Needles vs MerusCase

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Our analysts compared Needles vs MerusCase based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Legal Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Needles Software Tool

Product Basics

Needles is a flexible solution aimed at enabling law practices to streamline their firm operations. It provides numerous templates to build configurable workflows, daily checklists and schedules. Firms can maximize billable hours using its time and expense tracking modules. It allows firms to manage and collaborate on documents and cases with ease. Its personalized dashboards provide greater practice visibility.

Users can leverage pre-built or custom real-time reporting modules to gain granular insights into different practice facets. Firms can opt for its cloud-based Neos offering to enable remote access to all its functionality. Hosted on Microsoft Azure, it provides robust security, data backups and an API for seamless integrations.
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Meruscase is a scalable cloud-based solution for firms of all sizes to save time on various practice operations: automate documents, track billable time and manage calendaring, email and legal cases. It provides 360 degree visibility of relevant case data with robust predictive searching modules. Users can batch scan documents and auto-populate forms using custom templates. Maximize revenues with intuitive time tracking, customized e-billing and comprehensive bookkeeping.

Administrators can delegate tasks, while team members can collaborate on them with increased transparency using color-coded tiered calendaring. Leverage 35 built-in reporting modules to gain data-driven insights on billing and cash flow patterns, workloads, performance and more. Keeps data secure with SSL encryption and regular backups. The vendor also offers automatic updates, seamless migration, personalized training, unlimited cloud storage, remote accessibility and dedicated support.
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$85 Quote-based
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$39/User, Monthly
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Ensure Accurate Documentation: Eliminate human errors or omissions by creating document checklists. 
  • Abundant Reporting Options: Offers multiple reporting modules categorized by legal matter and practice areas. 
  • Enhanced Security: Clients can choose to maintain an in-house database for maximum security. 
  • Personalized App Experience: Customize apps based on the firm’s requirements. 
  • Implementation Support: Trained professionals guide the implementation process and provide hands-on help whenever required. 
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  • Quick Access: Locate specific documents, client information and case records easily with purpose-built data management tools. 
  • Automated Data Collection: Automatically collect, review and store case documents and legal records with AI-enabled scanning tools, eliminating human errors and omissions. 
  • Universally Accessible Training: Prepare tailored training routines and timelines with an open knowledge base. 
  • Manage Work Comp: Streamline workers' compensation adjudication cases by accessing Jet File and EAMS (Electronic Adjudication Management System). 
  • Easy Data Recovery: Recover data at a moment’s notice with regular backups. 
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  • Task Management: Stay on top of pending tasks, deadlines and important events with fully configurable workflows, synchronized Outlook calendars and automated daily checklists. Receive and broadcast important updates with firm-wide scheduling and communication portals. 
  • Document Management: Encourage employees to collaborate on and share documents, globally in real time. Identify documents using keywords, prepare files for e-Signatures and choose customizable rich templates from industry-specific case libraries. 
  • Firm Insights: Leverage real-time reporting and analytics on business health. Use the configurable dashboard to create custom reports, data and metrics, monitor business processes and identify valuable assets. 
  • Data Management and Security: Secure your data with centralized data storage that eliminates redundancies and automatically backs up all documentation. Organize and store files with the PDF Template Wizard and import data in bulk via CSV files. 
  • Time and Expense Tracking: Track time effortlessly with the help of the Outlook add-in for any device, including mobile devices. Log expenses in real time, eliminate errors and omissions and automate internal audit logs. 
  • Client Management: Improve customer satisfaction via the self-service portal with over 99% uptime. Address client inquiries, process reimbursements and payments and update case details seamlessly. 
  • API: Implement low-code integration of third-party extensions or create new integrations entirely using the API-based architecture. Directly integrate with Microsoft Office 365, OneDrive, QuickBooks, DocuSign and Lexitas. 
  • Security: Secure data, documentation and digital access with Microsoft Azure. Get 24/7 security from cyber attacks and ensure business continuity with biometrically-secured physical data centers, remote-hosted servers and advanced data encryption. 
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  • Document Management: Connect legal documents with associated matters, cases, contacts and assignments. Keep track of pending documents and case status with regular reporting. 
    • Form Automation: Pull case data from associated matters like client names, addresses, case notes, numbers and more to automatically fill out legal forms and documents. Convert documents into PDF court forms or Word format, as per firm requirements. 
    • Predictive Search: Search for specific legal documents with stackable search filters and the Global Search tool. Turbo-caching predictive algorithms search associated matters for any and all relevant documents. 
    • Batch Scanning: Scan and upload multiple sets of documentation at once. Process the records into single and multi-page documents and sort them into relevant case files. 
  • Time and Expense Tracking: Interact directly with the time tracking and billing portals to identify billable hours and track payments, year-end reconciliations, balance forwards and overpayments. Create and manage separate trust and operating accounts in accordance with industry regulations. 
    • Time Tracking: Track billable hours spent on client activities like meetings, hearings, communications and documentation. Add notes to specific time entries and retroactively edit the ledger in case of errors. 
    • Billing Management: Provide clients with versatile payment methods supported by Ledes, ESIS, Chubb, PDF and more. 
    • Reporting: Generate reports based on preset data fields to create insights into the firm’s cash flow patterns, reliable clients, profitable practice areas and productivity. 
  • Teamwork and Collaboration: Synchronize calendar and email entries for seamless collaboration between team members and clients. 
    • Email Management: Integrate existing email clients with the in-platform tool to automatically organize all correspondence. Link emails to relevant matters and track related communications between team members and clients. 
    • Calendar Management: Stay on top of deadlines, events, hearings and appointments with synchronized calendar entries. Connect events to associated legal matters and allow access to everyone on the case files. 
    • Task Management: Assign tasks to team members, track individual attorney contributions and set up alerts for pending tasks. 
  • Backup and Security: Secure firm data and documentation with daily backups performed nightly. Updates are issued regularly and are easy to install. 
    • Cloud Storage: Store an unlimited number of legal documents and files and access them globally from any device with an internet connection. 
    • Security: Protect firm information from vulnerabilities with SSL encryption. It is HIPAA compliant. 
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Product Ranking

#4

among all
Legal Software

#34

among all
Legal Software

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 164 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 157 reviews
85%
of users recommend this product

Needles has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 164 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

94%
of users recommend this product

MerusCase has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 157 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (12)
4.3 (4)
4.2 (22)
4.6 (5)
4.2 (98)
4.7 (70)
4.3 (32)
4.7 (78)

Awards

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MerusCase stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Functionality: Its time-tracking, billing and accounting functionalities meet the modern-day requirements of the legal industry, according to 65% of users mentioning this element.
Ease of Use: According to 69% of users who reviewed this aspect, the platform is intuitive and easy to use.
Reporting: 67% of users who reviewed this feature said that it provides plenty of customizable options.
Task Management: Regarding this feature, 75% of users found it helpful to track tasks and meet deadlines.
Training: 75% of users who reviewed this element said they’re satisfied with the knowledge base and training resources.
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Intuitive Interface: Many users find MerusCase easy to navigate and use, even without prior experience with legal software. They appreciate the logical layout and straightforward design.
Robust Features: MerusCase offers a comprehensive suite of tools that streamline various aspects of legal practice, such as calendar management, task assignment, and document storage. This allows lawyers to manage their cases efficiently.
Strong Customer Support: Users consistently praise MerusCase's responsive and helpful customer support team. They appreciate the quick response times and knowledgeable assistance provided.
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Integrations: It provides limited integration options, according to 60% of users mentioning this aspect.
Speed and Performance: According to 100% of reviews about this feature, the platform’s performance sometimes suffers under heavy workloads.
Cost: All the users who mentioned this element said it’s more expensive than its competitors.
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Billing Issues: Some users have reported problems with the billing system, such as difficulty generating invoices and tracking payments.
Customization Limitations: Users have expressed frustration with the limited customization options, making it challenging to tailor the software to their specific workflows.
Learning Curve: The software's interface and features can be complex, leading to a steep learning curve for new users.
Mobile App: The mobile app has received negative feedback for its limited functionality and user-friendliness.
Customer Support: Some users have reported challenges with customer support, including slow response times and difficulty resolving issues.
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Needles provides all the functions expected of a modern legal practice management solution, including matter and document management, mobile time tracking, reporting and task supervision. It offers an efficient task management module, but it’s important to note that some users experienced difficulty editing entries in the legal calendar. According to reviews, the platform is difficult to learn, but the product training and support team are helpful in getting past the initial hurdle. Finally, the intuitive UI and exhaustive features make it a capable contender, but only for companies with a budget to justify the extra cost.

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MerusCase is generally praised for its user-friendly design and ability to manage complex legal cases, particularly its document management, case file organization, and customizable dashboards. Users specifically appreciate the platform's scalability, making it suitable for both small and large firms. Features like batch scanning for efficient mail processing and email integration with automatic linking to cases are highlighted as major advantages. However, some users find the software's learning curve steep and desire more comprehensive features. For example, users express the need for better legal document creation tools and smoother integration with external calendars like Google Calendar. Compared to competitors like Rocket Matter Premier, MerusCase shines in its user-friendly interface and integrated accounting tools. However, Rocket Matter Premier is considered more robust in billing and time tracking, offering advanced features and customization. Ultimately, MerusCase is best suited for legal professionals who prioritize ease of use, efficient case management, and document organization. Its strengths lie in simplifying complex legal processes, making it ideal for firms transitioning to digital case files or those seeking a straightforward, scalable solution. However, firms requiring advanced billing features or extensive customization might find other platforms more suitable.

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