhances collaboration, ensures transparency, and delivers a branded experience.
• Marketing Agencies: For managing multiple campaigns, Agency Handy simplifies project management. You can create dedicated workspaces, share deliverables, gather feedback, and keep clients updated with real-time notifications. 
• Consulting Firms: Consulting firms can manage sensitive client data securely using Agency Handy’s client portal. It allows you to share documents, collaborate efficiently, and keep clients in the loop with real-time updates and task management, ensuring that all project details are transparent and accessible.
• Creative Studios: Manage feedback and approval cycles easily with Agency Handy’s client portal. Show your work, collect direct feedback, and run the approval process. The collaborative method ensures the final product aligns with client expectations and supports a smooth creative process.
• IT Service Providers: Use Agency Handy’s client portal to manage support tickets, project workflows, and client requests. Clients can log in to submit tickets, track progress, and access project details, which promotes transparency and efficient communication throughout the service delivery.

Pros of Using Agency Handy

• Specifically designed to meet the project management needs of digital agencies and service-based businesses.
• Offers 20 TB of storage for storing all your project files and data, suitable for large-scale projects.
• 100% White-labeling allows full customization to match your or your client’s branding.
• Integrates the client portal directly into your company website, improving accessibility and user experience.
• Enhances project organization and clarity by visually displaying tasks and their progress with Kanban boards.
• Simplifies the process of onboarding new clients, reducing administrative tasks and ensuring a smooth start.
• Links invoicing directly with project and task tracking, ensuring accurate and prompt billing.

Pricing

Solopreneur – $49/month (billed annually) and $69/month (billed monthly)

Suitable for up to 3 users, it includes unlimited clients and orders, custom branding, task management, invoicing, documentation notes, and communication tools for client and team interactions, along with client approval processes.

Teams – $99/month (billed annually) and $149/month (billed monthly)

Supports up to 10 users and includes all features of the Solopreneur plan. Ideal for small teams managing tasks, branding, invoices, and client communications efficiently.

Pro – $149/month (billed annually) and $199/month (billed monthly)

Allows up to 30 users. Offers comprehensive features for growing businesses, supporting unlimited clients, efficient task management, custom branding, invoicing, and effective internal and external communication.

What Users Say About Agency Handy

Rating on G2: 5 out of 5

“Handy is a fantastic client portal tool for agencies due to its user-friendly interface, making it easy for clients to access and navigate through the platform.” – Andrew J.

Rating on Product Hunt: 5 out of 5

“A great tool for agency management. AgencyHandy solves all my management problems easily. A hassle-free tool you should add to your list.”- Shamima Nasrin

Rating on Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5

“I am extremely satisfied with Agency Handy. It has streamlined our client management process and has become an essential tool for our business operations.

Features and Functionality:

Customer Management: Adding customers is incredibly straightforward, allowing us to maintain a well-organized database with ease.

Proposal Generation: The feature to send proposals is efficient and professional, saving us time and enhancing our client communication.

Invoicing System: Generating invoices is a breeze with Agency Handy. The system is reliable and helps us get paid faster.

Task Management: The Kanban-style task management has revolutionized how we handle our workload, providing clarity and boosting productivity.” – Vikas Patil

Why Should You Choose Agency Handy?

Agency Handy is your go-to project management client portal, featuring client onboarding, task management, team collaboration tools, and real-time updates. It integrates smoothly with accounting software, optimizes workflows, and enhances project success and client satisfaction.

Desired Features for Project Management	How Agency Handy Solves It
Project Visibility & Tracking	Enhance project transparency with real-time updates in the client portal.
Client Collaboration	Create tasks, upload files, and communicate with your team for smoother collaboration.
Task Management & Planning	Optimize project planning using Kanban boards for streamlined workflow visualization.
File Sharing & Collaboration	Simplify sharing and real-time collaboration on project files across team members.
Centralized Management	Oversee multiple projects from one central platform for efficient resource allocation.
Client Onboarding	Streamline client onboarding with customizable forms that capture essential details smoothly.
Records Management	Archive comprehensive project records to inform better decision-making in future engagements.
Interface & Usability	Provide a simple, intuitive interface that minimizes management overhead and maximizes usability.

2. Wrike

Wrike is a versatile work management platform designed to smooth project execution, build team collaboration, and automate workflows. It’s particularly beneficial for organizations looking to align strategic objectives with operational execution across various teams and projects.

What you’ll love most about Wrike is its top-notch workflow automation capabilities. You can create customized workflows, automate routine tasks, and standardize processes with blueprints and customizable forms, improving efficiency, and ensuring uniformity across your organization.

Wrike also excels with its client portal features, which make seamless collaboration and communication with external stakeholders and clients. You can set up a comprehensive client management system within Wrike, bringing together important customer data and interaction logs in one easy-to-access spot, which builds transparency and trust.

Moreover, Wrike makes it easy for clients to send you their requests through customizable forms for seamless operation. This lets your team see and sort these requests quickly, speeding up your response time, and enhancing customer retention.

Additionally, Wrike even helps you keep track of project progress and team workloads with its advanced calendar features. You can share calendars with the team, cutting down on endless emails and keeping everyone on the same page regarding priorities.

Now, if you compare it to Asana, which excels purely in task management and collaboration, Wrike offers a more efficient platform for complex project management and client collaboration. Its advanced analytics provide data-driven insights, and enterprise-grade security ensures data integrity.

Features of Wrike

Project Management:

Manage your tasks, projects, and deadlines easily with visual charts and tables. You can assign due dates and set priorities to plan more efficiently. The visual approach helps you quickly see the status of any project at a glance.

Collaboration: 

You can work together smoothly with features like live editing, file proofing, and guest access. Keep everyone up-to-date with @mentions and activity streams. These collaborations ensure that your team stays connected and informed, no matter where they are.

Analytics & Reporting: 

Get valuable insights with real-time dashboards and customizable reports. Keep your stakeholders in the loop with automatically scheduled reports. You’ll be able to make informed decisions quickly, based on the latest data.

Client Visibility: 

Share project calendars, dashboards, and reports with your clients, reducing the need for constant updates and keeping them well-informed about progress and deadlines. This transparency builds trust and satisfaction among your clients.

Client Access Controls: 

Set granular access controls and permissions to decide what information and project areas your clients can see or interact with, securing your data. You can rest assured the sensitive information remains protected while still being accessible to those who need it.

Request Forms: 

You can build customizable request forms with different field types, conditional logic, and automatic assignees to improve how you handle client requests and inquiries. These forms adapt to the specific needs of each request, making your process more efficient.

Integrations:

Connect Wrike with over 400 apps like Salesforce, Microsoft, and Google to ensure smooth data flow across your tools. It’ll enhance your productivity tenfold by syncing all your tools and data seamlessly.

Pros of Using Wrike

• Comprehensive work management simplifies and optimizes every stage of your project lifecycle.
• AI-powered automation speeds up tasks and minimizes errors, enhancing overall efficiency.
• Personalize your dashboards for real-time insights and visibility into project progress.
• Manage resources efficiently, ensuring your team is utilized to its fullest potential.
• Enable smooth collaboration with external clients through easy and secure guest access.

Cons

• Too many features can feel overwhelming.
• Limited customization in lower-tier plans.

Pricing

Team: $9.80/month (billed monthly)

Access an unlimited number of tasks, projects, subtasks, request forms, and custom fields. This plan includes 50 actions for automation monthly per user, interactive charts for Gantt, and 20 collaborators at no extra cost. Each user also receives 2GB for storage, along with custom workflows and views such as calendar and chart.

Business: $24.80/month (billed monthly)

Builds on the Team plan features, adding structured folders, types of custom items, blueprints for projects, nested projects, and cross-tagging. It provides 200 monthly automation actions per user, features for file/video proofing, management of resources, and tracking time. Approvals and AI for predicting risks are also covered.

Enterprise: Contact Wrike for the pricing

This is designed for 5+ users. Pricing details are provided upon inquiry. Features include SSO based on SAML and 2FA, roles for custom access, permissions for admins, and reports for user audits. It offers 10GB storage per user and 1000 monthly automation actions per user.

Pinnacle: Contact Wrike for the pricing

Also, customized for 5+ users, with pricing on request. This package includes spaces that are locked, reporting advanced, dashboards for teams, roles for jobs, and budgeting functionalities. It provides 15GB storage per user and 1500 automation actions monthly per user.

What Users Say About Wrike

Rating on G2: 4.2 out of 5

“What do you like best about Wrike?

Wrike provides an assortment of tools necessary for our workflow, including project management, Gantt charts, workload and resource management, definable workflows, exportable data, custom fields, automation, request forms, and more.

What do you dislike about Wrike?

Wrike continues to miss the mark on some key fundamental features of a solid project management platform. It tries to accommodate everything for everyone, which often leads to missing core features for the primary use of managing projects.” – Jason P.

3. Asana

Asana is a work management platform known for clarity and accountability across teams, offering intuitive project views like lists, calendars, timelines, Gantt, and Kanban. These visuals help organize and track work, ensuring projects stay on track and meet deadlines.

Client collaboration in Asana fosters effective communication and transparency. Teams can invite clients as guests, providing visibility into task progress and updates. This transparency builds trust and ensures timely project delivery.

Asana integrates with tools like FeatValue and Pastel for enhanced client collaboration. FeatValue allows clients to create tasks in the client portal, synced with Asana. Pastel facilitates the seamless integration of client feedback into Asana projects.

With time-tracking and invoicing capabilities via TaskBill.io integration, Asana simplifies client project management. Teams can track time, log hours, and generate invoices for accurate billing.

Ideal for organizations valuing clarity, accountability, and collaboration, Asana aligns strategic goals with daily tasks. Its user-friendly interface and AI-powered features enhance productivity and decision-making.

Compared to ClickUp, Asana focuses on connecting strategic goals to teamwork and client collaboration. Its AI features, like Smart Digests and Summaries, provide intelligent insights, setting it apart for productive collaboration.

Features of Asana

Projects & Task Management: 

Efficiently organize your tasks and projects with customizable fields and multiple visual views. Stay on track with dues dates and assignees, ensuring clear work management.

Client Portals: 

Provide clients with personalized portals offering visibility into project progress, task updates, timelines, and status reports related to their projects.

Workflow Automation: 

Streamline your operations by automating repetitive tasks and standardizing workflows with customizable rules and templates. Simplify your request handling and workflow execution.

Client Management: 

Create dedicated client workspaces to centralize all client information, project details, communication threads, and documentation in a single, accessible location.

Collaboration & Communication: 

Provide your teamwork with seamless communication and collaboration features. Discuss tasks, mention team members, and share updates easily, enhancing productivity and transparency.

Goals & Portfolios: 

Align your team efforts with overarching goals and portfolios for executive visibility. Track your progress towards strategic objectives and prioritize work accordingly.

Reporting & Dashboards: 

Gain valuable insights into your team performance with configurable dashboards and custom reports. Analyze progress, workload, and project status in real time, aiding decision-making.

Integrations: 

Enhance your productivity by connecting with essential tools like Salesforce, Jira, and Slack. Ensure seamless data flow across ecosystems for efficient collaboration and information sharing.

Admin Controls: 

Ensure data security and compliance with enterprise-grade security features. Maintain control over access and data with granular controls, audit trails, and data export capabilities.

Client Billing: 

Streamline client billing processes by tracking billable hours, generating invoices, and integrating with accounting tools, ensuring accurate and timely invoicing.

Client Access Controls: 

Implement granular access controls and permissions to regulate what information, projects, or tasks clients can view or interact with, ensuring data security and confidentiality.

Request Management: 

Build custom request forms and intake processes for clients to submit project requests, feedback, or change orders, streamlining communication and ensuring proper documentation.

Pros of Using Asana

• Clear goal visibility ensures your strategy aligns seamlessly with project execution.
• AI-driven tools enhance team productivity, streamlining tasks and improving efficiency.
• Various project views allow for easy visual tracking of tasks and progress.
• Maintains strict data compliance standards guarantees the security of your information.

Cons

• No built-in time tracking in free/basic plans.
• Gantt charts require higher-tier plans.

Pricing

Starter Plan: $10.99/month (if paid monthly) or $13.49/month (if paid annually)

Get unlimited storage, integrations, dashboards, Gantt charts, custom fields, and email functionality in Asana with this plan. It also includes team collaboration, native time tracking, goal setting, portfolio management, form view, agile reporting, AI compatibility, and guest collaboration.

Advanced Plan: $24.99/month (if paid monthly) or $30.49/month (if paid annually)

This plan includes everything from the Starter package, plus Google SSO, unlimited team creation, custom exporting options, advanced sharing features, more automation, and better dashboard tools. You’ll also get advanced time tracking, detailed time estimates, timesheets, workload management, timelines, mind maps, goal folders, and AI compatibility.

Enterprise Plan: Contact Asana for Pricing

For unlimited users, this plan offers everything in the Advanced plan plus more views, better resource management, advanced integrations, SCIM setup, mobile data controls, custom branding, and premium support. Reach out to Asana to discuss pricing based on your needs.

Enterprise+ Plan: Contact Asana for Pricing

Also with no limits on user seats, this plan includes all features of the Enterprise plan plus audit logs, SIEM integration, data loss prevention, eDiscovery, archiving, encryption key management, data residency options, trusted guest domains, admin app management, and custom password settings. Contact Asana for a personalized quote.

What Users Say About Asana

Rating on Capterra: 4.5 out of 5

“Overall: generally once you get to grips with creating tasks and then subtasks and dependents it’s extremely powerful and great for project management once you set the project up!

Pros: simple to use and set tasks quickly, add job notes and files, the ability to send a task from other platforms – Slack, Email, etc

Cons: start and end dates are the options for the tasks this doesn’t always coincide for large jobs where you want to specify a day to do the job within that period without using a sub-task within the task. with this it sits in your overdue tasks when in reality it’s not always overdue if its a task for multiple days.” –Adam S.

4. ClickUp

ClickUp is a versatile work management solution that consolidates multiple tools into one platform for task management, document collaboration, reporting, and customization. 

What’s more interesting is it’s accessible across various platforms, including web, iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. During testing, ClickUp proved capable of handling diverse project management needs, from software development to marketing and creative agencies.

One of the coolest things about ClickUp is how it lets you customize your workspace. With customizable views like lists, boards, calendars, and Gantt charts, it caters to whatever style or system your team prefers. This adaptability ensures that everyone can hit the ground running, using ClickUp’s intuitive features to their full potential.

When it comes to keeping your clients in the loop, ClickUp shines. Its client portal and management tools make updating clients, collaborating on projects, and staying connected a breeze. Plus, features like real-time document editing, whiteboards, and @mentions ensure that communication within your team is always smooth and straightforward.

Comparing ClickUp to Monday.com, you’ll find that both platforms provide strong work management tools with many similar features. ClickUp focuses on bringing several applications into one comprehensive tool that you can customize extensively. On the other hand, Monday.com stands out for its user-friendly, visually appealing interfaces and adaptable workflows.

Overall, if you’re looking for a tool that simplifies your workday, enhances collaboration across your team, and boosts your productivity, ClickUp is a standout choice. It’s more than just software; it’s a central hub for all your project management needs.

Features of ClickUp

Client Workspaces: 

Create dedicated Client Workspaces to centralize all client-related information, tasks, documents, and communication, ensuring a seamless and organized client experience.

Project Management: 

Stay organized by grouping your tasks into projects and folders, and using custom fields, templates, and forms to streamline workflows. Maintain consistency across projects with standardized processes.

Client Guest Access: 

Invite clients as guests to specific Spaces, Folders, Lists, or tasks, granting them controlled access to monitor progress, provide feedback, and collaborate on deliverables.

Task Management: 

Keep track of tasks effortlessly by creating custom tasks, and checklists with personalized statuses and priorities. Visualize your workload using multiple views like boards, lists, calendars, and timelines, ensuring efficient task management.

Automation: 

Simplify your task management by automating repetitive tasks using triggers and actions without the need for coding. Set up recurring tasks and automate notifications to ensure timely execution and reduce manual effort.

Client Approvals: 

Streamline the approval process by assigning comments to clients, enabling them to review and approve tasks, documents, or deliverables directly within ClickUp, providing transparency and efficient collaboration.

Client Communication Hub: 

Integrate ClickUp with communication tools like email, Slack, or Microsoft Teams, creating a centralized hub for all client interactions, ensuring seamless communication, and reducing the risk of missed updates or messages.

Client Feedback Management: 

Utilize ClickUp’s task comments, custom fields, and forms to capture and organize client feedback, enabling teams to address concerns promptly and incorporate valuable insights into their processes.

Reporting & Dashboards: 

Get valuable insights into your team’s performance with customizable dashboards and exportable reports. Monitor workload, and burndown to make informed decisions and track progress effectively.

Client Onboarding Templates: 

Standardize the client onboarding process by creating customizable templates. You can ensure a consistent experience for new clients and reduce administrative overhead for your team.

Document Collaboration: 

Collaborate seamlessly with real-time document editing, comments, and review mode. Provide creativity and ideation with whiteboards for visual brainstorming sessions, enhancing collaboration and innovation.

Integrations: 

Enhance productivity by connecting with essential tools like Slack, G Suite, Jira, and Dropbox for a seamless app ecosystem. Leverage the open API for custom integrations tailored to your specific needs, ensuring smooth data flow and collaboration.

Access & Security: 

Maintain data security and compliance with granular permission settings, two-factor authentication (2FA), and single sign-on (SSO) support. Rest assured knowing that the platform meets SOC 2, ISO, and HIPAA compliance standards, safeguarding your sensitive information.

Pros of Using Click-Up

• Easily adjust views to match your workflow, ensuring a perfect fit for your team.
• Collaborate in real-time with integrated document editing and interactive whiteboards.
• Optimize routine tasks using automated reminders and customizable templates.
• Access detailed reports and analytics to monitor project progress and resource utilization.
• Centralize your tools in one platform for cohesive and efficient project management.
• The user-friendly design ensures quick setup and easy adoption by your team. 
• Seamlessly integrates with numerous popular tools for enhanced functionality. 

Cons

• Overwhelming interface due to abundant customization options..
• Limited guest user capabilities prevent clients from directly creating or editing tasks.
• Inadequate time tracking features for agencies billing by the hour (lacks detailed reports, invoicing integration).

Pricing

Unlimited: $10/month (billed monthly) and $7/month (billed annually)

Offers unlimited storage, integrations, dashboards, Gantt charts, custom fields, and email features in ClickUp. Includes comprehensive team collaboration tools, native time tracking, goal setting, and more, with guest collaboration enabled.

Business:$12/month (billed monthly) and $19/month (billed annually)

Includes everything in the Unlimited plan, plus Google SSO, enhanced team capabilities, advanced public sharing, and additional automation and dashboard features. Comes with more sophisticated tools for time tracking, workload management, and project planning.

Enterprise: Contact Click-Up for pricing

Features all Business plan offerings plus white labeling, advanced permissions, and API access. Adds unlimited custom roles, advanced search and sharing options, and specialized support like live training and a dedicated customer success manager. Supports data residency in multiple regions.

What Users Say About Click-Up

Rating on G2: 4.7 out of 5

“What do you like best about ClickUp?

Click-up is very easy for users to customize, offering the option to maintain multiple finely tuned spaces for tasks. We use it for maintaining creative content, a sales segment, our promotional schedule, etc. It was one of the best systems we could find for Hygraph integration, and we use it 5-7 days/week amongst several users.
What do you dislike about ClickUp?

ClickUp sometimes does not store data that’s been entered into fields–for example: I can enter a date into a text field but it won’t remain there and will default to whatever was there before. It can be frustrating and lead to a sense of unreliability.”- Lea M.

5. Monday.com

The interesting thing about Monday is that the huge platform offers services in three separate platforms. But for our article, we’ve taken the two that matter. Monday Service helps with client portal services while Monday Work Management helps with project management

Monday Service

During our testing, we found Monday Service to be an exceptional service management platform. It’s easy to use and lets you set up automated processes without needing to code. You can get started quickly and see results fast.

The platform’s AI-powered automation and ticket classification features stood out, enabling efficient ticket handling and communication, ultimately delivering exceptional support experiences faster.

A key strength of Monday Service is how it connects different parts of your organization. It brings together your service desk, assets, knowledge bases, and inventory in one place. This integration, along with built-in communication tools, helps your team work together more effectively.

While Monday Service focuses on client portals and service management, there’s also Monday Work Management for project management. Using both gives you a complete solution for managing projects and client services.

Compared to Asana, Monday.com offers a more visual and intuitive experience. You can drag and drop items, and the interface is clean and modern. Asana is strong in project management and workflow automation, but Monday.com is easier to use and understand visually.

Features of Monday Service 

Service Catalog: 

This feature enables businesses to create and maintain a comprehensive catalog of their service offerings, ensuring transparency and making it easier for customers to browse and request services.

Ticket Management: 

This feature allows businesses to efficiently manage and track customer support requests, queries, and issues through a centralized ticketing system, ensuring that no request goes unaddressed and prioritizing timely resolution.

Multi-Channel Support: 

With a Multi-Channel feature, businesses can provide support to customers through multiple channels, such as email, phone, chat, and social media, ensuring a seamless and consistent experience across all touchpoints.

AI & Automation: 

Leveraging artificial intelligence and automation capabilities, Monday Service can automate routine tasks, such as ticket routing, classification, and response generation, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency.

Employee Lifecycle Management: 

This feature helps businesses manage the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding, streamlining processes and ensuring a consistent experience for employees.

SLA Configurations: 

By configuring Service Level Agreements (SLAs), businesses can set response and resolution time targets, ensuring that customer support requests are addressed within agreed-upon timeframes.

Knowledge Management: 

This feature allows businesses to create and maintain a centralized knowledge base, enabling support agents to quickly access relevant information and provide accurate and consistent responses to customers.

Asset Management: 

With this feature, businesses can track and manage their IT assets, such as hardware, software, and licenses, ensuring efficient utilization and maintenance of resources.

Inventory & Orders Management: 

This feature enables businesses to manage their inventory levels, track orders, and ensure timely fulfillment, improving customer satisfaction and reducing operational costs.

Customer Portal (Coming soon): 

By providing a dedicated customer portal, businesses can empower customers to access support resources, submit requests, track progress, and engage with the company more effectively.

Pros of Using Monday Service

• Enjoy a visually appealing interface that’s easy for everyone to navigate.
• Choose from flexible project views such as Kanban, Gantt, and Calendar.
• Automate workflows effortlessly with no-code solutions, boosting efficiency.
• Collaborate seamlessly in real-time across your entire team.
• Personalize dashboards with customizable widgets for detailed reporting.
• Track time to analyze productivity and optimize workflows effectively.
• Integrate seamlessly with custom solutions using our open API.

Cons

• No built-in timesheets or invoicing.
• The free plan is very limited in functionality.
• Custom views are harder to configure.

Pricing

Standard: $29/month (billed monthly) and $26/month (billed annually)

The Standard plan includes unlimited tickets, ticket intake via email and WorkForms, 2-way email integration with Gmail and Outlook, and hosting for one email server. It also offers AI automation with 100 actions per month, one ticket board, custom service automation with 250 actions per month, and a dashboard based on one board.

Pro: $44/month (billed monthly) and $38/month (billed annually)

In addition to the features included in the Standard Plan, the Pro Plan includes all Standard plan features, dynamic auto-responses for any channel, AI automation with 1,000 actions per month, and customization for email server prefixes. It also offers three ticket boards, custom service automation with 25,000 actions per month, a dashboard combining ten boards, and access to service analytics.

Enterprise: Monday service for pricing

Their most comprehensive plan, the Enterprise Plan, offers all Pro plan features, AI automation with 25,000 actions per month, unlimited ticket boards, and multiple customizable email servers. It also offers enterprise support, enterprise-scale automation and integrations, enterprise-grade security, multi-level permissions, and advanced analytics with dashboards supporting up to 50 boards.

Monday Work Management

Monday Work Management is a complete online tool for managing work. It covers project management, task handling, and other business operations.

The platform is easy to use and can be adjusted to fit your team’s needs. It offers pre-made automations and lets you create custom ones without coding. This helps make your work more efficient.

A key feature is project portfolio management. This helps you make sure your work aligns with your main goals. The platform also has advanced project management tools like Gantt charts, task dependencies, and critical path analysis. These give you better control over complex projects.

For marketing teams, Monday Work Management offers special features like content calendars and asset management. This makes it a good choice if your organization does a lot of marketing work.

While Monday Work Management focuses on project management and getting work done, it doesn’t include client portal features. For those, you’ll need to add Monday Service, which comes at an extra cost. Monday Service adds a service desk, client portal, and customer support tools.

Compared to OneDesk, which combines help desk and project management, Monday Work Management offers a more thorough work management solution. It covers a wider range of business needs, from planning strategies to carrying out tasks and working together. This makes it a flexible tool for businesses that want one platform to manage all their work.

Features of Monday Work Management 

Goals & Strategy Management: 

This feature allows teams to align their work with organizational goals and strategic objectives, ensuring that projects and tasks contribute to the overall business strategy.

Advanced Project Management: 

Monday work management provides advanced project management tools such as Gantt charts, task dependencies, critical path analysis, and milestones. These features are crucial for managing complex projects, identifying any bottlenecks, and ensuring timely delivery.

Portfolio Management: 

With portfolio management capabilities, organizations can prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, enabling better resource allocation and decision-making.

Resource Management: 

This feature enables project managers to effectively plan and allocate resources based on their availability, skills, and workload, ensuring optimal resource utilization and preventing over-allocation.

Task Management: 

Efficient task management is essential for project success. Monday work management offers task management capabilities, including to-do lists, task dependencies, and time tracking, enabling teams to stay organized and focused.

Customizable Workflows: 

The platform allows users to create custom workflows tailored to their specific processes using no-code building blocks, ensuring seamless integration with existing methodologies.

Automation: 

With over 200 pre-built automation recipes and the ability to create custom automation, teams can streamline repetitive tasks, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency.

Pros of Using Monday Work management

• Comprehensive service management features for ticket management, knowledge management, asset management, etc.
• AI-powered automation for efficient processes and exceptional customer support.
• Seamless integration with organizational resources for a unified environment.
• No-code/low-code capabilities for easy process customization.
• Intuitive user interface for rapid implementation and time-to-value.
• Scalability to adapt to growing business needs.

Cons

• Limited customization options are mentioned, which hinder tailoring the platform to unique business processes.
• There was no insight provided into training and support resources, which could impact user adoption and long-term success.

Pricing

Basic: $12/month (billed monthly) and $9/month (billed annually)

The Basic plan provides essential features including unlimited boards, unlimited free viewers, 20+ column types, and basic dashboards. It’s an ideal choice for teams looking for a simple yet effective project management solution.

Standard: $14/month (billed monthly) and $12/month (billed annually)

In addition to the features included in the Basic Plan, the Standard Plan offers guest permissions, calendar, Gantt, timeline, and chart views, workload management, automation, and integrations. The Standard plan is suitable for teams needing enhanced collaboration and visualization tools.

Pro: $24/month (billed monthly) and $19/month (billed annually)

The Pro plan includes all features from the Standard Plan and adds private boards, time tracking, formulas, private dashboards, and the ability to create custom roles. This plan is ideal for teams requiring more control over project privacy and advanced reporting capabilities.

Enterprise: Contact Monday Work management

Their Enterprise Plan offers advanced features designed for large organizations, including enhanced analytics, security and governance measures, and comprehensive training. Pricing is available upon contacting sales, emphasizing enterprise-level support and customization for complex project management needs.

What Users Say About Both Platforms of Monday.com?

Rating on G2: 4.7 out of 5

“Monday PM review”

What do you like best about Monday work management for Marketing?

Easy to onboard and get the team to collaborate effectively. Ease of stacking projects/tasks under milestones and deligating timelines and PM owners.

What do you dislike about Monday’s work management for Marketing?

I would like to see more integrations with other platforms (i.e. Slack). Also would like to have more training modules for updates and features.”- Allison J.

6. OneDesk

OneDesk kills two birds with one stone — it’s a cloud-based platform that seamlessly blends help desk and project management capabilities. While testing, we saw how great this combo can be if your business needs to juggle both customer support and project wrangling.

What makes OneDesk stand apart? For starters, it’s accessible across web and mobile apps (iOS and Android), so your team can stay in the zone no matter where they roam. 

Plus, with its HIPAA compliance and customer interaction tools like portals, forms, and chat, it’s a no-brainer for industries with tight data security needs — think healthcare or finance.

Using OneDesk felt like a breeze. We liked how it streamlined our workflows by uniting multiple tools under one digital roof. And since it’s cloud-based, remote collaboration was a cakewalk for our distributed squad.

Now, let’s do a little comparison with AgencyHandy. While OneDesk offers an all-in-one solution by bringing help desk capabilities to the project management party, AgencyHandy specializes in making agency life easier with custom proposals, service catalogs, and robust invoicing features.

In terms of project management, OneDesk supports both Agile and traditional methodologies with features like Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and customizable work views. It enhances productivity through smart scheduling, project templates, and workflow automation, and promotes team collaboration with real-time messaging and integrated email.

Here’s the bottom line: OneDesk shines when you need airtight client support and project management in one place, with HIPAA compliance for sensitive data. AgencyHandy, on the other hand, is laser-focused on automating the unique challenges agencies face from client onboarding to invoicing. 

Features of OneDesk

Customer Portals: 

Enhance your customer satisfaction with a self-service portal for submitting tickets, accessing knowledge base articles, and tracking issues. Empower customers to resolve queries independently for improved efficiency.

Team Collaboration: 

Provide your teamwork and communication with task discussions, @mentions, and file sharing within projects. Enable seamless collaboration to enhance productivity and project success.

Time Tracking: 

Monitor your task and project durations accurately with time-tracking features. Log time you spent on tasks for accurate billing and productivity tracking, ensuring efficient resource utilization.

Task Management: 

OneDesk offers intuitive task creation and assignment features. Users can easily organize tasks with priorities, due dates, and custom fields, ensuring clear visibility of project components and deadlines.

Kanban Boards: 

The platform provides visual Kanban boards for efficient workflow management. Teams can drag and drop tasks through different stages, offering a clear overview of project progress at a glance.

Gantt Charts: 

The software features interactive Gantt charts for comprehensive project planning. Users can visualize task dependencies, set milestones, and adjust timelines easily, facilitating better project scheduling.

Reporting & Analytics: 

Get valuable insights into your project status, team workload, and customer satisfaction metrics with customizable reports and analytics. Make data-driven decisions to optimize processes and improve performance.

Integrations: 

Seamlessly connect the client portal with essential tools like Salesforce, Jira, Slack, and Microsoft Teams for enhanced collaboration and workflow efficiency. 

By integrating with third-party applications, you can customize your workflow and leverage the full capabilities of your preferred tools within the client portal, optimizing productivity and efficiency.

Pros of Using OneDesk

• Cross-platform accessibility via web browsers and mobile apps (iOS and Android) for any time, anywhere work.
• Enhanced customer engagement tools like portals, forms, and chat for improved support experiences.
• Cloud-based and HIPAA-compliant, ensuring data security and compliance.
• All-in-one convenience by consolidating help desk, project management, and customer touchpoints into a single system.

Cons

• No free plan is available.
• UI could use a refresh, feels dated.

Pricing

Basic: $13.99/month (billed monthly) and $11.99/month (billed annually) per user

The Basic plan includes advanced help desk and ticketing, email integration with MS365 or Gmail, messaging and team collaboration, project and task management, and time tracking with timers and timesheets. 

It also offers advanced views like Gantt and Kanban, customer apps (portal, forms, help center, live chat), automation for replies, notifications, assignments, triage, a mobile app, pre-built reports, and satisfaction surveys.

Premium: $15.99/month (billed monthly) and $13.99/month (billed annually) per user

The Premium plan includes all features from the Basic plan and adds custom reports, resource management, financials (invoicing and quoting), two-factor authentication (2FA) with timeout settings, and built-in integrations. It’s ideal for businesses needing advanced reporting and resource management.

Enterprise: $18.99/month (billed monthly) and $15.99/month (billed annually) per user

It includes all Premium plan features and adds unlimited help centers, custom SMTP/IMAP, a custom domain for the help center/portal, white labeling options, single sign-on (SSO), Zapier integrations, and API access. The Enterprise plan is suited for larger organizations requiring extensive customization and integration options.

What Users Say About OneDesk

Rating on G2: 4.3 out of 5

“What do you like best about OneDesk?

Good project management software for support and communicating with customers, also Getting their feedback. Best for small/medium businesses ( IT, product management). Good in Project management, time scheduling, and coordination.

What do you dislike about OneDesk?

For a wide range of applications, you always need to ingratiate with other platforms, Cost, and implementation time”- Saju S.

7. Zoho Projects

If you’re looking for a comprehensive project management tool that works for teams of any size, Zoho Projects might be your answer. 

According to our researchers, you’ll find it has an easy-to-use interface and integrates smoothly with other Zoho products. This makes it particularly useful if your business is already using Zoho services.

Plus, you’ll appreciate Zoho Projects for its versatility. It helps you handle various aspects of project management including task management, issue tracking, time sheets, and invoicing. 

A standout feature is the Work Breakdown Structure, which allows you to create detailed project plans with tasks, milestones, and dependencies.

If client collaboration is important to you, Zoho Projects excels in this area. You can use custom client portals to keep your stakeholders updated on project timelines, progress, and important information. Your clients can review and approve work directly in the platform, improving efficiency and transparency.

Regarding team collaboration, you can keep your team coordinated by capturing client feedback through task comments, custom fields, and forms. If you use email, Slack, or Teams, you’ll find Zoho Projects integrates with these, creating a central hub for communication and ensuring you don’t miss any updates.

While ClickUp might offer you more customization options, which could be preferable if your team prioritizes flexibility, Zoho Projects is the better choice if you need tight integration with other Zoho products.

Overall, if you run a project-focused business like a consultancy, development agency, or creative firm, Zoho Projects can be particularly useful. 

Features of Zoho Projects

Project Planning: 

Easily organize your projects into manageable tasks and milestones, ensuring clarity and efficiency in project execution. Use Gantt charts to establish dependencies and timelines, facilitating smooth project progress and coordination within the client portal.

Task Management: 

Streamline your task delegation and tracking across various views like lists, boards, and calendars, enhancing team productivity and organization. With flexible task management features, you can assign owners, set priorities, and monitor task status effortlessly, ensuring the timely completion of project deliverables.

Time Tracking: 

Keep track of the time spent on tasks, whether manually or using timers, and generate accurate timesheets for billing purposes. This feature helps you stay on top of project costs and resource allocation.

Issue Tracking: 

Log, assign, and monitor bugs or issues from discovery to resolution, ensuring smooth project progress. It’s a vital tool for maintaining your quality and addressing concerns swiftly.

Team Collaboration: 

Encourage seamless communication and knowledge sharing among your team members with interactive feeds, forums, and document repositories. This will help you with collaboration and boost productivity across your projects.

Integrations: 

Seamlessly connect with other essential tools such as CRM, accounting software, and messaging platforms to streamline your workflows. You can ensure that your project management portal fits seamlessly into your existing ecosystem.

Customization: 

Customize your project management portal to your unique processes and workflows by adding custom fields, roles, and workflows. You ensure that the platform aligns perfectly with your business needs.

Client Access Control: 

Provide controlled access to clients by inviting them as guest users to specific projects, folders, or tasks within the client portal. This allows clients to view project progress, provide feedback, and collaborate while maintaining appropriate access levels.

Client Dashboard: 

Create personalized dashboards for clients that display project overviews, task status updates, milestones, and other relevant information in a visually appealing and easily digestible format.

Client Approval Workflows: 

Set up approval workflows within the client portal, enabling clients to review and approve project deliverables, documents, or task statuses directly from the platform. This streamlines the approval process and helps with transparency.

Client Communication Hub: 

Integrate the client portal with communication channels like email, chat, or messaging platforms, creating a centralized hub for all client-related communication. You can make sure that messages, updates, and feedback are easily accessible and organized.

Client Reporting: 

Offer customizable reporting capabilities within the client portal, allowing clients to generate detailed project reports, track budgets, view resource utilization, and monitor progress against predefined metrics or KPIs.

Client Feedback Management: 

Provide dedicated channels for clients to submit feedback, suggestions, or requests within the client portal. You could include features like feedback forms, comment sections, or dedicated discussion forums for each project or task.

Pros of Using Zoho Projects

• Detailed project planning through work breakdown structure ensures every task is meticulously organized.
• Effortlessly connects with Zoho’s full suite of business apps, streamlining your workflow.
• Visual scheduling and dependency mapping using Gantt charts provide clear project timelines.
• Quickly standardize your processes with reusable templates for consistency and efficiency.
• Boost team collaboration through built-in spaces designed for effective real-time communication.
• Strong access controls and security features protect your data and maintain privacy. 
• A scalable solution that grows with your team, no matter its size.

Cons

• Limited free plan with minimal storage.
• Separate subscriptions are required for other Zoho apps.

Pricing

Premium: $5/month (billed monthly) and $4/month (billed annually) per user

The Premium plan includes essential features such as subtasks, 5GB of storage, unlimited projects, project templates, time tracking, and blueprints. This plan is designed for teams needing affordable project management tools.

Enterprise: $10/month (billed monthly) and $9/month (billed annually) per user

The Enterprise plan includes all Premium plan features plus advanced capabilities like read-only users, custom fields and status, custom roles and profiles, single sign-on (SSO), and two-factor authentication (2FA). This plan is ideal for larger organizations requiring enhanced security, customization, and user management.

What Users Say About Zoho Projects

Rating on G2: 

“What do you like best about Zoho One?

Zoho One is a good CRM and suite of tools for small businesses that are price-conscious. It’s easy to use for people unfamiliar with CRMs. It lacks many of the integrations and functions you can get with Hubspot or Salesforce but works well if you just need basic email marketing, a way to manage contacts, and simple subscriptions and products.

What do you dislike about Zoho One?

Zoho One lacks the ability to integrate seamlessly with popular sales and marketing tools and relies heavily on Zapier. Their support was limited and often unhelpful with complex use cases. As we really wanted to ramp up our sales, Zoho One no longer met our needs.”-Sharon W.

8. Accelo

Accelo is a cloud-based productivity beast designed to help service businesses boost efficiency and fatten those profit margins. We were impressed with Accelo’s comprehensive feature set that streamlines the entire client work lifecycle — from sales and quoting to project management, retainers, ticketing, billing, and reporting.

These project management capabilities deserve great recommendations. Businesses can plan, schedule, and track projects like pros using customizable templates and milestones. Resource allocation, budget tracking, and project health monitoring? Check, check, and check! Teams can deliver projects on time and within budget without breaking a sweat.

But Accelo’s true pièce de résistance is its retainer management prowess. We’re talking about the ability to efficiently manage recurring client work, automate time logging, and track budgets/timelines in real time. 

If your business revolves around ongoing client engagements (consulting firms, agencies, professional services providers, etc.), Accelo is an absolute must.

During our test drive, we were amazed by Accelo’s detailed client profitability analysis and revenue forecasting capabilities. This level of data-driven insight allowed us to identify areas for improvement and optimize our service delivery processes.

Now, let’s compare Accelo to the project management software, Monday.com. While Monday excels as a visually stunning work management platform, Accelo is the specialized service business solution you need. Its deep integration of project management, billing, and profitability analysis tools is customized to help service providers maximize revenue and operational efficiency.

Features of Accelo

Sales & Quoting: 

Manage your sales pipeline effortlessly, from lead generation to project conversion, using intuitive tools like template libraries. You can make sure of smooth transitions and accurate quotes, streamlining your sales process.

Project Planning: 

Define your project milestones, tasks, and schedules with ease using customizable templates, ensuring efficient resource allocation and timely delivery. Keep track of your budgets and profitability to maintain project health and client satisfaction.

Retainer Management: 

Automate your repetitive tasks such as time logging and resource scheduling for ongoing client projects, enhancing productivity and ensuring consistent service delivery.

Ticketing System:

Easily log and track your support tickets, allowing for efficient time management and accurate billing based on actuals. This ensures timely issue resolution and client satisfaction.

Billing: 

Make your billing process more efficient with detailed invoice templates, batch invoicing, and seamless integration with accounting software. Keep track of your payments and financial data for transparent and efficient invoicing.

Reporting: 

Gain valuable insights into client profitability, revenue forecasts, team utilization, and budget tracking through comprehensive reporting tools. This helps you make informed decisions and optimize your project management processes.

Client Portal: 

Provide your clients with a centralized platform to access project details, communicate with your team, and manage invoices seamlessly. This helps with transparency and enhances client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.

Pros of Using Accelo

• Easily handle recurring client engagements with efficient retainer management tools.
• Track your sales pipeline and generate quotes seamlessly to boost conversions.
• Automatically log time and generate progress bills to streamline your invoicing process.
• Create custom workflows and set automation triggers to enhance productivity.
• Analyze client profitability and forecast future trends to make informed decisions.
• Integrate with accounting software to automate and simplify your invoicing process.

Cons

• Industry-specific service business focus may limit broader appeal.
• Limited free trial or freemium plan for basic evaluation.
• No public pricing transparency requires requesting custom quotes.

Pricing

Professional Plan

This plan offers a full suite of tools for managing client projects, sales, and finances, including time tracking and invoice handling. Ideal for businesses needing comprehensive management solutions. Pricing details are provided on request.

Business Plan

Expands on the Professional plan with additional features like client retainer and ticket management, a shared request inbox, and expense tracking. It also includes unlimited client portal users, enhancing client interaction and internal request handling. Pricing is available upon request.

Advanced Plan

Includes everything from the Business plan, plus advanced custom workflows, smart scheduling, and asset management, along with three advanced reporting users. Tailored for optimizing workflow automation and project management. Pricing details are provided on request.

Elite Plan

The most comprehensive plan, including all features from the Advanced plan with additions like role-based pricing, divisions module, unlimited collaborators, premium support with SLAs, and a dedicated account manager. Suited for large enterprises requiring extensive customization and dedicated support. Pricing is available upon request.

What Users Say About Accelo

Rating on Capterra: 

“Pros: We love Accelo but for our small business it was too expensive. Time tracking, templates + client correspondence was incredible.

Cons: It was too expensive and hard to set up. A lot of features created a frustrated team.”- Jessica S.

9. Basecamp

Basecamp is the beautifully simple project management MVP crafted for small teams and underdogs going toe-to-toe with giants. Our research team liked its unified approach – consolidating various tools into one integrated platform to eliminate complexity and cut costs.

This all-in-one powerhouse commands project management, communication, and collaboration from a central hub. Message boards, to-do lists, file sharing, real-time chat – it centralizes everything, eliminating tool juggling and messy workflows.

Where Basecamp truly shines is client collaboration. The client portal lets teams and clients operate using the exact same tools. Assign to-dos, share files/folders, grant access, and schedule events – clients can fully participate without learning new systems.

Privacy controls are on-point too. Projects start private, and you control what clients see – share or restrict messages, to-dos, files. This transparency breeds trust while keeping sensitive info under wraps.

Basecamp also declutters client collaboration by minimizing excessive emails, meetings, and busy work. Assign client tasks with due dates, auto-share progress updates, and provide direct file access – huge time-savers that boost collaboration.

While researching this software Basecamp’s simplicity and ease of use won us over. Our team quickly adopted features without breaking a sweat, aligning with our overhead reduction and productivity goals.

Now, the ClickUp comparison – both offer all-in-one project management and team collaboration, but ClickUp packs more extensive features like multiple views, custom statuses, integrations, automation, dashboards, and reporting. Basecamp keeps its interface simple, consolidating basic tools like to-dos, messaging, file sharing, and scheduling.

Features of Basecamp

Project Dashboard: 

Keep all your project essentials in one place with a centralized hub displaying messages, to-dos, files, and schedules for easy access and organization.

Task Management: 

Efficiently manage your tasks by creating to-do lists, assigning responsibilities, and setting due dates to keep projects on track and team members accountable.

File Management: 

Store your project documents and images securely with integrated cloud file storage, ensuring easy access and collaboration among team members.

Group Chat: 

Provide your team with seamless communication within projects through a built-in chat app (Campfire), facilitating quick discussions and decision-making.

Message Boards: 

Replace your cluttered emails with a central platform for project-specific discussions, promoting collaboration and eliminating information silos.

Client Access Control: 

Easily manage what clients can see and access within projects. Selectively share specific messages, tasks, files, or entire project sections with clients, ensuring that sensitive information remains private to your internal team.

Project Updates: 

Stay informed about your project progress with an activity feed that tracks all updates and changes, ensuring transparency and accountability among team members.

Client File Sharing: 

Share project files and folders with clients, granting them access to the latest versions of documents, images, or any other relevant materials. This streamlines the process of sharing deliverables and reduces the need for back-and-forth emails.

Client Feedback and Approvals: 

Enable clients to provide feedback, comments, or approvals directly within the project management platform. This keeps all communication and decisions centralized, eliminating the risk of lost or missed feedback.

Pros of Using Basecamp

• A clean, straightforward interface minimizes confusion, making it easy for your team to navigate
• Affordable pricing plans are designed to fit the budgets of smaller teams, maximizing your investment.
• Clients have complete project access, building trust and transparency.
• Innovative visual tools, such as Hill Charts, provide clear progress tracking and milestone updates.
• Commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices ensures an ethical partnership.
• Perfect for remote teams, promoting effective collaboration across different locations and time zones.

Cons

• Limited native integrations compared to platforms like Asana and ClickUp.
• Lacks advanced visual tracking tools like Gantt charts and Kanban boards.
• Limited storage, users, and projects make it less appealing for teams starting with a free option.

Pricing

Basecamp: $15/month per user

This plan provides 500 GB of storage for files and documents and offers month-to-month, pay-as-you-go billing. This plan is ideal for teams seeking a comprehensive project management solution with straightforward pricing.

Basecamp Pro Unlimited: $299/month [Unlimited Users, Annual Billing]

This plan includes all Basecamp features plus exclusive benefits such as a 1:1 onboarding tour, 5 TB of storage, the option to pay annually by check, first-in-line 24/7/365 priority support, and annual billing for simplified accounting. This plan is perfect for teams needing enhanced features and dedicated support.

What Users Say About Basecamp

Rating on G2: 4.1 out of 5

“What do you like best about Basecamp?

Real-time communication is made easy with BaseCamp.

Even beginners can easily use this software for Project management purposes.

What do you dislike about Basecamp?

Sometimes it fails to notify parties of new communications. Not able to download files effectively and some files get lost with the attached task.”- Ashish P.

10. Celoxis

Celoxis is an end-to-end work management software that integrates project planning, resource optimization, and custom workflow automation into a single platform. We were impressed by its ability to meet the diverse needs of various teams and organizations effectively.

What sets Celoxis apart? It excels in flexibility and customization. You can personalize dashboards, generate custom reports, and even create unique workflow applications for tasks such as risk management, issue tracking, and change control. This means you can tailor Celoxis to fit exactly how your team works, integrating smoothly with your existing processes.

Client collaboration is another strong point for Celoxis. Its client portal enhances transparency and teamwork between your project teams and clients. Your clients can log in to join discussions, share files, collaborate on tasks, and participate in workflows. 

Plus, you can control what clients can see, ensuring confidentiality while also keeping necessary information accessible.

Throughout testing, we were consistently wowed by Celoxis’ intuitive UX and its seamless integration with over 400 popular business apps. These integrations simplify workflows and support informed decision-making with excellent reporting and analytics tools.

Now, compared to Asana, another leading project management tool known for its user-friendly interface, Celoxis offers more extensive and adaptable solutions. 

While Asana is great for basic project and task management, Celoxis is better suited for industries requiring detailed resource management, advanced workflow automation, and customization, such as professional services, manufacturing, and IT.

Features of Celoxis

Project Management: 

Seamlessly handle your project planning, scheduling, tracking, dependencies, and accounting from start to finish, ensuring efficient project execution and delivery.

Resource Management: 

Optimize your resource allocation and utilization with capacity planning, forecasting skills demand, and effective management of team workload and availability.

Process Workflows: 

Run project workflows with custom apps for managing risks, issues, changes, bug tracking, and other critical processes, improving your project efficiency and minimizing errors.

Reports & Dashboards: 

Gain valuable insights into your project performance and progress with customizable real-time reports and dashboards, enabling informed decision-making and proactive problem-solving.

Timesheets & Expenses: 

Easily track your time and expenses with automated reminders, approval workflows, and policy enforcement, ensuring accurate billing and cost management for projects.

Collaboration: 

Get seamless collaboration among your team members and clients through file sharing, discussions, notifications, shareable calendars, and client portals, enhancing transparency and communication throughout the project lifecycle.

Integrations: 

Enhance your productivity by connecting with over 400 business apps via integrations and APIs, enabling seamless data flow and workflow automation across different tools and platforms.

Client File Sharing: 

Securely share project files, documents, and deliverables with clients through a dedicated client portal, ensuring they have access to the latest versions and can provide feedback or approvals seamlessly.

Client Approvals and Sign-offs: 

Streamline the approval process by allowing clients to review, comment on, and provide digital sign-offs for project deliverables, change requests, or other critical milestones directly through the client portal.

Client Calendar Visibility: 

Share project calendars and schedules with clients, enabling them to stay informed about important deadlines, milestones, and upcoming events related to their projects.

Client Notifications and Updates: 

Keep clients informed by automatically notifying them about project updates, task assignments, file uploads, or any other relevant changes or actions required on their part.

Pros of Using Celoxis

• Comprehensive solutions that manage every aspect of your projects, resources, and workflows seamlessly.
• Customized applications to handle specific needs such as risk, issue, and change management efficiently.
• Personalize your dashboards, generate insightful reports, and gain actionable insights with ease.
• Optimize your resources and plan capacities effectively to ensure maximum productivity.
• Choose on-premise hosting to maintain greater control and security over your data.
• Access the platform in multiple languages and on mobile devices for global usability.

Cons

• Overly complex for teams with basic project management needs.
• Limited free trial features to properly evaluate it.
• Requires technical expertise to fully customize and integrate.

Pricing

Team Member: $15/month (billed annually) per user

The Team Member plan includes advanced analytics and business intelligence, aggregated dashboards, advanced scheduling, split and recurring task management, project templates, job role assignment, weekly executive reporting, a free client portal, workload tracking, resource conflict resolution, team utilization and performance monitoring, risk tracking, intake management, portfolio management, and data isolation within workspaces.

Manager: $25/month (billed annually) per user

The Manager plan includes all the features of the Team Member plan, tailored to empower managers with advanced tools for overseeing projects and teams efficiently.

What Users Say About Celoxis

Rating on G2: 4.5 out of 5

“What do you like best about Celoxis?

I have gotten used to the user interface and filters over time. Tracking risk management and budget are helpful to the organization. I am gaining proficiency in coming up to speed with the custom reporting features.

What do you dislike about Celoxis?

I have difficulty using the time management system in celoxis. Tracking by task is forced and I resort to large buckets that aren’t tied to the actual timeline. I don’t think the inputs are lessening requests for information. I feel like big brother is constantly looking over my shoulder.”- Anonymous user. 

Key Features to Consider While Choosing The Best Project Management Client Portal

Picking the best project management client portal can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, it’s all about finding a tool that fits your needs. Here are some key features to consider:

Centralized Client Onboarding

Imagine a process where sales, production, stakeholders, and accounting all work together from the start. A client onboarding feature within the platform can do just that. It ensures everyone is on the same page about what’s being sold, delivered, and billed.

Client Portal for Project Visibility and Collaboration

A client portal is a dedicated space for your clients to see project updates, provide feedback, and collaborate with your team. This transparency keeps everyone informed and involved from beginning to end. Plus, it means smoother communication and better results because clients stay engaged throughout the project.

Task Management and Project Planning

Think of task management and project planning as your project’s blueprint. They break down big tasks into smaller, easier-to-handle pieces, set deadlines, and create timelines. 

This keeps your team organized and focused, ensuring everyone knows what to do and when. With these tools, you can stay on track, meet deadlines, and deliver successful projects.

File Sharing and Collaboration Tools

File sharing and collaboration tools provide you with a virtual workspace for seamless teamwork. They let everyone share and edit files and documents in real-time, boosting collaboration and efficiency. This means effective teamwork, no matter where your team members are located.

Centralized Platform for Multiple Projects

A centralized platform for multiple projects keeps all your tasks and projects organized in one place. It eliminates the need to switch between different tools, saving you time and making sure nothing gets lost in the shuffle. 

This feature helps you stay efficient and focused on delivering successful outcomes for all your projects.

Visual Task Organization and Tracking

Visual task organization and tracking offer a clear and intuitive method to manage your tasks. Using charts or boards, they show you what needs to be done and allow you to track progress easily.

This approach simplifies task management and boosts efficiency, helping you to prioritize tasks effectively and keep up with your workload.

Team and Client Communication

Imagine how easy it would be if your team and clients could communicate seamlessly. With tools like chat, discussion boards, and comment sections, you can all stay connected in one place.

These features let you collaborate effectively without switching between apps. Keeping everything transparent, everyone stays informed and involved from start to finish of the project.

Integration with Accounting/Invoicing Software

By linking your project management system with accounting or invoicing software, you can manage your finances more easily. This setup allows you to create invoices and keep track of project expenses directly.

This integration streamlines your financial tasks, cuts down on manual work, and helps you maintain accurate billing and financial reports for your projects.

Task Progress Tracker: 

A task progress tracker keeps you updated on the status of each task within your project. It keeps you updated on the status of every task within your project, providing real-time insights into completion rates. This allows you to monitor progress with ease and identify any potential delays or roadblocks before they snowball.

What is The Best Project Management Client Portal Software?

Agency Handy is the best project management client portal software tailored specifically for agencies.It’s specifically designed to address the challenges agencies face, with a focus on client onboarding and collaboration.

Here’s why Agency Handy stands out:

• Smooth Onboarding: Get projects off to a great start by capturing all the important details upfront. This ensures everyone’s on the same page from the beginning.
• Centralized Hub: Manage everything in one place. Track tasks, monitor progress, and collaborate seamlessly with your team and clients.
• Clear Communication: Dedicated features like a client portal and ticketing system keep everyone informed and involved throughout the project.
• Streamlined Finances: Built-in billing and invoicing tools make it easy to get paid on time.
• Brand Consistency: Customize the platform to match your brand identity and deliver a professional client experience.
• Scalable Pricing: Agency Handy offers plans to fit any size agency, making it an affordable option for optimizing project management and boosting client satisfaction.

However, it’s important to recognize the strengths of other contenders in the market. For example, Wrike offers advanced features for larger companies, Asana focuses on connecting goals with daily tasks, and Basecamp is a great choice for agencies focused on design collaboration.

The key takeaway? Consider your agency’s specific needs and carefully evaluate different software options. The best solution will help you achieve optimal productivity, collaboration, and happy clients.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the best project management with a client portal is like finding the perfect pair of shoes—it’s about the right fit. Understanding your organization’s needs, team dynamics, and growth plans is the key. 

Consider these steps: First, assess features that match your industry’s workflows. Second, evaluate pricing for long-term viability and scalability. Third, prioritize seamless integration to avoid disjointed tools. 

Finding the right fit streamlines operations, builds client trust, and fosters lasting partnerships. Happy teams and satisfied clients follow.

FAQs

What are the best practices for onboarding clients to a new client portal and ensuring its consistent usage?

Best practices include providing clear instructions, training resources (videos, guides), and offering initial support. Set expectations for portal usage and communicate its benefits. Regularly remind clients to use the portal, and gather feedback to improve the experience and drive consistent adoption.

What are some popular project management tools that offer client portals or client-facing features?

Popular tools with client portals include Agency Handy, Basecamp, Trello, Asana, Wrike, Teamwork, and Accelo. These offer features like task boards, file sharing, communication channels, and progress tracking for clients to collaborate on projects.

What if I have multiple Workspaces?

Many client portals allow you to create multiple workspaces or projects, each with separate clients, tasks, and team members. This helps keep things organized and ensures clients only see relevant information.

What is SMART in Project Management?

SMART criteria are used to set effective goals/objectives: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Following SMART ensures clear, realistic, and trackable goals for successful project management.

How can a client portal help streamline communication and collaboration with clients?

A client portal centralizes all project information, files, and communication in one place accessible to clients. This eliminates scattered emails, enhances transparency, and allows clients to easily submit tasks, provide feedback, and track progress, streamlining collaboration.