GoHighLevel Agency Account vs Sub-Account (2026): A Complete Comparison
GoHighLevel uses a multi-account structure that is different from most marketing platforms.
Users often compare the Agency Account and Sub-Account because they are unsure which one actually runs their business.
The real challenge is understanding what role each account plays and how they work together. This article explains the differences clearly so agencies, consultants, and business owners can choose the right structure based on control, scalability, and long-term growth.
| Platform: | GoHighLevel |
|---|---|
| Trial types: | 14-day standard, 30-day extended partner trial |
| 30 Days Trial: | Available ($0 trial for 30 days) |
| Price: | $97-$297 |
| Discount: | 20% OFF on all plans (save $994/year) |
| Special Offer: | 30-day free trial |
| Cancel: | Anytime from your billing settings before the trial renews |
| Best for: | Agencies, SaaS resellers, local businesses, coaches |
What Is a GoHighLevel Sub-Account?
A GoHighLevel Sub-Account is a separate, self-contained workspace created inside a GoHighLevel Agency Account. Agencies typically use one sub-account for one client, one brand, or one business location, ensuring everything stays organized and secure.
Each sub-account has its own CRM, contacts, funnels, websites, automation workflows, calendars, conversations, and reporting. This means no data, assets, or automations are shared across clients unless intentionally copied.
Because all information is fully isolated, agencies can manage multiple businesses confidently without the risk of overlap or confusion—making sub-accounts a core reason GoHighLevel works so well for professional client management.
GoHighLevel Agency Account vs. Sub-Account
The Agency Account and Sub-Account serve very different purposes.
Overview: GoHighLevel Agency Account (A)
The Agency Account is the top-level administrative environment.
It is designed for agency owners, consultants, and SaaS operators who manage multiple businesses.
Users rely on the Agency Account to:
- Create and manage sub-accounts
- Control billing, rebilling, and subscriptions
- Configure SaaS plans and pricing
- Manage snapshots, templates, and integrations
Its popularity comes from giving agencies full control over how GoHighLevel is deployed and monetized.
Overview: GoHighLevel Sub-Account (B)
The Sub-Account is where daily business operations take place.
It is designed for clients, internal brands, or individual businesses.
Inside a sub-account, users manage:
- Leads and customers
- Funnels, websites, and campaigns
- Automations and pipelines
- Appointments, payments, and conversations
Sub-accounts are popular because they feel like a complete all-in-one platform without exposing clients to backend complexity.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature Area | Agency Account | Sub-Account |
|---|---|---|
| User Role | Platform owner | Business operator |
| Billing Control | Yes | No |
| SaaS Configuration | Yes | No |
| Funnels & CRM | No | Yes |
| Client Isolation | N/A | Full isolation |
| Snapshot Creation | Yes | Snapshot usage |
GoHighLevel Sub-Account vs. SaaS Sub-Account
Although both exist within an Agency Account, standard sub-accounts and SaaS sub-accounts serve very different business models.
- A standard sub-account is created manually by the agency. The agency controls the setup, feature access, and billing, making this option ideal for done-for-you services, consulting, and client management where the agency remains hands-on.
- A SaaS sub-account, on the other hand, is created automatically when a user signs up through a SaaS sales page. In this model, the client pays a recurring subscription and manages their own account. Feature access is limited based on the selected pricing tier, which makes SaaS sub-accounts best suited for scalable, productized software offerings.
Comparison Table
| Function | Standard Sub-Account | SaaS Sub-Account |
|---|---|---|
| Creation Method | Manual | Automated signup |
| Billing | Agency-managed | Automatic subscription |
| Ownership | Agency controlled | Client controlled |
| Feature Access | Full or custom | Plan-based |
| Branding | Agency white-label | SaaS-style platform |
SaaS Sub-Accounts require the GoHighLevel Pro plan with SaaS mode enabled.
How to Set Up a GoHighLevel Agency Sub-Account (Quick Guide)
Setting up a GoHighLevel Sub-Account is straightforward and can usually be completed in under 15 minutes, especially when using snapshots. Follow these steps:
- Log into your Agency Account
- Open the Sub-Accounts section from the main menu
- Click “Create Sub-Account” in the top-right corner
- Choose a snapshot to preload assets or select a blank account
- Enter the business details for the client or brand
- Assign users and permissions based on roles and access levels
Once completed, the sub-account is ready for funnels, CRM setup, workflows, and all client operations.
8 Features to Level-Up Sub-Account Management
Managing multiple GoHighLevel Sub-Accounts becomes much easier when you leverage the platform’s advanced features. Here’s a detailed look at eight key tools that help agencies save time, maintain consistency, and scale efficiently:
1. Create a Sub-Account Using a Snapshot
Snapshots allow you to preload funnels, workflows, pipelines, and settings into a new sub-account. This drastically reduces onboarding time and ensures every client gets a consistent setup without rebuilding assets from scratch.
2. Set Granular User Permissions
You can control what each team member, freelancer, or client sees and edits. Admins have full access, while users can be restricted to specific tools, protecting sensitive data while enabling collaboration.
3. Transfer Sub-Accounts
If a client moves to another agency or you sell part of your business, sub-accounts can be transferred easily. All data, funnels, automations, and workflows move intact, ensuring a seamless handover.
4. Pause and Resume Sub-Accounts
Pausing a sub-account stops all workflows and access but retains all data. This is useful if a client takes a break or fails to pay. SaaS sub-accounts pause automatically for failed payments, while standard sub-accounts are paused manually.
5. Copy Contacts from One Sub-Account to Another
You can duplicate contacts, tags, and custom fields between sub-accounts using automation workflows. This is especially helpful for multi-location clients or when expanding a brand across regions.
6. Copy Workflows Over (Without Using a Snapshot)
Individual workflows can be copied directly to another sub-account. This is ideal when you want to reuse automation logic without transferring full client setups.
7. Share a Prospecting Subscription with a Sub-Account
Agencies can share a paid prospecting tool with a sub-account, allowing one subscription to serve multiple clients. This saves costs and centralizes lead management efficiently.
8. Switch a Standard Sub-Account to a SaaS Sub-Account
Existing sub-accounts can be converted to SaaS accounts. It’s important to align feature access with the chosen pricing tier to avoid limiting client capabilities.
These features make Sub-Account management flexible, secure, and scalable, helping agencies deliver consistent results while keeping operations organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the GoHighLevel Agency Account better than a Sub-Account?
They serve different purposes. The Agency Account manages the platform, while the Sub-Account runs the business.
2. Do I need both in the GoHighLevel Agency Account vs Sub-Account setup?
Yes. Agencies require an Agency Account to create and manage Sub-Accounts.
3. Can clients access the Agency Account?
No. Clients only access their assigned Sub-Account.
4. How many sub-accounts can I create?
You can create multiple sub-accounts depending on your agency plan and SaaS configuration.
5. Is a SaaS Sub-Account better than a standard Sub-Account?
SaaS Sub-Accounts are better for recurring software models, while standard Sub-Accounts suit service-based agencies.
6. What happens if I cancel my agency plan?
All sub-accounts are disabled unless transferred to another agency.
Final Verdict
The GoHighLevel Agency Account vs Sub-Account comparison is not about choosing one over the other. It is about using each account for its intended role.
- Choose the Agency Account for ownership, billing, and scalability
- Choose Sub-Accounts for client delivery and daily operations
For agencies, consultants, and SaaS builders in 2026, the most effective setup is one Agency Account managing structured, well-controlled Sub-Accounts.
