Sharing updates and documents with clients shouldn’t require a dozen emails or a messy folder system.

A client portal gives your clients one place to find what they need—whether that’s project updates, invoices, or documents. It saves your team time, keeps things organized, and helps you look more professional.

This guide walks you through what to look for in a portal and compares six top options—starting with Softr.

What is client portal software?

A customer or client portal software is a secure online platform where your clients can log in to see their information, track progress, and get what they need—without emailing you every time.

You can use it to:

• Let clients safely upload files or download documents
• Collect forms or service requests
• Show invoices and accept payments
• Keep conversations organized with comments or messages

Some tools focus on one thing (like document sharing). Others let you build a more tailored experience that fits how your business actually works.

How to choose the right client portal software

The best client portal software should match the way your team works. Here’s what to think about before you pick the one for your team:

• Ease of use: Both you and your clients should be able to find what they need and make updates without any heavy training.
• Setup: Some tools are plug-and-play. Others let you build from scratch. Think about how hands-on you want to be—and whether you have the time or skills to customize.
• Security: Make sure sensitive info is only visible to the right people. Look for role-based access, secure logins, and encryption.
• Customization: Can you control what each client sees? Can you match the portal to your branding?
• Integrations: If your data lives in different tools and platforms, check that the portal can connect to them easily.
• Scalability: Will it still work as your client list grows or your workflows change?

Top client portal software comparison chart

What features should client portal software have?

Beyond general considerations, there are a variety of specific features and qualities you’ll want to look out for when choosing the perfect client portal software.

1. Interface that’s easy to navigate and customize

Your clients shouldn’t need a map to navigate your portal, and a confusing layout could turn them off immediately. Likewise, you shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in web design to find your way around your own app. So look for a customer portal solution that’s user-friendly, attractive, and makes sense to you.

You’ll also want to control what customers see when they visit your portal, so your software should be a fully customizable and white label portal.

That means clients won’t see the logo or branding of the portal software, but instead your chosen colors, logo, and domain on both internal and login pages.

2. Roles and permissions

Controlling who can view and interact with your portal’s information is crucial—you don’t want a free-for-all, so make sure the customer portal you’re looking at has functionality for specific roles and permissions.

Your content, and what users can do with that content, should have access rights. Ideally, you should be able to easily adjust permissions at the folder, subfolder, and file level and ensure that users only see what they need to see.

Being able to assign user roles also means you can easily categorize them with the same permissions and put them into groups, making them easy to organize and understand at a glance.

3. Collaboration tools

The whole point of customer portals is to communicate and collaborate with your clients, and there’s a multitude of ways to do that. That’s why the best client portals allow for:

• Calendar sharing
• Instant messaging
• Project and task management
• File sharing
• Document synchronization
• Cloud storage

Work out what type of collaboration tools are a priority for your team, and make sure they’re included in a customer portal software’s list of features before committing to it.

4. Payment processing

Many organizations want customers to be able to pay for products or services within their client portal, so a self-service payment processing feature is a must. Above all, payment processing systems should be secure and easy to use with minimal instructions or “teaching.”

Keep an eye out for extra functionality such as the ability to:

• Customize the frequency of payments i.e. one-time or recurring
• Easily apply trials and coupons at checkout
• Connect payment integrations like PayPal and Stripe
• Easily access billing history
• Update credit card details at the customer end

5. Robust security

When organizing, processing, and exchanging sensitive client data, selecting a client portal with watertight security measures is essential.

So all client portals should have the following robust security features:

• User privileges
• Authentication functions
• Encryption
• Authorization mechanisms

Making sure your client portal has those types of security measures will reduce the risk of data leaks, data breaches, and hacking incidents, all of which can result in thousands or even millions of dollars in damages.

Client portal software: 10 best picks for 2025

There are too many client and customer portal providers to count, each with its own unique features and ideal use cases. We’ve narrowed the list down for you, landing on ten top contenders.

1. Softr

Softr is a no-code platform that turns your Airtable, Google Sheets, or Softr Database into a fully branded, secure client portal—without needing a developer. It's built for businesses that need to organize client-facing work: sharing documents, tracking projects, handling requests, or giving clients visibility into their data.

Instead of juggling spreadsheets, shared folders, and email threads, you create a central hub where clients can log in, view relevant info, and take action—whether that’s uploading invoices, tracking project status, or updating their profile. You control what each client or group sees using granular visibility settings, while your data stays synced in real time.

You can start from a ready-made portal template or build your own using visual building blocks like lists, forms, calendars, and kanban boards.

Key features

• Template included: Start fast with a client portal template that comes with sample data, layouts, and logic—so you can launch in minutes and learn by example.
• Native data flexibility: Connect to 14+ data sources like Airtable, Google Sheets, Notion, HubSpot, monday.com, BigQuery, SQL databases, Supabase, Xano, and more with real-time, two-way sync—or use Softr Databases to manage all your data directly inside your app.
• Custom forms with smart fields: Use drag-and-drop forms with hidden fields, conditional logic, and file uploads to collect exactly what you need from clients—like onboarding details or status updates.
• Clear project visibility: Let clients see timelines, tasks, deliverables, and files in one place—no more email back-and-forth or searching for updates.

• Built-in payments: Share invoices or service pages and let clients pay directly through the portal using Stripe or PayPal.

• Role-based permissions: Show different content to clients, internal teams, or partners based on their role.

• Fewer tools, lower costs: Replace shared drives, dashboards, onboarding forms, and internal tools with one app built on Softr.
• Privacy and control built-in: Secure logins, SOC2 compliance, and flexible access settings help you manage sensitive data safely.

Pricing

• Free for up to 10 users per month
• Paid plans start at $49/month for 20 users (billed annually)
• Professional: Starts at $139/month for 100 users (billed annually)
• Business: Starting at $269/month for 2500 users (billed annually)
• Custom plans for enterprise customers

👉🏻 See how Caddy Moving built a custom portal with Softr that lets movers see and claim jobs in advance—so 95% of jobs now get filled at least a day ahead, not last-minute, giving dispatchers and workers more control.

2. Dock

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SuiteDash’s platform is both a client portal and CRM in one package. This no-code, ready-to-use software puts an emphasis on automation tools.

Dock is a versatile client portal tool designed to help businesses deliver a seamless customer experience across the entire customer lifecycle—from onboarding to renewal. Its client portals act as a centralized hub where businesses can collaborate with clients, share resources, and keep everyone aligned.

Stand-out features:

Collaborative workspaces: Create shared spaces where you can track progress, assign tasks, and manage projects alongside clients.

Secure document sharing: Upload and share documents, contracts, and presentations with the right permissions to ensure data privacy.

Custom branding: Make every portal feel like an extension of your business with custom colors, logos, and domains.

Templates for every stage: From sales handoffs to onboarding checklists, Dock offers pre-built templates to speed up your workflow.

Lifecycle tracking: Dock isn’t just for onboarding—track milestones, share quarterly updates, and manage renewals all in one place.

Analytics and insights: Understand how clients interact with your portal and ensure they’re engaging with key materials.

Pricing:

Dock offers a free trial with up to 5 free workspaces and unlimited users. Its paid plans include:

Starter: For startups. Includes all the basic workspace integrations and sales content management, $49 per user.

Growth: For scaling companies. Includes the HubSpot integration, more reporting features, project management integrations, and more. $59 per user.

Enterprise: For mid to large enterprises. Includes the Salesforce integrations, SSO, custom domains, automation, and more.

Order forms: An add-on package for sales order forms with e-signature. $10 per user.

Best use case:

Dock is ideal for customer-facing teams—like sales, account management, and customer success—who need a collaborative, client-friendly solution to manage projects, share updates, and build stronger relationships throughout the customer lifecycle.

3. SuiteDash

SuiteDash’s platform is both a client portal and CRM in one package. This no-code, ready-to-use software puts an emphasis on automation tools.

Stand-out features

1. Automation tools. One of SuiteDash’s noteworthy portal features is the ability to automate lead generation and onboarding processes.
2. Advanced customization tools. Along with the usual white label features, advanced users can also use custom CSS and other sophisticated options.
3. Robust security. SuiteDash provides free SSL for the custom domain users set up and link to their account, adding an extra layer of security.
4. Email and drip marketing tool. Users can create and schedule email campaigns for a particular date and time. They can also set up Autoresponders/Drips to send messages on an automatic schedule to any new email address they add to their ‘Audiences’ list.

Pricing

SuiteDash offers a 14-day, full-featured trial. Otherwise, their paid plans are:

1. Start. Designed for smaller businesses starting out and includes their core features, $19 per month.
2. Thrive. Meant for growing businesses that want enhanced features from the ‘Start’ plan and exclusive functionality, $49 per month.
3. Pinnacle. Perfect for bigger organizations with more complex needs. Includes SuiteDash’s full range of features, $99 per month.

Best use case

SuiteDash is ideal for companies looking for an all-in-one solution that includes a CRM and is quick and easy to get started with. Tip: Many see Softr as a top SuiteDash alternative.

4. Clinked

Clinked offers a cloud-based client portal solution that enhances team collaboration and client engagement through personalized and secure workspaces. It's designed to streamline project management, document sharing, and communication for businesses of all sizes.

Stand-out features

• Custom Branding: Clinked allows for a fully white-labeled experience, enabling businesses to present the portal in their branding.
• Secure File Sharing: Offers bank-grade security for file sharing and storage, ensuring that sensitive information is protected.
• Integrated Collaboration Tools: Includes features such as task management, calendars, discussions, and instant chat for seamless collaboration.
• Mobile Access: Provides a mobile app for both iOS and Android, allowing users and clients to access information and communicate on the go.
• Real-Time Notifications: Keeps team members and clients updated with instant notifications on document updates, project changes, and communication threads, ensuring everyone stays informed.
• Customizable Workspaces: Offers the ability to customize and configure workspaces to match project requirements and client needs, making it easier to manage specific workflows and enhance productivity.
• File Approvals: Streamlines the review and approval process for documents and files directly within the portal, simplifying workflows and ensuring that all materials meet required standards before finalization. This feature supports efficient collaboration and decision-making.

Clinked Pricing

Starts at 77$ a month with a free 10-day trial.

Clinked offers a range of pricing plans to suit various business needs, starting from a basic plan for small teams to enterprise solutions for larger organizations. Each plan is designed to scale with the growth of your business.

Clinked Best use case

Ideal for businesses looking for a comprehensive client portal solution that emphasizes collaboration and security. Particularly suitable for financial institutions, law firms, and consultancy businesses that require stringent data protection measures.

5. Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator is a low-code application development platform that helps users design, develop, and run business software, including customer portals.

Stand-out features

1. Multiplatform portals. Users and team members alike can access Zoho Creator portals on computers or mobile devices, and you can keep customers connected with web, email, and mobile push notifications.
2. Efficient user management. You can add portal users individually or import them in bulk and group them based on approval status. You can also add users dynamically using scripts.
3. Strong authentication mechanisms. In addition to Zoho’s log-in page, you can also choose between two different authentication mechanisms—single sign-on (SSO) using a third-party identity provider or federated logins (Google, Facebook).
4. Customizable notification preferences. Set up personalized email notifications to communicate with your users more effectively.

Pricing

Zoho Creator offers a 15-day free trial, but beyond that, there are two main plans:

1. Professional. Designed for companies that have multiple software and functionality needs with a five-app limit and flexible user count, $25 a month (billed annually).
2. Ultimate. Suitable for large organizations with complex software needs and includes unlimited apps and records, $400 a month (billed annually).

Best use case

Zoho Creator is ideal for users looking for comprehensive low-code app development software that caters to the needs of businesses of all sizes.

6. Huddle

Huddle is a client portal solution that has the usual portal functionality you’d expect, but puts a strong emphasis on security.

Stand-out features

• Enhanced security. Huddle was the first SaaS collaboration vendor to achieve FedRAMP ATO in the United States and SAS 70 Type II and SSAE 16 data center accreditation.
• Strong authentication. Huddle supports multi-factor authentication and enterprise-grade SSO across mobile and desktop applications. MDM / MAM / EMM support adds further protection for mobile devices.
• Track user activity. A timestamped summary of all content and user activity makes checking whether an important report has been read easy.
• Comment streams. Every document in Huddle has its own comment stream, and you can @mention individuals or entire teams to keep conversations connected with content.

Pricing

Huddle doesn’t offer a free trial, but its paid plans include:

• Essential. Ideal for content collaboration and project management for small teams, $15 per month.
• Plus. Designed to add enhanced security, customization, and admin controls for intra-company and external collaboration, $30 per month.
• Team starter. Meant for teams of up to ten users with more complex business needs, $150 per month.
• Premier. Great for large enterprises who want highly personalized plans, contact Huddle for a quote.

Best use case

Due to its focus on high-end cyber security features, Huddle is perfect for organizations dealing with sensitive data like accountants, consultancies, or government bodies.

7. HappyFox

HappyFox is a help desk and customer support software solution that stands out due to its support ticket system, self-service knowledge base, and community forums.

Stand-out features

1. Unified ticketing system. Manage email, phone, chat, and web requests by converting them into tickets.
2. Smart help desk software. Automate redundant and complex workflows with the help of a powerful smart rules engine, which automatically marks tickets as closed or re-opened when they meet certain criteria.
3. Help desk analytics. With a ticketing system that crunches your support process data, you can analyze help desk metrics and take solid actions. With help desk and ticketing systems that crunches your support process data, you can analyze help desk metrics and take solid actions.
4. Customizable support ticket system. Personalize the customer experience by creating custom fields and workflows.

Pricing

HappyFox has two tiers of pricing plans, one for single-agent use and another for unlimited agents. Here, we detail the single-agent plans:

1. Mighty. Meant for users who only need the basics covered, $29 a month (billed annually).
2. Fantastic. Designed for bigger teams with features like a multi-brand helpdesk and SLA breach notification, $49 a month (billed annually).
3. Enterprise. Best for larger organizations with more demanding needs, $69 a month (billed annually).
4. Enterprise Plus. Perfect for bigger businesses with added features like agent scripting and 2TB attachment storage, $89 a month (billed annually).

Best use case

HappyFox’s client portal places a strong emphasis on its help desk and ticketing systems, making it ideal for organizations with large volumes of customer queries

8. Rocketlane

Rocketlane is built for teams managing client onboarding and implementation. It combines project tracking, status sharing, and client collaboration in one secure workspace—making it easier to keep everyone aligned from kickoff to go-live.

Stand-out features:

• Pre-built onboarding templates: Launch faster with ready-made project workflows.
• Client-facing views: Share timelines, milestones, and updates without showing internal notes.
• Feedback and approvals: Collect client input or sign-offs without leaving the portal.
• Branded workspaces: Customize the look and feel to reflect your business.
• Automated reminders: Keep clients engaged and on track without chasing them manually.

Pricing:
Free trial available. Paid plans start at $19/user/month.

Best use case:
Ideal for onboarding, implementation, or client delivery teams that need a structured, repeatable way to guide customers through complex processes.

9. Zendo

Zendo is a client portal tool made for service-based businesses that sell custom work. It combines messaging, billing, and project tracking in one place—so clients can place orders, ask questions, and pay invoices without switching tools.

• Built-in chat: Centralized conversations between clients and your team.
• Order forms with payments: Let clients request services and pay directly from the portal.
• Service catalog: Offer predefined or custom services with flexible pricing.
• Document uploads and approvals: Share files, collect signatures, and move work forward.

Pricing:
Free plan available. Paid plans start at $19/month.

Best use case:
Great for freelancers and agencies who offer creative or professional services and want a lightweight way to manage client work from request to delivery.

10. FuseBase (formerly Nimbus)

FuseBase offers secure, branded workspaces for SMBs that need to organize documents, tasks, and communication for external clients. With robust permissions and an AI assistant, it’s designed for teams handling complex projects or lots of content.

You can create nested folders, share updates, and collaborate in real time—while keeping everything secure and on-brand.

Stand-out features:

• Client-specific workspaces: Create dedicated portals for each client with tasks, updates, and docs.
• AI assistant: Summarize meetings or content with built-in AI tools.
• Custom branding: Add your own logos, colors, and domains to make it feel like your own.
• Granular permissions: Control what each user can see or edit.
• Templates and reuse: Speed up setup with reusable workspace templates.

Pricing:
Free plan available. Pro plans start at $9/user/month.

Best use case:
Perfect for consultants, coaches, or small teams that want to deliver a high-touch client experience without cobbling together multiple tools.

The benefits of client portal software

With all that said, what are the actual benefits of client portal software? Below we run you through the key advantages of investing in this kind of technology.

Improve customer relationships

While ‘Contact Us’ forms and helplines are the equivalent of putting up a sign on your door, client portals are more like welcoming your customers inside for a coffee. It breaks down the barriers between you and your client and streamlines all your communications.

This creates customer loyalty via:

1. Accessibility. Client portals provide clients with relevant, real-time information such as FAQ answers, troubleshooting tips, and company and product details.
2. Self-authentication. Customers self-authenticate their emails, enabling them to log in and contact you right away. Because authentication will have taken place up front, it now only takes a successful login for a customer to be able to contact you, breaking down the barriers to communication that can negatively impact customer service.
3. Quicker response times. Automated instant messaging and self-service features mean that customers can conduct transactions and find the information they need outside of normal business hours without any restrictions.
4. Empowering customers. Using a customer portal gives customers a voice and enables them to share opinions with others in order to improve your products and services.

Save time and resources

So many customer queries, so little time. Communicating and collaborating with customers and clients can eat up hours of your day, especially when they’re spread across multiple workspaces.

Customer portals cut down on endless notifications and streamline customer support by:

1. Offering an all-in-one solution. By combining features that are traditionally served by individual apps (say, Slack or Slack alternatives for instant messaging), you kill two birds with one stone and save both time and money.  
2. Prioritizing self-service. Not only do self-service features improve customer relationships, but they also dramatically reduce your workload.
3. Increasing productivity. With client portals, both customers and internal staff can access important data like contracts, estimates, and project plans. You’ll also end up sending fewer emails and tracking progress more easily.
4. Boosting accuracy. By centralizing company information and having everything connected and in sync, users will always be able to access the latest versions of documents with correct branding and signatories, vastly reducing the chance of errors.

Better security

Having multiple copies of spreadsheets and documents across several platforms means your data is less secure. With customer portal software, you can securely share sensitive data from one centralized location.

Security is also heightened in client portals via:

1. Firewalls
2. End-to-end encryption
3. Malware and virus protection
4. Secure HTTPS/SSL connections
5. Data back-up on individual servers

Again, this is a win-win as you’re protecting your own privacy but also that of your customers. Ensuring client information is secure will also build further trust in your business and spread more positive word of mouth.

Stay organized

Keeping up with client requests, task approvals, and document management can become messy quickly. Using a customer portal can help you stay organized and improve your workflow in the following ways:

Information consolidation. Group and file all relevant information in one place, so your support team knows where to find all the key details they need when dealing with a client.

Centralized communication. With all communication channels funneled into your customer portal, it’s much harder to lose track of emails or messages.  

Progress tracking. When all your tasks are consolidated in one single place, you’ll have a full overview of job status, anticipated deadlines, delivery, and costs at a glance.

Analytics. Get important insights into both how customers are using your portal and team efficiency to stay on top of usage and gather insights to further refine your setup.

Choose a better way to manage client work

The best client portal software doesn’t just look good—it works the way your team already works. Whether you're sharing files, tracking tasks, collecting requests, or keeping clients informed, the right tool helps you do it all from one place.

This guide gave you a clear checklist of what to look for, a breakdown of key features, and side-by-side comparisons of top tools. From simple file-sharing portals to flexible, no-code platforms like Softr, there’s something here for every business.

The next step? Try a free client portal template on Softr to launch faster with the features your clients actually need.

Frequently asked questions about the best client portals

What is the best client portal software?

The best client portal software depends on your specific needs as an organization, but we recommend Softr if you’re looking for a more flexible, bespoke solution, or SuiteDash if you’re looking for a powerful pre-built option.

Are client portals safe?

Yes, client portals are safe. They deal with a large volume of sensitive client data, so they integrate robust cybersecurity and safety measures into all of their software and its functionalities.

How do I make a free client portal?

You can make a free client portal with Softr, the only platform on our list that provides a completely free paid plan and the ability to custom-build software in a no-code environment.

What is a secure client portal?

A secure client portal is a client portal that allows for the safe provision of services or information exchange with measures like:

- Authentication
- User privileges
- Encryption
- Authorization mechanisms

How much does it cost to make a client portal?

You can make a basic client portal for free with Softr, but you might want to consider plan plans which, depending on the service provider and your specific business needs, can cost between $15 and $400 a month (billed annually).

What are the features of the best client portals?

All the best client portals have the following features:

- Interface that’s easy to navigate and customize
- Roles and permissions
- Collaboration tools
- Payment processing
- Robust security

What are the benefits of client portals?

Some of the top benefits of client portals include:
- Improved customer relationships
- Time and resources saved
- Better security
- Increased organization