1. Softr

Best for building a secure legal portal with full control

Softr is a no-code platform that lets law firms build custom client portals with granular permissions, flexible layouts, and secure document sharing. You can connect to 14+ native data sources you already use, like Airtable, Notion, and Google Sheets — or use Softr’s built-in database to manage everything in one place.

For legal teams, Softr offers a ready-to-use Legal Case Management Template that helps you centralize case files, client access, billing, and task tracking — no developer required.

Softr best features:

• Custom user groups & granular permissions: Set detailed permissions so clients and lawyers only view their own case updates, documents, and invoices.
• Client login and secure access: Let clients log in to view case updates, upload documents, and track billing, with no risk of cross-access.

• Case file organization: Manage all case-related files, notes, and updates in one place, with visual views to track case progress.

• Centralized billing, forms, or resources: Include invoice views, intake forms, or client help content — all within the same interface.

• Responsive design: Your portal works on any device and can be shared as a mobile app via Softr’s PWA feature.

Softr pros:

• Fast and easy to set up: Pre-built templates and a drag-and-drop builder let you launch in minutes — ideal for small teams that don’t want a complex setup.
• Works with your data: Connect to Airtable, Notion, Google Sheets, HubSpot, or manage everything directly in Softr Databases — no external tools needed.
• Consolidated tools and costs: Softr lets you create client portals, team intranets, and internal workflow tools in the same platform, saving money on multiple software licenses.

Softr cons:

• Legal-specific needs like trust accounting or time tracking may require integrations or workarounds.
• Softr does have SOC2 and GDPR compliance, but it’s not a full compliance suite for highly regulated legal environments.

Pricing

Softr offers flexible pricing plans, so you can build a legal portal at any tier:

• Free for up to 10 users per month
• Paid plans start at $49/month for 20 users (billed annually)
• Professional: Starts at $139/month for 100 users (billed annually)
• Business: Starting at $269/month for 2500 users (billed annually)
• Custom plans for enterprise customers

2. Clio

Best for firms that want client messaging inside a full legal practice platform

Clio is a leading legal practice management system, trusted by thousands of firms. It combines case management, billing, and client communication in a single cloud-based platform, making it easy to keep everything in one place.

The client portal comes with the Essentials plan and above, giving clients secure access to messages, documents, invoices, and calendar events via the “Clio for Clients” app or web login.

Clio best features

• Secure messaging and documents: Create private portals per matter to exchange messages and files securely
• eSignature support: Use Clio’s built-in signing tools or connect to DocuSign.
• Calendar sync: Automatically sync meetings, hearings, and deadlines with Google Calendar or Outlook
• Complete practice management: Includes time‑tracking, billing, trust accounting, task workflows, CRM, and reporting

Clio pros

• All-in-one legal software: ****everything from intake to invoice under one roof
• Unlimited custom portals per client matter; secure, encrypted messaging
• Integrated e-signing and payment processing through Clio’s ecosystem

Clio cons

• Portal layout is limited to messaging and file folders — no customization.
• Clio branding on portal — no white-label option.
• Costs escalate quickly; essential features are only in higher-tier plans.

Pricing

• Essential plan ($69/user/month): includes portal, 15 e-signatures/user/month, court calendar.
• Advanced ($99) and Complete ($129) tiers add unlimited signatures, task tools, and Grow packages

3. Smokeball

Best for firms that want secure messaging with back-office automation

Smokeball is a cloud-based practice management system built for small to mid-size firms. It combines a browser-based client portal with secure messaging, document automation, calendar integration, and billing tools — all in one place.

Smokeball best features

• Secure messaging and file sharing: Clients communicate through the “Communicate” app, with secure chats, document uploads, and optional SMS notifications.
• Instant portal updates: Any document added to a matter appears automatically in the portal — no manual steps required.
• Document automation: Create pre-filled legal documents to speed up drafting and reduce errors.
• Calendar sync: Integrates with Outlook or Microsoft 365 to manage deadlines and meetings, and sends daily digests

Smokeball pros

• Includes portal, document creation, billing, lead tracking, and OCR in one suite
• Secure, encrypted communication with activity tracking

Smokeball cons

• The portal works only in Chrome via browser extension — no mobile app or multi-browser access.
• Layout is fixed to messaging and documents — no custom pages or branding.

Pricing

• Grow plan ($99/month): includes client portals, automation, e-signatures, and tasks.
• Prosper plan ($149/month): adds video conferencing, OCR search, and lead features.

4. Casepeer

Best for personal injury firms that want CRM, intake, and client SMS built in

Casepeer is a cloud-based case management platform tailored for personal injury practices. It includes secure client portals, SMS/email communication, case timelines, CRM, and intake tools — all specifically designed for PI workflows.

Casepeer best features

• Secure portal per matter: Clients receive updates, documents, and reminders through a portal tied to their case.
• Integrated SMS and email: Send text and email updates directly from the platform — great for personal injury client care
• CRM and intake forms: Capture leads, manage client data, and automate intake workflows.
• Case tracking and timelines: Monitor progress, deadlines, costs, and treatment schedules with visual timelines and calendar integration.

Casepeer pros

• All-in-one platform with CRM, intake, and client updates included
• Convenient SMS communication is built in
• Advanced reporting and trust tracking for PI firms

Casepeer cons

• The portal and workflows are optimized for personal injury, less suited to other legal areas.
• No customization of portal branding or layout.

Pricing

• Plans start at $79–$149/user/month, depending on feature tier, with full suite included in higher tiers.

5. Caret Legal

Best for firms that need built-in document automation and billing with a simple portal

Caret Legal (formerly Zola Suite) is a cloud-based legal practice management system with time tracking, accounting, document automation, and a basic client portal. It’s designed for small to mid-size firms that want a secure way to share documents and invoices with clients, without needing external tools.

Caret Legal best features

• Standard and Signature portals: The Standard portal includes secure document sharing, invoicing, and messaging. The Signature portal adds branded login pages, mobile app access, and biometric login options like Face ID or Touch ID.
• Built-in accounting and payments: Track billable hours, send invoices, and manage payments with integrated accounting features.
• Document automation: Use HotDocs to streamline repetitive documents and reduce manual entry.
• Calendar and event tracking: Create recurring events, invite clients or staff, and track deadlines all within Caret Legal’s calendar system.

Caret Legal pros

• Easy for non-technical teams to use and set up
• Strong document automation for repetitive legal forms
• Includes built-in time tracking and accounting

Caret Legal cons

• Client portal is limited — no support for custom pages or layouts.
• OCR and document scanning features can be inconsistent.

Pricing

• Enterprise: $79/user/month — includes standard client portal
• Enterprise Plus: $89/user/month — adds document management and custom permissions
• Enterprise Advance: $139/user/month — adds HotDocs automation and 24/7 support

6. Lawmatics

Best for firms that want built-in CRM and marketing with a modern client portal

Lawmatics blends legal CRM, client intake, and automation into one platform, with a secure client portal layered on top. It’s especially useful for firms that want to streamline onboarding, improve communication, and run email or SMS campaigns from the same tool.

The client portal is included in the Pro plan and lets clients log in to view documents, pending forms, signatures, meetings, and case-related updates — all styled with your branding.

Lawmatics best features

• Modern client portal: Clients can view case files, e-signature requests, appointments, and forms in one secure place.
• CRM and intake forms: Create branded, logic-based forms for onboarding or collecting client info.
• Calendar and scheduling: Let clients book meetings directly. Lawmatics uses its own native calendar tool (not integrated with Google/Outlook).
• Marketing automation: Set up email and SMS workflows, nurture leads, and manage the full intake pipeline.

Lawmatics pros

• All-in-one CRM, intake, scheduling, and portal in one tool
• The client portal works well out of the box with no coding
• Built-in marketing automation: send emails, texts, and track campaign performance

Lawmatics cons

• No portal layout customization — structure is fixed.
• The calendar does not sync with external tools like Google Calendar.
• Pricing starts high and scales quickly with user count.

Pricing

• Lite – $199/month (3 users): includes CRM, scheduling, and automations — no client portal
• Pro – $249/month (3 users): adds the client portal, plus forms, marketing, and reporting
• Enterprise – custom pricing: adds advanced support and configuration tools

7. Case Status

Best for firms that want mobile-first client updates and engagement tracking

Case Status is a client engagement platform designed to work alongside your existing case management system (like Clio or MyCase). It offers a mobile-first portal, automated client updates, secure messaging, and built-in client feedback tools — all aimed at reducing calls and improving satisfaction.

Case Status best features

• Mobile-first portal and app: Clients can access case updates, documents, and secure messages on iOS, Android, or web—no downloads required.
• Automated real-time updates: Automatically send milestone alerts, appointment reminders, and status notifications to clients.
• Secure messaging: Two-way messaging lets clients ask questions and get replies without email.
• Client feedback & review prompts: Built-in Net Promoter Score surveys and review requests help capture satisfaction and generate referrals.
• Integration-friendly: Works with major legal systems like Clio, MyCase, and Filevine for seamless data syncing.

Case Status pros

• Decreases client calls and emails by up to 90% thanks to automated updates.
• Mobile portal increases client engagement — reported adoption rates between 70–85%.
• Collects feedback and helps drive online reviews—all within the client experience.

Case Status cons

• Doesn’t replace your main practice management platform — you still need Clio, MyCase, or similar.
• Lacks native features like billing, document assembly, or detailed case workflows.
• Portal customization is minimal — it reflects firm branding but is structured by the app’s design.

Pricing

• Plans start at $199/month, billed annually, with standard engagement features included

8. MyCase

Best for firms that want an all-in-one case management system with a built-in client portal, billing, and communication

MyCase brings your entire legal workflow into one platform — from case files and calendar events to billing, secure messaging, and a client portal. It’s designed for law firms that want to reduce switching between tools and keep everything organized in one place. The client portal gives your clients secure access to case updates, invoices, documents, and appointments, all from a web browser or mobile app.

MyCase best features

• Secure client portal: Clients can log in to view case updates, messages, documents, invoices, and calendar events—all in one place.
• Two-way messaging & texting: Secure chat within the portal and unlimited text messaging—including image support—for more direct communication.
• Billing, invoicing & payments: Time tracking, task-based billing, invoices, and online payment processing (via LawPay integration) are included in all plans.
• Calendar and task management: Track court dates, appointments, tasks, and deadlines—with reminders for clients and staff.
• Document management: Unlimited secure storage, full-text search, document templates, and automation tools in higher tiers.

MyCase pros

• All-in-one suite: practice, billing, communication, and portal are integrated
• Highly user-rated for client portal and usability—90%+ positive reviews
• Unlimited document storage and text messaging included
• Mobile browser and app access for clients and staff

MyCase cons

• Limited customization: portal layout and branding are fixed.
• Reporting is basic compared to specialized tools.
• Some users report a clunky experience during call/email logging and occasional issues with calendar syncing.

Pricing (monthly, billed annually)

• Basic: $39/user: includes case management, client portal, billing & payments, calendar, basic documents.
• Pro: $89/user: adds intake forms, unlimited e-signature, advanced billing, AI summaries, and integrations.
• Advanced: $109/user: adds desktop file sync, full-text search, document automation, and open API.