How to Choose a Client Portal Tool in 2026

There are dozens of client portal tools, and they all look similar at first glance. Here's a framework for narrowing down the right one for your business.

Step 1: Where does your data live?

This is the most important question. Your portal tool needs to connect to your data source.

• Airtable → Softr, Noloco, Stacker, Glide
• Google Sheets → Softr, Glide, AppSheet
• Salesforce → Stacker
• No existing database → Assembly, SuiteDash, Clinked, Knack

If you don't have a database yet and just need a simple portal for file sharing and communication, standalone tools like Copilot or Clinked are the fastest path.

Step 2: What's the primary use case?

• Share project updates with clients → Softr, Noloco, Ahsuite
• Self-service customer portal → Assembly, Knack
• Secure document sharing → Clinked, Moxo
• Internal tools and dashboards → Budibase, Glide
• Vendor/partner collaboration → Clinked, Moxo

Step 3: What's your budget?

Portal tools range from free to $500+/month:

• Free — Softr (free tier), Glide (free tier), Ahsuite (10 free portals)
• Under $50/mo — SuiteDash ($19), Assembly ($39), AppSheet ($5/user)
• $50–100/mo — Noloco ($49), Knack ($59), Stacker ($79), Clinked ($95)
• $100+/mo — Moxo ($100+), Zoomforth ($575)

Step 4: Build vs. buy

Some tools give you building blocks to assemble a custom portal (Softr, Noloco, Knack). Others give you a ready-made portal experience out of the box (Copilot, Clinked, Moxo).

Build-your-own is better if you have specific requirements, need custom data views, or want to match a particular workflow.

Ready-made is better if you want to be up and running in a day without design or configuration decisions.

Step 5: Try before you commit

Most tools offer free tiers or trials. Don't spend weeks comparing features — pick two tools that match your data source and use case, try them both for a week, and choose the one that feels right.