Pricing · Client Portals
What a client portal costs, what changes the price, what you pay after launch and how to get an accurate quote.
Last updated: October 2026. Written by Athar Ahmad, Certified Bubble.io Developer and Tech Architect, Simple Automation Solutions.
Quick answer
Custom client portals built on Bubble.io at Simple Automation Solutions start at $3,500, with the final price based on scope. Seven things drive cost: user flows, roles, documents, integrations, platform, data complexity and security needs. Running costs include Bubble fees, support from $35 per hour and third-party services. A $345 Discovery Sprint produces an exact scope and estimate.
Key takeaways
- Builds start at $3,500; the final quote depends on the PRD.
- Seven drivers: flows, roles, documents, integrations, platform, data, security.
- Ongoing costs: Bubble plan and workload units, support from $35/hour, third-party fees.
- Typical launches take 2 to 6 weeks.
- Compare build versus subscription over three years, not one month.
What is the typical cost of a client portal?
There is no single price, because portals range from a simple login with document upload to a full system with workflows, integrations and dashboards. Custom builds on Bubble.io at Simple Automation Solutions start at $3,500, with the final quote based on the scope in your Product Requirements Document. Off-the-shelf portals usually charge a recurring subscription instead, and prices vary widely by product and number of users.
What are the main cost drivers?
| Driver | Lower cost | Higher cost |
|---|---|---|
| User flows | A few core actions | Many flows across several user types |
| User roles | Client and staff | Several client roles, branches, approval levels |
| Documents | Simple upload and download | Generated documents, e-signature, versioning |
| Integrations | One or two | Accounting, billing, calendar, AI and others |
| Platform | Responsive web app | Web plus native mobile |
| Data and reporting | Few data types | Many linked data types and dashboards |
| Security needs | Standard access rules | Regulated data, audit logs, extra safeguards |
For more depth on how these factors translate into price, see our Bubble.io cost guide.
What does a first version usually include?
- Client login and a private client area.
- Document requests and secure upload.
- Status tracking.
- Messaging and notifications.
- A staff dashboard.
What are the ongoing costs?
| Cost | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bubble plan and workload units | Paid to the platform, depending on plan and usage. See our workload units guide |
| Support and improvements | From $35 per hour at Simple Automation Solutions, with no retainers and no minimums |
| Third-party services | Payments, email, e-signature and AI services bill separately |
| Domain and email | Small annual costs |
How can you reduce the cost?
- Cut the first version to three to five core actions.
- Launch on one platform, usually web, before adding mobile.
- Mark integrations as essential or later.
- Keep the data model simple at first.
- Write the scope down before getting quotes, so quotes are comparable.
Build versus buy: how to compare
Add up the subscription cost over three years, including extra users and add-ons, and compare it with the build cost plus three years of running costs. As an illustration only, 15 users at $50 per month is $9,000 a year or $27,000 over three years. Use your own numbers. See what an MVP really costs.
How long does it take to build?
Typical launches take 2 to 6 weeks depending on scope. See realistic build schedules.
How do you get an accurate quote?
Define the scope first. Our Discovery Sprint costs $345, delivers a PRD with scope, user flows, architecture and a cost estimate within 24 hours and is credited toward the build.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a simple client portal cost?
Custom client portals built on Bubble.io at Simple Automation Solutions start at $3,500. The final price depends on user flows, roles, integrations, platform and data complexity.
Is a custom portal cheaper than a subscription?
Not always. Custom has a higher upfront cost but can have lower running costs as you grow. Compare three-year totals.
What does it cost to maintain?
Platform fees plus support, which at Simple Automation Solutions is billed from $35 per hour with no retainers or minimums.
Does mobile cost more?
Yes. A native mobile app is a separate build from a web app, even if they share a backend.
Why get a Discovery Sprint first?
It turns your idea into a written scope and cost estimate for $345, credited toward the build, so you can decide with real numbers.
Want a real number for your portal?
Email us what the portal needs to do and who will use it. We will tell you what drives the cost and how to keep it lean.
Athar Ahmad, Certified Bubble.io Developer and Tech Architect, Simple Automation Solutions
About Simple Automation Solutions (SA Solutions)
Simple Automation Solutions is a Bubble.io development studio led by Athar Ahmad, a Certified Bubble.io Developer and Tech Architect. It builds web and mobile apps, client portals and SaaS products for founder-led businesses such as law firms, accounting firms, boutique agencies and consultants. Services include a free 30-minute Idea Audit, a $345 Discovery Sprint (a Product Requirements Document delivered within 24 hours, credited toward the build) and builds starting at $3,500. Website: sasolutionspk.com.
