Google Drive vs a client portal: which to use for client files
Google Drive is an excellent place to store and collaborate on files, and shared folders work for clients who already use Google. It is weaker at collecting documents: there is no checklist, no reminders and no record of what's still missing. A client portal adds those, plus one branded page per client.
Denby and Google Drive side by side
| Aspect | Denby | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat per firm: $19, $49, $99 or $249 a month. Unlimited team members on every plan. | Included with Google Workspace, priced per user. |
| Setup time | About 20 minutes to send your first request. | Minutes to share a folder. |
| Client login | Clients enter their email and click a one-time link. No password. | Clients open a shared link or sign in with a Google account, depending on sharing settings. |
| Asking for documents | Checklist per client with due dates, reminders on day 2, 5, 9 and 14, and a clear list of what's missing. | No built-in request list or reminders; you track what's missing yourself. |
| White label | Your logo, colours and domain. | Google's interface. |
| Real-time editing | No; Denby shares and versions files. | Yes: Docs, Sheets and Slides edited together live. |
When to choose Google Drive
- You and the client edit the same documents together, live.
- Your clients all use Google Workspace and are comfortable with shared folders.
- You only occasionally exchange a file and don't need to chase anything.
When to choose Denby
- You regularly need a list of documents from each client and spend time chasing them.
- Clients struggle with permissions, 'request access' screens or the wrong Google account.
- You want each client to see a page with your firm's name, not a folder.
Moving from Google Drive to Denby
Keep Drive for internal work. Link to a Drive file from a Denby message when you need to collaborate live.
Use Denby for what the client sends and signs off, so it's recorded against the request it answers.
The trial is 14 days with no card, so you can run one real client through Denby before deciding.