Legal workflow automation software centralizes intake requests, approvals, and task routing. At the same time, it provides visibility into workload and turnaround times.
This guide evaluates leading legal workflow automation platforms based on real-world use cases and depth of automation to help stakeholders make informed decisions.
Software | Rating | Trial Info | Starting Price | Best For | Main Features |
Clio Software - Editor’s Choice | 4.4/5 | 7-day free trial View Demo | Starts at $59/user/month Get a Custom Quote | Automated legal practice and case management workflows |
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5/5 | No free trial available View Demo | Starts at $20,900 Get a Custom Quote | Automated legal intake, triage, and approval workflows for in-house legal teams |
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4.2/5 | 14-day free trial View Demo | Custom pricing Get a Custom Quote
| Automated end-to-end contract lifecycle management workflows with AI-driven contract creation and approval automation |
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4.8/5 | No free trial available View Demo | Custom pricing Get a Custom Quote | Automated matter and task workflow management with integrated case automation for small law firms |
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4.8/5 | 14-day free trial View Demo | Starts at $49/month/user Get a Custom Quote | Automated visual workflow and task management for legal teams using kanban-style case pipelines |
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4.2/5 | 10-day free trial View Demo | Starts at $40/user/month Get a Custom Quote | Automated time tracking and billing workflows for legal professionals and law firms |
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3.9/5 | No free trial available View Demo | Custom pricing Get a Custom Quote | Automated legal research and document drafting workflows that accelerate insight and reduce manual effort for legal teams |
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3.8/5 | Free trial available View Demo | Custom pricing Get a Custom Quote | Automated rule-based matter and workflow management for law firms and legal teams |
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3.5/5 | Free trial available View Demo | Custom pricing Get a Custom Quote | Automated enterprise legal operations and approval workflows for large legal departments and legal ops teams |
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4.6/5 | No free trial View Demo | Starts at $15/user/month Get a Custom Quote | Automated signature and agreement workflow routing with conditional signing and approval logic |
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4.1/5 | No free trial View Demo | Custom pricing Get a Custom Quote | Automated document-centric workflows and collaboration for legal operations and matter management teams |
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1. Clio – Editor's Choice
Clio is a cloud-based legal practice management platform that centralizes and automates client intake, matter management, and billing, among other legal workflows. The structured intake forms, configurable workflows, and unified matter tracking replace excessive email communication and other manual processes.
Pros | Cons |
Multiple payment methods simplify client transaction Integrations and automation reduce manual reporting and follow-ups Intuitive interface makes daily operations easy and efficient | Users have reported slow email filings No native accounting module, possibly requiring third-party integration for financial management |
Best For
Clio works best for small to mid-sized law firms and in-house legal teams that want structured workflow automation without heavy technical setup. The software is commonly used across specialties such as civil litigation, family law, and corporate advisory.
Key Features
- Client Intake
- Billing And Collections
- Clio Case Management
- Document Management
- Task Management
Pricing
The platform offers two pricing modules; Business Law and Practice of law with basic EasyStart plan starting at $59/user/month comes with capabilities like client billing, built-in e-signature, and tracking capabilities time. Other plans include:
Business of law
- Essentials - $99/user/month
- Advanced - $139/user/month
- Expand - $169/user/month
Practice of law
- Clio Work - $199/user/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
The software stands out with its approachability to legal teams aiming to move away from email-based workflows. The intake forms, task automation, and matter tracking are easy to customize and implement across teams. The configuration reduces follow-ups and process inconsistencies.
User Ratings
Clio is rated 4.4/5 based on multiple user reviews, users frequently highlight usability, centralized workflow visibility, and strong matter organization, though some users note limitations in advanced customization for complex needs or non-standard legal workflows.
2. Streamline AI
Streamline AI is a legal end-to-end workflow automation platform designed for modern in-house legal teams. It combines no-code workflow configuration with AI-driven intake, triage, and task routing to replace manual, email-based request management. The platform centralizes legal requests from channels such as Slack and Salesforce, helping minimize administrative tasks, and improving collaboration.
Pros | Cons |
Easy-to-use configuration simplifies ongoing form updates without technical effort Quick form creation supports rapid operational scaling Multi-channel messaging via email, app, and Slack | Reporting capabilities feel limited compared to competitors Reduced flexibility limits response to unexpected changes |
Best For
Streamline AI is ideal for in-house legal departments at mid-market and enterprise organizations that need to automate intake, review, and approval workflows while staying aligned across legal and business stakeholders.
Key Features
- Request Intake
- Workflow Automation
- AI-Powered Contract Review
- Matter Management
Pricing
The platform has two pricing plans, each includes 4 core user licenses:
- Pro - $20,900
- Enterprise - $26,900
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
Streamline AI is differentiated by its no-code automation designed specifically for legal teams. The specific capability allows teams to create and modify complex workflows without technical effort. AI-based intake and triage tools convert unstructured requests into structured workflows, apply conditional logic, and trigger automated actions aligned with internal legal policies.
User Ratings
Rated 5/5 based on multiple user reviews. Users note intuitive setup, easy workflow configuration, and dedicated customer support, while some users would like to see broader integrations as they scale.
3. Ironclad
Ironclad is a contract lifecycle management platform that helps legal and business teams standardize and automate contract workflows. Its drag-and-drop workflow builder uses conditional logic and standardized templates to manage intake, review, negotiation, approval, and execution from a single system.
Pros | Cons |
Efficient automation that boosts team productivity Quick setups enable document initiation promptly Intuitive user interface with fast response times | Customization requires additional configuration effort Mobile application only provides essential features |
Best For
Ironclad is best for md-sized to large legal and contract operations teams, enterprise legal departments, and business units that handle large volumes of contract creation and approval.
Key Features
- Automation
- AI Assistant
- Contract Lifecycle Management
Pricing
Ironclad uses a flexible pricing model that is tailored to each organization’s needs, based on selected products such as contract lifecycle management, AI tools, and eSignature, as well as the number of users, workflows, and integrations required.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
The platform is really well at handling contract workflows at scale. Legal operations teams can establish complex approval paths and conditional steps without writing code, supporting sophisticated governance requirements. Its workflow builder simplifies the design of multi-stage contract processes, while SLA monitoring keeps stakeholders aligned.
User Ratings
The platform is rated 4.2/5 according to numerous user reviews. Users frequently praise its powerful workflow automation and strong contract visibility, while some reviewers point out that the platform’s email management can be complicated.
4. Smokeball
Smokeball is a legal practice management solution designed for small law firms that integrate case management with built-in workflow automation. It supports task automation, structured matter workflows, automated time tracking along with document assembly to reduce labor-intensive effort in everyday legal work.
Pros | Cons |
Intuitive interface that easily manages files, documents, and calendars Integrated InfoTrack allows easy electronic filing of pleadings Easy to store files and search them through search engine Forms and templates simplify document and pleading generation | Initial setup can take time Reporting feature could be made simpler, according to software users Trust accounting not offered |
Best For
Smokeball is ideal for small to mid-sized law firms across practices such as personal injury, family law, and estate planning that need automated matter workflows and built-in productivity features.
Key Features
- LeadPro Client Intake
- Smokeball Payments
- Email Management
- Legal Calendaring
- Electronic Signatures
Pricing
Smokeball’s pricing is structured around multi-level subscription plans designed for law firms. It offers the following plans with customized pricing:
- Bill
- Boost
- Grow
- Prosper+
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
Smokeball sets itself apart by integrating matter-centric automation with strong document assembly and time capture in a single platform purpose-built for small to mid-sized law practices. Preconfigured workflow templates help standardize recurring activities such as intake, follow-ups, and deadline monitoring, while automated time and activity tracking improves billing accuracy.
User Ratings
Smokeball is rated 4.8/5 based on user reviews, with users frequently praising its effective automation of repetitive tasks, while some note that advanced customization options may be limited.
5. Lawcus
Lawcus is a legal practice management and workflow automation platform that helps legal teams manage matter intake, assign tasks, and track work visually through a kanban-style interface. It allows teams to configure workflow pipelines that automate task routing, deadline tracking, and notifications, reducing reliance on manual checklists and email coordination.
Pros | Cons |
Allows for easy assignment and tracking of tasks Helps law firms accurately record billable hours and expenses Enables workflow automation, saving time on repetitive tasks Helpful and responsive customer support | Some UI elements could use updates Lacks detailed user activity tracking Some issues with the customization of features |
Best For
Lawcus is best for small to mid-sized law firms and legal teams that want a visual, easy-to-configure workflow automation system with matter management and built-in client engagement features.
Key Features
- End-To-End Matter Management
- Time And Expense Tracking
- Integrated Billing And Trust Accounting
- No-Code Automation
- Secure Client Portal And Collaboration
- Appointment Scheduler
- Kanban Boards
Pricing
Lawcus offers tiered monthly pricing with an Essential plan starting at $49/month/user, equipped with features such as case and matter management, trust accounting, and billing. Other plans include:
- Growth - $69/month/user
- Elite - $89/month/user
- Enterprise – Custom pricing
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
The platform combines visual case pipelines with no-code workflow automation that aligns with existing legal team processes. A drag-and-drop workflow builder simplifies task configuration, while automated reminders and deadline tracking improve follow-through and accountability.
User Ratings
The platform is rated 4.8/5 based on multiple user reviews, with users appreciating its customizable workflows and strong automation foundation, while some mention that the search capability is somehow limited.
6. TimeSolv
TimeSolv is a legal billing and time management solution that combines detailed time tracking with automated billing and administrative task management. It helps teams focus on high-value work by streamlining tedious routine functions including time entry, billing notifications, expense management, and invoice creation – while also improving billing and revenue consistency.
Pros | Cons |
User-friendly interface Customizable invoicing templates Secure data storage and encryption Proven customer retention | Lacks built-in payroll functionality Occasional delays in customer support Advanced features require additional cost |
Best For
TimeSolv is best for small to mid-sized law firms and solo practitioners that prioritize automated time management, billing workflows, and simplified financial management alongside matter oversight.
Key Features
- Project And Task Management
- Matter Budgets
- Time Tracking
- Client Portal
Pricing
TimeSolv offers two pricing plans:
- TimeSolv Pro - $40/user/month
- TimeSolv Legal - $55/user/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
TimeSolv stands out for automating key financial and administrative workflows such as capturing billable time across devices, sending automated invoice reminders, and creating detailed billing reports without manual reconciliation.
User Ratings
Rated 4.2/5 based on multiple user reviews. Users frequently highlight its intuitive time management and billing automation, while some note that the reporting feature could be improved with more customization capabilities.
7. LexisNexis
LexisNexis provides a broad portfolio of legal research, analytics, and workflow support tools. It is designed to help legal teams accelerate research, organize knowledge, and reduce continuous effort in case preparation and compliance work. While authoritative legal content remains its strength, the software extends this value through workflow-oriented capabilities including structured research organization, document management integrations, and citation tracking.
Pros | Cons |
Extensive legal and regulatory database AI-driven insights for faster decisions Reliable compliance and audit tools | Interface may require initial adjustment Occasional delays in data updates |
Best For
LexisNexis is best for law firms and in-house legal departments of all sizes that require extensive legal research, analytics, and research-linked workflow support within a wider legal work.
Key Features
- Legal Research
- Practical Guidance
- Business And News Intelligence
- Risk Solutions And Due Diligence
Pricing
The software provides configurable and flexible pricing plans designed to align with varying business requirements and operational needs.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
The platform combines AI-enhanced legal research with workflow-supporting features such as saved research templates, alerts for legal developments, and tools that reduce redundant research. Integrations with practice management and document management systems further embed research outputs into broader matter workflows.
User Ratings
The platform is rated 3.9/5 based on various reviews. Users frequently highlight its extensive research database and relevance of results, while some note that pricing complexity and ease of adoption for advanced features can be limited.
8. Actionstep
Actionstep is a legal practice management platform built to make law firm operations simpler in their day-to-day work. It facilitates the automation of legal workflows, manage matters, and keep operations moving using a flexible, no-code rules engine that adapts to how a firm actually works.
Pros | Cons |
Regular updates Comprehensive suite of tools Enables custom workflows Excellent customer support | Budgeting capabilities could be better, according to software users Initial training required Billing features requires updates |
Best For
Actionstep is best for small to mid-sized law firms and legal teams that need a highly configurable automation platform with matter management, workflow logic, and practice-specific templates.
Key Features
- Client And Matter Management
- Document Automation
- Billing And Accounting
- Client Portal
- Time Tracking
Pricing
Actionstep’s pricing is primarily subscription-based and charged per user, with customized quotes provided upon request. The pricing modules include:
- Practice Management
- Legal Accounting
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
The difference between Actionstep and any other platform lies in its potent workflow automation. Without writing code, legal teams can develop rule-based processes that reflect real-world practice. Assigning tasks, enforcing deadlines, triggering reminders and routing work can all be done automatically with matter data being stored all in a single location.
User Ratings
The platform is rated 3.8/5 based on multiple user reviews. Users often praise its configurable workflows and strong automation foundation, while some mention that the learning curve for configuring complex rules could be difficult for new users.
9. Onit
Onit is a legal operations and workflow automation enterprise platform that assists legal, contracts, and compliance teams to standardize and automate complex operations. The platform unifies legal request intake and routing, automates end to end matter and contract lifecycle, and approval workflows with role-based reporting and data security.
Pros | Cons |
Clean, user-friendly interface with intuitive dashboard design Scalable architecture fits large enterprise legal departments AI‑native framework automates repetitive manual tasks | Implementation may require dedicated legal‑ops resources Customer support response times may vary |
Best For
Onit is best for large enterprise legal departments, global contracts, and legal operations functions that need comprehensive automation across matters, contracts, spend, and compliance workflows.
Key Features
- Legal Management (ELM)
- Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)
- AI-Powered Spend Management
- Workflow App Studio
Pricing
The software offers customizable pricing options designed to meet various legal business requirements and operational demands.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
It establishes a unique position by unifying legal operations automation, contract lifecycle management, and matter tracking within a unified platform purpose-built for complex enterprise environments. Its configurable no-code workflow studio and AI automate intake, approvals, vendor interactions, and obligation tracking without the need for extensive resources.
User Ratings
Rated 3.5/5 based on multiple user reviews. Users appreciate the platform’s simple contract sharing and intake, though some note that initial training is needed.
10. DocuSign
DocuSign is a widely used agreement and digital transaction management platform built to automate electronic signatures and agreement-related workflows. In addition to e-signature functionality, it provides automated document routing, conditional signing sequences, and integration with document management systems, allowing legal teams to accelerate contract execution.
Pros | Cons |
Allows tracking of signature requests and signatory logs Customizable default signatures for repetitive documents The electronic signing and sending process is seamless Provides clear visibility into document signing progress | Keeps sending reminders even after documents are emailed No option to create reusable templates for recurring documents Unable to update personal information like a changed last name |
Best For
DocuSign is best for legal teams across industries that need reliable, secure, and automated signature and agreement workflows combined with broader process tools.
Key Features
- eSignature
- Document Generation
- Identity
- Payments
- Notary
- Digital Signatures
Pricing
The platform offers two extensive pricing modules each offering additional plans. These are:
IAM + eSignature plans
- IAM Starter - $65/user/month
- IAM Standard - $75/user/month
- IAM Professional - $95/user/month
- Enhanced Plans – Custom pricing
eSignature Plans
- Personal - $15/month
- Standard - $45/user/month
- Business Pro - $65/user/month
- Enhanced Plans – Custom pricing
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
The platform excels by leveraging its strong emphasis on signature-centric automation, particularly its conditional routing and signing order logic, which minimizes email-driven follow-ups and process friction. Its broad integration ecosystem allows agreement automation to be seamlessly embedded into larger contracts and business workflows.
User Ratings
DocuSign holds an average user rating of 4.6/5, with reviewers commonly highlighting its dependable automation of signing and routing workflows. Some users note that uploading actual signatures on the document is limited.
11. HighQ
HighQ is a legal operations and collaboration platform by Thomson Reuters that is a secure and cloud-based tool that combines workflow, document, and project/matter management in one platform. Its no-code workflow platform enables teams to specify conditional rules that automatically create tasks, send notifications, update records, and work with documents in response to triggers, like deadlines, document updates, or task completion.
Pros | Cons |
Offers robust version control and secure file sharing Streamlines processes, enhancing efficiency Facilitates secure client communication and document exchange Enables simultaneous document editing by multiple users Allows detailed access control | Some advanced features lack flexibility Occasional system slowdowns and crashes Insufficient self-help resources Limited storage for large firms |
Best For
HighQ is best for mid-sized to large law firms, corporate legal departments, and legal operations teams seeking comprehensive workflow automation combined with collaboration and document-centric process support.
Key Features
- Financial Management
- Generative AI
- Legal Forms
- Legal Data And Document Management
- Law Firm Marketing
Pricing
The platform delivers flexible pricing plans according to business requirements and scale. These include:
- HighQ Essentials
- HighQ Advanced
- HighQ Premium
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Why We Like It
HighQ stands out as it integrates automation of workflow with powerful document automation and collaboration functionalities tailored to legal teams. Compliance activities, due diligence, and tracking of matters can be facilitated by integration with document management systems and AI-enhanced functionality, minimizing administrative overhead and enabling legal teams to spend more time on work that adds higher value.
User Ratings
HighQ is rated 4.1/5 based on verified user reviews, with users frequently praising its powerful workflow creation options and secure collaboration capabilities, while some note that complexity and learning curve might be demanding for smaller teams.
In choosing the legal workflow automation software, organizations need to focus on platforms that enable structured intake, routing of tasks that can be configured and approval workflows that are based on how legal work is initiated and proceeds in practice. No and low-code workflow builders are essential because they enable legal departments to modify processes without the persistent use of IT resources.
Moreover, reporting, audit trails, and analytics must also be well considered to make visibility of workload allocation, cycle time, and compliance requirements easy.
How To Choose The Best Software To Automate Legal Workflow
- Start by evaluating what and how much legal work the team handles, including high-volume intake requests, contract reviews, approval workflows, or matter tracking, since various platforms are best suited to various points in the legal process
- Smaller organizations can consider solutions that focus on the fast deployment of applications, and the workflows are ready-to-use, but larger or more complicated organizations can consider the level of no-code customization, conditional logic, and scalability
- Another consideration is the software’s integration with the current legal systems, email, document management systems, CLM, and finance systems to reduce manual handoffs
- Lastly, demos should be utilized by organizations to test the usability, reporting potential, and whether the platform provides the organization with clarity into workflow status, performance metrics, and compliance requirements
What Not To Overlook
Organizations that are assessing legal workflow automation software must be able to ensure that the platform has secure data management, role-based access controls, and comprehensive audit trails to secure sensitive legal data information and satisfy compliance requirements. Inbuilt alerts, time management, and permission alerts are also vital to avoid delayed responsibilities and last-minute rush.
Moreover, good vendor support and organized onboarding resources are vital in speeding up the adoption and mitigating disruption during the implementation. Lastly, the software must provide continuous flexibility, enabling legal departments to change and adapt workflows with time as legal, regulatory and functional requirements evolve.