Best Legal Software 2021

Clio Manage vs. PracticePanther

Is Clio Manage or PracticePanther the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best legal practice management software to help grow your law firm.

Legal practice management software helps law firms optimize operations and grow their businesses. Because there are a variety of legal practice management solutions available on the market, choosing the best solution for you can be a difficult process.

We created a guide comparing Clio Manage versus PracticePanther, two popular legal practice management solutions, to simplify the purchasing process. We explore the differences between these vendors, and compare their unique features, to help you choose the best solution for your law firm.

Comparison Summary

Clio Manage and PracticePanther are both popular legal practice management solutions with thousands of customers each. Both solutions offer features that help legal professionals automate their firms and grow their businesses. These features include a dashboard, task management, document management, billing & invoicing, online payments, and reporting.

Clio Manage and PracticePanther offer similar functionality and pricing. However, the biggest difference between these solutions are their unique features. Clio Manage integrates with far more third-party solutions than PracticePanther. PracticePanther includes client intake forms, automated invoice reminders, and built-in texting in its platform.

When comparing the two, it's important to focus on the specific tools offered by each vendor, and the corresponding subscription price. Here's a quick test to determine which solution is best for you:

You'll prefer Clio Manage if:

  • You need a platform that integrates with over 200 third-party solutions
  • You desire free migration support in your solution’s base subscription
  • You desire flat fee and LEDES billing in your solution’s base subscription

Try Clio Manage Today

You'll prefer PracticePanther if:

  • You desire built-in CRM features in your solution
  • You desire a solution that offers client intake forms
  • Automated invoice reminders and texting are must-have features for you

Try PracticePanther Today


Table of Contents

Clio Manage & PracticePanther Price Comparison

Clio Manage and PracticePanther are both subscription-based services that charge a monthly fee to access their platforms. Pricing for both solutions starts at $49 per user per month. Additionally, both vendors offer discounts for annual contracts that are paid upfront.

Clio Manage Pricing Details

Clio Manage pricing ranges from $49 to $125 per user per month. The company offers a 8% to 22% discount for annual contracts that are paid upfront. Here’s an overview of Clio Manage’s pricing plans:

  • Starter plan: $49 per user per month
  • Boutique plan: $69 per user per month
  • Elite plan: $109 per user per month
  • Suite plan: $125 per user per month

PracticePanther Pricing Details

PracticePanther pricing ranges from $49 to $89 per month. The company offers a 11% to 22% discount for annual contracts that are paid upfront. Here’s an overview of PracticePanther’s pricing plans:

  • Solo plan: $49 per user per month
  • Essential plan: $69 per user per month
  • Business plan: $89 per user per month

Clio Manage & PracticePanther Feature Comparison

Clio Manage and PracticePanther both offer a variety of useful features that help law firms automate tasks and increase revenue. These solutions include a dashboard, task management, document management, billing & invoicing, online payments, and reporting.

Although both solutions offer similar functionality, there are several key differentiators you should consider:

  • Clio Manage offers far more integrations with third-party solutions than PracticePanther. Also, Clio Manage includes free migration support, flat fee billing, and LEDES billing in all of its subscription plans.
  • PracticePanther is the only solution that offers client intake forms, automated invoice reminders, and built-in texting.

For a full analysis of their features, read our Clio Manage and PracticePanther reviews.

FeatureClio ManagePracticePanther
DashboardYesYes
Contact managementYesYes
Client intake formsNoYes
CalendarYesYes
Task managementYesYes
Document managementYesYes
Time and expense trackingYesYes
Billing and invoicingYesYes
Automated invoice remindersNoYes
TextingNoYes
Online paymentsYesYes
ReportingYesYes
IntegrationsYesYes

Clio Manage's Unique Features

Clio Manage offers several features not found in PracticePanther. It's important to understand the features below to determine if Clio Manage is ideal for your business.

Integrations

Clio Manage offers over 200 integrations with third-party solutions. In contrast, PracticePanther offers less than 20 integrations on its platform. However, PracticePanther does integrate with many of the most important third-party solutions that your law firm will likely need including Box, QuickBooks, and Zapier. Check out our in-depth reviews for Clio Manage and PracticePanther for a full list of integrations.

Data Migration Support

Clio Manage includes free data migration support in all of its subscription plans. In contrast, PracticePanther only offers data migration support in its most expensive subscription plan. Depending on the solution you are currently using, Clio’s staff will help you import data including:

  • Calendars
  • Contacts
  • Matters
  • Tasks
  • Unbilled Time Entries & Expenses

Flat Fee and LEDES Billing

Both solutions offer various billing types including flat fee and LEDES billing. However, Clio Manage offers flat fee and LEDES billing in all of its subscription plans. In contrast, PracticePanther only offers these billing types in its most expensive subscription plan.

PracticePanther's Unique Features

PracticePanther offers several features not found in Clio Manage. It's important to understand the features below to determine if PracticePanther is ideal for your business.

Client Intake Forms

PracticePanther includes online client intake forms that help you capture new client information and reduce your administrative burden. You can share intake forms by email & text, or place the form on your website. New clients will enter essential information into these forms, and recorded details are automatically uploaded into PracticePanther’s database.

practicepanther online client intake form image

Client intake forms are only included in Clio Grow, an add-on CRM solution. A standalone subscription to Clio Grow costs $49 per user per month, or is available to be purchased as a bundle with Clio Manage for $115 per user per month.

Automated Invoice Reminders

PracticePanther offers automated invoice reminders to help law firms receive payments for outstanding balances. You can send an unlimited number of invoice reminders to your clients. Reminders are sent automatically at customizable time intervals before or after the invoice due date.

With Clio Manage, invoice reminders must be sent manually. However, you can send bulk invoice reminders to multiple clients simultaneously.

Text Messaging

PracticePanther includes texting capabilities in its platform. You can send text messages to your clients directly in PracticePanther, as well as receive automated text alerts for calendar events.

Clio Manage does not offer native texting. However, Clio Manage does offer several integrations with third-party solutions that have texting capabilities, such as Apptoto, HeyMarket, and ZipWhip.

Bottom Line

Clio Manage and PracticePanther are two of the best and most popular legal practice management solutions available. These solutions are both ideal for solo to medium sized law firms. Clio Manage and PracticePanther offer similar functionality, and are priced competitively.

The best legal practice management solution for your law firm will likely depend on which features you prefer:

  • If you desire a solution that offers a base subscription that includes over 200 integrations, free migration support, flat fee billing, and LEDES billing, then we recommend Clio Manage.
  • If you are looking for a solution that includes client intake forms, automated invoice reminders, and built-in texting, PracticePanther is the best choice for your law firm.

If you’re interested, visit Clio Manage or PracticePanther today to get started.

Lloyd Park

Lloyd Park is a Research Analyst at SoftwarePundit, where he conducts in-depth analyses of software markets and products. Lloyd also has experience managing the development of software platforms and is an expert in content production & media software. You can connect with Lloyd on LinkedIn.

Lloyd is an expert in several software categories including:

  • Dental software
  • Email marketing software
  • Field service management software
  • Legal software
  • Property management software

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