Best CRMs for web design agencies
A web design agency's client relationship usually includes sharing drafts and gathering feedback. Compared on whether that's built in or something you'd add separately.
SuiteDash wins for an agency that wants clients to log into a branded portal to review drafts, track project status and see invoices, all included from its entry tier. Attio wins instead for an agency that just wants a clean, low-cost pipeline without portal overhead.
The short answer
- SuiteDash's entry START tier is $19/month, priced per organization, with a client portal and white-labeling included as core features, per suitedash.com/pricing.
- Attio's free plan (up to 3 seats) includes AI features and an MCP server at no cost, a lean starting point for a small studio, per attio.com/pricing.
- Copper's Basic plan is $23/user/month (annual) and is positioned around Google Workspace integration, capped at 2,500 contacts, per copper.com/pricing.
Web design agency CRM options compared
| Tool | Starting price | Client portal | Pricing model | Best for | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuiteDash | $19/mo (START) | Named foundational feature | Per organization, unlimited staff and clients | An agency wanting clients to review drafts and status in a branded portal | An agency that wants deep Google Workspace integration |
| Attio | Free (up to 3 seats) | Not a core feature | Per seat | A studio wanting a clean, low-cost pipeline without portal overhead | An agency that needs a client-facing portal |
| Copper | $23/user/mo (Basic, annual) | Not a core feature | Per seat | A studio on Google Workspace wanting minimal manual entry | An agency that will exceed 2,500 contacts soon |
Figures checked on suitedash.com/pricing, attio.com/pricing and copper.com/pricing, September 2026.
What each one is actually built for
SuiteDash
Built with the client-facing side of a project-based business as a core feature, not an add-on: unlimited client portals, white-labeling, and file storage from 100GB on the entry tier up to 2TB on Pinnacle. For a web design agency sharing drafts and gathering approval, that's a genuine fit rather than a workaround. Not for: an agency that wants deep integration with a specific email provider like Google Workspace.
Attio
A clean, general-purpose CRM for tracking the sales side of a design agency's pipeline, with real AI features and an MCP server available on the free plan. It has no client-facing portal, so sharing drafts and gathering feedback would happen through a separate tool. Not for: an agency that wants that client-facing review process built into the CRM itself.
Copper
Fits a studio that runs almost entirely inside Gmail and Google Calendar and wants that activity tracked automatically rather than logged by hand. Its API and integration SDK are reserved for Professional and above. Not for: an agency on a different email provider, or one that needs API access on the entry tier.
When none of these is the answer
A one-person design freelancer with two or three active projects at a time can manage client communication through email and a shared folder without adopting a CRM at all. These tools earn their cost once you're managing enough concurrent projects that a shared inbox starts feeling disorganized.
None of the three compared here handle proposals, contracts or e-signatures natively as described on their pricing pages; most agencies pair a CRM with a separate tool for that step regardless of which one they choose.
Questions
- Do web design clients need a portal to see project progress?
- Many agencies find it useful, especially for showing draft designs, gathering feedback, and sharing invoices without a back-and-forth email thread. SuiteDash builds this in as a core feature; the other two would need a separate tool for that specific job.
- Is Copper worth it for a small web design shop?
- If your studio runs on Gmail and Google Workspace, Copper's automatic activity tracking from email and calendar can save real data-entry time. If you use a different email provider, that specific advantage doesn't apply.
- What's the cheapest way to start?
- Attio's free plan (up to 3 seats) and SuiteDash's $19/month START tier are both low-cost entry points, with SuiteDash adding a client portal that Attio doesn't include.
- Do these tools handle proposals and contracts?
- Not natively as described on their pricing pages. Most web design agencies pair a CRM with a separate proposal or contract tool, or build that step manually, regardless of which CRM they choose.