PracticePanther vs. Clio

When you’re choosing legal software, the right choice hinges on what your firm truly needs. Although Clio may be a familiar name, many firms have found that PracticePanther fits their needs more effectively.

To start, Clio legal software often requires extensive training to get up to speed. The platform can be cumbersome, with multiple services that aren’t always easy to navigate. You will likely need third-party subscriptions to access basic features you actually need, which adds to both the cost and the complexity of using the software. Plus, dealing with multiple platforms can lead to inefficiencies and headaches — something you really don’t need when managing a busy firm.

On the other hand, PracticePanther offers a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. You won’t have to spend hours learning the system or paying extra for additional services. It’s designed to be easy to learn and operate, allowing you to perform any function with just a few clicks. Your team can start using the software right away without the steep learning curve that comes with Clio.

Along with a much lower learning curve, here are some other PracticePanther features that make it a better choice than Clio:

• All-in-One Solution: Unlike Clio case management software, which requires you to subscribe to multiple services and manage dozens of integrations, PracticePanther is truly an all-in-one platform.
• Cost-Effective: With PracticePanther, everything you need is included in one subscription. You won’t face the added expenses of third-party tools to access essential features, making it a more affordable solution in the long run.
• Efficiency: PracticePanther is easy to get around — no need to dig through endless menus. It’s straightforward, letting you handle your work without unnecessary distractions. Instead of getting lost in the software, you’ll be tackling your cases head-on.

When it comes to securing your firm’s data, both PracticePanther and Clio offer security features but with different approaches. PracticePanther is designed with legal-specific security needs in mind, offering features that are not only comprehensive but also easy to use, ensuring that your firm can stay secure without unnecessary complications.

Here’s how the security measures compare in a PracticePanther vs. Clio matchup:

• Encryption: PracticePanther uses 256-bit military-grade encryption for all data, making it nearly impossible for unauthorized parties to access sensitive information. Clio also offers encryption, but PracticePanther’s military-grade level provides an added layer of confidence.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Both platforms offer two-factor authentication, but PracticePanther’s system is built to be simple and effective, ensuring your data is secure no matter where you log in from.
• Access Control: With PracticePanther, you can tailor access down to the nitty-gritty — decide exactly who can see, edit, or delete anything, based on their role. You can even lock access to specific IP addresses, adding an extra layer of security. Clio, while offering role-based permissions, doesn’t provide the same level of granularity.
• Compliance: Both PracticePanther and Clio tick the boxes for standards relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Payment Card Industry (PCI).
• Backups and Redundancy: PracticePanther automatically backs up your data using geo-redundant technology, so it’s protected even if something goes wrong, like a power outage. While Clio offers backups too, PracticePanther’s approach gives you that extra layer of security, ensuring your data is always safe and accessible.
• Security Monitoring: PracticePanther continuously monitors for potential vulnerabilities, with a dedicated security team available around the clock. A proactive approach like this ensures that your data remains secure at all times, without the need for constant oversight on your part.

When you’re choosing software for your firm, you’re looking for something that gets the job done without draining your wallet or your patience, which likely has you researching Clio vs. PracticePanther costs.

PracticePanther pricing per month starts at $49 per user with the starter package, and that covers most everything you need — no surprise charges, no nickel-and-diming, and no extra integrations for basic functionality. You get document templates, trust accounting, task workflows, and even live training with a dedicated member of the PracticePanther customer service team. It’s a straightforward deal that doesn’t play games with your budget.

Now, Clio might start at $39 per month per user, which seems like a deal at first glance. But here’s the catch: that basic plan is bare-bones. It doesn’t include essential features like document templates, client portals, or live onboarding support. If your firm needs workflows — and let’s be honest, most do — you’re going to have to upgrade to their Essentials Plan at $79/month per user. And even then, workflows aren’t included — you’ll need to add another $59/month per user for those.

When all is said and done, you’re looking at $138/month per user with Clio, and that’s before setup fees. So, when you consider the Clio vs. PracticePanther cost per month, what started as an affordable option with Clio quickly becomes a pricey commitment. Subscribing to Clio is like subscribing to a streaming service, only to discover that the shows you actually want to watch are behind an additional expensive paywall.

Clio Payments pricing charges you 2.95% for standard card transactions and takes 1% for eChecks. Plus, those payments might sit in limbo for 5-7 business days before they hit your account.

PantherPayments, PracticePanther’s built-in ePayment processor, charges 2.9% for standard card transactions and the same 1% fee for eChecks. Payments usually land in your account within 2-3 business days, so you’re not left wondering when the funds will show up.

Clio’s basic time and expense tracking works fine, but if you want more advanced options, you’re likely going to need to upgrade your plan or add on extra tools. Invoicing with Clio is functional, but customization is limited unless you’re willing to pay more or bring in third-party integrations. 

PracticePanther gives you everything you need right out of the gate. Time and expense tracking is fully integrated and customizable, and you can track time, create entries from various sources, and bulk edit. 

PracticePanther invoicing is fully customizable, letting you create branded invoices, set custom billing rates, and manage payment plans. Additionally, payment processing is built into the platform and is compliant with all necessary regulations. And if you need detailed financial reports, you can break down data by client, matter, bank account — whatever you need, it’s there, detailed and ready, without needing to stitch together outside tools.

Overall, Clio requires extra tools and costs to unlock its full billing capabilities, which can complicate your billing process. PracticePanther provides a complete billing solution from the start. If you want a straightforward, powerful billing system that works without extra steps, PracticePanther is the clear choice.

Lawyers who choose Clio often do so because it’s an older software and touts numerous integrations. If you’re running a big firm with a lot of moving parts and don’t mind spending the time and money to piece together different systems, Clio might seem like the way to go. But all those integrations will turn into a time sink, and before you know it, you’re managing more software than cases.

PracticePanther is for the lawyer who wants to keep things simple but effective. It’s built to be an all-in-one tool that doesn’t need a bunch of extras to be effective. You open an account, and it works — no need to spend hours figuring out how to connect this to that. You can customize it to fit your practice without diving into a tech manual or hiring a consultant. And whether you’re flying solo or managing a team, PracticePanther grows with you without hitting you with a ton of extra costs or added complexity.

Really, the best way to decide what’s right for you is through a live demonstration. You can click here to schedule a free, personalized demo with one of our PracticePanther experts.