Clio vs CosmoLex
Which legal practice management software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
CosmoLex is the rare legal practice management software that replaces QuickBooks entirely — it includes fully integrated legal accounting alongside trust accounting, time tracking, and billing in a single subscription. Clio is more flexible, cheaper to start, and has far more integrations. Choose CosmoLex if eliminating separate accounting software is a priority; choose Clio if you need flexibility and integrations.
At a Glance
| Clio | CosmoLex | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $39-$129/user/mo | $89/user/mo (annual) |
| Best For | Flexible pricing & 200+ integrations | All-in-one with built-in legal accounting |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Clio | CosmoLex |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | ||
| Billing & Invoicing | ||
| Client Portal | ||
| Trust Accounting (IOLTA) | ||
| Built-in Business Accounting | ||
| Accounts Payable | ||
| Bank Reconciliation (3-way) | ||
| Document Management | ||
| Integrations | 200+ | Focused (fewer) |
| Mobile App | ||
| Workflow Automation | Advanced tier | Limited |
| Client Intake CRM | Clio Grow (add-on) | |
| QuickBooks Required | Recommended | Not needed |
Pricing Comparison
Clio Pricing
- Basic matter management
- Time tracking
- Basic billing
- Trust accounting
- Client portal
- Custom fields
- Workflow automation
- Custom reports
- Custom permissions
- Clio Grow CRM
- Client intake
- AI drafting
CosmoLex Pricing
- Matter management
- Full trust & business accounting
- Accounts payable
- Time tracking
- Billing & invoicing
- Client portal
- Document management
- Bank feeds & reconciliation
- Everything in CosmoLex
- Advanced workflow automation
- Custom templates
- Priority support
- Advanced reporting
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose Clio if...
- Your firm is small and needs the lowest possible entry price ($39/mo)
- You rely on 200+ third-party integrations in your existing workflow
- You want a separate CRM for client intake (Clio Grow)
- You already have QuickBooks and don't want to change your accounting setup
- Workflow automation and custom reporting are priorities
✅ Choose CosmoLex if...
- You want to eliminate QuickBooks and run accounting inside your practice management software
- Your bookkeeper or accountant wants one unified system for all financial records
- Simple, transparent pricing (one plan, one price) matters to you
- You need full accounts payable and financial reporting without add-ons
- Trust accounting compliance is a top concern and you want deep audit trails
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CosmoLex and how is it different from Clio?
CosmoLex is a law practice management software with a fully integrated legal accounting engine — not just trust accounting, but complete business accounting including a chart of accounts, accounts payable, profit/loss reporting, and bank reconciliation. This makes it a direct replacement for QuickBooks. Clio is a broader platform with more integrations and flexibility but requires QuickBooks or similar software for complete accounting functionality.
Does CosmoLex replace QuickBooks?
Yes, for most small to mid-size law firms, CosmoLex can fully replace QuickBooks. It handles trust accounting (IOLTA compliant), general ledger, accounts payable, bank feeds, and financial reporting. Firms using CosmoLex typically eliminate their QuickBooks subscription, which at $30-$100+/month can partially offset CosmoLex's $89/user/month cost.
Which is better for large firms?
Clio scales better for larger firms due to its 200+ integrations, advanced workflow automation, and custom reporting on the Advanced and Complete plans. CosmoLex's simpler plan structure (essentially two tiers) works well for small-to-mid firms but may feel limiting for larger operations with complex workflow needs. For 20+ user firms, Clio's ecosystem is generally more capable.
How does CosmoLex's pricing compare to Clio?
CosmoLex's $89/user/month (annual) sits between Clio's Essentials ($79) and Advanced ($109) tiers. When you factor in that CosmoLex eliminates the need for a separate QuickBooks subscription (typically $30-$100+/month depending on QuickBooks plan), the effective cost for many firms is competitive or even lower than Clio + QuickBooks combined.
Is CosmoLex harder to use than Clio?
CosmoLex has a steeper learning curve than Clio, primarily because it includes full accounting functionality that attorneys and staff need to understand. Firms without an accountant-minded office manager may find it overwhelming. Clio's simpler interface is often preferred by smaller firms or those who prefer their accountant to work in QuickBooks separately. CosmoLex offers training and onboarding to ease this transition.
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The Verdict
CosmoLex is the right choice for firms that want a single, unified platform for practice management AND accounting, eliminating the need for QuickBooks. Clio wins for firms that need maximum flexibility, integrations, or a lower starting price. For a solo or small firm paying for both Clio + QuickBooks, CosmoLex's $89/month all-inclusive model often results in lower total cost.