A team project tool is not the same as a client portal

What each tool is built for

Basecamp is team project management. It organises work across to-do lists, message boards, file storage, schedules, and group chat. Teams use it to coordinate internally. It has a client access feature that lets you invite clients into specific projects so they can see selected content.

Droplana is a dedicated client document portal. Each client gets their own isolated private space - no access to your team's internal discussions, no shared project board. The client sees files you have uploaded to their portal, can upload files back, and can approve specific deliverables.

Both tools can share files with clients. The difference is what they are optimised for. For the full picture on what a client portal is and how to evaluate one, see our client portal guide.

Side-by-side comparison

Basecamp pricing and features change - verify current details at basecamp.com.

When Basecamp makes sense

Basecamp is a real fit if your main need is internal team coordination and you want a simple way to loop clients into specific projects.

It works well when:

• You have a team of 3+ people who need a shared workspace
• Client access is secondary to team collaboration - a way to keep clients in the loop on a project
• Your clients are comfortable creating accounts and checking into a project workspace
• You want to-do lists, message boards, and schedules alongside file sharing

When Droplana makes sense

Droplana is built for a different primary goal: giving each client a private, isolated place for file exchange.

It is a better fit when:

• The client relationship is the focus, not internal team coordination
• You need per-client isolation - each client sees only their own files
• You want clients to access files without creating an account
• You need a clear approval workflow for specific files
• You are managing 5, 20, or 50 individual client relationships that each need their own private space
• GDPR compliance and EU hosting matter for your client data

The account friction problem

Basecamp requires clients to create an account. For many service business clients - especially individuals rather than corporate buyers - this is friction they resist.

Droplana clients click a link, verify their email, and they are in. Their device is remembered for 90 days. No account management on their side.

For the "I just need the client to access their files without any setup" use case, the no-account model is a meaningful practical advantage.

Using both

If you have a team that needs Basecamp for internal coordination, and you also need clean client portals, using both is a reasonable setup. Basecamp for the team's project management. Droplana for each client's private file exchange.

The tools do not conflict. They solve different problems.

Check our simple pricing (or start free)

Storage levels and team seats scale with your plan.
Security, per-client encryption, isolation, in-browser PDF signing, and data export are the same on every plan.
No per-client fees. Tax calculated by Creem at checkout.

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