Sydnee makes it easy to create beautiful, branded client portals and manage every part of your workflow in one place. But one of the most common questions new users have is: What does my client actually see when they log in?
The answer depends on whether the viewer is an Admin or a Client. Each role is designed with a different purpose in mind, and their dashboards reflect that.
This breakdown highlights the most important differences so you can confidently navigate both sides of your portal.
If you prefer a visual breakdown, the video below covers everything in this blog:
Admin View: Full Control and Customization
Admins have access to the complete set of business tools inside Sydnee. This includes:
- All connected accounts
- Portal and company settings
- Full customization options
- Task, files, services, and requests management
- Live Chat across all accounts
- Help articles, tutorials, and direct support
The Admin dashboard is built for running, organizing, and scaling your business. It gives you total visibility across your clients and all of your connected portals.
Client View: Simple, Focused, and Branded
Clients only see their workspace — the account you’ve shared with them. This workspace is clean, branded to your business, and designed to keep collaboration distraction-free.
The client view emphasizes clarity. No extra tools. No unnecessary navigation. Just what they need to work with you efficiently.
Key Differences Between Admin and Client Dashboards
Below are the major differences you’ll notice when comparing the two perspectives.
1. Live Chat Access
Admin View
Live Chat appears directly in the sidebar. Admins can switch between every account from this panel, making it easy to support multiple clients.
Client View
Clients access Live Chat from the bottom-right corner of the portal. They only see the chat for the account they’re currently in, keeping conversations simple and focused.
2. Help & Support
Admin View
Admins see a full Help area, including:
- Tutorials
- Help articles
- Live support
- AI-powered quick answers
This section is dedicated to setting up and using your portal effectively.
Client View
Clients do not see this section. Their interface remains clean and centered around their collaboration with you.
3. Create / New Button
The button in the top-right corner functions differently based on the account type.
Admin View – “Create”
Admins can create additional items beyond what clients can see, such as:
- New client accounts
- Services
- Requests
- Tasks
- Files
Client View – “New”
Clients have two simple options:
- Create a task
- Upload a file
4. Account Access
Admin View
Admins see Account Settings for every account they manage, giving them full control.
Client View
Clients only see the account they are part of. Their access is intentionally limited to avoid confusion.
5. Portal Access & Team Access
This section appears differently depending on the role.
Admin View
Labelled as Portal Access and Team Access, this is where admins can invite users into their workspace and manage roles across the portal.
Client View
Here, the area appears as Account Access and Partner Access, keeping terminology aligned with the client’s perspective.
6. Sidebar Tools
This is the biggest difference.
Admin Sidebar
The admin sidebar functions as the main control center, offering tools such as:
- Client and Account Management
- Tasks
- Files
- Services
- Requests
- Live Chat
- Settings
Client Sidebar
Clients don’t have a sidebar. The admin take care of all the settings and setup, so clients can focus on what they need.
Most layout elements look familiar on both ends — tasks, files, services, and embeds all appear similarly — but the client view is simplified.
Fewer tools, fewer distractions, and a more focused experience.
Why These Differences Matter
Sydnee is designed so both admins and clients can work confidently without unnecessary noise. Admins need full visibility. Clients need clarity. This separation keeps the platform powerful for businesses while staying simple for the people they work with.
Understanding both perspectives helps you:
- Set up client portals more intentionally
- Communicate clearly with clients
- Create a smoother onboarding experience
- Deliver a clean, branded workspace every time
