When it comes to agency account management, many agency owners still rely on outdated software and procedures. They use spreadsheets to handle client data and communicate exclusively via email. No wonder that things get lost, clients get a bad impression, and ultimately churn.
If you’re looking for a better way to manage every aspect of your company, from project management to marketing automation and other agency needs, this post is for you. I’ve put together a list with the best agency management software you can use in 2025.
Definition & purpose of agency management software
Agency management software is a specialized tool designed to help agencies manage their operations, projects, and clients more efficiently. The primary purpose of this software is to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and increase profitability. By providing a centralized platform, agency management software enables agencies to handle their day-to-day activities seamlessly. This includes project management, resource allocation, time tracking, and client communication.
With the right agency management system, you can ensure that your business operations run smoothly, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional service to your clients.
Key features of agency management software
Agency management software typically includes a range of features tailored to the specific needs of agencies.
Here are the key features you should consider:
Project management: This allows agencies to plan, execute, and deliver projects efficiently. With robust project management tools, agencies can keep track of project progress, deadlines, and deliverables.
Resource management: Effective resource management enables agencies to allocate resources wisely and manage workloads. This ensures that team members are not overburdened and projects are completed on time.
Time tracking: Time tracking features help agencies monitor the time spent on various projects and tasks. This is crucial for billing clients accurately and managing project budgets.
Client management: A centralized platform for managing client relationships and communication is essential. This feature helps agencies maintain strong client relationships and ensure client satisfaction.
Reporting & analytics: Insightful reports and analytics provide valuable data on project progress, agency performance, and client satisfaction. This information helps agencies make informed decisions and optimize their operations.
Integrations: The ability to integrate with other tools and software, such as CRM, accounting, and marketing automation tools, enhances the functionality of agency management software. This ensures that all aspects of the agency’s operations are interconnected and streamlined.
The 4 best agency management tools
Now that you’re aware of the key features to look out for, let’s dive into my top list of tools to consider.
Service Provider Pro to manage agency operations
Thousands of companies use the agency management system Service Provider Pro to manage every aspect of their operations, from lead generation to billing and project delivery. Built by a former agency owner, our software was specifically designed to satisfy agency needs. While SPP.co targets marketing agencies specifically, many others are using it as a project management tool, for task management, to capture leads, manage subscriptions, and more.
Service Provider Pro is also highly beneficial for creative agencies that require specialized tools for project management and client communication.
One of the key highlights is that SPP is one of the few agency management tools that are truly expandable. You can
hook it up with your favorite automation software thanks to our API or use the native Zapier integration
use webhooks to send data to tools you’re already using, for instance a client CRM
sync client accounts with an email marketing software for agencies such as MailChimp or ActiveCampaign
Apart from that, Service Provider Pro has a variety of built-in features you can rely on to scale your agency, for instance you:
have reports to keep an eye on your best-selling services
can define roles and invite collaborators into your client portal
are able to define service-based tasks your team need to fulfill
can set up a referral program and reward clients with account balance
are able to set up custom pages and embed a variety of external resources
The best of all: you’ll no longer need to worry about unpaid invoices as the system sends automated reminders thanks to the client payment tracker. Recurring subscriptions are also covered with automated retries. All this helps you build relationships with your clients that will thrive for years to come.
Feature highlights
SPP is one of the best options for digital marketing agencies who have multiple in-house and external collaborators working on projects.
Here’s what sets the software apart:
Every team member can follow orders and get in-app, push and email notifications.
Create task lists and assign them to specific team members for fulfillment.
Create service-specific intake forms and tasks; and assign team members to the order automatically.
Get an overview of currently assigned orders and shift priorities based on the data.
Collaborate in orders thanks to internal notes, mention team members, and assign orders.
Keep all files in one system, everything is linked to an order or ticket.
Pricing
SPP.co starts at an affordable price point of if billed monthly. Agencies with larger teams can opt for the Pro plan at $299/month. Those who are running a profitable agency and who are interested in automating their business can opt for the Enterprise plan. The Enterprise plan includes access to our API and get a fully white-labeled client portal experience.
Notion to build your own agency software
While not exactly a dedicated software solution for digital agencies, Notion allows you to build pretty much anything you want. Notion helps agencies manage both aspects of their business, internally and externally, as long as you set it up as a central management platform.
Inside your workspace, you’ll likely need to set up top-level pages that will be accessible via the sidebar. Each one is expandable, leading to a lower-level page. Depending on the agency business you’re running, you could also create client-specific pages, and make their experience very custom. Opting for this option allows you to create client-specific databases, which allow you to track new projects. You can add statuses, deadlines, and assign project owners.
Notion's flexibility makes it a valuable tool for project managers who need to customize their project management workflows.
Setting everything up manually is one of the biggest drawbacks of using Notion as a project management software. They do have a few templates, for instance for creative project intake. But adding a new page for every client can quickly become overwhelming. Plus, there’s no easy way to connect your billing and invoicing, which has to be handled externally.
Feature highlights
Notion is not primarily a software for agency project management, but it can serve agencies of all sizes thanks to these features:
One of the most flexible software options, build anything to suit your process.
Free and paid templates available to get you started with your Notion setup.
Also available as a desktop (macOS, Windows) and mobile app (iOS, Android).
Native integrations available, as well as an API (plus Slack community).
Pricing
Notion is available as a free, albeit limited software. Those who need to lift the restrictions imposed by the free version can subscribe for $10/month per user on the Plus plan (billed annually), or $18/month on the Business plan. Larger customers can also get a custom Enterprise plan that has features such as workspace analytics and advanced controls.
FunctionFox for meticulous time management
Those who are still tinkering with their agency pricing might need to track every task, and analyze how much time they spend on them. Some agencies simply bill by the hour, so they need a report that shows their client how much time was spent. In any case, resource management like that is only achievable if you’re using a software that supports it, and FunctionFox is such a tool.
It mainly targets creative businesses and advertising agencies, making it an ideal choice for any creative agency that wants to ensure they are staying on target when it comes to the assigned budget. Thanks to Gantt chart timelines, you can see exactly what is going on while your team can use the integrated time-tracking tools. Managers are able to view daily, weekly, and monthly reports, and find opportunities to optimize agency operations.
Also great for agencies who work with retainers: you can track both retainers and estimates, which makes it easier to optimize your pricing strategy going forward. Identify issues with your pricing, optimize it, and increase your margin thanks to the data FunctionFox makes available.
Feature highlights
With a focus on time management, FunctionFox has a few features competitors don’t have, namely:
Timesheet function with a stopwatch timer to keep track of time spent on tasks and projects.
No limitation when it comes to the number of clients or projects that can be added.
Tracking of retainer, budget, and estimates, to keep an eye on the money spent.
Pricing
FunctionFox has three different pricing options, the cheapest one starting at $35/month for the first user, and $5/month for each additional user. Sadly, the Gantt charts and schedules are only available starting with the Premier plan, while intake forms are exclusive to the In-House plan.
HoneyBook for those who need to get booked
Are you an agency specializing in photography, graphic design, or consulting? If so, HoneyBook might be a good way to manage your agency. The tool is specifically designed for those who rely on getting booked, and are only available for a certain amount of hours each month. HoneyBook stands out among popular project management software for its ability to handle bookings and payments seamlessly.
You’re also able to send proposals that clients can sign and pay for, allowing them to book a slot on your busy calendar. Compared to the other management solutions (except SPP), Honeybook also allows you to accept payments. The company acts as a payment processor, which means you have to connect your bank account to their system. This also means that you won’t be able to accept any other payment methods, for instance via PayPal.
When it comes to workflow management, the tool relies on so-called projects. You can add clients to them, send files, and reach out to your clients too. In order to stay on top of the projects, there’s a pipeline view that shows the different stages. Account owners can also view the pipeline of team members, so they can improve their project planning.
Feature highlights
HoneyBook’s main idea is to make everything about the client flow easier:
AI to help you respond to clients faster and discover priority leads.
Easy flow to get clients to book a slot on your calendar.
Built-in automation tool to build flows and reduce time spent on admin tasks.
Pricing
Honeybook’s cheapest plan is available at $19/month. Compared to the next plan, it does lack important features such as automations, expense management, and it’s also not white-labeled. the Premium plan allows you to add an unlimited number of team members, and you can even use your account for multiple companies.
Agency management system vs. generic CRM
An agency management system (AMS) is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of agencies, whereas a generic CRM is built for businesses of all sizes and industries. An AMS includes features such as project management, resource allocation, and client management, which are essential for agency operations.
In contrast, a generic CRM may require extensive customizations to cater to an agency’s specific requirements. By choosing an agency management system, agencies can benefit from a tool that is tailored to their needs, ensuring more efficient and effective management of their projects and clients.
Implementation & onboarding
Implementing agency management software requires careful planning and execution. Here are some steps to consider for a successful implementation and onboarding process:
Define Your agency’s needs and goals: Understand what your agency needs from the software and set clear goals for its implementation.
Research and evaluate different software options: Look into various agency management software options and evaluate their features, pricing, and suitability for your agency.
Plan for implementation and onboarding: Develop a detailed plan for implementing the software and onboarding your team. This includes setting timelines, assigning responsibilities, and preparing necessary resources.
Provide training and support to your team: Ensure that your team is well-trained on how to use the software. Provide ongoing support to address any issues or questions that arise.
Monitor and evaluate the software’s performance: Regularly assess the software’s performance to ensure it meets your agency’s needs and helps achieve your goals. Make adjustments as necessary to optimize its use.
Agency management software FAQ
What is the advantage of agency management software?
The advantage lies in the fact that the software is a single source of truth for most agency operations. All invoices, messages, and client data are in one place. The in-house team and collaborators can log into the same tool, making it easy to keep an eye on work being done.
Conclusion
Agency management software is a powerful tool that can help agencies streamline their operations, improve productivity, and increase profitability. By understanding the definition and purpose of agency management software, key features, and the implementation process, agencies can make informed decisions about which software to choose.
Remember to consider your agency’s unique needs and goals when selecting software, and don’t hesitate to reach out to vendors for support and guidance. With the right agency management system in place, your agency can achieve greater efficiency and success.
