

If you’ve ever juggled multiple projects, client updates, and endless email threads, you already know how chaotic client communication can get. That’s where project management software with a client portal comes in — a combination that helps teams stay organized, transparent, and professional while keeping clients in the loop.
According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), effective project management is about planning, organizing, and communicating clearly across all stakeholders. When you add a client portal to that equation, it doesn’t just streamline work — it transforms how teams and clients collaborate.
In this guide, we’ll explore why project management with client portal features is becoming essential, what to look for in a platform, and which tools lead the market in 2025, including Foyer, our top pick for teams that want an all-in-one client collaboration and project management experience.
Traditional project management tools were built for internal teams — not for clients. That often means updates scattered across emails, shared drives, or Slack threads.
A client portal fixes that by giving clients their own secure, branded space to view updates, share files, sign documents, and stay connected to your work. Combine that with robust project management, and you get:
It’s not just convenient — it’s a competitive advantage.
When evaluating project management software with client portals, make sure the platform supports both your internal workflows and your client-facing needs.
Here are the key features to prioritize:
Foyer combines all of these, letting you manage projects internally and share relevant parts with clients — securely, beautifully, and without switching tools.
| Tool | Client Portal Support | Key Features | Pricing (Starting) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Foyer | Full client portal with chat, file sharing, and task visibility | Secure portal, project tracking, custom branding, integrations | From $19/user/mo | Best overall for client and customer focused teams |
Monday.com | Shared dashboards & client access | Task tracking, automations, templates | From $9/seat/mo | Enterprise and mid-size teams |
ClickUp | Guest access & dashboards | All-in-one workspace, automation, docs | Free / from $7/mo | Customizable workflows |
Asana | Limited guest access | Task management, timelines, integrations | Free / from $10.99/mo | Small to mid-size teams |
Teamwork | Built-in client access | Project templates, billing, reporting | From $10.99/mo | Agencies & service firms |
Basecamp | Client access on projects | Simplicity, message boards, file sharing | Flat $15/user/mo | Small creative teams |
Wrike | Custom client views | Workflows, approvals, analytics | From $10/user/mo | Large organizations |
Notion | Shareable pages | Notes, databases, docs, tasks | Free from $10/user/mo | Flexible collaboration |
Smartsheet | Share links only | Grid-based task tracking, automation | From $9/user/mo | Spreadsheet-style project tracking |
SuiteDash | Full client portal suite | CRM, invoicing, project tools | From $19/mo | Client management-heavy workflows |
For more context on how project management platforms are rated globally, see G2's Project Management Category
Here are the expanded Top 10 tools sections, each with 3 intro parts and 4 standout feature bullets — and each links to the relevant G2 reviews.

Foyer is a unified workspace designed to combine your internal project tracking with a branded client-facing portal. For teams that serve clients (agencies, consultants, service providers), giving both internal and external stakeholders one streamlined environment cuts down on tool-fatigue and boosts transparency. If you want a single system where your team manages tasks and your clients log in to see progress, upload files, chat, and sign documents — this is the option.
Standout features:

A highly customizable work management platform with task boards, dashboards, timeline views and workflow automation. For larger teams managing many projects — possibly across departments — monday.com offers robustness, visibility and scale. Mid-sized to enterprise teams that need complex workflows, automations, cross-team coordination and can invest in set-up.
Standout features:

A feature-rich all-in-one workspace offering task management, docs, chat, goals, calendars and more, with guest access for clients. If your team loves to customize workflows and bring everything into one tool, ClickUp offers great flexibility. Teams that already have complex workflows or like to tailor each process and don’t mind a bit of initial setup.
Standout features:

A straightforward project and task management tool known for ease of use and clean interface. For teams who don’t need every advanced feature but want a reliable way to manage tasks and deliverables with some external collaboration. Small to mid-sized teams (including client-facing ones) that prioritise usability and quick onboarding.
Standout features:

A project management platform designed with agency workflows in mind—task management + client access + billing/time tracking. Agencies handle many clients, many deliverables, revisions and billing. Having one tool with client visibility and agency-centric features is a win. Creative, marketing or service agencies that need client portals, time tracking and invoicing along with project tracking.
Standout features:

A minimalist project management and collaboration tool that emphasises simplicity and communication over heavy functionality. When your team is small and the workflow is straightforward, you don’t need bells and whistles — you need something that works and is hassle-free. Small creative teams, freelancers, agencies with simple workflows and clients that prefer minimal complexity.
Standout features:

An enterprise-grade work management platform with advanced features, custom workflows, analytics, and client-facing views. For large companies or departments managing multiple programmes, portfolios and client engagements, the depth of Wrike makes sense. Enterprises or large project teams that need advanced reporting, approvals, dashboards and controlled client visibility.
Standout features:

A flexible workspace combining notes, databases, tasks and wikis — usable as a pseudo project management tool with shared access. If your workflow is less rigid and you lean toward collaboration, documentation and shared workspaces, Notion gives you flexibility and client-shareable pages. Startups, small teams, creative or knowledge-work setups that want a simple, unified hub and don’t need heavy project-management functionality.
Standout features:

A work-management platform that resembles spreadsheets but adds automation, dashboards, views and collaboration. For teams that are comfortable working in spreadsheets or need structured data, Smartsheet provides a familiar interface with advanced capabilities. Operations-oriented teams, project/data heavy workflows, and client scenarios where you want shared sheets, dashboards and reporting.
Standout features:

A business-management suite combining CRM, project management, invoicing, learning management and a white-label client portal in one platform. If your business revolves around clients and you don’t want to juggle several tools (CRM + project + portal + billing), SuiteDash offers consolidation. Freelancers, consultants, small agencies or client-service firms that want one system to handle everything from lead to deliverable to invoice.
Standout features:
Not all tools are created equal. When comparing options, ask yourself:
If your answer isn’t “yes” to most of these, it’s time to keep looking.
Businesses of all sizes and industries are adopting client portal–enabled project management tools. Here are a few examples:
Foyer has dedicated solutions for each — see Client Portals for Consultants and Client Portal for Freelancers.
If you’re new to this space, here’s how to approach your transition:
For a head start, try Foyer's free trial — it’s built to help you combine project management, file sharing, and secure client access in one branded space.
The best project management tools today don’t just manage tasks — they strengthen relationships.
A client portal transforms how you communicate, collaborate, and deliver value. It replaces scattered files, email threads, and uncertainty with a single, branded experience that builds trust.
If your team works with clients, it’s time to move beyond traditional project management.
Start with Foyer — the all-in-one solution for managing projects, sharing progress, and giving your clients a clear window into your work.
Because the best way to manage projects in 2025? Do it together — with clarity, transparency, and collaboration at the core.