IRIS OpenSpace alternatives: how Glasscubes compares
Glasscubes gets documents and answers from clients through a secure link, chases them automatically and reads what comes back with AI, with pricing published from £96 a month. Here is where it beats IRIS OpenSpace — and where OpenSpace is the better buy, especially if you already use IRIS software.
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Where Glasscubes is stronger
IRIS OpenSpace is a secure document exchange and electronic approval portal for accountants, and IRIS says its accounting solutions are used by more UK accountancy firms than any other provider. If you already run IRIS software, it is the obvious starting point. If you are weighing it as a stand-alone portal, the question is what you need beyond exchange and approval.
Clients click a link
Clients respond from a secure link, with no account or password. IRIS describes OpenSpace as a self-service portal through which clients access their OpenSpace account.
AI that reads what clients send
AI Assist extracts and summarises figures from client documents and flags what is missing. IRIS's OpenSpace page describes document exchange and e-approval, and does not mention AI reading documents.
Chasing on a schedule you set
Reminders go out by email, and by text if you switch it on, before and after the due date, and stop once the client has finished. OpenSpace's reminders chase approvals, sent after 7, 14 or 30 days.
A price you can read
Published from £96 a month plus £14.40 per user on annual billing. IRIS says existing IRIS customers get 1GB of OpenSpace storage free, and asks anyone else to get in touch.
Head to head
| Glasscubes | IRIS OpenSpace | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Information requests, chasing and AI review for accountants | Document exchange and electronic approval portal for accountants |
| Client access | Click a link — no password to remember | Branded self-service portal; clients access their OpenSpace account |
| Reminders | Before and after the due date; stop when the client is done | Automated messages after 7, 14 or 30 days to prompt approval |
| AI on client documents | Extracts and summarises figures, flags missing items | Not mentioned on its product page |
| eSignatures | Built in, from Professional | E-approval and e-signatures, which IRIS says comply with the UK Electronic Communications Act |
| Published pricing | Yes — from £96 / month + £14.40 per user | 1GB free for existing IRIS customers; otherwise contact IRIS |
| Where data is stored | AWS data centres in the UK | Microsoft Azure; the product page does not name the location |
Compiled from each vendor's own published material, 2 November 2026. Third-party prices and accuracy figures are those vendors' own published figures. Confirm current terms with the vendor. Sources: IRIS OpenSpace product page.
Where IRIS OpenSpace is the better buy
Three things worth knowing before you switch, including the cases where IRIS OpenSpace is the better buy.
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It fits IRIS software
IRIS says OpenSpace is integrated with all modules in IRIS Accountancy Suite, so files go to it at the push of a button. If your practice runs on IRIS, that is the strongest reason to use it.
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It may cost nothing extra
IRIS says existing customers can set up an OpenSpace account with 1GB of storage free as part of their membership. Our entry price is a monthly account fee plus a per-user price.
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Our white-labelled portal is on the top plan
IRIS describes a white-labelled portal that can sit on your own website. Our white-labelled client portal is on the Advantage plan.
Worth a look if…
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You do not use IRIS software
Get the information chase without committing to one vendor's accounting suite.
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You want the documents read, not just exchanged
AI Assist turns what arrives into figures you can use and tells you what is still missing.
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You are on IRIS and mainly need documents signed
Choose IRIS OpenSpace. It sits inside the suite you already use, and we would rather say so.
See it on your own client list
Bring a real request list and we will build it with you on the call. No annual commitment.
Compare Glasscubes
Head-to-head against the client portals UK firms weigh it against.