Portal is a free Bootstrap 5 admin dashboard template from 3rd Wave Media that gives software developers a responsive, mobile-first starter UI for building admin panels and back-end interfaces.
What is Portal?
Portal is a free Bootstrap admin dashboard template designed specifically for software developers. It ships as static HTML5 and CSS3 files built on Bootstrap 5, with SCSS source files included so developers can customize variables and components before compiling. The template is authored by UX/UI designer Xiaoying Riley and distributed through 3rd Wave Media's theme store, and it is 100% free to use as long as the footer attribution link remains intact. The latest release is v3.1, dated 2024-09-16.
Who should use Portal?
Portal is aimed at developers and teams who need a dashboard user interface without building the CSS from scratch. Front-end developers can use it as the base for admin panels and internal tools, while freelancers can ship client back-ends faster by starting from a ready-made layout. Prototyping teams can also wireframe application interfaces using Bootstrap 5 components rather than writing custom styles.
What can you do with Portal?
- Developers building admin panels: set up a responsive dashboard with sidebar navigation, stat cards, and chart-ready sections in a few minutes.
- Freelancers and agencies: use Portal as the front-end starting point for client projects, then customize the SCSS variables to match the brand.
- Prototyping teams: create clickable HTML mockups of internal tools or SaaS metrics dashboards that run on any static server.
Key Features
- Bootstrap 5 with no jQuery — Portal runs on Bootstrap 5 and includes no jQuery dependency, keeping the JavaScript footprint lighter and more modern.
- SCSS source files — The download includes SCSS files so colors, spacing, and components can be customized with Sass variables, then compiled to CSS.
- Fully responsive layout — The dashboard adapts to desktop, tablet, and mobile screens using Bootstrap's responsive grid.
- FontAwesome icons — A set of FontAwesome icons is included for navigation, buttons, and dashboard widgets.
- Bootstrap Icons — Bootstrap's own icon set is bundled as well, giving developers two icon families to choose from.
- Chart.js integration — Chart.js is included in the credits for chart components, so developers can add interactive data visualizations.
- Free to use with attribution — The template is free under the condition that the footer attribution link stays in place; a commercial license can be purchased to remove it.
Pricing
Portal is free to use for any project as long as you keep the footer attribution link. If you want to remove the attribution, a commercial license is available for purchase through the 3rd Wave Media theme website. The free license does not allow reselling, sublicensing, or redistributing the template on its own.
Alternatives
AdminLTE, a widely adopted open-source Bootstrap admin template, and CoreUI, which offers free and paid Bootstrap-based admin themes, are two other options in the same space.
FAQ
Is Portal free?
Yes, Portal is 100% free to use for any purpose as long as you keep the footer attribution link visible. The template cannot be resold or redistributed as a standalone product under the free license.
Does Portal require jQuery?
No. Portal is built on Bootstrap 5 and contains no jQuery dependency. This reduces the amount of JavaScript you need to load compared to older Bootstrap 4 templates that depend on jQuery.
What version of Bootstrap does Portal use?
Portal is built on Bootstrap 5. The template's tech stack also includes SCSS source files, FontAwesome icons, Bootstrap Icons, and Chart.js for charting.
Can I remove the attribution link?
Yes, but removing the attribution link requires buying a commercial license from the 3rd Wave Media theme website. Under the free license you must keep the footer attribution link untouched.
Is Portal responsive?
Yes, Portal is fully responsive. The layout adjusts to desktop, tablet, and mobile screen sizes using Bootstrap 5's responsive grid system, so it works on a variety of devices.
