What is the best law practice management software for 2021?
What was once a relatively short list of law practice management software is now a crowded space full of many different applications and vendors, all vying for your firm’s attention. In 2021, you have more options than ever when it comes to finding the right software to help you manage your law practice.
It can be overwhelming for many firms that are just beginning their search for case management software.
Fortunately: we’ve got you covered.
We work closely with hundreds of law firms across North America, and in doing so have had hundreds of conversations about law practice management software. What do firms like? What do they not like? What systems are they moving to?
From cloud-based, to server/desktop-based, from case management to billing and accounting: This list outlines the most used, best law practice management software for law firms in 2021.
Types of Legal Software
First, a quick sidebar:
Law firm software comes with lots of labels, classifications, some of which can be broad, overlapping and outright vague. In general, law firm software comes in three distinct categories:
- Practice Management – Time, Billing, Client/Contact Management, Calendaring, Docketing, Form Generation
- Document Management – Document Storage, Email Management, Version Management, Index/Search, Tagging, OCR
- Accounting – Business Accounting, Trust Accounting, GL / AR / AP, Financial Reporting
Again: In general. There are certainly software products that focus primarily on one of these three classifications, but dabble in another. For instance, Time Matters is generally thought of as a Practice Management application, but it has many trappings of a Document Management platform. Similarly, PCLaw and CosmoLex are both Practice Management systems with full-fledged, integrated accounting.
See Also: The Best Legal Document Management Software
See our list of the top-rated Legal Document Management software.
Finding the Best Solution: How to Get Started
We’re often asked: “What is the best law practice management software?” That’s a bit like asking what the best kind of car is. The answer, of course, depends on what your needs are.
For instance, some law practice management solutions focus heavily on accounting; but if your firm already has accounting software its committed to, that focus is meaningless to you. Other case management solutions focus on document and form creation, a must-have for some law firms, but not all.
We recommend that ever law firm searching for law practice management software start by identifying what features and functions are most important to you. This will help you narrow down the (long) list of suitors, and will provide a framework you can hold each option against.
Below is a list of typical features you’re likely to find in law practice management software.
Law Practice Management Features
Available Features of Law Practice Management Software
- Client & Contact Management
- Case / Matter Management
- Calendaring (Basic)
- Rules-based Calendaring (Docketing)
- Conflict Checking
- Task & Project Management
- Timekeeping
- Billing & Invoicing
- Business Accounting
- Trust/IOLTA Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Document Assembly (Form Assembly)
- Document Management
- Email Management
- Process & Workflow
- Customization
- Third-Party Software Integration
- Client Portal
We recommend saving this list and checking the box next to each feature that you know your law firm needs.
Next, we’ll provide an overview of the top law practice management software used by law firms today. For each application you can read the full profile and review to dive deeper into those applications that catch your eye.
Practice Management Lineup: In Our List
The Top 15 Law Practice Management Applications
(In no particular order)
Considering the Cloud?
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Best Law Practice Management Software
We’ve organized the list of Law Practice Management software into two categories:
- Private Cloud / On-Premise: Can be hosted in a private cloud or run on-premise.
- Web-based: Natively web-based (SaaS) and runs in a web browser.
Private Cloud / On-Premise
PCLaw
Private Cloud / Server-Based
OVERVIEW
PCLaw is a popular, long-standing practice management, billing and accounting solution for small and midsize law firms. It includes lightweight practice management (clients, cases and calendars), coupled with robust time tracking, billing and accounting (including robust financial reporting). PCLaw is one of the few all-in-one solutions that doesn’t require separate software for bookkeeping and accounting.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Rapid Setup: Easy to Implement Without a Consultant
- Fully-integrated Accounting (Business & Trust)
- Simple, Straight-forward Case Management
- Tight Integration with Time Matters
PRICING
- Subscription-based Pricing Per-User Available
- Contact Vendor for Details.
Tabs3 / PracticeMaster
Private Cloud / Server-Based
OVERVIEW
Tabs3 and its counterpart, PracticeMaster, are a suite of robust case management, billing and accounting solutions for law firms. Tabs3 provides essential “back-office” functionality including time, billing and accounting; PracticeMaster provides powerful “front-office” capabilities including client and matter management.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Modular Suite of Front-Office/Back-Office
- Best-in-Class Customer Support
- Strong Network of Capable Authorized Consultants
PRICING
- Based on Total Users and Timekeepers
- See vendor’s Price Calculator
ProLaw
Private Cloud / Server-Based
OVERVIEW
ProLaw is robust practice management, document management and accounting software for law firms. It’s the only legal software platform that includes all three of these main pillars to running a law practice.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- End-to-End Solution: LPM, DMS and Accounting
- Rich Integration with Microsoft Office
- Streamlined, Modern User Interface
PRICING
- Pricing varies by firm
- Starts at 10-User Package
Time Matters
Private Cloud / Server-Based
OVERVIEW
Time Matters is a long-standing, popular Practice Management and Document Management solution. Time Matters is unique in it’s mix of LPM and DMS capabilities, a well as being one of the most customizable practice management products on the market.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Deep Customization (Reports, Workflows, Dashboards)
- Rich Network of Certified Consultants
- Tight Integration with PCLaw for Accounting
PRICING
- Subscription-based Pricing Per-User Available
- Contact Vendor for Details.
Needles
Private Cloud / Server-Based
OVERVIEW
Needles is a mature law practice management solution for law firms. Needles is especially popular among Personal Injury firms, though not at the exclusion of law firms that practice in other areas.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Deep Focus and Functionality in Personal Injury
- Customizable Checklist / Workflow System
PRICING
- Not provided by software publisher
- Contact vendor for more information
Aderant
Private Cloud / Server-Based
OVERVIEW
Aderant provides a suite of time, billing and law practice management software for law firms. Aderant Total Office and Aderant Expert are premise-based time, billing and accounting platforms for law firms that can be hosted in a private cloud.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Robust, enterprise-grade billing and accounting
- Legal Project Management capabilities
PRICING
- Not provided by software publisher
- Contact vendor for more information
Web-Based
LEAP
Web-based
OVERVIEW
LEAP is possibly the most robust of the web-based law practice management applications. It provides time, billing, client and matter management and calendaring. Where LEAP really shines is its comprehensive library of state and federal forms (document automation).
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Sophisticated Form/Document Assembly
- State-Specific Form Automation
- Client Web Portal
- Desktop, Web and Mobile Apps
PRICING
- Not provided by software publisher
- Contact vendor for more information
Clio
Web-based
OVERVIEW
Clio Manage is among the most popular cloud-based legal practice management solutions. Clio is best suited for solo and small law firms, and law firms that are looking for a more lightweight law practice management solution. Clio is well known for its streamlined interface, simple navigation and overall ease of use.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Clean, Easy-to-Use Interface
- Large Network of Integrations (See Clio’s App Directory)
- Add Intake and Sales CRM with Clio Grow
PRICING
- Clio Manage Starter: $39 / User / Month
- Clio Manage Boutique: $59 / User / Month
- Clio Manage Elite: $99 / User / Month
- Clio Manage Suite: $125 / User / Month (includes Clio Grow)
(Annual pricing)
CosmoLex
Web-based
OVERVIEW
CosmoLex is a cloud-based law practice management and accounting solution. It includes client and matter management, time, billing, business accounting and trust/IOLTA accounting, thereby eliminating the need for QuickBooks or other accounting software.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Integrated, full-fledged Business and Trust Accounting
- Financial Reports by Client and Matter
PRICING
- $79 / User / Month (billed annually)
Rocket Matter
Web-based
OVERVIEW
Rocket Matter was among the first, and is a popular cloud-based law practice management solution. Rocket Matter allows your firm to manage cases, time, billing and calendars. Rocket Matter takes a project management-esque approach to matter management.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Project-Management-Style Matter Management
- Customizable Matter Templates and Workflows
- Optional Insurance Defense Module
PRICING
- Essentials: $25 / User / Month
- Pro: $59 / User / Month
(Annual pricing)
MyCase
Web-based
OVERVIEW
MyCase was among the first web-based law practice management applications. It’s know for it’s ease-of-use, as well as for arguably having the best client portal among all case management systems.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Fast and Easy to Get Up and Running
- Sophisticated Client Portal
- Built-In Lead Management
PRICING
- $49 / User / Month (billed annually)
Practice Panther
Web-based
OVERVIEW
Practice Panther is a popular case management system for law firms. It provides client and contact management, matter management, time and billing, and includes a lightweight CRM for lead management.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Clean, Intuitive User Interface
- Built-In Payment Processing
PRICING
- Solo: $30 / User / Month
- Essential: $59 / User / Month
- Business: $79 / User / Month
(Annual pricing)
Bill4Time
Web-based
OVERVIEW
What started as a stand-alone time and billing application, Bill4Time is now a full-fledged law practice management solution. It provides robust time and billing, matter management, ABA and LEDES billing codes and trust/IOLTA accounting.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Robust, Flexible Time Tracking and Billing
- Trust Accounting with IOLTA Reconciliation
PRICING
- Time & Billing: $27 / User Month
- Legal Pro: $45 / User / Month
- Legal Enterprise: $80 / User / Month
(Annual pricing)
Zola Suite
Web-based
OVERVIEW
Zola Suite is a cloud-based legal practice management application. While it has many of the standard fare for legal case management, it also boasts a built-in email client for better managing the relationship between matters and communication, and a slick, minimalist design.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Built-In Email Client
- Full-Fledged Accounting
- Integrated Sales CRM
PRICING
- Core: $59 / User / Month
- Enterprise: $79 / User / Month
- Enterprise Plus: $89 / User / Month
(Annual pricing)
Centerbase
Web-based
OVERVIEW
Centerbase is a cloud-based Law Practice Management system. It boasts time and billing, case and client management, and full-fledged accounting. Centerbase is arguably one of the most customizable LPM applications, though that customization may require an outside consultant.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- End-to-End Case Management
- Full-Fledged Accounting
- Highly Customizable Workflows
PRICING
- Staff: $59 / User / Month
- Timekeeper: $79 / User / Month
- Billing + Accounting: $99 / User / Month
(Annual pricing)
Firm Central
Web-based
OVERVIEW
Firm Central is a law practice management application made by Thomson Reuters, the makers of WestLaw legal research. The application has been around for some time, and naturally integrates with the WestLaw web site.
STAND-OUT FEATURES
- Deep integration with WestLaw legal research.
- Full-Fledged Accounting
- Trust/IOLTA Accounting.
PRICING
- Core: $40 / User / Month
- Essential: $65 / User / Month
- Premier: $105 / User / Month
(Annual pricing)
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Is your firm evaluating practice management software? Are you looking for the best legal practice management software for your firm? Take a look at the legal software comparison charts.
