Clio Software Reviews

Pros

Once it is connected to QBO, it tends to run with very few problems. Since I use it strictly as a contract bookkeeper and do not work in it day to day, I really value Clio's customer service team. They are patient and they consistently help me work through any questions or issues related to the accounting software integration.

Cons

When syncing errors come up with the accounting software, the fixes are not always very clear. In those cases, I usually need to contact customer service to get help resolving them.

Pros

Being cloud-based is definitely a plus and entering slips is fairly simple. Still, if the information can't be pulled out and shared with clients on time, it really undermines the whole point of trying to collect revenue.

Cons

The reporting tools are missing critical data that already exists in the system. There's also no aged work-in-progress report which is a major omission. On top of that, there isn't a dedicated representative to help with firm-specific business questions. If your firm submits LEDES files, it's probably worth looking at other software options.

Pros

Monthly client billing only takes me about an hour or two to finish, even when I have a full batch to process. Being able to send a PDF bill directly from the program is something I really appreciate. The task scheduling feature has also helped me move my to-do list out of email and into Clio and the reminders have been especially useful.

Cons

Like any software, Clio still has some room to improve. The reporting options do not always match exactly what I need but I have been able to find workarounds to pull the information I'm looking for.

Pros

Between the billing tools, notes, integrations and calendaring, it covers just about everything our office relies on every day. Honestly there isn't a feature in Clio Manage that goes unused in our practice. The ability to connect other apps with Clio has also been incredibly valuable. Case management, billing and task tracking are all very manageable and it helps us stay organized and aware of important deadlines coming up. On top of that, Clio's support team is consistently friendly, proactive and quick to respond. Anytime an issue comes up, they jump in right away and help get it resolved.

Cons

There really isn't a feature that I would point to as a least favorite. Thank you!

Pros

Everything feels much more organized now and we're getting paid a lot faster. We've also built solid systems and processes around Clio that have really improved our overall workflow.

Cons

There are a lot of features included so it isn't always immediately clear how to handle certain tasks.

Pros

After moving over from Timeslips a few years ago, the difference was clear right away. Timeslips felt outdated and clunky and on top of that we didn't have any tech support to rely on. With Clio, I've been able to handle billing much more directly, including emailing clients through the software from our firm's email account, without constantly needing the office manager to step in for invoicing. When clients do have billing questions, they still know to contact the office manager, who handles the broader accounting side. Another big plus is Clio's support team. Whenever user issues or questions come up, I can reach them easily and their responses have consistently been quick and accurate.

Cons

The one downside I remember was during the switch from Timeslips to Clio. There were some migration problems and if I recall correctly, certain client details especially addresses, didn't transfer properly. I ended up having to re-enter some of that information from scratch in Clio.

Pros

It feels very simple and the layout is easy to navigate. The task feature is useful and the calendaring tools are also very easy to work with.

Cons

I do wish there were an option to attach documents directly to the Tasks feature.

Pros

None of the features met my expectations or felt satisfactory to me.

Cons

This CRM simply doesn't work as it should and the price feels far too high for what you get. Customer support was disappointing and the sales team came across as overly aggressive.

Pros

I find it very user-friendly and the search feature is simple to use. Opening and saving documents is also quick and simple.

Cons

I'd love to see the ability to click the category column and have matching categories grouped together since that would make searching even better.

Pros

Billing works really well and the case management side is user-friendly. It's also a big plus that I don't have to spend time dealing with updates and being cloud-based makes everything much more convenient.

Cons

The document management features, along with document sharing and e-discovery, could be better.

Pros

Having everything gathered in one system has been a huge help. It lets me store emails and documents, track hours and expenses and keep all the contact details tied to each file in one place. The calendar integration with Outlook is also really useful since it keeps me from having to enter the same information twice.

Cons

I'd like to see more contact categories on the main Contacts screen instead of only people or companies. It would be helpful to sort them into groups like banks, accountants, other law firms and similar contacts.

Pros

It has been really helpful for our law firm when it comes to storing multiple versions of the same documents and keeping our calendar readily available. Even when we're away from the office, we can still pull up client files without any trouble. Another part I appreciate is being able to track the amount of work completed on a case and look back at notes from different team members who are all collaborating on it.

Cons

The billing system isn't really my favorite since our office mostly relies on QuickBooks instead.

Pros

Using it has helped us capture more billable time and it has made managing trust funds very simple. Setting up new matters and entering new clients is simple for everyone on the team. Since each user tracks and bills their own time, our firm runs much more efficiently overall. We absolutely love CLIO!

Cons

One thing that would make it even better is the ability to print reports directly from a client's dashboard for that specific client.

Pros

The customer support has been brilliant, the range of services is really comprehensive and the interface feels user-friendly to use.

Cons

My only wish is that Clio Grow would communicate with Clio Manage instantly and without any delay.

Pros

After getting our database set up and the customizations in place, I've been able to manage every part of my practice, both client work and administrative tasks, from wherever I am.

Cons

There is definitely a learning curve and not every workflow feels user-friendly at first but once you understand how it works, the platform becomes extremely simple to use.

Pros

Billing is simple and the app has been a nice part of using the software.

Cons

Clio does have some pretty serious shortcomings. When I bring them up and ask for a fix, I just get sent to a page to "request a new feature," where it seems they wait until enough users complain before addressing the issue. That is frustrating especially because they do not tell you about these problems upfront so you end up discovering them on your own.

Pros

It's been really useful for handling billing and keeping track of cases in one place.

Cons

There's definitely a bit of a learning curve when it comes to getting familiar with all of the product's features.

Pros

One area where it really delivers is rules-based calendaring. It also includes workflow creation, a client portal and a mobile app. Another nice touch is being able to create a contact while setting up a matter which makes the process more convenient.

Cons

Email syncing to a matter is still a hassle. If I need to attach an email to a matter, I have to send it first, then go into the Sent folder and manually connect that sent message to the matter. It also doesn't support automatic future billing so if you run a criminal defense firm and have clients on payment plans, invoices can't be automatically sent out on a schedule. MyCase is the only platform I've seen that handles that. There's also no automatic time tracking when, for example, you begin drafting an email to a client. Pricing is another downside, Clio splits features across three tiers ($39, $59 or $99 per month) so you have to upgrade to access certain tools. With other platforms like MyCase, PracticePanther or Smokeball, you get the full feature set without needing to move up to a higher plan.

Pros

It's among the few legal practice management platforms that offers an API for connecting with other tools. That adds a lot to what the system can do since you're able to link Clio data with outside platforms and also bring external data back into Clio.

Cons

Clio Grow has been frustrating ever since it launched. There have been plenty of promises about making the product better and improving how it works with Clio Manage something that honestly should never have been split into two separate services in the first place but there hasn't been much visible progress. At this stage, Clio Grow still feels immature. It handles a few basic tasks but it doesn't seem ready for real-world use.

Pros

Clio is what I use to run my whole law firm. It handles matter management, invoicing, trust accounting, reporting and more all in one place. Honestly it's an unbelievable product.

Cons

Clio Connect could definitely use an update. The feature itself is really valuable but the technology feels outdated and a bit clunky.