Finding the right agency management software is frustrating. Every platform claims to be "all-in-one," every comparison article is secretly written by one of the tools being compared, and the pricing pages are designed to make apples-to-oranges comparisons impossible.
We're going to be transparent: we built TryApprove, so we obviously think it's the best choice for most agencies. But we also know that different agencies have different needs, and the honest truth is that no single tool is perfect for everyone.
Here's our take on the nine best agency management platforms in 2026, with genuine pros and cons for each.
What we evaluated
For each tool, we looked at:
- Client experience — How easy is it for your clients to interact with the platform?
- Feature coverage — Does it handle onboarding, project management, approvals, and invoicing?
- Pricing fairness — Is the pricing transparent and reasonable as you scale?
- Branding/white-label — Can your clients see your brand, not the software's?
- Ease of setup — Can you be up and running in a day, not a month?
The tools
1. TryApprove — Best for full-lifecycle client management
TryApprove is designed to manage the complete client journey: onboarding (contracts, questionnaires, welcome docs), project management (tasks, Kanban boards, file uploads), approvals (one-click approve/revise with visual annotations), and invoicing — all in a single, white-labeled client portal.
The standout feature is the client experience. Clients access everything through a magic link — no signup, no password, no app to download. They click the link and land in a branded portal where they can sign contracts, review deliverables, pin feedback directly on designs, and pay invoices.
Pros:
- Built-in contracts and e-signatures (replaces DocuSign)
- Client access via magic link — zero friction
- Visual annotations on images, PDFs, video, and live websites
- Invoicing included — no separate billing tool
- Team chat built in
- Free plan available, Pro at $29/mo
- Lifetime deal option
Cons:
- No service catalog / productized ordering system
- Fewer third-party integrations than more mature platforms
- Currently supports Stripe for payments (no PayPal/crypto)
Best for: Agencies and freelancers who want onboarding, approvals, and invoicing in one platform with the simplest possible client experience.
Pricing: Free (2 projects) / $29 Pro / $79 Agency / Lifetime deal available
2. ManyRequests — Best for productized request-based agencies
ManyRequests was purpose-built for agencies that sell unlimited design, content, or development requests on a subscription basis. The queue-based workflow, request forms, and subscription billing are deeply integrated.
Pros:
- Excellent for subscription/productized agencies
- Mature Zapier and API integrations
- Built-in subscription billing and checkout
- Design and video proofing tools
Cons:
- Clients must create accounts
- No built-in contracts or e-signatures
- Per-user pricing gets expensive
- No structured client onboarding (questionnaires, welcome docs)
Best for: Productized agencies where clients submit ongoing requests through a queue.
Pricing: Starts ~$49/user/month
3. AgencyHandy — Best for service catalog workflows
AgencyHandy takes a unique approach with its service catalog — agencies define service packages, clients browse and order, and the system automatically creates projects from orders. It's like Shopify for agency services.
Pros:
- Unique service catalog and ordering system
- Clean, modern interface
- File annotation and feedback tools
- Multiple payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Wise, Crypto)
Cons:
- Starting price of $109/month is steep for freelancers
- No built-in contracts or e-signatures
- Clients need accounts to access portal
- No intake questionnaires or onboarding flow
- No team chat
Best for: Agencies selling predefined service packages through a catalog-style ordering process.
Pricing: Starts at $109/mo (Freelancer) / $359/mo (Team) / $719/mo (Business)
4. Kitchen.co — Best for simple file-sharing and communication
Kitchen.co keeps things straightforward with a folder-based project organization system that feels familiar (like your computer's file system). It's strong on communication and file sharing, with a low learning curve.
Pros:
- Intuitive folder-based organization
- Built-in channels for client and team communication
- Invoicing with Stripe and PayPal
- Good accounting tool integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, FreshBooks)
Cons:
- No visual annotations on files
- No built-in contracts or e-signatures
- Clients need accounts
- No intake questionnaires or onboarding workflow
- No approval workflow (approve/reject on deliverables)
Best for: Small agencies that want a simple, communication-focused client portal.
Pricing: Subscription plans available; occasional lifetime deals
5. SuiteDash — Best for all-in-one back-office operations
SuiteDash tries to be everything — CRM, client portal, project management, invoicing, email marketing, file sharing, and more. And it largely succeeds, though the tradeoff is complexity.
Pros:
- Incredibly deep feature set
- Flat pricing (unlimited users)
- Strong white-labeling with custom domains
- Built-in CRM and marketing tools
- Automations and workflow builder
Cons:
- Steep learning curve — setup takes weeks, not hours
- Interface can feel overwhelming
- Not specifically designed for creative agencies
- Client portal isn't as modern-looking
Best for: Established agencies willing to invest significant setup time in exchange for a comprehensive business operating system.
Pricing: Starts around $19/mo with flat pricing
6. Bonsai — Best for freelancers managing everything solo
Bonsai combines proposals, contracts, invoicing, time tracking, and tax preparation in a single platform designed for individual freelancers. It's less of an "agency tool" and more of a "freelancer business OS."
Pros:
- Contracts, proposals, and invoicing in one place
- Built-in time tracking and expense management
- Tax preparation features (US-focused)
- Clean, simple interface
Cons:
- Limited project management features
- No visual annotation or approval workflow
- Client portal is basic compared to dedicated portal tools
- Not designed for teams or multi-person agencies
Best for: Solo freelancers who need proposals, contracts, and invoicing without team collaboration features.
Pricing: Starts at $21/mo
7. Plutio — Best for customizable workflows
Plutio offers proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management, and a client portal — with a strong emphasis on customization. You can build custom forms, automate workflows, and tailor the platform to your process.
Pros:
- Highly customizable with workflow automations
- Proposals, contracts, and invoicing included
- Client portal with custom branding
- Wiki and knowledge base features
Cons:
- Can feel complex to set up initially
- Visual proofing and annotation not a core focus
- Smaller community and fewer resources
- Mobile experience needs improvement
Best for: Agencies that want a customizable platform they can mold to their specific workflow.
Pricing: Starts around $19/mo
8. Assembly (formerly Copilot) — Best for branded client hubs
Assembly focuses on creating a polished, branded client experience. The portal is designed to look and feel like a native part of your agency's website, with strong billing and communication features.
Pros:
- Beautiful, modern portal design
- Strong recurring billing features
- Custom domain support
- App marketplace for extensions
Cons:
- No built-in contracts or e-signatures
- Limited visual proofing features
- Per-client pricing model
- Onboarding features are basic
Best for: Agencies that prioritize portal aesthetics and want a premium client-facing experience.
Pricing: Starts around $29/mo, scales per client
9. Productive.io — Best for agencies focused on profitability tracking
Productive.io is built for agencies that obsess over margins. It combines project management with time tracking, resource scheduling, and detailed financial reporting — telling you not just if a project is done, but if it was profitable.
Pros:
- Deep financial and profitability reporting
- Resource management and capacity planning
- Time tracking linked to project budgets
- Strong project management features
Cons:
- No client portal (clients don't interact with the platform)
- No approval or proofing workflows
- No contracts or invoicing (focuses on internal operations)
- Steeper learning curve
Best for: Mid-to-large agencies where understanding project profitability and team utilization is the priority.
Pricing: Starts around $11/user/month
Quick comparison table
| Feature | TryApprove | ManyRequests | AgencyHandy | Kitchen.co | SuiteDash | Bonsai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client portal | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Basic |
| No-signup client access | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Contracts & e-signatures | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Questionnaires | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Visual annotations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Approvals | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Invoicing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Team chat | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Free plan | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting price | Free | ~$49/user | $109/mo | Varies | $19/mo | $21/mo |
How to choose
Start with your biggest pain point.
- "I need to stop chasing clients for approvals" → TryApprove or ManyRequests
- "I need to sell services like products" → AgencyHandy or ManyRequests
- "I need contracts and invoicing, I'm a solo freelancer" → TryApprove or Bonsai
- "I need to understand if my projects are profitable" → Productive.io
- "I need everything, and I'll spend weeks setting it up" → SuiteDash
- "I just need a simple place for clients to see their files" → Kitchen.co
For most agencies and freelancers who want the full lifecycle — onboarding, projects, approvals, invoicing — in one simple, affordable platform, TryApprove covers the most ground with the least friction.