Project Management Software with Client Portal: Our Top Advice

Clients reaching out at odd hours can disrupt your flow. A text here, an email there - sometimes even a phone call about a project. All while you’re trying to relax at home.

This kind of scattered communication makes managing projects more stressful than it needs to be. But there’s a smarter way to handle it.

Enter project management software with a client portal. It’s a centralized hub where updates, feedback, and progress tracking come together. No more endless email chains or confusion - just a seamless, professional way to work with your clients.

In this article, we’ll walk you through seven of the best project management tools with client portals. These platforms are designed to simplify collaboration and transform how you manage your projects.

Let’s get started.

What You Need to Understand About Client Portals and Project Management Software

A client portal is a dedicated space where your customers can interact with your team and projects. It's their space to check progress, share feedback, and stay in the loop - all without endless email chains or confusing spreadsheets.

While project management software is a great tool for managing projects within your team, many project management tools offer ways to share work with clients. Usually, this means giving them access to a specific area within your software where they can see their projects and the progress being made on them. The look and feel of these "portals" can vary between platforms, but they tend to include things like:

• A project dashboard
• Timelines and milestones
• Task assignments and progress
• Document management/file sharing
• Messaging features and notifications
• Budgeting/expenses
• Reporting and analytics

As you can see, a client portal can be a source of information and a main point for all communication about a project. When you're evaluating client portal features, focus on two main questions:

• What information can you include?
• What can you share with people outside your company?
• How much can you customize what clients see?

Keep in mind the client portal represents just one of the many benefits of project management software. While it's a valuable feature, it shouldn't be the only factor in your decision-making process.

The Best Project Management Software with Client Portal

Let's explore some of the best project management software with client portals on the market today. This list is based on our in-depth research and testing of more than 45 project management providers and our top picks for the best project management software on the market. We’ve tailored this list to highlight the best choices for those who prioritize client portal functionality. If you're curious about our process and criteria, see how we create our lists here.

Now, let’s get to the picks!

1. ClickUp - Best Overall

ClickUp is the most versatile project management tool on the list. With functionalities like flexible viewing options and robust access controls, it excels in client collaboration.

The most remarkable thing about ClickUp is that the platform is continually being improved with new cutting-edge features - without raising prices.

Plus, they've done half the work for you with ready-to-use client portal templates. These templates work perfectly out of the box, especially for specific industries.

When it comes to sharing and customization, ClickUp has a flexible permissions system. Teams can create dedicated client spaces with controlled access to specific projects and tasks while customizing everything from dashboards to forms to match their brand. The platform allows different permission levels within the same client organization, which is perfect for working with complex client teams.

ClickUp's client portal features are available across different price points. While the Free Forever plan offers basic client collaboration, the Unlimited plan ($7 per member/month) adds unlimited "read-only" guests and integrations. For white-labeling and advanced permissions customization, you'll need to skip the Business plan ($12 per member/month) and go straight to the Enterprise package.

If you want to get fancier, ClickUp also offers extensive integration options, including FeatValue for creating custom client portals. This flexibility lets you build exactly what your clients need.

Keep in mind that ClickUp's constant improvements and updates can make the platform feel overwhelming. Compared to simpler platforms, new users might need extra time to learn all the features.

2. Birdview - Best for an Out-of-the-Box Client Portal

Birdview is a project management tool with built-in client collaboration features. When it comes to sharing, Birdview prioritizes simplicity with a dedicated guest portal system. Unlike platforms that require extensive setup, Birdview's sharing model is designed to work immediately - clients get access to relevant projects and tasks through a clean interface.

Customization options are more limited compared to ClickUp, but that's by design. Instead of extensive customization tools, Birdview focuses on providing a polished out-of-the-box experience. Teams can still adjust basic branding elements and configure which features clients can access.

Pricing for client collaboration starts with their Lite plan ($9 per user/month), which includes up to 25 client users. If you need unlimited guests, the Team Plan provides this at $24 per user/month.

The straightforward approach makes Birdview perfect for teams that need to start using client portals immediately. While it might not suit complex workflows, it covers all the basics effectively.

Clients can submit requests, approve deliverables, provide feedback, and communicate - all within the platform. The unlimited free guest access option also makes Birdview an attractive option for teams working with multiple clients.

3. Monday.com - Best for Ease of Use

While Monday.com’s client portal features might fly under the radar, they deserve attention. The client portal itself mainly focuses on handling service requests through its Customer Service Portal. It's great for when clients need help, but it might not be enough if you're looking for deep project collaboration.

But, if you want more, you can build a custom solution using Monday.com's integrations and automation features. The platform offers moderate customization options for client-facing elements. While you can't completely white-label the interface, you can create custom views, automated notifications, and branded forms for clients.

In order to share, you have to provide clients with guest access and then share relevant boards with them. Monday.com also provides a Client Portal Builder app in its Monday.com marketplace. This allows you to create and manage client portals through Monday.com. Other platforms, like Softr Studio, can also be used to create tailored client portals that connect directly with your Monday.com workspace. The platform's automation capabilities let you enhance client communication, like automatically sending a personalized email when a project milestone is completed.

The Free Forever plan supports up to two users and three boards. But guest access is not available until the Standard plan, at $17 per user per month. Note that each four guests count as another user in this plan, so if you have a lot of clients, costs can increase quickly. Unlimited guest access is available through the Pro plan, at $26 per user per month.

Honorable Mentions

Several other platforms deserve recognition for their client portal capabilities. Asana, Trello, Jira, and Basecamp have won a spot on our list. Of the four, Basecamp is the only one that provides built-in client portal functionality.

However, all four can extend their functionality with FeatValue.

• Asana: This platform has an intuitive interface and powerful project views. You can invite clients as guests to the workspace, so they can view and interact with specific projects and tasks you’ve shared with them.

• Trello: Trello stands out for its simplicity and visual approach to project management. Its card-based system is perfect for teams who want to give clients a clear visual representation of project progress, and its “power-ups” allow for enhanced client collaboration features.

• Jira: Jira specializes in software development projects. It offers robust client collaboration tools for agile teams through its Jira Service Management (JSM) platform. For those using Jira without JSM, client collaboration can be facilitated by adding clients and users with appropriate permissions.

• Basecamp: This platform focuses on straightforward communication and file sharing with clients. Its unique approach combines project management with client communication tools. It's especially good for teams that prioritize clear client communications and document organization.

Choosing the Right Project Management Software with Client Portal

Choosing project management software requires looking at the big picture. While client portals add value, they shouldn't be the sole deciding factor.

Start by finding the best project management software for your team's needs. Then, look at what it can do for client collaboration. In our top picks for best project management software, we break down everything you need to know about each option, from prices and features to customer support.

Your choice depends on your business size and needs. For teams that need deep customization, ClickUp's feature-rich platform combined with FeatValue integration offers virtually limitless possibilities to create the perfect client experience.

If you prefer simplicity and quick setup, Birdview’s ready-made solution might be your best choice. Monday.com strikes a balance with its service-focused portal and automation capabilities.

If you want to create a highly customized client portal or simply love your current project management software, FeatValue can help you achieve this with almost any platform you prefer.

Compare Your Options

Finding the best project management software with a client portal takes time and research. But making an informed decision leads to better results for your team and clients. Use our Comparison Tool for Project Management Software to analyze different options side by side. Many options provide free versions or trials, so you can test them out risk-free. Good luck!