Smokeball vs Lawcus

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

Product Basics

Smokeball is a hybrid solution to manage various facets of a legal firm, including cases, billing, documents, clients and daily operations. It provides comprehensive billing including automated timekeeping & activity tracking, custom invoices, online payments and trust accounting. Users can create and manage legal documents and forms using over 20,000 forms, perform e-filing and request e-signatures. Assign, collaborate and automate tasks and workflows with smart reminders on priorities, events and deadlines, as well as increased visibility with convenient access to its intuitive legal calendar. It also provides centralized access to organize relevant legal case data and a secure portal to enhance client communication.

Its real-time reporting and dashboarding modules enable data-driven insights on business trends, performance, finance and profitability. It offers intuitive integrations with Lawpay, QuickBooks, MS Word and Outlook, and more. to enhance its billing, payment and management functionality. In addition to its user-friendly remote accessibility, its hybrid implementation enables both online and offline access. Firms are entitled to dedicated onboarding, training and support services.

Pros
  • User-friendly interface
  • Streamlined workflows
  • Strong document management
  • Good customer support
  • Mobile app available
Cons
  • Limited reporting
  • Costly for small firms
  • Inconsistent integrations
  • Learning curve for users
  • Occasional bugs
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Lawcus is an end-to-end practice management software with built-in legal case management, client intake and CRM. Streamline time and expense tracking and set up automated workflows. The legal calendar gives a holistic view of upcoming events, deadlines, hearings and tasks. Closely monitor key performance indicators, pipeline value and financial health with built-in reports and a dashboard.

Provides clients with self-service options through the secure client portal. Access best practice templates for client intake and legal documentation. Pre-fill documents with existing database information and process electronic signatures. Manage operating and trust accounts and accept online payments without added risk.
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$39/Month
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Tailored to your specific needs
$34/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
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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

  • Easy Access to Information: Consolidate all case-related information, including documents, contacts, workflow and communication in a central hub. 
  • Requires Minimal Training: Minimize time spent on reskilling and training employees using the intuitive user interface and training materials. 
  • Automated Billing: Accurately track time and create bills for client work via the AutoTime module. 
  • Seamless Integrations: Integrate with all the popular apps like Microsoft Office, Outlook Calendar, Contacts, email clients and more. 
  • Matter-Specific Document Search: Easily locate particular documents and case files. Find documents used in specific contexts, depending on the firm’s requirements. 
  • Increased Productivity: Smokeball automates time-consuming tasks like document generation and billing, freeing up your time to focus on what matters most: serving your clients.
  • Improved Client Communication: Smokeball's secure client portal allows you to share documents, invoices, and other information with clients instantly, keeping them informed and engaged throughout the legal process.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Smokeball provides a central platform for your team to collaborate on cases, share ideas, and track progress, streamlining your workflow and fostering a more efficient work environment.
  • Boosted Profitability: Smokeball's accurate time tracking and billing features help you capture every billable hour and ensure you are getting paid for all the work you do.
  • Reduced Costs: By automating manual processes and eliminating paper, Smokeball helps you save time and money, allowing you to reinvest those resources back into your business.
  • Improved Scalability: Smokeball grows with your firm, providing the tools and resources you need to manage your caseload effectively, regardless of size.
  • Enhanced Security: Smokeball's cloud-based platform is backed by robust security measures, ensuring your data is always safe and protected.
  • Peace of Mind: Smokeball's reliable performance and expert support team give you the peace of mind to focus on what you do best: practicing law.
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  • Hassle-free Trial: Try out the platform for 14 days with anytime cancellation and no credit card details. 
  • Save Time: Avoid repeatable processes with automated workflows. 
  • Increase Cash Flow: Grow the firm’s client base extensively with dedicated lead conversion and client management tools. 
  • Remote Connection: Access important case information and client records from any device with an internet connection. 
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  • Time and Expense Tracking: Automatically track time spent on in-platform tasks, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook and associate it with relevant legal matters. Prepare invoices for billable hours and run reports on profitability and productivity. 
    • Productivity Insights: Generate productivity reports by practice area, staff member and matter. Identify non-billable hours, potential issues and productive staff members to improve the firm’s bottom line. 
    • Automated Billing: Populate billing entries and send invoices directly from the time and expense tracking portal. Pull data from associated matters to automatically create customizable entries. 
  • Document Automation: Draft and edit documents automatically from the information stored in associated legal matters. Integrate with Microsoft Word to move documents and generate PDFs directly from the source. 
    • Document Standardization: Improve the firm’s standard documentation processes with smarter fonts, letterheads and state-prescribed texts. 
    • Form Library: Access over 17,000 public legal documents through the Law Firm Form Library portal. Organize the forms by matter, contacts and/or practice areas and search by keywords. Automate form retrieval processes with “If, Then Else” and “Ask” commands. 
    • Area Specific Automation: Populate legal documentation with information specific to the associated matter. Eliminate overlapping of data with over 250 unique practice areas to choose from. 
  • Client Portal: Smokeball Communicate provides clients with a simple messaging and file-sharing portal. Collaborate on cases, share updates and send files securely with multi-factor authentication and full encryption. 
    • Time Tracking: Automatically log all the hours spent on client correspondence to transform them into billable time. Concentrate all communication through a single portal to simplify tracking and billing. 
    • Communication Management: Directly turn messages into tasks. Manage all email correspondence, in-platform messages and in-app communications under the same roof. 
  • Electronic Filing and Signatures: Integrate with InfoTrack and DocuSign to attach signature clauses to documents. Additionally, insert text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes and more. 
    • Document Status: Keep track of all the documents sent for signatures. Automatically save the signed documents alongside associated legal matters. 
    • Court Searching and Tracking: Utilize InfoTrack to run searches across PACER, state courts, Federal and Bankruptcy courts, and trial and appeal boards. 
    • Filing Resources: Fill out 1099S forms, sign IT Electronic Signatures and legally incorporate firms anywhere in the U.S. Electronically file documents directly from the relevant legal matter with automated expense tracking. 
  • Mobile Application: View and edit legal documentation, attend hearings, send emails and add billing entries from anywhere via the mobile app. Get a quick and clean overview of the legal calendar. 
  • Workflow Management: Assign tasks to team members and set multiple reminders for important events, dates and hearings. 
    • Workflow Automation: Set up standardized automated workflows for regular processes like client intakes, filings, closings and more. 
    • Next Step: Create a sequence of simple or multi-step tasks against each other for every legal matter. Set up prescriptive tasks, litigation reminders and drafting deadlines in advance. 
    • Daily Digest: Broadcast an email every morning to staff members with reminders of upcoming tasks and events. 
  • Case Management: Organize legal cases according to practice areas with matter-specific information. 
    • Digital File: Automatically structure all email correspondence according to associated matter. Staff members have complete access to every file relevant to their work. 
    • Data Structuring: Organize matter-specific information like emails, notes, documentation, billing information, contacts, case numbers and more under one file. Access files from any device with an internet connection. 
  • Email Management: Sort thousands of emails into relevant folders to simplify access by staff members. Integrate with Microsoft Outlook to save an unlimited number of emails, grouped together by associated matter. 
    • Email Time Tracking: Send and receive emails to automatically log billable hours through the time tracking extension. Draft an email via the toolbar to autofill the address bar. 
    • PDF Creation: Convert any document to a PDF file or combine multiple ones into a single PDF before sending an email attachment. 
  • Calendar Management: Create calendar entries and automatically link associated matter and client files to get a 360-degree view of legal cases. Sort the calendar by workweek, month and case timeline to always stay on top of obligations. 
    • Integration: Integrate with Microsoft Outlook to automatically track events and accepted invitations. 
    • Calendar Sync: Access everyone’s legal calendar to stay on top of important events and hearings. Automatically synchronize important dates and tasks across the entire staff’s calendars. 
  • Firm Insights: Use the firm insights dashboard to generate reports on matter-type profitability, referral revenue, real-time performance and more. Filter reports based on practice areas for greater insights and agile decision-making. 
    • Flexible Analysis: Combine time tracked and billing reports to get greater insights into non-billable hours, profitable practice areas, write-offs, discounts and productivity. 
    • Workload Analysis: Identify which practice areas need more work. Use the insights dashboard to evenly distribute the workload between attorneys, assistants and paralegals. 
    • Fixed-Fee Data: Adjust fixed fees, client expectations and staff workloads based on real data from firm insights that show the true cost of work performed for each client. 
  • Billing Management: Prepare custom invoices for firm activity traced by the time tracking portal. Interact directly with the relevant time entries to review and approve invoices. 
    • Integrations: The billing portal integrates with LawPay to process credit card payments and online transactions. Manage trust and operating accounts ethically and offer clients flexible payment options. Additional integrations include QuickBooks Online. 
    • Activity Codes: Create custom activity codes for similar time and expense entries to expedite data entry and billing. 
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  • Case Management: Maintain complete visibility over legal matters with a traditional list view or kanban style bird's-eye view. Identify conflicts of interest via full-text search. Organize matters and contacts via custom fields and groups. 
    • Legal Matters: Participate in matter-specific conversations and pin significant interactions for future reference. The matter timelines tool recollects all case-specific activities chronologically. Always stay in the loop with continuous updates on task assignments, client intake, messages and payments. Generate on-demand matter summaries detailing any outstanding balances, trust balances, and un-invoiced work in progress. 
    • Organization: Create custom numbering schemes to assign numbers to legal matters. Arrange cases via customizable labels and tags. 
  • Task Distribution: Break down complex tasks into sub-tasks, delegate them to other staff members and establish realistic deadlines. Set up trigger-based due dates, start dates and automated email notifications for upcoming tasks. 
    • Task Creation: Design recurring tasks programmed to repeat daily, monthly, annually or periodically. Create private tasks and tasks independent of legal matters. Add multiple team members to a single task and attach notes for future reference. 
  • Time and Expense Tracking: Account for all of the firm’s time and expenses. Directly create invoices from activities and generate UTBMS and LEDES billing codes.  
  • Billing: Supports both flat fee billing, split billing and contingency billing. Get notifications when a client’s retainer balance falls below the minimum amount. Email all clients with open invoices in bulk. Round off time entries and apply default billing rates to all activity items or apply custom rates on time. 
    • Invoicing: Prepare invoices en masse. Use different templates to create invoices for varied situations. Print, download, delete and process multiple invoices at once. Firms can opt to apply available retainer and trust account funds to invoices automatically. 
  • Legal Documentation: Leverage the workflow automation tool to quickly create documents from built-in templates. Store an unlimited number of documents in default folders sorted by practice areas. Create documents for specific contacts within merged fields. Petition clients for particular files with purpose-built request forms. 
  • Integration: Integrate with Dropbox, Box, Google Drive and OneDrive to simply drag and drop documents from cloud storage. The Quickbooks integration automatically synchronizes accounting data from clients, invoices and payments. Email and calendar integrations include Google, Office 365 and Outlook. Additional integrations include Zapier, Zoom, LawPay and Exchange. 
  • Client Intake: Streamline the client intake process with preconfigured online intake forms. Use the form builder to create multi-step complex forms based on conditional logic and triggers. Embed online intake forms into the firm’s website to capture leads effectively. Potential clients can save their progress on the form and complete it later. 
  • Electronic Signatures: Accept electronic signatures on agreements generated digitally. 
  • Client Relationship Management: Track lead sources, referrals and the pipeline value of potential clients. Automate follow-ups without utilizing code. Access a live feed of performance metrics on the configurable dashboard.  
  • Accounting: Manage multiple trust and operating accounts. Facilitate easy transfer of funds between accounts. Replenish trust accounts with expedited trust requests for additional funds. 
  • Payments: Generate and share secure online payment links for quicker payments. Accept credit cards for both trust and operating account payments. 
  • Workflow Automation: Design automated workflows with triggers based on rules, conditions and actions. Seamlessly automate anything from administrative activities and repetitive tasks to reminders and client engagement strategies. 
  • Legal Calendar: Always stay on top of deadlines, upcoming events, essential client touchpoints and hearing with the built-in legal calendar. 
  • Reporting and Analytics: Leverage a customizable dashboard and flexible visual formats to track real-time performance metrics. Anticipate the value of works in progress. Break down total outstanding revenue to identify invoices awaiting payment and overdue bills. 
    • Lead Reporting: Run built-in reports on lead trends, source, pipeline value, conversion rate and referrals. Identify the prominent reasons behind failed conversions and track the number of leads lost due to each cause. Drill deeper into conversion rate data to know the dollar value of conversions in every practice area. 
    • Custom Reports: Create tabular reports with custom parameters and fields, such as invoice history, matter balance summary, general client ledger, accounts receivable and more. 
  • Client Portal: Provide clients with a secure communication module. Lawyers and counsels can answer questions, share documents, request files, assign tasks to and schedule appointments with clients. 
  • Security: Safeguard client data with two-factor authentication. 
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Product Ranking

#31

among all
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#77

among all
Legal Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

91
83
97
85
97
99
99
100
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Time and Expense Management
Dashboard and Reporting
Billing and Payments
Client and Contact Management
Matter/Case Management
Dashboard and Reporting
Matter/Case Management
Client and Contact Management
Mobile Capabilities
Billing and Payments

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Smokeball
Lawcus
+ Add Product + Add Product
Billing And Payments Calendaring And Legal Docketing Client And Contact Management Dashboard And Reporting Document Management Matter/Case Management Mobile Capabilities Task Management Time And Expense Management 97 97 99 81 91 89 88 100 85 99 100 49 100 89 82 79 0 25 50 75 100
94%
0%
6%
82%
0%
18%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
92%
0%
8%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
79%
0%
21%
50%
0%
50%
89%
0%
11%
100%
0%
0%
89%
0%
11%
89%
0%
11%
83%
0%
17%
83%
0%
17%
100%
0%
0%
80%
0%
20%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

86%
0%
14%
71%
0%
29%
83%
0%
17%
83%
0%
17%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 747 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 103 reviews
95%
of users recommend this product

Smokeball has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 95% when considering 747 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

96%
of users recommend this product

Lawcus has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 96% when considering 103 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.9 (14)
n/a
4.8 (176)
4.7 (9)
4.76 (189)
4.8 (47)
4.7 (179)
n/a
4.8 (189)
4.8 (47)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Smokeball and concluded it deserves the award for the Best Overall Legal Software available today. Smokeball stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

Analysts' Pick Award
User Favorite Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Lawcus and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Dashboard and Reporting and Matter/Case Management. Lawcus stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Dashboard and Reporting Award
Matter/Case Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Data Management: The platform’s data storage and organization capabilities are top-notch, according to 100% of users reviewing this feature.
Functionality: According to 91% of users who reviewed this aspect, the software offers various useful functions, including task management, case organization, accounting and AutoTime.
Ease of Use: 88% of users who mentioned this element said the solution is straightforward with an intuitive UI and robust knowledge base.
Integrations: 81% of users mentioning this aspect were satisfied with the variety and effectiveness of available integrations.
Service and Support: All the users who reviewed customer service mentioned that it’s responsive.
Automation: 75% of users who mentioned this element swear by the platform’s automation feature, especially document templates and automated emails.
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Client Intake & CRM: Lawcus streamlines client intake with custom forms and automated workflows, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience and efficient data management.
Matter Management: The platform allows users to organize case files, deadlines, and tasks effectively, providing a centralized hub for all case-related information.
Time Tracking & Billing: Lawcus simplifies timekeeping with its intuitive interface and automated timers, making it easy to track billable hours accurately and generate invoices efficiently.
Communication Tools: Integrated email and secure messaging features facilitate seamless communication with clients and colleagues, keeping everyone informed and connected.
Reporting & Analytics: Lawcus provides insightful reports on key metrics such as billable hours, revenue, and client activity, enabling data-driven decision-making.
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Steep Learning Curve: Smokeball's interface can be complex and require significant training, especially for users unfamiliar with legal practice management software.
Limited Customization: While Smokeball offers some customization options, it may not be flexible enough for law firms with unique workflows or specific needs.
High Cost: Smokeball can be expensive, especially for small law firms or solo practitioners.
Integration Challenges: Integrating Smokeball with other legal software applications can be challenging and may require technical expertise.
Limited Reporting: Some users find Smokeball's reporting features insufficient for generating detailed insights into firm performance.
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Limited Customization: Lawcus offers limited options for customizing workflows, which can be frustrating for firms with unique processes or those requiring a high degree of tailoring. For example, automating specific document generation or client intake procedures may not be possible without extensive workarounds.
Learning Curve: The software's interface, while generally considered user-friendly, can present a learning curve for new users due to its extensive features and functionalities. Navigating through the various modules and understanding the intricacies of task management or billing procedures may require additional time and training.
Integrations: While Lawcus integrates with several popular applications, the range of available integrations may not be as extensive as some competitors. This can limit connectivity with existing tools used by law firms, potentially requiring manual data transfer or additional subscription costs for third-party integration platforms.
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User reviews of Smokeball paint a mixed picture, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. While some users find it incredibly helpful for streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration, others struggle with its complex interface and limited customization options. Positive reviews often praise Smokeball's ability to automate tasks, save time, and increase efficiency. One user remarked, "My billable hours increased by over 50% while my work hours remained the same!" Another noted, "Smokeball has made my job of opening new files and maintaining case information exceedingly easy." These comments highlight the software's potential to improve productivity and profitability, especially for busy legal practices. However, some users find Smokeball's steep learning curve and complex interface a significant drawback. One reviewer lamented, "It took me months to feel comfortable using all the features." Another commented, "The interface can be overwhelming, especially for users unfamiliar with legal practice management software." These challenges highlight the need for comprehensive training and support, which may be lacking for some users. Comparatively, users often cite Smokeball's robust security features and comprehensive functionality as key advantages over competitors like Clio and PracticePanther. One user noted, "I feel confident that my client data is safe with Smokeball's encryption and access controls." Another commented, "Smokeball offers everything I need to manage my practice effectively, from document creation to billing and reporting." These comments emphasize Smokeball's strong security and wide range of features, making it a compelling option for law firms seeking a comprehensive legal practice management solution. However, its higher cost compared to competitors can be a barrier for some. One user remarked, "Smokeball is a great program, but it's simply too expensive for my small solo practice." This highlights the importance of considering individual needs and budgets when choosing a legal practice management software. Overall, user reviews suggest Smokeball is a powerful and feature-rich legal practice management solution, but its complexity and cost may not be suitable for all users. Law firms should carefully weigh the software's strengths and weaknesses against their specific needs and budget before making a decision.

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Lawcus has carved out a niche for itself in the legal tech space, attracting a loyal following of users who appreciate its unique blend of features and affordability. Reviewers frequently highlight the platform's intuitive interface and user-friendly design, making it easy for legal professionals to adopt and integrate into their workflows. The customizability of intake forms, automated workflows, and client portals is a significant advantage, allowing firms to tailor the software to their specific needs and processes. Lawcus's competitive pricing structure, especially compared to industry giants like Clio and MyCase, makes it an attractive option for solo practitioners and small to medium-sized law firms seeking a cost-effective solution without compromising functionality. While Lawcus receives praise for its core features and ease of use, some users note areas for improvement. The mobile app's functionality is sometimes seen as lagging behind the desktop version, and integrations with third-party applications could be more extensive. Additionally, while the customer support is generally responsive, some users desire more comprehensive documentation and resources for troubleshooting and self-help. Despite these limitations, Lawcus remains a compelling choice for legal professionals who prioritize a user-friendly interface, customizable workflows, and competitive pricing. Its focus on automation and client communication tools makes it particularly well-suited for firms looking to streamline their operations and enhance client satisfaction.

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Screenshots

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