Quick comparison
| Option | Best for | Why it wins | Watch‑out | Try |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Looker Studio | Custom dashboards | Flexible + free | Setup takes time | Try → |
| AgencyAnalytics | Marketing reporting | Agency‑focused | Paid + tool coverage varies | Try → |
| monday.com | Ops/status reporting | Great internal visibility | Not a full marketing BI | Try → |
How we picked
- Optimized for agency workflows: delivery visibility, client collaboration, and handoffs.
- Prioritized fast setup and simple ownership/permissions (so you actually adopt it).
- Checked integrations and reporting (so you don’t build a spreadsheet on the side).
- Included a clear watch‑out for each option to avoid bad fits.
We refresh guides when pricing/features shift. Always verify current terms on the vendor site.
Use-cases
Quick scenarios to help you decide without overthinking it.
- You want a reusable template: Looker Studio is great if you can build and maintain a dashboard template.
- You want fast, standardized reports: AgencyAnalytics is usually quicker to roll out across clients.
- You want ops/status reporting: monday.com dashboards help if delivery reporting is the priority.
Looker Studio — best when you want custom dashboards (and can build them)
Where it shines
- Free and very flexible
- Connects to many data sources
- Great if you standardize templates per client
Gotchas to know
- Dashboards can break when connectors change
- Takes time to build and maintain templates
Best fit
- You can invest in a reusable reporting template
- You want custom dashboards per client
- You’re comfortable with data connectors
Avoid if…
you want something turnkey with almost no setup.
AgencyAnalytics — best for ‘done-for-you’ marketing reports
Where it shines
- Purpose-built for agency reporting
- Automated scheduled reports
- Good coverage for common marketing channels
Gotchas to know
- Pricing depends on clients/features
- Connector coverage varies—verify your stack
Best fit
- You want fast, repeatable reporting
- You run SEO/PPC/social reporting regularly
- You want white-label client reports
Avoid if…
you need fully custom BI dashboards and complex modeling.
monday.com — best for reporting on delivery and ops
Where it shines
- Dashboards for project status and workload
- Great for internal ops reporting
- Client-friendly status visibility when needed
Gotchas to know
- Not a replacement for marketing analytics tools
- Needs consistent project structure for good reporting
Best fit
- You want to report on delivery/status to clients
- You need cross-client ops visibility
- Your team already uses monday.com
Avoid if…
you primarily need marketing channel reporting and attribution.
Bottom line
If you want turnkey agency reporting, AgencyAnalytics is a common choice. If you want maximum flexibility and low cost, Looker Studio can be excellent—if you’re willing to maintain templates. If you mainly need delivery/status reporting, monday.com dashboards are hard to beat.
Next: browse tools or start with best CRM.
FAQ
What’s the best client reporting tools for a small agency?
Start with the Top pick in the quick comparison, then sanity‑check the watch‑out against your workflow and budget.
How long does it take to set up client reporting tools?
Most teams can get a workable setup in a half day to two days. The real work is deciding your workflow (stages, ownership, and client touchpoints).
Do these tools support client access and permissions?
Usually, yes — but it varies by plan. Before committing, confirm guest seats, client permissions, and whether clients need paid accounts.