Three jobs to keep separate
Ad platform UIs are where buyers change bids, budgets, and creative. Reporting tools aggregate what you ran. Payment-verified attribution starts from processor revenue and puts platform claims next to what cleared.
One product rarely owns all three jobs by default. Keep the jobs separate and the stack gets simpler.
Sheets can be a valid substitute
A careful blended-ROAS or MER Sheet is a real workflow for small books with patient analysts and clients who trust the process.
It fails when a client needs a live number without asking, a formula breaks, or two platforms both claim the same Stripe charge. Buy the missing layer, not a tool because a blog said so.
Looker Studio and portals
Looker Studio is strong at dashboards clients recognize. AgencyAnalytics-class tools are strong at connectors, client-ready reporting, and sharing.
Neither automatically becomes payment-journey truth. The open question is whether payment revenue is deliberately in the model.
Combined Meta and Google client pack: PPC reporting for agencies: spend to revenue.
Segment honesty
If the RFP requires CRM depth and CAPI passback, do not invent Thexly parity. If Shopify OS multi-touch is the primary stack, DTC-focused tools are a more honest starting point.
For Stripe-class clients with Meta and Google running, payment-verified ROAS can be the missing QBR layer.
A plain decision tree
Choose the tool for the job you are missing. Keep DIY Sheets when they answer the retainer question. Use an Agency plan when a multi-client book needs live, payment-aware reporting rather than another export.
Thexly Agency is from $29/mo for up to 20 clients with live share links.