Help / People

Client Role

Client Role

The Client role in ActiveCollab is a limited role intended for external collaborators - usually customers, stakeholders, or contractors - who need visibility into certain aspects of a project without full access to internal project management features.

How To Invite a Client?

  • Step 1: Log in to your ActiveCollab account
  • Step 2: Click on the People page in the left-side menu
  • Step 3: Click on the ‘’+’’ icon in the top-right corner of the page
  • Step 4: From the dropdown menu, click on Invite People
  • Step 5: Click on Client
  • Step 6: Fill out Basic Details:
    • Email Address*
    • First Name
    • Last Name
    • Company - from the dropdown menu, select the company you wish to add your client to (optional)
    • Title - add a title for your Client (optional)
    • Invite to Projects - choose the projects you wish to add the Client to (optional)
  • Step 7: Click Proceed
  • Step 8: In the Additional Details section
  • Select the Invitation Language from the drop down menu
    • Write a Welcome message (optional)
  • Step 9: Click Invite

What can a Client Role do?

  • View tasks that are not hidden from Clients
  • Create discussions
  • Edit and delete discussions they have created
  • Create and edit notes
  • Delete notes they have created
  • Add files on a task through comments or in the Files section
  • View Time and Expenses (if the option "Allow Clients to see time and expenses" is enabled)

What can’t a Client Role do?

  • Access tasks that are hidden from Clients
  • Be an Assignee on a Task
  • Reorder or edit tasks or task lists
  • Open/complete tasks
  • Log Time and Expenses
  • Add a new Time Estimate or change an existing one
  • See Time and Expenses if the option “Allow Clients to see time and expenses” is not enabled
  • See Time and Expenses on a task hidden from Clients
  • See access logs

Which Sections are Visible to Clients?

  • Projects - open and completed projects they’re invited to,
  • Activity
  • Calendar
  • Which Sections are Not Visible to Clients?
  • People
  • Estimates
  • Invoices
  • Reports
  • Add-Ons
  • Trash

How Much Does a Client Role Cost?

In ActiveCollab, the Client role is completely free and you can have as many users with a Client role as you wish on your account.

What is the Difference Between a Client + and a Client Role?

The difference between Client and Client + roles in ActiveCollab are the following:
Client is a free role, while Client + is a chargeable role
Client roles have limited access, while Client + roles have broader project permissions
You can read more about Client + permissions here.

How to Change a Client to a Client + Role?

  • Step 1: Log in to your ActiveCollab account
  • Step 2: Click on the People page in the left-side menu
  • Step 3: Locate the Client whose role you wish to change
  • Step 4: Click on the three dots (...) located on the far right side
  • Step 5: From the dropdown menu, click on Change Permissions
  • Step 6: Check the box underneath the Additional Permissions section
  • Step 7: Click Save
    • Note: If you don’t see this option, check in the Add-Ons section if Client + role is enabled.
  • The Client + role is a chargeable role, and you will be billed for their seat. 

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