10+ Best Legal Document Management Software for Boosting Efficiency in 2025
Struggling to keep track of case files?
Your law firm handles various essential legal documents for its clients and projects.
Without an efficient system for naming, organizing and managing documents, you’ll waste time on typically non-billable work like information retrieval.
Unfortunately, only 33% of a lawyer’s day is spent on billable work, according to a Clio survey. Document management inefficiencies significantly contribute to this situation.
This is why you need the best legal document management software to help you digitize and centralize case files, contracts and other important legal documents, thereby making them easy to find so you can focus on higher-value tasks.
With the right tools, you get template libraries and automated workflows that reduce your administrative overhead to further maximize productivity and billable time.
If you’d like to protect confidential information in legal documents, check out this article I wrote about the best PDF encryption software for enhanced data security.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best legal document management software for boosting efficiency in 2025 and helping your small law firm increase growth and profitability.
Quick summary:
1. FileCenter – Best for digitizing & sharing legal documents.
2. LexWorkplace – Best for improving document collaboration.
3. Clio – Best for creating reusable legal document templates.
4. NetDocuments – Best for improving data residency compliance.
5. PracticePanther – Best for electronic document signing & tracking.
Let’s get started.
How to choose a legal document management software
a) Evaluate collaborative features
No matter the size of your law firm, there are times when you’ll need to collaborate with co-counsel, paralegals and other members of your legal team. So you need to consider a great solution with crucial collaborative features that streamline teamwork.
In this regard, some essential legal document management software features to pay attention to include a file-sharing portal and version control. These help to enhance accountability and collaboration while ensuring you don’t get in each other’s way.
b) Examine platform scalability
Your law firm is growing and your document management needs will also evolve with it. This is why the best legal document management software are those that have excellent scalability to seamlessly accommodate growing document volumes and users.
So I recommend cloud-based document management systems, which can easily scale according to your changing needs. That said, it should also give you the option to store confidential files on-premise so you have better control over very sensitive documents.
c) Assess e-signature capabilities
It’s likely that you’ll need your clients to sign pleadings, agreements, wills and other legal documents. Consequently, a great legal solution should offer efficient functionalities to help you get documents signed electronically to lower turnaround.
With the right document management software for small law firms, you’ll be able to create and collect digital signatures more efficiently. This can help improve document review processes that require a formal signoff from senior attorneys or your clients.
1. FileCenter
Ready to transition to a digital and better workflow?
FileCenter is one of the best document scanning software for law firms, since it comes with OCR-driven data capture features. This enables you to turn paper files into searchable PDF documents to reduce storage costs and centralize access.
Moreover, it has full text search capabilities, allowing you to quickly retrieve the documents you need for court hearings, client meetings and case preparations.
With our software, you also get a client portal for secure file-sharing with advanced encryption. It enables you to share discovery documents, case files and other legal documents more securely and efficiently.
Best features:
- FileCenter comes with powerful document digitization features that lower your document storage needs and improve cost-savings. What’s more, your law firm also gets bulk scanning automation features to help you digitize more efficiently.
- It integrates with popular cloud services, including Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Sharepoint, among others. This gives your practice remote access to case files during court proceedings or client meetings to increase productivity.
- FileCenter lets you organize documents into virtual cabinets that work similar to traditional filing cabinets. You can organize these cabinets by client, case or matter and even create folder templates to improve organization & consistency.
Pricing:
- 15-day free trial.
- Starting plan: $97/user per month.
Verdict
FileCenter is the best legal document management software for digitization, since it comes with bulk scanning automation and OCR features to help you digitize efficiently. In addition, our software also gives you a dedicated client file-sharing portal, which is a very secure platform for sharing sensitive documents with both clients and colleagues.
2. LexWorkplace
LexWorkplace makes legal collaboration easy.
This is because it has crucial document management features like co-editing and access controls, enabling you to collaborate on case work accurately and efficiently.
On top of that, LexWorkplace has robust versioning features which enable you to spot document changes that can impact case outcomes or legal agreements.
Need to be able to work efficiently on the go?
Being a cloud-based document management software, LexWorkplace offers excellent remote work flexibility since you can access case files from any device or location.
Best features:
- You can create shared workplaces, where you’ll edit documents in real-time with colleagues and paralegals. Coupled with the ability to centralize communication and access documents remotely, this feature greatly simplifies collaboration.
- It comes with powerful document comparison tools, which enable you to quickly spot subtle changes that are very easy to overlook. This functionally helps you to speed up important tasks such as reviewing pleadings and legal contracts.
- LexWorkplace’s full text search feature makes it very easy to dig up case information. It also has powerful metadata search capabilities, which enable you to find documents by case number or client name for more precise results.
Pricing:
- 7-day free trial.
- Starting plan: $395 per month.
Verdict
If you need to improve collaboration with attorneys, clients and staff, LexWorkplace is a great tool I recommend due to collaborative features that enable efficient teamwork. However, it has more expensive subscription plans than the other tools on our list, making it a very costly solution if you’re a small law firm working with a tight budget.
3. Clio
Spending too much time creating files from scratch?
Clio integrates with the Microsoft Word application, enabling you to create reusable document templates that maximize business productivity for your small law practice.
With Clio’s time tracking integration, you can track billable time spent on various legal tasks, thereby helping to ensure accurate remuneration for your services.
Just like our software FileCenter, you can collect & create electronic signatures with Clio from opposing counsel and clients remotely. So it’s one of the best legal document management software for improving turnaround times for pleadings & contracts.
Best features:
- It offers customizable document templates, allowing you to create reusable structures for court filings, letters & contracts. Aside from enhancing consistency, this also streamlines document generation and efficiency for your law firm.
- Clio lets you set automatic document archiving schedules, which delete legal documents as per pre-defined rules. These enable your law practice to keep or discard documents as per your internal polices or regulatory requirements.
- You can set up automated document workflows for approvals and other document work, and even assign document-linked tasks. This feature can help you improve productivity and ensure that you’re always on top of deadlines.
Pricing:
- 7-day free trial.
- Starting plan: $39/user per month.
Verdict
If you’d like to speed up repetitive document work, Clio is a great option because it lets you create customizable templates for frequently created documents like court filings. That said, I’ve noticed that it offers an extensive list of features since it’s also a full-suite practice management solution, and this can steepen the learning curve for your firm.
4. NetDocuments
NetDocuments improves legal document analysis.
It taps into the power of AI in document management, giving you a smart legal assistant that can summarize documents. So it can provide the quick insights you need during case preparation, while making document searches simpler.
With NetDocuments’ matter-centric filing system, you can store all the information related to a case or client in one place for easy and quick reference.
Do you have local data laws you need to observe?
It can help you improve regulatory compliance for your small law firm, due to the data residency options it offers, which enable you to meet specific data law requirements.
Best features:
- NetDocuments offers customizable workflows, which enable you to configure metadata fields and folder structures. It’s a feature that enables you to create a personalized document management system that ties in with how you work.
- It automatically and periodically backs up essential legal documents to the cloud to protect against on-premise data loss. This ensures that you can easily recover important documents and maintain workflow continuity for your small law firm.
- NetDocuments offers offline file synching, which enables your practice and its attorneys to work seamlessly on the go even without an internet connection. This helps to streamline collaboration and avoid confusion due to accurate versioning.
Pricing:
- No free trial.
- Contact NetDocuments for pricing.
Verdict
If your practice is bound by specific geographical data laws, I recommend NetDocuments since it offers data residency options to help improve compliance. However, I’ve noticed that many of its key document management features like client portals and digital signatures require add-ons that you need to purchase separately.
5. PracticePanther
Need a better way to track case documents?
PracticePanther is one of the best NetDocument alternatives to consider because it allows you to add custom tags that help you find files quickly & increase efficiency.
Beyond that, it also has a bulk send feature for electronic document signatures, which streamlines client onboarding processes for your law practice.
PracticePanther doubles up as a great invoice scanning software, and it gives you detailed financial reporting about your revenue & expenses. This makes it one of the best legal document management software for tracking your firm’s financial health.
Best features:
- PracticePanther has robust electronic signature capabilities that enable you to fasttrack client onboarding. It even gives you notifications about the status of a document you’ve sent for signing to enable easy followup and quick turnaround.
- It delivers comprehensive matter and case reports, which provide real-time monitoring of case progression. This helps you to analyze how your case is proceeding and easily identify areas to work on to improve your strategy.
- You get a secure file-sharing portal, which gives clients self-service access to documents and information about their case. Additionally, you can even use this portal to securely send invoices and improve communication with teammates.
Pricing:
- 7-day free trial.
- Starting plan: $49/user per month.
Verdict
PracticePanther is a great tool if you’d like to send and track e-signatures efficiently, and it can help improve contract reviews, onboarding & other signature-dependent tasks. Nonetheless, I’ve noticed that the templates it offers aren’t fully customizable and this may be a deal breaker if your small firm has highly specialized document needs.
6. Folderit
Folderit is an excellent option for Windows workflows.
This is because it comes with a Microsoft Office 356 integration, which makes it one of the most popular document management software for Windows. You can edit & create legal documents in Excel and Word without leaving the platform to increase efficiency.
Additionally, it offers an extremely user-friendly interface with intuitive menus and easy navigation, making it very easy to learn and put to work for your law firm.
Just like FileCenter, you get document redaction software capabilities as well as high-level encryption, helping you protect client information at rest and in transit.
Best features:
- Folderit lets you set up automated document numbering workflows, which creates a systematic way of file lifecycle monitoring. This feature comes in handy when you need to maintain a chain of custody for client files or evidence.
- If offers advanced document search retrieval using filters like date, file type and metadata, among others. Therefore, it makes it easy for you to quickly narrow down results and find the legal documents you need with greater precision.
- Folderit offers PDF watermarking features, which allow you to brand your firm’s documents. Furthermore, by adding watermarks like “attorney-client privileged” to files, you can reduce the chances of unauthorized copying and distribution.
Pricing:
- 30-day free trial.
- Starting plan: $46 per month.
Verdict
If you require a simple but high-effective solution, you should consider Folderit, which offers an intuitive user interface that helps you hit the ground running. However, I’ve noticed that it lacks native integration options for other popular software solutions necessary for running your practice, such as billing and case management tools.
7. PandaDoc
Want to impress new clients for your law firm?
PandaDoc has customizable forms for creating intake forms and questionnaires. Furthermore, it leverages document process automation to automate data entry, making it the best legal document management software for improving client experiences.
With its quoting features, you can also personalize proposals with pricing models, conditions and terms specific to a client to win over new business.
Other key benefits of document management software like PanadDoc include automated routing, which helps you to efficiently route documents to senior attorneys, clients or partners to accelerate review processes.
Best features:
- PandaDoc comes with a huge library of common legal documents, including service agreements, engagement letters, contracts & NDAs. You can customize these templates to quickly generate standardized documents and save time.
- It offers electronic signatures that are compliant with regulations like the ESIGN Act and eIDAS. So if you need to have clients sign legally binding contracts and agreements, it offers a secure, efficient and legally compliant way to do so.
- PandaDoc comes with crucial collaborative features, such as the ability to add comments and annotations to files in real time. This feature can help you improve revisions on complex legal documents while reducing back-and-forth emails.
Pricing:
- 14-day free trial.
- Starting plan: $19/user per month.
Verdict
If you need a better way to personalize proposals depending on the services you offer or area of expertise, PandaDoc is an excellent option for streamlining client proposals. However, given its primary focus as a general proposal and e-signature tool, it offers limited document storage and management features compared to the other tools.
8. DocuPhase
DocuPhase is great for freelance attorneys.
This is because it taps into the latest document management trends such as automated document routing and classification, enabling you to juggle multiple cases at once and meet your deadlines as a solo practitioner.
Moreover, DocuPhase has important integrations with ERPs and case management software, among other legal tools, to minimize data duplication.
Want a tool with powerful PDF manipulation features?
It’s also a great PDF editing software that you can use to merge & consolidate related documents like contracts, court filings and more in a single, highly-organized file.
Best features:
- DocuPhase offers time tracking features, which enable you to log in billable hours spent on document work and other tasks. From this data, it can generate invoices to improve billing accuracy and efficiency for your small law firm.
- It offers you a no-code web form builder, which you can use to create customizable client intake forms specific to your practice areas. This streamlines client onboarding and also minimizes manual data entry tasks from paper forms.
- DocuPhase comes with powerful automated document routing features that eliminate repetitive tasks like sending files for review or signatures. Therefore, your administrative burden decreases and you can focus more on legal work.
Pricing:
- No free trial.
- Contact DocuPhase for pricing.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a tool with great PDF editing features that make document organization and management more efficient, then you should consider DocuPhase. That being said, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t offer enough training resources for beginners, and so you may struggle to unlock its full potential for your small law firm.
9. SmartVault
Need to store sensitive case files securely in the cloud?
Then SmartVault is one of the best legal document management software to consider. It offers AES 256-encryption and multifactor authentication, among other advanced data protection features, so you can store sensitive legal documents securely in the cloud.
Interestingly, it has pre-built folder templates that auto-populate when you start a new case, thereby standardizing document creation and increasing efficiency.
Just like FileCenter, it also improves legal document management with robust version control, which makes it a great choice if you’d like to reduce the risk of working on outdated versions and improve accuracy in legal filings.
Best features:
- SmartVault offers a client portal that you can customize to reflect your brand’s identity. This portal empowers your clients to independently download documents, review case details and find answers to lower your support burden.
- It provides time-stamped audit trails about document activity, enabling you to know who viewed, opened, copied or shared a file. So it can help you to increase accountability and also maximize document security, integrity and compliance.
- You get a cloud-based document management system, which centralizes case handling. This improves access to case information and also enhances collaboration and coordination when you’re working with a large legal team.
Pricing:
- 14-day free trial.
- Starting plan: $25/user per month.
Verdict
SmartVault offers highly-secure, cloud document storage, which enables you to improve data security, regulatory compliance and the disaster recovery capabilities of your law firm. Nonetheless, I’ve noticed that its pre-defined folder templates have rigid structures that aren’t as customizable as other tools, which significantly limits personalization.
10. Square 9
Square 9 is great for paper-heavy law firms.
This is because it has advanced document capture automation features which, when paired with the best document scanners, can digitize discovery forms, case briefs and more to reduce your physical storage needs.
With Square 9’s automatic alerts for document approvals, pending signatures and more, you can ensure documents are processed quickly in line with court dates.
If you need to find documents faster, Square 9 offers a powerful GlobalSearch platform that enables you to efficiently locate files and accelerate case preparation.
Best features:
- Square 9 offers bulk document scanning capabilities that allow you to digitize several legal files quickly into a centralized repository. This feature can help you boost productivity if your small law firm has a high-volume document workflow.
- You also get a drag-and-drop builder that enables you to create web forms for your business without any coding. These forms can help you obtain extra details and documents from clients so that you have the right information upfront.
- It offers document check in and check out controls to ensure just one attorney or paralegal can edit a document at a go. With this functionality, you can avoid editing conflicts for more seamless collaboration for your small law practice.
Pricing:
- No free trial.
- Starting plan: $50/user per month.
Verdict
Square 9 is primarily a large-scale enterprise content management system, which is why I recommend it if you’re a large law firm and want to improve file management. That being said, I’ve noticed that it requires a massive upfront investment, making it extremely expensive, especially if you’re a solo attorney or small law practice.
11. DynaFile
Want to improve your staff onboarding processes?
DynaFile is an excellent HR document management software for law firms to consider, because it offers electronic staff onboarding forms. These can digitize your hiring processes, helping you recruit paralegals, attorneys and support staff more efficiently.
Thanks to its saved search queries, you can also quickly retrieve frequently accessed information to boost your productivity for recurring legal matters.
Just like our software FileCenter, it can help you improve file management due to the ability to set custom naming conventions. This helps your law practice to conform with any jurisdictional requirements for specific file naming.
Best features:
- DynaFile gives you a scan-to-cloud feature, which helps you digitize legal documents and store them directly in the cloud. Consequently, you get offsite access to critical information to support remote work and court appearances.
- You can set automated document retention and purging schedules as per your legal requirements or law firm’s policies. This can help ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations such as SOC 2, GDPR and HIPAA, among others.
- DynaFile also allows you to create and collect electronic signatures, thanks to its integration with proven third-party tools like DocuSign. So it can eliminate manual steps in traditional signing processes like mailing, printing and scanning.
Pricing:
- No free trial.
- Contact DynaFile for pricing.
Verdict
If you’re looking to streamline your law firm’s HR processes, I recommend DynaFile which can help you improve onboarding and also compliance with local labor laws. However, being a HR-specific solution, it lacks advanced and legal-specific features that you need to manage other essential documents for your law firm beyond employee files.
Conclusion
Legal practice is an extremely document-intensive industry.
However, when document work is so time-consuming, you risk losing your competitiveness.
This is because inefficient document processes steal time that your law firm could spend on networking, addressing client concerns & finding new business.
In fact, at least 17% of US attorneys struggle with developing their businesses and attracting new clients, according to a Statista survey. Resource-draining administrative tasks are significantly to blame for these challenges.
If you’d like to accelerate growth, you need the best legal document management software to sharpen your competitiveness. In particular, I recommend FileCenter for efficient document digitization.
So to increase your productivity, start your free FileCenter trial, and automate soul-sapping and repetitive document work for your law firm.
In addition to automation, you also get a dedicated client portal with our software which can help you build stronger client relationships that lead to more referral work.
