PracticePanther vs Smokeball
Which legal practice management software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
PracticePanther offers more predictable per-user pricing and strong workflow automation on all plans. Smokeball is purpose-built for document-intensive practices with its 8,000+ legal forms, deep Microsoft Word/Outlook integration, and automatic time tracking in the Prosper+ plan. For most general-practice firms, PracticePanther is more cost-effective; for document-heavy niche practices, Smokeball's specialized tools pay for themselves.
At a Glance
| PracticePanther | Smokeball | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $49-$89/user/mo | From $149/mo (firm-based pricing) |
| Best For | Workflow automation at every tier | Document-heavy practices with Microsoft Office integration |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PracticePanther | Smokeball |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | Manual | Manual (AutoTime in Prosper+) |
| Automatic Time Capture | Prosper+ plan | |
| Billing & Invoicing | ||
| Trust Accounting | ||
| Workflow Automation | All plans | Prosper+ (add-on in Grow) |
| Client Portal | Boost+ plans | |
| Legal Forms Library | 8,000+ forms (Grow+) | |
| Document Automation | Limited | Grow plan |
| Microsoft 365 Deep Integration | Email/Calendar sync | Word & Outlook (deep) |
| 2-Way Client Texting | Business ($89) | |
| eSignature Built-in | Business ($89) | InfoTrack (all plans) |
| Lead Management | Prosper+ | |
| Mobile App |
Pricing Comparison
PracticePanther Pricing
- Matter management
- Time tracking
- Billing
- Client portal
- Document templates
- Task & event workflows
- PantherPayments
- Everything in Solo
- Custom fields
- Custom security roles
- Multiple bank accounts
- Trust reconciliation
- Everything in Essential
- 2-way texting
- Intake forms
- Unlimited eSignature
- LEDES billing
- Attorney revenue report
Smokeball Pricing
- Invoicing
- Time & expense tracking
- Trust accounting
- Online payments
- Bill features plus matter/client management
- Calendar
- Task management
- Microsoft 365 integration
- Client portal
- Boost features plus 8,000+ legal forms
- Document automation
- Email management
- Word integration
- Grow features plus AutoTime
- Custom workflows
- Lead management
- Firm insights reporting
- Intake tools
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose PracticePanther if...
- Clear, predictable per-user pricing is important to your firm
- Workflow automation is a must-have at every plan tier
- 2-way client texting and eSignature at the $89 Business tier fit your budget
- Your firm doesn't rely on Microsoft Word for document drafting
- You want LEDES billing and custom security roles without enterprise pricing
✅ Choose Smokeball if...
- Your practice involves heavy use of court forms and legal document templates
- You want automatic time capture to recover more billable hours (Prosper+)
- Your firm uses Microsoft Word and Outlook as primary work tools
- Practice-area-specific form libraries (family law, estate planning, real estate) are essential
- You want deep Microsoft 365 integration beyond basic email/calendar sync
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is cheaper for a 5-person firm?
For a 5-attorney firm, PracticePanther Business at $89/user/month totals $445/month. Smokeball's Grow plan starts from $149/month but scales with users — a 5-person firm would typically pay $300-$600/month depending on negotiated rates. PracticePanther's pricing is more transparent and predictable; Smokeball's firm-based pricing may be less expensive at scale but requires a sales conversation to confirm.
Does PracticePanther have any document automation?
PracticePanther includes document templates and basic document automation on all plans, allowing you to create reusable templates with merge fields. However, it lacks the deep practice-area-specific forms library that Smokeball offers. If your firm needs 8,000+ pre-built legal forms that auto-fill with matter data, Smokeball's Grow plan has a significant advantage.
How does Smokeball's eSignature compare to PracticePanther's?
Both platforms offer eSignature, but through different approaches. PracticePanther includes unlimited native eSignature in its Business plan ($89/month). Smokeball offers unlimited eSignature through InfoTrack integration on all plans. PracticePanther's eSignature is embedded natively without a third-party dependency, which some firms find more reliable.
Which is better for family law firms?
Smokeball is widely preferred by family law firms due to its practice-area-specific form library, which includes state-specific family law court forms that auto-populate with client and matter data. The document automation saves hours per week on intake, financial disclosures, and agreement drafting. PracticePanther handles family law cases well administratively but can't match Smokeball's document toolkit for this practice area.
Can PracticePanther integrate with Microsoft Office?
PracticePanther syncs with Outlook for email and calendar, and integrates with Office 365 for email management. However, it doesn't have native Microsoft Word integration like Smokeball, which allows drafting directly in Word with automatic time tracking and matter linking. For firms that draft extensively in Word, Smokeball's integration creates a more seamless workflow.
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The Verdict
PracticePanther wins for firms that want automation-first workflows, clear per-user pricing, and strong billing features without specialty document needs. Smokeball wins for document-intensive practices — family law, estate planning, real estate, and similar areas — where the legal forms library and deep Microsoft Office integration justify the higher cost. If you spend significant time drafting documents from court forms or templates, Smokeball's toolset has ROI that PracticePanther can't match.
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