Clio vs Smokeball
Which legal practice management software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
Smokeball's automatic time tracking captures every billable minute without manual entry — firms report 20-30% more captured time. Clio offers more integrations and lower starting price. Choose Smokeball to maximize billables; choose Clio for flexibility and cost.
At a Glance
| Clio | Smokeball | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $39-$129/user/mo | $89-$179/user/mo |
| Best For | Firms needing integrations & flexibility | Maximizing billable hours |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Clio | Smokeball |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | Manual | Automatic |
| Auto Time Capture | ||
| Billing & Invoicing | ||
| Client Portal | ||
| Trust Accounting (IOLTA) | ||
| Document Management | ||
| Document Automation | Limited | |
| Integrations | 200+ | 50+ |
| Mobile App | ||
| Built-in Forms Library | 8,000+ forms | |
| Microsoft 365 Integration | Deep | |
| Productivity Insights | Reports | Real-time |
Pricing Comparison
Clio Pricing
- Manual time tracking
- Basic billing
- Trust accounting
- Client portal
- Workflow automation
- Custom reports
- Full suite with CRM
Smokeball Pricing
- Automatic time tracking
- Billing
- Trust accounting
- Everything in Bill
- Document automation
- Forms library
- Everything in Boost
- Intake
- Lead management
- Advanced reporting
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose Clio if...
- Budget is a primary concern (starts $39 vs $89)
- You need extensive third-party integrations (200+)
- You're comfortable with manual time tracking
- You want a flexible, established platform
- You need Clio Grow for client intake
✅ Choose Smokeball if...
- Maximizing billable hours is your #1 goal
- You hate manual time tracking
- You want 8,000+ built-in legal forms
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration matters
- You're focused on document automation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smokeball worth the higher price?
For many firms, yes. Smokeball's automatic time tracking typically captures 20-30% more billable time than manual methods. At $89/user/month, firms often see ROI within the first month from recovered billables. If your firm bills hourly, Smokeball frequently pays for itself.
How does Smokeball's automatic time tracking work?
Smokeball runs in the background and automatically tracks time spent on emails, documents, calls, and other activities linked to matters. No timers to start or stop — it captures everything and lets you review before billing.
Which has better document automation?
Smokeball wins on document automation with 8,000+ built-in legal forms and advanced document assembly. Clio's document management is solid but doesn't include the same depth of automation and forms.
Which is better for small firms?
Clio is more budget-friendly for small firms at $39/mo starting price. However, small firms that bill hourly often find Smokeball's automatic time tracking worth the $89/mo investment due to increased captured time.
Can I migrate from Clio to Smokeball?
Yes, Smokeball offers migration assistance for firms switching from Clio. They'll help transfer matters, contacts, and documents. The transition typically takes 1-3 weeks depending on firm size.
The Verdict
Choose Smokeball if maximizing billable hours is your priority — the automatic time tracking typically pays for itself. Choose Clio if you need more integrations, lower starting cost, or prefer manual control over time tracking.