Smokeball Reviews

Pros

Really happy with this product overall and the customer support has been excellent. I'd definitely recommend it.

Cons

Honestly there's nothing about the product that I dislike.

Pros

Keeping files organized is much more manageable with this software and the memo feature has been especially useful.

Cons

One thing it's missing is a feature to track retainer amounts.

Pros

The software offerings are really strong and the company's staff has been a pleasure to work with.

Cons

The billing reports could use a bit more depth and complexity for mid-size firms.

Pros

Having access to the information I need from home has been a huge benefit and makes staying on top of things much more convenient.

Cons

I'd still like to see more trust account reporting options especially reports by firm instead of only by matter.

Pros

It connects really well with Microsoft Outlook, Word and the rest of the Microsoft tools which makes day-to-day work much more convenient.

Cons

The pricing setup can be a bit frustrating.

Pros

Right from the start, it felt very simple and I was able to teach myself how to use it without much trouble. On the rare occasions I've had questions, they've been answered right away and handled without any hassle.

Cons

I really haven't run into any downsides with Smokeball. It's been excellent and covers all of my client and matter needs.

Pros

The platform feels very user friendly and the time-saving features really make a difference.

Cons

I honestly don't have anything negative to say about this program.

Pros

Automatic time tracking has been terrific and really stands out.

Cons

A few features aren't quite as user-friendly as they could be so there's a bit of a learning curve in some areas.

Pros

The organization and efficiency have really helped our firm run better and stay on top of things.

Cons

It can be slow sometimes and the interface can occasionally feel annoying to navigate.

Pros

Smokeball offered a wide range of helpful tools that were valuable for a law firm.

Cons

There were a few downsides, mainly that the tools were not always very user-friendly. At times, they seemed to create extra work instead of actually saving time. The accounting side especially was difficult to work with. Making corrections or updates was not a quick fix compared with other programs we've used. Customer service also needs to be clearer and better aligned in how they present what is offered to potential customers because it can feel misleading. On top of that, the monthly cost was high and did not feel cost-effective for our firm.

Pros

Between the AI time tracking, cloud-based storage, billing and accounting features and all the software integrations, this product really stands out. I'd gladly recommend it to any of my peers.

Cons

On an older computer with lower RAM, it can run a little sluggish at times.

Pros

Having access to client files and documents no matter where I am has been incredibly valuable. Whether I'm working from home and checking things on my phone, heading to court with my laptop or using my iPad on the go, my files are always available through Smokeball. I'm never stuck without what I need and during the COVID-19 situation, that kind of access became especially important for my office.

Cons

One thing still missing is the ability to transfer client or opposing counsel text messages (SMS) directly into their Smokeball directory. Once that feature is added, I honestly think Smokeball will be just about perfect.

Pros

Being able to adjust forms to fit our firm is a huge plus and having state-specific forms ready for court filings and real estate work makes the software even more valuable.

Cons

bringing files in from outside Smokeball has some limitations. While copy and paste would seem like the simplest option, a lot of the time you still have to save the file first and then import it.

Pros

It works really well with Microsoft products and the customer service has been outstanding.

Cons

The software isn't compatible with my Mac.

Pros

Right from the demo, it clicked with the way I work and that was probably the biggest reason it stood out to me. It also felt very clear that this software was created by lawyers for lawyers, not by developers trying to guess what legal users need. That came across immediately during the presentation. Another big advantage is how well it fits small and solo firms. It includes all the usual case management features but it goes beyond that with things like built-in forms, website design and hosting and automation for the forms and letters I use most often. On top of that, it is tailored by practice area too. You're not boxed in but you can choose your areas and use their prebuilt workflows and schedules that match those practices, then customize them if needed.

Cons

One issue I ran into was attaching emails to closed files although the most recent update fixed that problem. The only thing I still wish were more flexible is changing my charge rate within each file. Since my rate varies depending on the matter type, I currently have to edit each individual time entry instead of adjusting it more directly.

Pros

It keeps everything for my practice together in one place and the automatic time tracking has been a big boost to my profitability.

Cons

There really isn't much that bother me.

Pros

Being able to share and view documents in real time, along with having all of our clients' contact details in one place, has been very helpful. The document templates are also a big time-saver and really speed up our work.

Cons

I do wish it worked better on iPad and didn't use quite so much RAM while running.

Pros

Keeping every detail tied to a client file in one organized place has been the best part of using it. It makes it much easier to find exactly what I need for a matter without wasting time searching around. The document automation is another huge plus and saves me a lot of time. The system is simple to work with and whenever something comes up, the support team is very helpful at getting it resolved.

Cons

The one drawback with Smokeball is that it does not auto-populate immigration forms.

Pros

Having all calls, emails, documents and notes kept together in one place makes it simple to locate anything when needed. The program is very user-friendly so even someone brand new can get comfortable with it quickly. Being able to keep time records and documents organized in the order they were completed is pretty helpful. The billing side is excellent as well. It tracks the time spent drafting motions and reviewing case materials accurately and because of that, our monthly billing now takes less than half the time it used to.

Cons

There really isn't much to complain about. If I had to point out one thing, it would be that the latest billing update no longer lets me change the subject line on a bill. That said whenever there's something I'd want adjusted in Smokeball or Billing, I can reach out to their team directly with the request. They respond very quickly and every interaction I've had with the Smokeball staff has been pleasant and informative. They've also taught me a lot about how to use the program better for my specific needs.

Pros

Everything centralized in one system is a huge plus, whether I'm working from home, at the office or anywhere with a computer. I'm also a big fan of the email wraparound feature since it keeps all the emails tied to a specific case together in one place.

Cons

I really wish it worked on my iPad and iPhone. I'd also love it to be faster because pages can take a while to load quite often.