Research-based guide. Compared on the vendors' official pricing pages, documentation and help centers. We have not tested these products hands-on yet; results will be added when we do. How we test
On this page
The best cloud based legal case management software provides secure access to case files, court deadlines, and client communications from a supported web browser without an on-premises server. On vendor pages checked November 7, 2026, Clio Manage publishes an entry Starter price ($49 per user per month), MyCase publishes rates for all three tiers ($50 to $130 per user per month billed annually), while Filevine, Litify, and Smokeball sell packages by quote.
Solo attorneys and small firms wanting open pricing should evaluate Clio Manage and MyCase. Litigation teams needing custom workflows should evaluate Filevine. Enterprise firms needing Salesforce-based workflows should evaluate Litify, while Windows-based practices should evaluate Smokeball. For practice-wide management, see our Legal Software Guide.
We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. It never affects our recommendations. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Shortlist: Best Fit by Law Firm Needs
These recommendations reflect documented features and prices, not hands-on test winners.
- Best fit for solos on a budget: Clio Manage Starter ($49 per user per month; billing commitment not specified) and MyCase Basic ($50 per user per month billed annually). Both include cloud matter tracking, contact records, time entry, and unlimited document storage.
- Best fit for small firms wanting billing and client texting: MyCase Pro ($100 per user per month billed annually). It adds automated workflows, two-way texting, and e-signatures on a published price.
- Best fit for litigation teams needing case customization: Filevine. It pairs configurable matter sections and deadline tracking with its LOIS AI suite for deposition summarization.
- Best fit for enterprise practices needing Salesforce scale: Litify. Built natively on Salesforce, it provides enterprise security, custom reporting dashboards, and intake automation.
- Best fit for document-heavy Windows firms: Smokeball. Its Grow and Prosper+ tiers link native desktop Word and Outlook automation to cloud storage.
Comparison Table
Prices are per user per month in USD. MyCase rates below use annual billing; Clio’s published starting rate does not specify an annual or monthly billing commitment.
| Product | Starting price | Pricing model | Deployment | Client portal | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clio Manage | $49; billing commitment not specified | Published Starter; quotes Core+ | Cloud (Web & Mobile) | Core and up | 7 days, no credit card |
| MyCase | $50 billed annually | Published tiers ($50 to $130) | Cloud (Web & Mobile) | Basic (limited), Pro+ | 10 days, no credit card |
| Filevine | Not publicly listed (quote-based) | Custom packages | Cloud (Web & API) | Optional extension | Demo; free LOIS AI tier (no case management) |
| Litify | Not publicly listed (quote-based) | Enterprise custom quotes | Cloud (Salesforce Native) | See vendor site | Demo available |
| Smokeball | Not publicly listed (quote-based) | Tiered custom quotes | Cloud & Windows Desktop | Client portal (Boost and up) | Demo available |
Pricing checked November 7, 2026.
How We Evaluated
This is a research-based guide. We compared the products using their official pricing pages, documentation, and help centers, checked November 7, 2026. We have not yet run our hands-on test scenario on these products; when we do, we will add the results and mark the page as tested. Our methodology is on the how we test page.
The Best Cloud-Based Legal Case Management Software, Reviewed
Clio Manage
Clio Manage is a web-based case management platform hosted on AWS. Clio structures Manage into four tiers: Starter, Core, Signature, and Elite. Starter is the only plan with a public price, starting at $49 USD per user per month; the page does not specify an annual or monthly billing commitment. Core, Signature, and Elite require a sales quote.
Starter covers matter tracking, calendars, tasks, time entry, unlimited document storage, and trust accounting. Core adds a client portal, custom fields, user permissions, and AI bill drafting. Signature adds Kanban matter stages and split billing. Elite adds Clio Grow for CRM and intake.
Best fit: solo and small firms wanting an established cloud platform with trust accounting. Limitations: three tiers require quotes. Clio Work is sold separately or in a package with Clio Manage. The trial runs 7 days without a credit card.
MyCase
MyCase is a browser-based legal case management system. MyCase publishes prices across all tiers: Basic is $50 per user per month billed annually ($60 monthly), Pro is $100 ($120 monthly), and Advanced is $130 ($150 monthly).
Basic covers matter management, calendars, time tracking, LawPay payments, unlimited storage, and a limited client portal. Pro adds unlimited e-signatures, document templates, intake forms, two-way texting, and the 8am IQ writing assistant. Advanced adds Desktop Drive, 8am IQ case and OCR discovery assistants, and split billing.
Best fit: small firms wanting transparent pricing and built-in texting. LawPay has no monthly fee; processing rates apply. Limitations: Basic has a restricted portal. The discovery assistant includes 5,000 pages per user per month, pooled across the firm, with additional capacity available. The MyCase Accounting add-on provides three-way trust reconciliation for $39 per user per month and is available on Pro and Advanced. The trial runs 10 days without a credit card.
Filevine
Filevine is a configurable cloud legal platform built on AWS for complex litigation and matter workflows. Filevine sells custom packages by sales quote across specialized modules, including Matters, Intake, Depositions, and Signatures.
The Matters module provides custom case sections, activity feeds, and task automation. Docs by Filevine provides cloud document storage, and Document Assembly generates documents from matter data. Filevine handles intake via Lead Docket, e-signatures through Vinesign, and billing through Payments by Filevine. The LOIS AI suite drafts documents and summarizes depositions.
Best fit: litigation and personal injury firms requiring customizable workflows. Limitations: no public prices. Certified implementation partners assist with setup. A free LOIS Explore tier is available for AI tools; it does not include Filevine case management.
Litify
Litify is an enterprise legal operating platform built natively on Salesforce. Litify sells by custom quote, offering practice management solutions for law firms and Enterprise Legal Management for corporate legal departments.
Litify runs on Salesforce cloud infrastructure and undergoes independent SOC 2 Type II audits. Litify provides matter records, dynamic intake questionnaires, task routing, document assembly, time tracking, spend management, and Litify ACE AI insights. Salesforce reporting provides customizable dashboards tracking firm metrics.
Best fit: enterprise law firms and high-volume practices needing enterprise CRM, custom data models, and deep analytics. Limitations: subscription prices are not publicly listed; request a quote for your firm’s requirements. Demonstrations are available.
Smokeball
Smokeball is a legal practice management solution using a hybrid cloud model. It hosts matter data on AWS while delivering its main tools through an installed Windows desktop application. Smokeball offers four plans: Bill, Boost, Grow, and Prosper+, all sold by quote.
Bill covers billing, invoicing, time tracking, and trust accounting. Boost is browser-based, adding matter tracking, calendar tools, Microsoft 365 cloud sync, and the client portal. Grow adds the Windows desktop app and automated legal forms; AutoTime background time capture is an add-on. Prosper+ includes AutoTime and adds lead intake management and profitability reporting.
Best fit: small Windows-based firms specializing in document-heavy areas that want automated background time capture. Limitations: Grow and Prosper+ require Windows installations, excluding Mac-only and Chromebook offices from key automation tools. Pricing is quote-based.
What to Look for in Cloud-Based Legal Software
Selecting cloud based legal software requires evaluating several key criteria:
- Data security and ethics: attorneys must safeguard client data in digital storage. Under Rule 1.6(c) of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, lawyers must make reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized access. Confirm that vendors provide 256-bit encryption at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit, multi-factor authentication, SOC 2 audits, and geographic redundancy.
- Pure cloud vs. hybrid architecture: cloud tools (Clio, MyCase, Filevine, Litify) provide browser access; check each vendor’s supported browsers and feature requirements. Smokeball Grow and Prosper+ also require Windows desktop installations. Teams comparing broader systems should review our guide to legal case management software.
- Trust accounting compliance: Rule 1.15 of the ABA Model Rules covers safekeeping client property. Ensure the system separates operating and trust balances and supports three-way reconciliation. This is general educational information, not legal advice; check your state bar requirements.
- Core integrations: verify compatibility with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, QuickBooks Online, and payment processors.
- Data portability: confirm that the agreement allows exporting client records, matter files, and financial ledgers in standard formats like CSV and PDF without exit penalties.
FAQ
What is cloud-based legal case management software?
Cloud-based legal case management software is web-hosted technology that lets legal teams manage client files, court deadlines, documents, time records, and billing online. Data is stored on remote servers, allowing browser access without on-premises servers.
Is cloud-based legal software secure enough for law firms?
Assess each provider’s documented security controls, including encryption, secure transmission, multi-factor authentication, and independent audits. Check the vendor’s security documentation and your firm’s state bar requirements before storing confidential client files online.
Can law firms use Apple Mac computers with cloud-based legal software?
Yes. Clio Manage and MyCase support browser access from computers and mobile devices, and Filevine supports Safari on Macs. Check each vendor’s supported browsers and feature requirements. Smokeball Grow and Prosper+ require Windows for their desktop automation tools.
How much does cloud-based legal case management software cost?
Clio Manage Starter starts at $49 USD per user per month, with no annual or monthly billing commitment specified on its pricing page. MyCase Basic costs $50 per user per month billed annually ($60 billed monthly); Pro and Advanced cost $100 and $130 per user per month billed annually ($120 and $150 billed monthly). Filevine, Litify, and Smokeball require custom sales quotes.
Sources
- Clio Manage pricing and plans (checked November 7, 2026)
- Clio trust account management (checked November 7, 2026)
- Clio Payments (checked November 7, 2026)
- Clio free trial signup (checked November 7, 2026)
- MyCase pricing and plans (checked November 7, 2026)
- Filevine pricing and packages (checked November 7, 2026)
- Filevine platform features (checked November 7, 2026)
- Filevine LOIS for Word AI drafting (checked November 7, 2026)
- Litify request a demo (checked November 7, 2026)
- Litify plaintiff practice management (checked November 7, 2026)
- Smokeball pricing and plans (checked November 7, 2026)
- Smokeball platform features (checked November 7, 2026)
- ABA Model Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information (checked November 7, 2026)
- ABA Model Rule 1.15: Safekeeping Property (checked November 7, 2026)
- Clio Manage cloud hosting providers (checked November 7, 2026)
- Clio Work and Clio Manage package options (checked November 7, 2026)
- Clio Manage supported browsers and device access (checked November 7, 2026)
- MyCase ten-day trial and credit-card terms (checked November 7, 2026)
- MyCase Basic features and subscription terms (checked November 7, 2026)
- MyCase case management, calendaring, and document features (checked November 7, 2026)
- MyCase 8am IQ assistant capabilities (checked November 7, 2026)
- MyCase mobile browser access and app plan eligibility (checked November 7, 2026)
- MyCase supported browsers (checked November 7, 2026)
- Docs by Filevine storage, Docs+ editing, and document generation (checked November 7, 2026)
- Filevine custom sections, activity feeds, and deadlines (checked November 7, 2026)
- Filevine supported browsers and Safari on Macs (checked November 7, 2026)
- LOIS trial excludes Filevine case management (checked November 7, 2026)
- Filevine API access documentation (checked November 7, 2026)
- Litify Salesforce platform and workflow configuration (checked November 7, 2026)
- Litify Salesforce integration, independent SOC 2 audits, reporting, and pricing approach (checked November 7, 2026)
- Litify corporate legal matters, spend management, and ACE capabilities (checked November 7, 2026)
- Smokeball Windows desktop requirements and browser-based plans (checked November 7, 2026)
- Smokeball AWS hosting and security documentation (checked November 7, 2026)
Mehmet Değirmenci is the founder and editor of BusinessSoftwareAtlas. He runs a law office in Istanbul, Türkiye, where he has spent years choosing, setting up and running the practice-management, scheduling and automation software his own team works with every day, including an in-house case-management system. He decides what this site covers and is responsible for everything it publishes.