CounselStack

Clio vs Rocket Matter

Which legal practice management software is right for your firm?

Quick Answer

Clio offers more integrations and a larger community, making it the safer default for most law firms. Rocket Matter stands out for its billing depth — multiple timers, LEDES billing, and a built-in business accounting module in its Elite tier that can replace QuickBooks entirely. If eliminating QuickBooks from your stack is a goal, Rocket Matter deserves a serious look.

At a Glance

ClioRocket Matter
Price Range$39-$129/user/mo$49-$99/user/mo
Best ForBroad integrations & established ecosystemBilling-first firms with built-in accounting

Feature Comparison

FeatureClioRocket Matter
Time Tracking
Multiple Simultaneous Timers1 timerMultiple
Billing & Invoicing
Client Portal
Trust Accounting (IOLTA)
Built-in Business AccountingElite tier
LEDES BillingAdvanced tierPro tier
Batch Billing
Document Management
Integrations200+50+
Mobile App
Workflow AutomationAdvanced tierPro tier
Clio Grow / Intake CRMComplete tier

Pricing Comparison

Clio Pricing

EasyStart$39/user/mo
  • Basic matter management
  • Time tracking
  • Basic billing
Essentials$79/user/mo
  • Trust accounting
  • Client portal
  • Custom fields
Advanced$109/user/mo
  • LEDES billing
  • Workflow automation
  • Custom reports
Complete$129/user/mo
  • Clio Grow CRM
  • Client intake
  • AI drafting

Rocket Matter Pricing

Essentials$49/user/mo
  • Time & expense tracking
  • Billing & invoicing
  • Trust accounting
  • Client portal
  • 25GB document storage
  • Basic reporting
Pro$79/user/mo
  • Everything in Essentials
  • LEDES billing
  • Workflow automation
  • Matter templates
  • Unlimited document storage
  • Full productivity reporting
Premier$99/user/mo
  • Everything in Pro
  • Built-in law office accounting
  • Revenue distribution calculations
  • Accounts payable tracking
  • Bank data feeds
  • Fee allocation

Who Should Choose What?

✅ Choose Clio if...

  • You need 200+ integrations with existing tools in your stack
  • You want a client intake CRM (Clio Grow) alongside practice management
  • Your firm values the largest user community and peer network
  • You prefer a lower entry price at $39/user/month
  • You already have QuickBooks and don't need to replace it

✅ Choose Rocket Matter if...

  • You bill hourly and need multiple simultaneous timers per attorney
  • You want to eliminate QuickBooks with built-in law office accounting
  • Your firm does insurance defense or corporate work requiring LEDES billing
  • Customer support is a priority — Rocket Matter is a Stevie Award winner
  • You want LEDES billing without paying for the top-tier plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rocket Matter different from Clio?

Rocket Matter's biggest differentiator is its billing depth and built-in accounting. Its Premier plan includes a full law office accounting module — chart of accounts, accounts payable, bank reconciliation, and revenue distribution — that can replace QuickBooks entirely. Clio requires a separate QuickBooks integration for this level of accounting. Rocket Matter also offers multiple simultaneous timers, helping attorneys capture every billable minute.

Which has better customer support?

Rocket Matter is a consistent Stevie Award winner for sales and customer support, winning since 2015. All plans include unlimited phone and email support with no extra charge. Clio's support varies by tier — phone support is available on higher plans. For firms that value responsive, award-winning support, Rocket Matter has a genuine edge.

Does Rocket Matter have as many integrations as Clio?

No. Clio's 200+ integration marketplace is one of its biggest competitive advantages. Rocket Matter integrates with key tools (QuickBooks, Outlook/Office 365, Dropbox, Box, Google Calendar, NetDocs, Zapier) but has a smaller ecosystem. If your firm relies on niche third-party tools, verify Rocket Matter integration availability before switching.

Which is better for insurance defense work?

Rocket Matter is often preferred for insurance defense due to its LEDES billing support (available starting at the Pro tier, $79/month) and matter budgeting features. Clio offers LEDES billing but only at the Advanced tier ($109/month). For firms that bill LEDES regularly, Rocket Matter unlocks this feature at a lower price point.

Is the transition from Clio to Rocket Matter straightforward?

Rocket Matter includes free data migration on all plans. They'll import your matters, contacts, time entries, and documents from Clio. The migration process typically takes 1-2 weeks. Unlike some platforms, Rocket Matter's migration support is included regardless of which pricing tier you choose.

The Verdict

Choose Clio for broader integrations, a larger community, and a lower starting price if you already have accounting software. Choose Rocket Matter if billing efficiency is paramount — multiple timers, LEDES billing at lower tiers, and built-in accounting in the Premier plan make it the strongest billing-first platform in this price range.

Ready to try Clio?

Start your free trial and see if it's the right fit for your firm.

Try Clio Free