Clio

What is clio

Clio is a cloud-based legal practice management platform that centralizes matter management, time tracking, billing, client intake, and document management for law firms. The platform is built to support the administrative and operational needs of legal practices—from solo attorneys to mid-size and larger firms—by providing a single interface to manage cases, calendars, contacts, invoices, and payments.

Clio is delivered as a multi-tenant SaaS product with web and mobile clients, secure cloud storage, and role-based access controls. It is often deployed alongside other legal tools such as e-signature services, payment processors, and accounting software. Clio also provides separate modules focused on client intake and CRM-style workflows in addition to its core practice management features.

Because it targets regulated client data, Clio includes audit trails, permissioning, and security controls that help firms meet common compliance needs. The product ecosystem includes native integrations, an API for custom connections, and a marketplace of partner apps that extend functionality for areas such as payroll, accounting, and document automation.

Clio features

Clio exposes a broad feature set aimed at law firm operational workflows. Key areas of functionality include matter and contact management, time capture, billing and invoicing, client intake, document management, calendars and scheduling, and reporting.

• Matter and contact management: Centralized matter records with custom fields, conflict checks, related contacts, and a timeline of activity. Users can link documents, emails, tasks, and time entries directly to matters for a single source of truth.
• Time tracking and billing: Multiple time entry methods (manual, timer, mobile capture), configurable billing rates, flexible invoice templates, trust accounting and LEDES support, and batch invoice generation.
• Client intake and CRM: Intake forms, automated intake workflows, lead capture, client portals, and the ability to convert successful intakes into matters without re-entering data.

Clio also offers comprehensive document tools and integrations:

• Document management and automation: Secure cloud document storage, folder structures per matter, version history and linking to matters, plus integrations with common document tools for templates and automation.
• Calendar and scheduling: Two-way calendar sync with Google and Microsoft calendars, courtroom date tracking, and shared firm calendars to keep everyone aligned.
• Client portal and communications: Secure client portal for sharing invoices, documents, and messages; email sync so firm email threads are attached to matters; and text and e-signature integrations.

Security, compliance, and reporting features include audit logs, role-based access control, two-factor authentication, encrypted data storage and transport, and built-in reports for revenue, billing productivity, and trust accounting compliance. Clio’s partner ecosystem is extensive: it integrates with accounting tools, payment processors, legal research services, and other legal-specific apps to create a connected stack.

What does clio do?

Clio consolidates the administrative tasks that law firms must perform daily into a single, searchable system. It tracks client and matter details, records time and expenses, generates invoices, collects payments, and stores case-related documents. The platform reduces duplicate data entry by linking related items—time entries, documents, emails, tasks—to the appropriate matter.

Practically, Clio reduces friction around intake-to-invoice workflows: new client leads can be captured via forms, screened, onboarded into a matter record, and then billed using the same system. Lawyers and staff can accurately capture billable time across devices, generate trust-account-compliant invoices, and reconcile payments against matters.

Clio also functions as a hub for firm operations: reporting dashboards surface utilization and revenue trends, administrative controls let firms define user roles and permissions, and integrations let firms plug the practice management core into the rest of their finance and productivity tools.

Clio pricing

Clio offers these pricing plans:

• Starter: $39/month per user (billed annually) – basic matter management, time tracking, billing, and document storage
• Essentials: $69/month per user (billed annually) – adds client intake, more advanced billing features, and document automation integrations
• Professional: $99/month per user (billed annually) – includes advanced matter and trust accounting features, expanded reporting, and client portal functionality
• Advanced: $149/month per user (billed annually) – comprehensive feature set, priority support, and advanced automation options

Prices above are presented as representative tiered rates per user when billed annually; actual prices, promotional offers, and module add-ons (for Clio Manage, Clio Grow, or bundled Suite options) may differ. Check Clio's current pricing plans for the latest rates and enterprise options.

How much is clio per month

Clio starts at $39/month per user when billed annually for the entry-level plan. Monthly billing is typically available at a slightly higher per-user rate; firms should confirm billing cadence and per-user pricing on Clio’s official pricing page.

How much is clio per year

Clio costs $468/year per user for the base plan when billed annually at $39/month. Annual billing usually reduces the per-month cost compared with month-to-month billing; larger firms may be offered volume discounts or custom enterprise pricing.

How much is clio in general

Clio pricing ranges from $39 to $149+/month per user. The range reflects different plan tiers and whether a firm purchases Clio Manage, Clio Grow, or a bundled Clio Suite solution. Additional costs can come from payment processing fees, optional partner apps, third-party integrations, and services such as implementation or premium support.

What is clio used for

Clio is used to run the back-office and client-facing administrative operations of a law firm. Typical use cases include matter lifecycle management, timekeeping and invoicing, client intake and retention, document organization and secure sharing, and managing trust accounts and compliance reporting.

Firms use Clio to replace spreadsheets and disconnected systems by linking case files, email, billing, and calendars together. This centralization reduces administrative overhead, helps ensure accurate billing, and provides a single audit trail for client matters.

Different firm sizes use Clio for specific needs: solo practitioners often rely on Clio for simple matter tracking, time capture, and invoicing; small-to-medium firms use the platform for shared calendars, staff permissions, and reporting; larger firms or multi-office practices can use enterprise features, integrations, and API access to create more customized workflows.

Pros and cons of clio

Clio presents a focused feature set for legal practice management but like any platform there are trade-offs.

Pros:

• Strong law-specific feature set that covers matters, billing, trust accounting, and intake in one system, reducing the number of disconnected tools a firm needs.
• Extensive integration ecosystem and a documented API that enable connection to accounting systems, payment processors, e-signature providers, and document automation platforms.
• Mobile apps and timers that help lawyers capture billable time on the go, and a secure client portal for sharing documents and invoices.

Cons:

• Costs can grow quickly for larger firms because pricing is per-user and advanced features or add-on modules may require higher-tier plans or additional fees.
• Firms with highly customized workflows may require integration work or third-party tools to match specialized processes such as complex practice-area-specific document automation.
• Firms migrating from legacy systems may need implementation support to preserve historical data and configure trust accounting rules correctly.

For many firms, the benefits of centralized data and integrated billing outweigh these trade-offs, but budget and migration complexity are common decision factors.

Clio free trial

Clio offers a trial period for firms that want to evaluate the product before committing to a paid plan. The trial typically includes access to core features such as matter and contact management, time tracking, invoicing, and document storage so prospective customers can simulate common workflows.

During the trial, firms can test integrations like calendar sync and document upload, set up sample matters, and verify that trust accounting and billing templates meet their needs. Trials help firms assess onboarding requirements, estimate the time needed to migrate data, and identify necessary integrations.

To start a trial or compare trial feature availability across plans, review the details on Clio's trial and demo page or contact Clio sales for guided onboarding and a tailored walkthrough.

Is clio free

No, Clio does not offer a permanently free plan for most firms. Clio provides short-term trials and demo access so firms can evaluate the software, but ongoing use requires a paid subscription. Occasional promotional or limited free offerings may be available for qualifying users; consult Clio’s pricing and promotions for current details.

Clio API

Clio provides a RESTful API that enables firms and partners to integrate Clio with custom applications, accounting systems, and other tools. The API covers core objects such as matters, contacts, time entries, expenses, documents, and users, allowing programmatic creation, retrieval, updates, and deletion of data where permitted by access controls.

Common uses of the API include synchronizing client and matter data with firm accounting systems, automating invoice exports to external financial software, building custom intake forms that feed directly into Clio, and extending Clio’s reporting by exporting data to BI tools. Clio’s API supports modern authentication methods and provides pagination, filtering, and webhooks to react to events such as new invoices or updated matters.

Developers and integrators can find API documentation and developer resources at Clio’s developer site. For production integrations, Clio recommends using the official API docs and testing in a sandbox to validate workflows before implementing live syncing.

10 Clio alternatives

• PracticePanther — End-to-end legal practice management with automated workflows and integrated payments.
• MyCase — Practice management and client communication platform designed for small to mid-size firms.
• CosmoLex — Combines practice management with built-in trust accounting and general ledger accounting features.
• Rocket Matter — Time and billing focused practice management with integrations for payments and calendaring.
• LEAP — Desktop-plus-cloud solution often used by small firms and solo practitioners, with matter-centric features.
• Actionstep — Workflow-driven practice management with strong automation and custom process capabilities.
• Zola Suite — Built-in accounting and practice management with emphasis on integrated financial workflows.
• Clio Grow — (Related product) Clio’s own client intake CRM if you’re evaluating intake-first workflows vs full practice management.
• Bill4Time — Time and billing platform adopted by consultants and small law firms needing flexible invoicing.
• Smokeball — Document automation and practice management focused on increasing productivity for small firms.

Paid alternatives to Clio

• PracticePanther: Cloud practice management with invoice automation, payments, and client portal features; pricing is tiered per user.
• MyCase: Emphasizes client communication and billing workflows with a single pricing model for firms of different sizes.
• CosmoLex: Differentiates itself with built-in accounting features and trust accounting integrated directly in the product.
• Actionstep: Strong workflow automation for firms that need customized processes and case-type automation.
• Zola Suite: Focuses on integrated accounting plus practice management and advanced financial reporting.

Open source alternatives to Clio

• Casebox: Open source case management and document collaboration platform that can be customized for legal workflows.
• LegalBoard (self-hosted variants): Community-driven matter management projects that require hosting and customization.
• ERPNext (legal customizations): General open source ERP that can be adapted with custom apps for legal matter and billing workflows.

Open source options typically require more technical resources to host, customize, and secure but can be an option for firms that need full control over data and workflow customization.

Frequently asked questions about Clio

What is Clio used for?

Clio is used for legal practice management and client intake. Law firms use it to manage matters, track billable time, produce invoices, collect payments, and store documents in a single system. It reduces the need to switch between separate tools for case management, billing, and client communication.

Does Clio integrate with QuickBooks?

Yes, Clio integrates with QuickBooks. Firms can sync invoices, payments, and client billing data to QuickBooks Online or other supported accounting platforms to streamline bookkeeping and reconcile firm finances.

How much does Clio cost per user?

Clio starts at $39/month per user when billed annually for the entry-level plan; higher tiers increase in price based on added features and advanced functionality. Enterprise or custom bundles may have different pricing structures.

Is there a free version of Clio?

No, Clio does not offer a long-term free plan for most users. The company provides trials and demos so prospective customers can evaluate functionality before committing to a subscription.

Can Clio be used for trust accounting?

Yes, Clio supports trust accounting features. The platform includes trust ledger functionality, deposits and disbursements tracking, and trust reconciliation tools to help firms comply with jurisdictional trust accounting rules.

Does Clio offer client portals?

Yes, Clio includes a secure client portal. Firms can share documents, invoices, and messages with clients through the portal, which provides controlled access and an audit trail of client interactions.

Can I import data from Excel into Clio?

Yes, Clio supports data import from spreadsheets. Users can import contacts, matters, and other records via CSV or Excel import tools to migrate data from legacy systems or consolidate information.

Does Clio have mobile apps?

Yes, Clio provides mobile apps for iOS and Android. Mobile apps allow lawyers to capture time, view matters, access documents, and communicate with clients while away from the office.

How secure is Clio?

Clio uses industry-standard security controls for SaaS applications. The platform uses encrypted data-in-transit and at-rest protections, role-based access controls, audit logging, and options for single sign-on and two-factor authentication to protect client information.

What training resources does Clio offer?

Clio provides training resources, webinars, and documentation. Users can access on-demand tutorials, live webinars, a help center, and professional services for onboarding and implementation support.

clio careers

Clio maintains a public careers site that lists open roles across engineering, customer success, product, sales, marketing, and operations. Positions range from remote-friendly roles to office-based opportunities depending on location and function. The careers area also details company benefits, hiring processes, and diversity initiatives.

clio affiliate

Clio runs a partner and referral program that allows consultants, vendors, and affiliates to refer customers and earn partner benefits. Affiliates can access partner resources, co-marketing materials, and onboarding support to refer firms to Clio's suite of products.

Where to find clio reviews

Law firms and software review sites publish user reviews and case studies about Clio. Look for verified customer reviews on well-known review platforms, professional legal publications, and Clio’s own testimonials page to read about user experiences, implementation timelines, and ROI examples. For up-to-date comparative reviews and user ratings, search industry review sites and legal tech market reports.