A shared retainer dashboard your client can open without logging in.
Most retainer tracking is one-sided: you see the hours, the client doesn’t. HourTab closes that gap with a shared dashboard URL — one source of truth that both you and your client can open at any time. You import your CSV and the dashboard updates. Your client checks the link and sees exactly the same information you do, without creating an account, installing an app, or asking you anything.
Free forever for your first retainer · no credit card.
Why most retainer dashboards aren’t actually shared
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Your time tracker is a freelancer tool, not a shared view.
Toggl, Harvest, and Clockify are designed for the person logging hours — not for the client checking their balance. Even when these tools offer client access, the interface is built around the billing relationship, not the simple question: “how many hours do I have left this month?” HourTab is the shared layer that sits on top of your existing tracker and answers that one question in a format designed for the client, not the accountant.
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Portal logins create friction that clients don’t tolerate.
Every client portal that requires a login loses adoption. The client forgets their password, skips the login step, and sends you a Slack message instead. The goal isn’t a platform the client theoretically has access to — it’s a URL they actually use. HourTab’s public URL model eliminates the login barrier: the client bookmarks the URL and opens it directly, every time.
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A shared view prevents the misalignment that drives disputes.
When the freelancer knows the hours balance and the client doesn’t, you get scope creep, overage surprise, and awkward billing conversations. When both sides see the same number from the same source — a shared dashboard both parties have checked throughout the month — there’s nothing to dispute at invoice time. The transparency does the relationship management work automatically.
How HourTab creates a shared retainer dashboard
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1
Create the retainer. Set the monthly hours budget, client name, and billing cycle reset date. HourTab generates a unique URL for this retainer immediately.
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Import your time entries. Export a CSV from Toggl, Harvest, Clockify, FreshBooks, or Hubstaff. The dashboard updates: hours used, hours remaining, and each entry in the work log.
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3
Share the URL once. Drop it into your onboarding email. Both you and your client can check the same live dashboard throughout the month. One source of truth. No discrepancy possible.
Import whenever you log new time. The shared dashboard updates automatically. No maintenance needed between imports.
“It is frustrating to be contacted by clients looking to find out how many hours they have left, or why something took more hours than usual.”
— Bonsai’s guide to freelance retainers
A shared dashboard means both questions have answers the client can find themselves — before they send the message.
Shared retainer dashboard — FAQ
What does a shared retainer dashboard show?
A HourTab dashboard shows: hours used this cycle, hours remaining, a progress bar, the full work log (date, description, hours per entry), and the cycle reset date. Both the freelancer and the client see the same view.
Does the client need to log in to see the shared dashboard?
No. The shared dashboard is a public URL — no login, no account, no app. Your client bookmarks the link and opens it from any browser. Zero friction by design.
Can I share a different dashboard with each client?
Yes. Each retainer gets its own unique URL. Each client sees only their own dashboard. The free plan supports 1 dashboard. Solo ($9/mo) supports up to 10. Studio ($19/mo) is unlimited.
What’s the difference between HourTab and a full client portal?
A full client portal requires client accounts, logins, and onboarding. HourTab is a single-purpose shared URL that answers one question — how many hours remain? — with zero client setup required. The simpler the client experience, the more likely they’ll actually use it.