An Assembly alternative for freelancers who just need the portal
Assembly (formerly Copilot) is a full client platform with CRM, billing, contracts and forms. If your clients mostly need to see progress and pick up files, you can give them a branded portal for a fraction of the price.
Removing Assembly's badge starts at $99/mo billed annually. ClientDesk includes white-label in Pro at $12/mo.
Assembly is built to run a client-service business. ClientDesk is built to run the page your client sees.
Comparison
ClientDesk vs Assembly
Prices billed monthly unless noted.
Assembly figures from assembly.com/pricing, checked October 2026.
When Assembly is the better choice
Assembly is a good product, and for some businesses it's worth every dollar. Pick it if any of these sound like you.
You want clients to pay invoices and sign contracts inside the portal.
Several people on your team need their own logins.
You need intake forms, automations or custom client apps.
You're comfortable paying for a platform because the portal is how you run the whole business.
Pick ClientDesk if you already invoice with Stripe or your accounting tool, sign contracts somewhere else, and want clients to open one branded link that shows where the work stands.
What you get
The client portal, without the platform
Branded Portal
Custom logo, colors, and a professional client-facing experience that matches your brand.
File Sharing
Upload deliverables up to 100 MB each. Clients download with one click, no signup.
Project Tracking
Show progress, phases, and status. Clients stay informed without chasing you.
In-Portal Messaging
Real-time messaging right inside the portal. No more scattered email threads.
Magic Link Access
Clients click a link and they're in. No passwords, no friction, no support tickets.
White-Label
Remove all ClientDesk branding. Your clients only see your name and logo.
FAQ
Questions about switching
Is Assembly the same as Copilot?
Yes. Copilot renamed itself Assembly on September 30, 2025. Same product and same company under a new name.
How much cheaper is ClientDesk than Assembly?
It depends on what you need. For a branded portal without the vendor's badge, ClientDesk Pro is $12/mo and Assembly Professional is $139/mo, or $99/mo billed annually. For your own domain, ClientDesk Business is $29/mo against that same Assembly plan.
Does Assembly have a free plan?
Yes, for 1 user and up to 5 clients. ClientDesk's free plan covers 1 client with project tracking. If you want a free portal for a handful of clients and don't mind Assembly's branding, Assembly's free plan is the more generous one.
Does ClientDesk have billing, contracts or forms like Assembly?
No. ClientDesk is only the portal: progress, files and messages. Keep Stripe or your invoicing tool for payments and a separate e-signature tool for contracts.
Do clients need an account on either one?
No. Assembly sends clients a magic link by default. ClientDesk gives each client a permanent private link, so there's no sign-in step at all unless you add a password.
Can I move my clients from Assembly to ClientDesk?
There's no import. You add each client's name and email, create their project and send them their new portal link.
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