Time-tracking software is essential for many businesses, but the law sector requires a highly specialized set of features alongside the basic element of time tracking. Being able to provide highly detailed, accurate, and comprehensive reports and invoices, as well as securely retain large amounts of client data, are vital features to look for when choosing the correct software for any law firm. It can be overwhelming to choose from a large number of software options out there, but we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best option for your company.
Top 9 Invoicing Software for Lawyers
- Bonsai – Best for independent lawyers
- QuickBooks Online – best software for firms already using QuickBooks
- Clio – best software for growing law firms
- Time Doctor – best software for accurate reporting
- TimeSolv – best software for simplicity
- MyCase – best software for small businesses
- Rocket Matter – best software for enterprises of all sizes
- AbacusNext – best software for complex businesses
- LawBility – best software for employee management
1. Bonsai – Best for independent lawyers
Pricing: A seven-day free trial is available for all plans. The Starter Plan is $24 per month
As an independent lawyer, it can be difficult to manage all aspects of your work. You need to focus on getting more clients and winning cases for your current ones. Because of this, you need a tool that can take care of menial tasks such as invoicing.
After all, you need to bill your clients for the hours you have worked on their case, and this is where Bonsai comes to shine. It is the top invoicing tool that will track all the hours you have worked and then create an invoice based on that. You can set the rate yourself, depending on how you want to bill your clients.
Once the invoices have been created, it will send them to your clients so that they know they have to pay. However, if they fail to do so, then they will get automatic reminders to pay you as soon as possible. Bonsai will enable you to focus on more important things as it takes care of invoicing, scheduling, and other such repetitive tasks.
Key Features:
- Invoicing templates
- Tracking hours
- Personalized invoices
- Simple payment systems
- Recurring payments
Reasons To Use:
- It will eliminate the need for hiring administrative staff
- You can build your client list with Bonsai
- Everything is automated for your convenience and ease
Reasons To Avoid:
- You will have to learn how to set it up for a seamless experience
2. QuickBooks Online – best software for firms already using QuickBooks
PRICING: A 30-day free trial is available. Simple Start tier cost $20/month and allows customized invoices, sync bank accounts, and track time and expenses.
Essentials tier costs $40/month and includes instantaneous sales reporting as well as bill payment.
Plus tier costs $70/month and includes inventory tracking and the ability to prepare and print 1099s.
Advanced tier costs $150/month and includes support for up to 25 users, as well as time-tracking functionality, smart reports, premium Priority Circle care, and accelerated invoicing.
KEY FEATURES:
- Budgeting and forecasting tools
- Ability to process payments alongside invoicing
- Cloud-based access and storage
REASONS TO USE:
- Easy customization of reports
- Handle all financial information and transactions in one place
- Seamless integration with other QuickBooks products
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Limited to native payment system – no support for third-party integrations
- Negative feedback for customer service and support features
- Tends to be glitchy and lag
3. Clio – best software for growing law firms
PRICING: Clio offers four pricing tiers.
- EasyStart at $49/month per user which allows access to basic time-tracking, payment, invoicing, and managing features.
- Essentials tier – $79/month per user. The added features include document templates, workflow automation, QuickBooks/Zoom integration, and a secure communication portal.
- Advanced tier – $119/month per user, including advanced task management and business insights for reporting.
- Complete tier – $149/month per user allowing access to ClioManage and ClioGrow.
KEY FEATURES:
- 1-click generation of invoices, bills, and payment receipts
- Cloud-based mobile app for time tracking
- Focus on client account management using the Clio Manage organizational feature
REASONS TO USE:
- Fast document processing and issuance
- Easily generate customized invoices
- Strong client focus – support for scheduling meetings, storing and organizing client details, and automated personalized documents
REASONS TO AVOID:
- High cost, especially for the most useful features
- Lack of support for file movement and management
- Report generation is lacking
4. Time Doctor – best software for accurate reporting
PRICING: Free tier available with basic features such as hours and task tracking in the desktop version. The paid version is $9.99/per month per user and incorporates employee monitoring, reporting, and communication support.
KEY FEATURES:
- Manual time and hours of editing
- Screen capture functionality for updating clients on progress
- Intuitive monitoring of keystrokes, mouse movements, web and app usage for multiple monitors
REASONS TO USE:
- Highly affordable and simple pricing
- Easy to download and navigate
- Useful payroll tools
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Short free trial period
- Lack of mobile apps and payment processing support
- Features may be too simplistic for some business needs
5. TimeSolv – best software for simplicity
PRICING: One basic tier is available, costing $39.95/month per user. A free 30-day trial is available.
KEY FEATURES:
- Cloud-based app
- Can create custom tags for clients and documents
- Bill multiple clients for the same work
REASONS TO USE:
- Reasonably priced
- Functionality to allow storage of information
- Can track both expenses and time
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Simplistic features – may not suit more complex needs
- Non-intuitive UX
- No capability to produce reports
6. MyCase – best software for small businesses
PRICING: The Basic tier begins at $39/month per user, billed annually with access to a reasonable suite of features including unlimited document storage and billing. The Pro tier costs $59/month per user, billed annually, and gives all of the Basic features, secure document sharing and signing, integrations with QuickBooks, and more.
KEY FEATURES:
- Easy integration with QuickBooks to assist with accounting
- Quick invoice production
- iOS and Android app for seamless time tracking
REASONS TO USE:
- A comprehensive set of features for a reasonable price – perfect for start-ups or small businesses
- Automated workflows to save time on repeated tasks
- Ability to store and share online calendars seamlessly
REASONS TO AVOID:
- No accounting features
- Reporting functionality is not available
- Customer support may be unreliable
7. Rocket Matter – best software for enterprises of all sizes
PRICING: The Essentials plan costs $39/month per user and supports basic time and matter management as well as tracking and billing functionality. The Pro plan costs $69/month per user for increased customizations and reporting, secure document sharing, and a client payment portal. The Premier tier costs $99/month per user for access to automated billings, advanced intelligent business insights, and customized role permissions. Annual billing receives a 10% discount per user/month.
KEY FEATURES:
- Extensive project management features e.g. Kanban boards and organized document storage
- Automated billing including customizable rates and scheduling
- Advanced reporting and tracking of KPIs such as productivity
REASONS TO USE:
- Cloud-based storage, app integration
- Affordable and scaled pricing tiers make it easy to choose the right package for individual business needs
- High level of customization
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Higher tiers may be more expensive than competitors
- UX can be confusing to navigate
- Limited support for in-app communications
8. AbacusNext – best software for complex businesses
PRICING: The Amicus Cloud tier costs $59/month per user, and comprises the essential practice management and billing services in a cloud-based app, aimed at SMEs.
The Abacus Law tier offers the standard management software with built-in accounting features, and Amicus Attorney offers all features with full Microsoft 365 and QuickBooks integration. Both tiers are downloadable software and prices are given on request; AbacusNext also offers potential clients the option of a live demo of these higher tiers.
KEY FEATURES:
- Mobile app for on-the-go time tracking
- Calendar integration with automated reminders
- Possibility of integrated payment link with invoices
REASONS TO USE:
- Ease of requesting invoice payments using sister product APX PayNow
- High level of security due to the private cloud offering
- Options for businesses with different sectors and sizes
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Low customer satisfaction scores
- Obscure pricing for higher tiers
- Less user-friendly; may require onboarding
9. LawBility – best software for employee management
PRICING: Limited information about payment options is available, however, plans begin at $30/month per user and a free trial is available.
KEY FEATURES:
- Ability to export invoices in LEDES or LSS formats
- Integrates other HR aspects such as timesheets and leave requests and approvals
- GPS tracking with app integration and real-time notifications
REASONS TO USE:
- Highly user-friendly with great customer support
- Integration with popular software such as InvoiceTracker and LawPay
- Easy and secure storage of customer data
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Newer than other competitors – may be updates needed
- Limited customer support
- Obscure pricing structure
References and Links
- https://biz30.timedoctor.com/time-and-billing-software-for-law-firms/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-legal-billing-software/
- https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal/clio-legal-profile/
- https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-online/reviews
- https://lawbillity.com/customer-reviews/