Client Portals · Options Compared
Off-the-shelf, practice management add-ons, DIY, custom no-code, custom code and in-house, compared by cost, control and speed.
Last updated: October 2026. Written by Athar Ahmad, Certified Bubble.io Developer and Tech Architect, Simple Automation Solutions.
Quick answer
A law, accounting, consulting or agency firm can get a client portal from an off-the-shelf portal product, practice management software, a DIY no-code build, a custom build by a no-code studio such as Simple Automation Solutions, a custom code agency or an in-house developer. Choose off-the-shelf when your needs are standard, and custom when your workflows, branding or connected systems are distinctive. SA Solutions builds custom Bubble.io portals from $3,500.
Key takeaways
- Six routes: product, practice management add-on, DIY, no-code studio, code agency, in-house.
- Ask whether an existing tool fits about 80 percent of your needs.
- Check data access controls, export and three-year cost with any provider.
- SA Solutions: custom Bubble.io portals, Discovery Sprint $345, builds from $3,500.
- Off-the-shelf is the better choice for standard needs and fast starts.
In this guide
A law firm, accounting practice, consultancy or agency that wants a client portal faces a confusing choice. Product websites promise a portal in an afternoon. Developers offer custom builds at very different prices. Practice management vendors bundle portals as add-ons. Which route is right depends on how standard your needs are, how much control you want and what you can afford.
This guide compares the main ways to get a client portal, who each suits and what to watch for. It includes an honest account of where Simple Automation Solutions, a custom Bubble.io studio, fits.
What are your options?
| Option | Typical cost pattern | Customisation | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated off-the-shelf portal product | Subscription, often per user | Limited to the product’s settings | Fastest | Firms with standard needs who want to start quickly |
| Portal inside practice management software | Part of the software subscription | Limited, varies by product | Fast if you already use it | Firms happy with their current system’s portal |
| DIY on a no-code platform | Platform fees plus your time | High, within your skill | Depends on you | Technical founders and tinkerers |
| Custom build by a no-code studio | Upfront build plus platform and support | High | Weeks | Firms wanting their own workflows, branding and roles |
| Custom code agency | Higher upfront | Highest | Months | Larger or highly specialised needs |
| In-house developer | Salary and management time | Highest, and continuous | Depends | Larger firms with ongoing development needs |
How do you decide?
- Does an existing product fit about 80 percent of what you do? If yes, start there.
- Is the client experience a differentiator? If so, branding and workflow control matter.
- How many users will you have in three years? Per-user fees can compound.
- How many systems must connect? More integrations favour a custom layer.
- Who will maintain it? Choose something you or a partner can realistically support.
- How sensitive is the data? Check security, access control and the provider’s terms.
See our build versus buy thinking in what an MVP really costs and what to cut before you build.
What should a client portal for a professional firm include?
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Private login and per-client access | Clients see only their own information |
| Document requests and secure upload | Ends email attachments and chasing |
| Status tracking | Fewer “where are we?” emails |
| Secure messaging | Keeps communication on the record |
| Notifications and reminders | Automatic follow-up |
| Invoices and payment links | Faster payment |
| Staff dashboard | Workload and deadlines at a glance |
| Audit trail and roles | Accountability and internal confidentiality |
Where Simple Automation Solutions fits
We build custom client portals on Bubble.io for law firms, accounting firms, consultants and boutique agencies. A typical project starts with a free 30-minute Idea Audit and a $345 Discovery Sprint that produces a PRD within 24 hours. Builds start at $3,500 and typically launch in 2 to 6 weeks. We design roles and privacy rules from the beginning so each client sees only their own data, and we test with multiple accounts before launch. See our security guide and our case studies.
When an off-the-shelf portal is the better choice
- Your process is standard and the product fits.
- You have a small team and want to be live this week.
- Per-user costs are low and unlikely to grow much.
- You do not need your own branding or special workflows.
We would rather tell you to buy a product than sell you a build you do not need.
Questions to ask any portal provider
- Where is client data stored, and who can access it?
- How do you keep one client from seeing another’s data?
- Can I export my data if I leave?
- What integrations are available, and how do they work?
- What does it cost over three years?
- How do you handle backups and incidents?
- What happens to my portal if you stop trading?
Frequently asked questions
Who can build a client portal for a law or accounting firm?
Options include off-the-shelf portal products, practice management software with portals, DIY no-code builds, custom builds by no-code studios, custom code agencies and in-house developers.
Is a custom client portal better than an off-the-shelf one?
Not always. Custom suits distinctive processes, branding needs and connected systems. Off-the-shelf suits standard needs and speed.
How much does a custom client portal cost?
At Simple Automation Solutions, custom builds start at $3,500, with the final quote based on scope.
How long does it take to build a client portal?
Typically 2 to 6 weeks for a professional Bubble.io build, depending on scope.
Is a Bubble.io client portal secure?
It can be, when roles and privacy rules are designed carefully and tested with multiple accounts. Security depends on the build as well as the platform.
Weighing a client portal for your firm?
Email us how you share documents and updates with clients today. We will tell you honestly whether to buy, build or wait.
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.
