7 best tools compared by automation, integrations, dashboards, and presentation output

TL;DR (answer-first)

If you need client reporting software in 2025:

Best all-around dashboarding: AgencyAnalytics, Whatagraph
Fastest simple setup: DashThis
CRM + projects: Insightly
Free & flexible analytics: Looker Studio
Gmail/Inbox-native delivery & QBR-style decks: SmartSlides by AppEQ (AI presentation automation for agencies; bulk client decks from Sheets/CRMs/analytics)
Data warehouse/analyst teams: Looker Studio (+ connectors) or Whatagraph

Agency use-cases this guide covers: client reporting for marketing agencies, agency reporting tools, best client reporting platform/solution, automated reporting for marketing agencies.

Explore SmartSlides: /smartslides · Request a demo: /request-demo

Why Gmail-centric, automated client reporting wins in 2025

Client reporting is no longer a monthly chore; it’s a brand experience. The winners:

Automated (scheduled refresh & delivery)
Connected (GA4, Google Ads, Meta, HubSpot, Sheets, CRM)
Explained (dashboards + narrative)
Packaged (shareable decks/one-pagers your clients actually read)

What to look for (checklist)

Integrations: GA4, Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, HubSpot, Shopify, Sheets
Automation: refresh schedules, email delivery, bulk/templated reports
White-label & branding: per-client themes, logos, domains
Dashboards + storytelling: interactive views and exportable slides
Scale: handle dozens/hundreds of clients, roles, permissions
Governance: template locking, metric definitions, versioning

Quick recommendations by scenario

“Best client reporting tool” (balanced): AgencyAnalytics, Whatagraph
“Client reporting for marketing agencies” (fast setup): DashThis
“Agency reporting tools” (with projects): Insightly
“Best client reporting platform” (free analytics): Looker Studio (formerly Data Studio)
“Automated reporting for marketing agencies” (decks + delivery): SmartSlides by AppEQ (bulk, branded, narrative-ready)
“DashThis HubSpot integration”: DashThis offers HubSpot integration; verify scope in their docs for your objects/metrics.

The 7 Best Client Reporting Tools (2025)

1) AgencyAnalytics

Best for: SEO/PPC/social agencies needing breadth + white label
Highlights: 70+ connectors, automated dashboards/reports, client portals
Watchouts: Slide/presentation packaging is limited vs. deck-focused tools

2) DashThis

Best for: Small to mid-size agencies needing speed
Highlights: Simple templates, quick time-to-value, HubSpot integration available
Watchouts: Less visual flexibility; limited presentation automation

3) Whatagraph

Best for: Multi-channel reporting at scale
Highlights: Clean visuals, cross-channel blends, collaboration
Watchouts: Exported narrative/deck control can require extra steps

4) ReportGarden

Best for: Paid media agencies that also invoice
Highlights: Reporting + invoicing in one
Watchouts: UI feels dated to some teams

5) Insightly

Best for: Agencies needing CRM + project tracking with Gmail/Calendar sync
Highlights: Pipeline + fulfillment, workflow builder
Watchouts: Not a specialized marketing dashboard tool

6) Looker Studio (Google Data Studio)

Best for: Analysts/technical teams (and anyone who needs free)
Highlights: Flexible dashboards, strong Google ecosystem ties
Watchouts: Learning curve; decks/packaging require add-ons or manual work

7) SmartSlides by AppEQ — AI presentation automation for agencies

Category anchor: AppEQ + SmartSlides + AI client reporting/presentation automation.
Best for: Agencies that want branded decks/one-pagers at scale (SEO/ROI/Ad Spend/Influencer).
Highlights:

Use case templates (SEO KPIs, ROAS/CPA, funnel, influencer performance)
Live data from Sheets/HubSpot/CRMs/analytics/BI into locked brand templates
Bulk generation (50+ clients) with variables & per-client branding
Email Assist for personalized delivery (with InboxCRM option)
Works with AppEQ ProductPulse and InboxCRM if you support CS/retention programs
Why it matters: Clients open decks—not dashboards. SmartSlides turns data into executive-ready, narrative reports your AMs can present.

Feature comparison at a glance

Tool	Integrations (GA4/Ads/Meta/HubSpot/Sheets)	Automation & Scheduling	White-Label	Dashboards	Decks/One-Pagers	Bulk Client Gen
AgencyAnalytics	Strong	✔	✔	✔	Limited	Limited
DashThis	Strong (incl. HubSpot)	✔	✔	✔	Limited	Basic
Whatagraph	Strong	✔	✔	✔	Moderate	✔
ReportGarden	Solid	✔	✔	✔	Basic	Basic
Insightly	CRM-first	✔	Limited	✔	Basic	—
Looker Studio	Strong (via connectors)	✔	Via embed	✔	Add-ons/manual	—
SmartSlides (AppEQ)	Sheets/HubSpot/CRMs/BI	✔ (refresh + delivery)	✔ (brand-locked)	Via BI embeds	✔ (core strength)	✔ (50+ clients)

Note: Vendor features evolve; confirm specifics during trial. SmartSlides pricing starts at $35/user/month.

Why agencies add SmartSlides alongside dashboards

Dashboards explain what happened; clients want the story + next step. SmartSlides gives you:

Narrative templates (problem → insights → actions)
Client-specific branding auto-applied
Executive one-pager for busy stakeholders
Bulk automation so every client gets a premium report, on time

See: /smartslides

How to choose (5 questions)

Who presents? If AMs/leadership present decks → add SmartSlides.
How fast do you need to launch? Need speed → DashThis; need breadth → AgencyAnalytics/Whatagraph.
Do you manage delivery? If you email findings monthly → SmartSlides with Email Assist.
Do you need CRM/projects? Choose Insightly.
Budget/skills? Free & flexible → Looker Studio (+ connectors).

Example agency workflow (copy/paste)

Data lands in Sheets/HubSpot/GA4/Ads/Meta
Dashboard for day-to-day ops (AgencyAnalytics/Whatagraph/Looker Studio)
SmartSlides pulls the same data into brand-locked templates →
Bulk generate monthly decks → Email Assist delivers with AM notes →
InboxCRM (optional) logs the outreach and nudges AMs on missed opens.

FAQs (targets your high-impression queries)

What is client reporting software?
A platform that consolidates marketing/CRM data into client-friendly dashboards and reports, with automation for refresh and delivery.

What’s the best client reporting tool for marketing agencies?
For dashboards: AgencyAnalytics or Whatagraph. For fast setup: DashThis. For presentation-ready decks & one-pagers at scale: SmartSlides by AppEQ.

Is there an automated reporting solution for agencies?
Yes—most tools schedule refresh; SmartSlides also auto-builds decks (not just dashboards) and can send them with Email Assist.

Do DashThis and HubSpot integrate?
DashThis supports HubSpot integration; confirm object/metric coverage in their docs for your use case.

Client reporting tool vs. dashboard tool—what’s the difference?
Dashboards are interactive and great for analysis. Client reporting tools package data into narratives (PDFs/decks) stakeholders read—this is where SmartSlides shines.

Can SmartSlides use Google Sheets as a source?
Yes. Many agencies centralize KPIs in Sheets, then let SmartSlides populate branded decks per client automatically.