I know—finding the best project management software with client portal is a real challenge in today’s crowded market. Too many choices, not enough time to try them all.
But here’s the deal: we’ve got your back.
Check out our shortlist of the 12 best project management software tools with client portals. Let us make your life easier and help you work with your customers like a pro.
Ready to upgrade your project game? Let’s dive in!
I. How to choose the right project management software with client portals
Here are 5 factors to consider when choosing the best client portal software:
1. Understand your needs:
List out specific needs of your business objectives, team members, projects, and clients.
Consider your team/business size and ensure the software scales with your business growth.
2. Consider your budget:
Consider your budget, but also weigh the value. Sometimes investing a bit more pays off in enhanced features and support.
Tip: Look for project management software options that offer a free version or free trial. This way, you can get hands-on experience to see if it suits your workflow without breaking the bank.
3. Ease of use:
A clean, intuitive interface is key. Look for platforms that offer easy navigation for both you and your clients.
4. Collaboration tools:
Check if the client portals support real-time updates, communication features, and document sharing. Ensure it aligns with how your clients prefer to interact.
5. Customization options:
Your brand matters. Choose software that lets you customize the client portal to match your brand identity.
II. 12 Best Project Management Software With Client Portal Feature
Below is our carefully selected list of the 12 best project management tools with client portals:
1. Trello
Availability: Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.
Trello is a popular project management tool. It uses an intuitive card-based system with three main parts: boards, lists, and cards, to help organize tasks and project phases easily.
Read Full Review: Trello Review.
You can customize it to fit your workflows, extend board functionality using Power-Ups, and collaborate with team members.
Also, you can invite clients to your boards.
They can see their assigned tasks, join discussions by adding comments and attachments to cards, and keep up with project updates through the activity feed.
But compared to some other tools, Trello has a couple of downsides.
First, it lacks a built-in chat tool for communication with clients.
It also doesn’t give you very detailed control over what clients can see and do, so you must carefully manage the board permissions.
In summary, Trello might be suitable for project managers or agile teams seeking a straightforward project management client portal.
Key Features:
- Card-based system
- Guest access & permission settings
- Commenting, @mention, file-sharing, and notifications
- Due dates, reminders, labels, and activity log
- Power-Ups
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Provide a visual way to track project progress
- Robust collaboration tools
Cons:
- No dedicated tool for client communication
- Lack of granular control of guest permissions
- Not robust enough to handle complex projects
Pricing:
2. Upbase
Availability: Web, Android, iOS
Ready to level up your client services and save time? Enter Upbase – your all-in-one solution for project management efficiency, replacing the need for multiple apps.
No more drowning in emails or draining phone calls. Upbase gives your clients a simple, easy-to-use hub for everything – tasks, files, documents, plans, schedules, you name it.
Real-time updates? Check ✅.
Collaboration tools? Check ✅.
Your team can effortlessly assign tasks, upload files, share files, and even chat in real-time with clients.
And guess what? You’re always in control.
With the private-by-default approach, you can customize what your clients can access and see within the tool.
This ensures you can maintain confidentiality and only share what’s necessary.
The best part?
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use Upbase. The app is user-approved for its simple interface and ease of use.
In a nutshell, Upbase is the project management software with a client portal you’ve been waiting for. Tailored for professionals, loved by clients.
Key Features:
Granular control of guest access.
Robust Task Management:
- Sections, tasks, and subtasks to structure project to-dos.
- Notes, priorities, start and due dates, durations, and color tags to add context to tasks/subtasks.
- Comments, attachments, activity logs, assignees, and watchers for seamless collaboration.
- List and Board views, plus custom filters, to view tasks your way.
Folders and lists to structure projects.
Communication and collaboration tools:
- Docs—for document collaboration and management.
- Files—for file storage, collaboration, and file version control.
- Calendar—for planning and scheduling project tasks by week and month.
- Links—for sharing and collaborating on important links related to a client project.
- Messages—for organizing team discussions, perfect to replace lengthy emails.
- Chat—for real-time group messaging.
Handy add-ons: Embedding Google Docs and Drive folders, two-way sync with Google Calendar, keyboard shortcuts, and Pin to Tray.
Sign up for a free Upbase account now, and experience it yourself!
Why Upbase?
- No additional charges for clients
- Granular control over client permissions
- Intuitive and user-friendly, avoiding overwhelm for new users
- Centralized storage for all project data, ensuring seamless collaboration
- Easy chat and discussion with clients right inside the app
Limitations:
- No Gantt charts (yet)
- No reporting and invoicing
Pricing:
3. Basecamp
Availability: Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Basecamp is widely recognized as a comprehensive project management software with client portals.
It’s praised for being user-friendly and making team collaboration straightforward.
A standout feature of Basecamp is Clientside, a project management client portal where clients access project details, communicate with the project team, and view project progress.
Read Full Review: Basecamp Review.
Basecamp also lets project managers control what clients can see and do, which is great for keeping things private and managing information flow.
In short, if your client collaboration primarily revolves around task management, to-do lists, and milestones, Basecamp might be a good fit.
But if you need a lot of customization or advanced features, check out other project management software tools!
Key Features:
- Clientside: guest permissions, message boards, and emails
- To-dos: Due dates, task notes, priorities, and attachments.
- Progress tracking: Project activities, Card Table, and Hill Charts
- Collaboration tools: File-sharing, commenting, @mention, assignees, and message boards.
- Communication: Ping and Campfires.
Pros:
- Simple user interface
- Robust communication and collaboration tools
- Powerful client portal feature
Cons:
- No free-forever version
- May lack advanced features required by larger enterprises.
- Limited customization options compared to some other project management software
Pricing:
4. Asana
Availability: Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
This powerful project management software solution, Asana, is renowned for its flexibility to manage projects of all sizes during business growth.
It’s packed with advanced features that bring together your project tasks, team collaboration, and resource management into one centralized location.
Asana also has a client portal feature, named FeatValue, making it easy to work with external stakeholders.
Read Full Review: Asana Review.
You can invite clients to specific projects or teams and customize what they can see and do.
Clients can then view, comment on, and interact with tasks, helping everyone stay on the same page about the project’s progress.
Asana is flexible, letting clients choose how they want to view projects, whether in lists, boards, or Gantt charts.
All these features make Asana one of the best project management software with client portals.
Key Features:
- Customizable view options: Lists, Boards, Calendars, and Gantt charts
- Task management: Due dates and times, start dates, task dependencies, repeat, and attachments.
- Collaboration: Project comments and messages, task assignees, and proofing.
- FeatValue, a project management client portal.
- Resource management: Workload view, time tracking, and reports.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Suitable for a wide range of projects
- Enhance client collaboration
Cons:
- Too basic features for reporting
- Overwhelming for small teams or simple projects.
Pricing:
5. Zoho Projects
Availability: Web, Android, iOS
Zoho Projects is a robust tool for client portal project management.
It lets clients join discussions, access important documents, and track progress in real time.
But what truly sets it apart from other project management software with client portals are its great communication features and the ability to easily collaborate on documents.
Plus, Zoho Projects allows project managers to generate reports in the client portal, making it simple for their clients to understand how the project is doing.
Key Features:
- Dashboards
- Calendars, Gantt charts, and Custom Views
- File sharing and document collaboration
- Time tracking, reporting, and invoicing
Pros:
- Provide a unified business ecosystem
- Great scalability and adaptability
- Seamless client communication and collaboration
Cons:
- Learning curve
- Customization complexity
Pricing:
6. Wrike
Availability: Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Wrike excels at streamlining project workflows and fostering team collaboration. But it’s also renowned for its powerful project management client portal, making communication with clients super easy throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Imagine this feature as an intuitive hub.
Here, project managers keep all the client info organized, while clients can access project timelines and updates in real time, provide feedback directly on tasks, and submit requests via intake forms.
The cherry on top is Wrike lets you customize the client portal’s appearance and content to match your brand, creating a professional and cohesive client experience.
Overall, if you’re on the hunt for the best project management software with client portals to boost client relationships and stay on top of projects, Wrike might be a great choice.
Key Features:
- Lists, Boards, Tables, Calendars, and Gantt charts
- Personalized portal
- Forms
- File sharing
- Custom status
- Customizable dashboards
- Time tracking & reporting
Pros:
- Flexible to streamline workflows
- Robust client portal with customization options
- Comprehensive project management features
Cons:
- Complexity for simple projects
- Pricing may be on the higher side for smaller businesses
Pricing:
7. Monday.com
Availability: Web, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
When we talk about Monday.com, two standout things usually come up: 1) its visually appealing interface and 2) how well it adapts to different workflows.
But did you know it’s also a great project management software with client portals?
Setting up a client portal on Monday.com is a breeze.
Create a separate board or workspace for each client, choose what details of the client projects you want to show them, and control who gets access.
You can customize the dashboards to your own by adding or removing widgets, and shifting things around.
And here’s the cool part:
Monday.com believes in showing, not just telling. You can create charts and graphs to visualize project information and track progress.
The Gantt view gives you a timeline-based display for understanding different project bits, while the Kanban view sets up a visual board where you can play Tetris with your tasks.
Moreover, the project management software lets you build step-by-step plans with a simple drag-and-drop, and you can chat with clients in real time through conversation threads.
Key Features:
- Step-by-step plans
- Customizable dashboards
- Conversation threads
- Gantt charts; Kanban boards; charts & graphs
- Workflow automation
- Integrations with other third-party apps
Pros:
- Visual and intuitive interface
- Highly customizable and versatile
- Enables real-time collaboration in a structured way
Cons:
- Learning curve due to the platform’s extensive customization options.
- Pricing can be relatively high for large teams with complex needs.
Pricing:
8. OneDesk
Availability: Web, Android, iOS
Regarding client portals, OneDesk takes the cake with its supercharged mobile app. It gives you a slick on-the-go management experience.
Imagine creating a project management portal, personalizing it, tweaking the settings, and inviting clients—all from your fingertips, wherever you are.
Once your clients access the portal, you can effortlessly share project information with them and even create a discussion forum or create a self-serve article based on the customer discussion thread.
Your clients, in turn, can effortlessly communicate with your team, submit support tickets, view the project status, and access knowledge-based articles.
And don’t worry about overwhelming them. OneDesk keeps it clean and straightforward, making it accessible for clients who may not be well-versed in a project management tool.
Key Features:
- File-sharing
- Time tracking
- Custom branding
- Support tickets, forms, and custom fields
Pros:
- Suitable for a wide range of projects and industries
- Foster transparent customer communication and collaboration
- Offer an intuitive experience
Cons:
- Learning curve
- Lack of advanced customization options
Pricing:
9. Celoxis
Availability: Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Looking for an all-encompassing client portal project management solution? Well, Celoxis might be a fantastic pick!
Its customizable client portal, coupled with a rich set of project management features, makes it well-suited for medium to large-scale projects where keeping clients in the loop is crucial.
With this project management tool, your clients can view milestones, access project information in real time, and provide feedback.
The interactive nature of the client portals makes communication a breeze, bringing transparency and happy clients.
Key Features:
- Gantt Charts
- Document Sharing and Collaboration
- Time Tracking and Reporting
- Milestone tracking
- Integrations with many third-party apps
Pros:
- Comprehensive project management functionality
- Robust client portal customization options
- Powerful reporting and analytics features
Cons:
- Overwhelming for new users due to rich feature set
- Advanced features may require training for optimal utilization
Pricing:
Celoxis doesn’t publicize its pricing due to its pay-per-use pricing model. You must contact sales for pricing details.
10. FuseBase (formerly Nimbus)
Availability: Web, Mac, Windows, iPad, iOS, Android
FuseBase is client portal software with integrated project management elements, designed with ease of use in mind.
With a clean and sleek interface, FuseBase allows you to set up a collaborative workspace in a snap. Here, you can invite team members and clients, manage projects, assign tasks, share files, track progress, and even chat in real-time.
The project management software employs folders, subfolders, and pages to structure all project work, including tasks, files, and documents, preventing chaotic disorganization. In short, it excels at simplifying the client and project management process.
However, considering its free offerings and pricing plans, we would say it might not be the best project management software option for large teams or projects with a significant number of documents.
Key Features:
- Shared pages & nested folders
- Search Analytics
- Document scanner; file management
- Search function
- Time tracking
Pros:
- Easy to create client portals
- Provide a structured way to organize client projects
- Enhance project management efficiency
Cons:
- Limited file storage
- The free version offers very basic features
- Overwhelming for small teams or less complex projects.
Pricing:
11. Accelo
Availability: Windows, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux
Accelo is a comprehensive project management solution with a strong emphasis on client collaboration.
It’s particularly well-suited for medium to large-sized teams engaged in complex projects where client interaction and collaboration are paramount.
Setting up a new client portal is a breeze in Accelo.
You can easily create tasks, share files, generate reports, and issue invoices. Once everything is set, invite your clients into the portal.
Accelo supports real-time updates, making it simple for clients to stay informed about project progress and timelines.
Additionally, they can submit support tickets, send notes, and leave comments regarding attachments or work descriptions.
Key Features:
- Object-specific permissions
- Bulk Invitations
- Activities & Signoff
- Time tracking & Invoicing
- Workflow automation
- Task dependencies
Pros:
- Covers all aspects of project management, from planning to execution
- Allow clients to view and pay invoices
- Fast and easy to get approvals for work and give feedback
- Effectively prevent project delays
Cons:
- Customization complexity
- No free-forever version
- Steep pricing
Pricing:
12. Nifty
Availability: Chrome extensions, Android, iOS, Windows, iOS.
Nifty’s client portals are designed to enhance communication and collaboration for teams and businesses working with their clients.
The project management software supports real-time updates that keep clients in the loop without drowning them in messages.
Plus, it allows for effortless document sharing and collaboration. Clients can review, comment, and even edit documents directly within the platform – no more juggling external apps.
Now, check this out – Nifty’s Gantt charts make project timelines a piece of cake for clients. They can see dependencies and task progress, getting the whole picture in a snap.
Compared to other specialized project management software with client portals, Nifty stands out for its balanced set of features. It brings client collaboration, task management, time tracking, and communication together seamlessly.
However, it still lacks advanced customization options for highly specialized needs, and some users may experience a learning curve initially.
Key Features:
- Task due dates; project milestones
- Messaging and commenting
- Secure file-sharing
- Project overview dashboard
- Time logs for tasks and projects
- Reporting and analytics
Pros:
- Comprehensive client portal features
- Efficient task tracking and project milestone monitoring
- Easy to access from anywhere
Cons:
- Difficult to learn and use
- Lack of advanced customization options
Pricing:
III. Choosing the best project management software with client portal feature for you
Choosing the right project management software is like finding the perfect travel companion. It should make your journey smoother, not add more bumps.
So, take your time, explore the options, and choose the one that feels right for your team and clients.
Need our quick suggestion? It’s Upbase!
Amidst the sea of project management solutions, Upbase stands out as a beacon of efficiency and user-friendliness.
With no additional charges for clients, granular control over permissions, centralized project data, and seamless collaboration, Upbase is designed to elevate your project management experience.
In the realm of the 12 best project management software tools with client portals, Upbase proves itself as a worthy companion, tailor-made for professionals who value simplicity, efficiency, and powerful collaboration tools.
Ready to embark on a smoother project journey?
Sign up for a free Upbase account today and impress your clients!
IV. FAQs
1. What is a client portal software?
A client portal software is a tool that provides a secure online space for businesses to interact and collaborate with their clients.
It typically includes features like document sharing, real-time updates, and communication tools, creating a centralized hub for seamless client engagement and project management.
2. What are the benefits of using project management software with client portals?
A client portal offers a solution for effective task management, seamless collaboration, real-time updates, and streamlined communication.
It centralizes project data, enhances client engagement, and provides granular control, making project management more efficient and client-focused.
3. What is the best project management software with client portals?
The best project management tools with client portals vary based on specific needs. Some popular options include Asana, Trello, and Upbase.
4. What factors to consider when choosing project management software with a client portal?
Here are the criteria for choosing the best project management software with a client portal:
- Your business objectives, team size, and future growth.
- Needs of your business, teams, projects, and clients
- Your budget
- The software’s user interface, customization options, and features for collaboration, task management, progress tracking, etc.
