Client portal software for modern freelancers

Assembly is a client portal platform that replaces the patchwork of tools most freelancers rely on — separate apps for invoicing, contracts, file sharing, messaging, and forms. Instead, your clients get one branded portal where they can pay you, sign contracts, share files, complete onboarding forms, and communicate — all in one place. At $39/month with all features included, it's a fraction of what you'd spend on multiple standalone tools, and it makes you look far more professional to clients.

Assembly's key difference is its transparent, flat pricing with all features included — no feature gating behind expensive tiers. HoneyBook starts cheaper but limits customization and doesn't offer true white-labeling or a developer platform. Dubsado offers workflow automation but users frequently report that the client portal and task features feel underdeveloped and the interface can feel dated. Bonsai is strong for time tracking and proposals but has received criticism for inconsistent customer support and limited customization. Assembly gives you the most complete, client-facing experience with invoicing, contracts, eSignatures, messaging, file sharing, forms, tasks, and a fully branded portal — all for one price.

Yes. Assembly supports full white-label branding — add your logo, brand colors, and custom domain (e.g., portal.yourname.com) so clients see your brand, not Assembly's. This is a major differentiator for freelancers who want to project a premium, established image. Full white-label removal of "Powered by Assembly" is available on Advanced plans.

Assembly includes built-in invoicing with credit card and ACH payments. You can create one-time invoices, set up recurring subscriptions for retainer clients, automate payment reminders, and even add credit card surcharges to protect your margins. Clients pay directly through their portal — no more chasing invoices via email. You can also create a storefront with payment links to productize and sell your services.

Instead of sending scattered emails with attachments, links to different platforms, and manual payment reminders, Assembly gives your clients a single branded destination. They log in once and can see their contracts, invoices, files, messages, and project updates — all under your brand. It's the kind of client experience that typically requires a full team to deliver, but Assembly makes it accessible to solopreneurs.

Yes. Assembly has a built-in contracts app with legally binding eSignatures. You can create contract templates, send them through the portal, and track signing status — all without paying for a separate eSignature tool.

Assembly gives you a centralized messaging system inside the portal. Clients receive email notifications for new messages and can reply directly from their inbox without logging into the portal. This eliminates scattered communication across multiple channels and keeps a complete record of every client conversation in one place.

Assembly is designed for non-technical users. Most freelancers have their portal branded, their first client added, and their first invoice sent within an hour. There's no coding required — everything is configured through a visual dashboard. Assembly also offers help guides, demo portals, and support to get you started.

This is the number one question freelancers should ask. Assembly is designed to be intuitive for clients — they access a simple, clean portal on desktop or mobile, with no app download required. They can reply to messages from email, pay invoices with one click, and upload files with drag-and-drop. The simpler the portal experience, the more your clients will engage — and Assembly is rated 4.8/5 on G2 largely because of how easy it is for both businesses and their clients.

Yes. When you create a new client in Assembly, you can automatically trigger a welcome message, intake form, contract for signing, and first invoice — all without lifting a finger. This means every new client gets a consistent, professional onboarding experience.