Productive.io Alternative for Design Agencies
Productive.io handles budgeting and resource scheduling well, but design agencies need tools it simply doesn't have: visual proofing, structured client approval workflows, and revision tracking tied to billing. Without a proper client portal, design agencies using Productive end up emailing proofs back and forth and losing track of what was approved. AgencyPro is purpose-built for the creative review cycle that defines design agency work.
If you're a Design agency looking for an alternative to Productive.io, you're not alone. Many Design teams switch when they outgrow Productive's capabilities — particularly around expensive per-seat pricing that scales poorly. AgencyPro is purpose-built for agencies like yours, combining project management, client portals, and billing into one platform.
Why Design Agencies Struggle with Productive.io
Productive.io has no visual proofing or annotation tools, forcing design agencies to use separate tools like InVision or Filestage for client feedback
Design approval workflows don't exist in Productive — there's no formal sign-off process, creating disputes about what the client actually approved
Per-seat pricing hits design agencies hard when you factor in freelance designers, contractors, and part-time collaborators who all need access
The onboarding process for Productive.io is complex and time-consuming, pulling creative teams away from billable design work during setup
Why Design Agencies Switch to AgencyPro
Visual Proofing Built In
Upload design files and share them with clients through their portal for direct review. Clients comment on specific areas, request changes, and formally approve each deliverable. Every round of feedback is captured in context rather than scattered across email threads and Slack messages — something Productive.io simply cannot do.
Revision Tracking Tied to Billing
Track revision rounds per deliverable and enforce contractual limits. When a client exceeds their included revisions, AgencyPro flags the overage and makes it easy to invoice for additional rounds. Productive.io tracks hours but has no concept of revision-based billing that design agencies rely on.
Simple Setup, No Consultants Needed
AgencyPro is designed for agency teams to configure themselves. Create your first project template, set up a client portal, and start tracking time within a day. Productive.io's complexity often requires paid professional onboarding, which means spending money before you've even started using the tool productively.
White-Label Client Experience
Brand the entire client portal with your design agency's identity — logo, colors, custom domain. Clients see your brand at every touchpoint from project intake to final delivery. Productive.io offers no white-labeling, which undermines the polished brand experience design agencies need to project.
AgencyPro vs Productive.io: Key Feature Comparison
Design File Review Portal
Share mockups, brand assets, and layouts with clients for contextual feedback and formal approval through a branded interface.
Creative Brief Intake Forms
Collect brand guidelines, reference materials, deliverable specs, and project goals through structured forms clients complete in their portal.
Revision Round Management
Define included revision rounds per project, track each round, and automatically flag when additional billable revisions begin.
Milestone-Based Billing
Invoice at project milestones — concept approval, design approval, final delivery — with payments tied to client sign-off.
Freelancer Access Controls
Grant freelance designers and contractors scoped access to specific projects without paying per-seat fees for occasional collaborators.
Creative Team Capacity View
See designer workloads across all active projects with visual scheduling that helps balance assignments and prevent burnout.
Key Features for Design Agencies
Design File Review Portal
Share mockups, brand assets, and layouts with clients for contextual feedback and formal approval through a branded interface.
Creative Brief Intake Forms
Collect brand guidelines, reference materials, deliverable specs, and project goals through structured forms clients complete in their portal.
Revision Round Management
Define included revision rounds per project, track each round, and automatically flag when additional billable revisions begin.
Milestone-Based Billing
Invoice at project milestones — concept approval, design approval, final delivery — with payments tied to client sign-off.
Freelancer Access Controls
Grant freelance designers and contractors scoped access to specific projects without paying per-seat fees for occasional collaborators.
Creative Team Capacity View
See designer workloads across all active projects with visual scheduling that helps balance assignments and prevent burnout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AgencyPro support design proofing like dedicated tools such as InVision?
AgencyPro includes built-in file sharing and client review workflows. Clients view design files in their portal, leave contextual feedback, and formally approve deliverables. While it's not a pixel-level annotation tool like Figma, it covers the approval and feedback workflow that most design agencies currently piece together using Productive.io plus a separate proofing platform.
How does AgencyPro handle freelance designers who work part-time?
AgencyPro's pricing isn't per-seat, so adding freelancers and contractors doesn't increase your bill. You can grant them scoped access to specific projects and tasks without giving them visibility into other clients or your agency financials. Productive.io charges per seat for every user, which makes adding occasional collaborators expensive.
Can clients approve design work directly in AgencyPro?
Yes. Clients access their branded portal, review uploaded deliverables, and formally approve each piece with a timestamped record. This replaces the email-based approval chaos most design agencies deal with when using Productive.io, where there's no structured approval process and no audit trail.
Is AgencyPro hard to set up compared to Productive.io?
It's significantly easier. Most design agencies are fully operational on AgencyPro within a few days, setting up project templates, client portals, and billing structures themselves. Productive.io is known for its steep learning curve and often requires professional onboarding services, which adds both cost and delay before your team is productive.
Switching from Productive.io Is Easier Than You Think
Switching from Productive.io to AgencyPro is straightforward. Our team helps migrate your projects, client data, and workflows so nothing falls through the cracks. Most Design teams are fully operational within a week.
Productive.io Alternatives for Other Industries
Other Alternatives for Design Agencies
Learn more about AgencyPro for Design Agencies
View the Design Agencies use case page →Your Design Agency Deserves Better Than Spreadsheet Approvals
AgencyPro gives design agencies visual proofing, client approvals, and revision tracking that Productive.io doesn't offer — without the per-seat pricing penalty.