ManyRequests is a client portal and client requests management software for creative services.
Your agency outgrew spreadsheets months ago. Now, you waste hours piecing together project budgets, chasing client payments, and struggling to see which projects actually make money.
Every month brings the same headache: manual invoicing, time tracking gaps, and messy retainer management.
The solution isn't hiring an accountant or cobbling together five different tools. You need specialized finance software that understands how creative agencies work. Software that automates your billing, shows you profitable projects and onboards retainer clients in one place.
But here's the challenge: most finance tools focus on general business needs— they ignore specific features like:
- Project-based billing and profitability tracking
- Variable income from retainers and one-off projects
- Team time tracking that connects to invoices
- Client collaboration through a client portal and automated billing
- Resource planning for creative teams
In this review, I analyze the client, project, and financial management features of 10 software to help you choose the right tool for your agency.
10 Finance Tools for Your Agency's Everyday Needs
There are core finance tracking tools that manage payroll and taxes, and there are comprehensive tools that provide client portals alongside their financial management features. Client collaboration is as important as seeing your financial accounts, so I’ve gathered the best tools for these different use cases. Here’s a brief overview:
1. ManyRequests
ManyRequests is a client portal software with features to manage tasks, automate invoicing and billing, and communicate with clients and team members. You can create order forms, track requests, and integrate with third-party apps to complete your jobs.
Here are its top three features to handle your financial needs:
1. Client Portal
The client portal is the central hub to handle all client interactions and payments. Each client receives access to a secure, branded portal where they view their projects, provide feedback through the text box or markup feature for designs, and pay invoices.
In this screenshot, Jeff has 56 active tasks, and if he needs to speak to the agency urgently, he can book a call right on the portal.
The client portal eliminates the back-and-forth of email threads and creates a professional work and payment experience. It also keeps a record of all chats, documents, and payment history to maintain client relationships and resolve any payment queries quickly.
2. Project Management
ManyRequests organizes projects into clear phases and milestones to help you track deliverables and deadlines. While it doesn't have a task dependencies feature, its simple Requests interface helps you monitor all active tasks.
You can also use the Reporting feature to filter all tasks to see how profitable they are based on the services clients pay for. The report feature also shows all active team members to assess their capacity for future tasks.
In short, the task management system helps you see every active task, assignee, and task status in one view.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
ManyRequests has a start and stop time-tracking feature that’s directly connected to the billing process to solve one of the biggest headaches in agency finance. You can also use the manual timesheet to enter the billable hours for the task.
You can create services using a time-based, recurring, or one-off-based model. Either models automatically send invoices to your clients after you submit the deliverable. Your clients can then pay through the Stripe integration embedded in the portal.
This automation helps you send invoices and receive payments without any administrative effort.
Pros:
- Removes the gap between time tracking and invoice creation
- Offers a professional client experience through the white-label client-branded portal
- Manages recurring payments, time-based, and one-off services
- Provides clear visibility into project timelines and team capacity
- Has a user-friendly interface that creative teams actually want to use
- Scales smoothly from 5 to 50+ person agencies and multiple clients
Cons:
- Basic reporting compared to dedicated accounting software
- Some advanced automation features are limited to higher-tier plans
- Monthly pricing might be high for very small agencies
Pricing:
- Starter: $99/2 user/m. +$40 for an extra user.
- Core: $149/5 user/m. +$40 for an extra user.
- Pro: $399/10 users/m + $40 for an extra user.
- Enterprise: custom pricing includes advanced automation and dedicated account support
2. Bonsai
Bonsai is a business and financial management software for freelancers and small creative teams. It has features like contract creation, invoicing, time tracking, and expense management to help you avoid administrative stress. Here are some of its finance tool features:
1. Client Management Portal
Bonsai has a client portal where clients can view proposals, sign contracts, and pay invoices through their dashboard. While the portal stores client documents and payment history, it lacks communication features and feedback tools that can help your clients collaborate on projects directly.
📌 Tip: Read this article for client communication strategies for 2025.
2. Project Management System
Bonsai’s project management features help you break down work into tasks and milestones. You can create project templates and track basic deadlines, but it offers limited views for resource planning.
The workflow tools work best for simple projects rather than complex agency campaigns.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
You can track time against projects and automatically turn tracked hours into invoices. Bonsai also integrates with multiple payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal for automated billing.
However, although you can customize invoice templates with your branding, the recurring billing features are basic compared to other finance software.
Pros:
- Strong contract management features
- Multiple payment gateway options
- Simple time-tracking interface
- Easy invoice customization
Cons:
- Limited team collaboration tools
- Basic project management features
- Minimal resource planning features
- Better suited for freelancers than agencies
Pricing:
- Basic: $15/user/m
- Essentials: $25/user/month
- Premium: $3//user/month
- Elite: 59/user/month
3. Harvest
Harvest is a time-tracking, invoicing, and billing software that converts tracked hours into revenue. Some of its finance tool features include:
1. Client Management Portal
Your clients access a basic portal to view and pay invoices. This is where you'll save payment history and past invoices, but the portal lacks project collaboration features. You can't use it for client feedback or approvals, which means you'll need additional tools to communicate with your clients.
2. Project Management System
Harvest focuses purely on time and budget tracking. You can set up projects, assign team members, and monitor hours spent— it doesn't have advanced task management or workflow features. This means you'll need to pair Harvest with a project management tool like Asana or Trello.
📌 Tip: You can also consider these reviewed Asana alternatives.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
Time tracking is where Harvest shines.
You can log hours against projects through the desktop or mobile interface. The system turns tracked time into detailed invoices automatically and processes payments through Stripe or PayPal. You can also set up retainer tracking to monitor monthly hour allocations.
Pros:
- Powerful time-tracking features
- Detailed time reporting options
- Easy expense tracking
- Solid integration options
Cons:
- No built-in project management feature
- Basic client portal features
- Limited team collaboration tools
- Requires multiple app integrations
Pricing:
- Free: 1 person, 2 projects
- Pro: $13.75/user/month - Unlimited projects
- Premium: $17.50/user/month
4. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a cloud accounting platform for service businesses and agencies. Some of its finance tool features include:
1. Client Management Portal
Your clients get a portal focused on financial transactions. They can view invoices, make payments, and access their billing history. The portal includes basic project discussion features but lacks comprehensive feedback and approval systems that help with in-app project collaboration.
2. Project Management System
FreshBooks helps you track time and expenses against projects. You can set project budgets and monitor spending, but have limited task management features. It works better for financial oversight than day-to-day project assigning and task management.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
You can track billable hours through the desktop or mobile view.
FreshBooks creates automatic invoices from tracked time and supports recurring billing for retainers. You’ll also get standard payment processing through major payment gateways.
Pros:
- Strong accounting features
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- Clear financial reporting
- Good expense tracking
Cons:
- Limited project management feature
- Minimal team collaboration
- Accounting-first approach
Pricing:
- Lite: $9.50/month + $11/extra user - 5 billable clients
- Plus: $16.50/month + $11/extra user- 50 billable clients
- Premium: $30/month + $11/extra user- Unlimited billable clients
- Select: Custom pricing for larger agencies
5. QuickBooks
QuickBooks is an accounting platform with automation and advanced reporting features for service businesses. Some of its finance software features include:
1. Client Management Portal
Your clients get access to QuickBooks' Customer Portal and Payment Central. This secure hub lets them view estimates, approve proposals, and pay through the QuickBooks ecosystem. It supports multiple currencies and payment methods, including ACH transfers and credit cards. You can also customize client statements and set automatic payment reminders to reduce collection time.
2. Project Management System
QuickBooks doesn't help you manage active tasks like traditional project management software. It helps you link your finances directly to a project so the invoicing process can be simpler.
You can track profitability in real time with job costing features that capture every expense, including contractor payments and billable hours. The system also creates detailed project profit & loss statements and helps you monitor budgets against actual spending.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
You manage time tracking through the QuickBooks Time mobile app or desktop interface.
QuickBooks turns billable hours into invoices automatically and supports progressive billing for project milestones. You can set up recurring invoices for retainers with automated reminders and late payment follow-ups. QuickBooks also integrates with popular payment processors and updates your books automatically when payments clear.
Pros:
- Real-time bank feeds and reconciliation
- Advanced reporting and analytics dashboard
- Integrates with 650+ business apps
- Detailed job costing and project profitability tracking
- Multiple user access with role-based permissions
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants
- Higher price point for advanced features
- Can be complex for simple agency needs
- Some features require additional subscriptions
Pricing:
It seems they have a live discount offer right now, but pricing is between $19/m to $76/m without the discount.
- Simple Start: $19/m
- Essentials: $20/m
- Plus: $40/m
- Advanced: $76/m
6. Xero
Xero is a cloud accounting platform that combines powerful financial tools with extensive automation and integration capabilities. Some of its finance software features include:
1. Client Management Portal
Your client portal connects to 21,000+ global banking institutions for easy payment processes. Clients view and pay invoices in multiple currencies, and you can automatically send payment reminders to reduce average payment time.
The system backs up all client documents in the cloud, from contracts to payment histories, and you can capture and store client financial data through the Hubdoc integration.
2. Project Management System
Xero lets you create projects and add tasks under each project. You can also assign these tasks to your team and monitor the budget for each project. You can track time and expenses and generate quotes — all syncing directly into your accounting system.
Xero creates purchase orders for project resources and tracks inventory if needed. Through Xero Analytics Plus, you get predictive insights into project financial health and cash flow forecasting. So, it helps with basic task management and also manages the flow of cash in your business.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
Xero has a time-tracking feature on its mobile and desktop interface. It creates professional invoices automatically from tracked hours and supports milestone billing for projects. For retainers, you set up recurring invoices with automated payment processing and reminders.
Pros:
- Direct bank connections with 21,000+ institutions
- Powerful automation through Hubdoc and bank feeds
- Extensive app marketplace for customization
- Built-in analytics and cash flow forecasting
- Strong multi-currency support
Cons:
- Some features require third-party apps
- Mobile app has limited functionality
- Basic inventory management
- U.S. payroll is only available in certain states
Pricing:
Xero also has a discount offer ongoing at the time of writing. However, their usual pricing includes:
- Starter: $29/m
- Standard: $46/m
- Premium: $62/m
7. Sage
Sage is a scalable accounting solution with built-in compliance and automation features. Some of its finance tool features include:
1. The Client Management Portal
Your clients access a secure portal to view invoices and make payments online. The system manages client tax documents and financial records automatically. You handle multi-currency transactions and set up automated payment reminders through the portal.
However, the interface focuses on financial transactions rather than creative project collaboration, so you can't onboard your client to your workspace like you would with ManyRequests.
2. Project Management System
Sage lets you connect job costing with your accounting workflow. You can monitor project expenses, track budgets, and analyze profitability through real-time dashboards. It also has purchase order management, expense tracking, and reporting engine features that provide detailed insights into project performance and resource utilization.
It's not a basic project management tool where you assign tasks to your team, but you can use it to track time spent on each project.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
The system automatically creates invoices from time entries and supports milestone billing for complex projects. For retainers, you set up recurring billing with automated payment processing. The platform also includes cash flow forecasting and automated bank reconciliation.
Pros:
- Strong compliance and tax management
- Detailed audit trails
- Automated bank feeds
- Comprehensive financial reporting
- Good for international business
Cons:
- Complex interface
- Limited creative project features
- Expensive for small agencies
- Often requires consultant setup
Pricing:
- Accounting Start: $12/user/m
- Accounting Standard: $23/2 user/m
8. Zoho Books
Zoho Books is a smart accounting platform that's part of Zoho's broader business suite. Its finance tool has the following features:
1. Client Management Portal
Your client portal combines payment processing with document sharing. Clients can view estimates, approve proposals, and pay invoices online.
Zoho Books supports multiple currencies and payment gateways. You can manage client-specific tax rates and payment terms, but you’ll need to integrate with other Zoho apps to collaborate better with clients.
Tip: You can consider these project management software with client portals.
2. Project Management System
Zoho Books’ project feature helps you track both finances and workflows. You can monitor budgets, expenses, and see project profitability levels in real time. It also has purchase order management and expense tracking features, but you may need integration with Zoho Projects to unlock full project management capabilities.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
You capture time through Zoho's mobile or desktop interface. The system converts tracked hours into invoices and handles retainer billing. For payment collection, you get automated reminders and payment processing.
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Zoho suite
- Automated workflows
- Strong mobile apps
- Affordable pricing
- Good international features
Cons:
- Limited third-party integrations
- Basic reporting compared to others
- Can be complex within the Zoho ecosystem
- U.S. payroll not available
Pricing:
Zoho Books has two different pricing categories:
- Plans that get you started ($0 - $70/m)
- Plans that go beyond the basic ($50-$275/m)
Visit their website for details.
9. Wave
Wave is a free accounting platform with paid payment processing features designed for small businesses. Its financial software features include:
1. Client Management Portal
Your clients interact with the portal through a straightforward payment interface. They can see their invoices, pay online, and see their billing history. Wave processes credit card and bank payments, though you’ll pay charges per transaction.
While the portal handles basic financial interactions, it doesn't include project collaboration or feedback tools like ManyRequests.
2. Project Management System
Wave is more focused on income and expense tracking and doesn’t have the typical project management feature. It lets you monitor basic project financials and categorize transactions by project.
However, you can integrate Zapier into the finance tool to manage all projects. You can also check project income and expenses through its reporting feature.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
Wave does not have a built-in time-tracking tool. It's a financial accounting tool that supports billing and automated payment reminders. It also charges 2.9% + 30¢ per credit card transaction or 1% per bank payment.
Pros:
- Free accounting features
- Unlimited invoicing
- Good transaction management
- Clean, simple interface
- Receipt scanning included
Cons:
- No time tracking
- Basic project features
- Limited integrations
- Pay-per-transaction model
Pricing:
- Starter: Free with 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction
- Pro: $16/m with 2.9% + $0* per credit card transaction for first 10 transactions/mo
10. Productive
Productive is an agency management platform that combines resource planning with financial operations like ManyRequests. Its finance tool features include:
1. Client Management Portal
Productive has a dedicated portal for clients to see projects and share documents with your team. This lets your client collaborate with you, send feedback, and approve deliverables with ease.
It gives clients complete visibility over their project statuses and allows them to see invoices for each project, like ManyRequests’.
2. Project Management System
Productive lets you manage, create, and assign tasks to your team members. You can monitor budgets, track utilization rates, and forecast project margins in real-time. You can also use the different project views to work with teams and customize the tasks in any way you like.
3. Time Tracking & Automated Billing
You track time with built-in timers or manual entries. The system creates invoices from tracked time and supports fixed-fee, time and materials, and retainer billing models. You can also use automated payment reminders to fast-track collection times.
Pros:
- Strong resource planning tools
- Real-time profitability tracking
- Advanced forecasting features
- Built-in sales pipeline
- Comprehensive agency metrics
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- It may be expensive for small teams
- Complex setup process
- Requires consistent team adoption
Pricing:
- Essential: $11/user/month
- Professional: $28/user/month
- Ultimate: $39/user/month
As a recap:
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Conclusion
Financial tools help you manage your cash flow from invoicing to budgeting to billing and payment support management. However, if you need advanced financial reporting and tax compliance features across multiple currencies, choose Xero. It's best when you have complex accounting needs and work regularly with accountants.
For freelancers and small teams focused on contracts and basic financial management, try Bonsai. Its contract templates and simple billing system cover essential needs without complexity.
For freelancers and agencies that need to manage clients, projects, and finances in one platform, use ManyRequests. It combines a white-label client portal, project tracking, and an automated billing system in a platform to help manage your entire agency workflow. Onboard your clients and work with your team with a 14-day free trial to see how it works. No credit card is required.