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Bill4Time vs Firm Central

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Our analysts compared Bill4Time vs Firm Central based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Legal Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Overview Pricing Benefits & Features Analyst Ratings Comparison Charts User Ratings Analyst Summary Screenshots
Bill4Time Software Tool
SelectHub Award Winner
Firm Central Software Tool
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Product Basics

Analyst Rating

72 Detailed Analysis

User Sentiment

Excellent User Sentiment (329 Reviews)

Analyst Rating

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Detailed Analysis

User Sentiment

Good User Sentiment (141 Reviews)
Bill4Time provides law firms of all sizes with productivity and practice management solutions. Track and review billable activities from any device in real time. Expedite payment with pre-filled digital invoices and secure online payments. Provide clients with a self-service portal to track their invoices, payment status and transaction history. Use the customizable dashboard to keep tabs on all case-related activities and transactions and centrally access firm data.

Administrators can design automated workflows to assign, track, schedule and prioritize tasks and legal obligations. Supports trust accounting with IOLTA reconciliation and QuickBooks integration. Run preconfigured reports on KPIs, productivity, task management, brand recognition, reputation and more.
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Firm Central is an end-to-end cloud-based solution that provides firms with a centralized interface to manage legal matters, accounting, calendaring, time tracking, billing and client communication. Users can track time and expenses efficiently from multiple devices and create flexible payment options and custom invoices for clients. Monitor legal workflows using its legal calendar with custom rules templates, deadline assistance, permissions-based access and multiple viewing options. Dashboards and reports provide up-to-date data-driven insights.

It offers robust data security with encryption, compliant servers and 24/7 security monitoring. It also provides continuous data backups and seamless integrations. Users can access it from anywhere, from any device.
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$27/User, Monthly
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$40/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • Uninterrupted Service: Provides maximum uptime with environmental controls and power systems designed to resist local outages and natural disasters. 
  • Unlimited Storage: Never lose track of critical case information with easy uploading and storage of legal documents. 
  • Mobile Access: Stay connected to important tools and tasks with a mobile app. 
  • Flexible Project Management: Efficiently juggle multiple projects by customizing default labels according to the firm’s requirements. 
  • Maximize Billable Time: Capture every moment of billable time with offline time tracking, mobile tracking and retroactive addition of time entries. 
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  • Comprehensive Reports: Get detailed daily, weekly and monthly reports of billable and non-billable time tracked. Maximize accuracy by cross-checking before billing. 
  • Easy Access: Directly access Westlaw’s legal research network from the homepage. 
  • Customizable Dashboard: Customize the dashboard with status bars for crucial functions. 
  • Simplify Collaboration: Collaborate with clients and team members by integrating with SharePoint. 
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  • Time Tracking: Track billable and non-billable time, staff contractors, consultants and internal non-client time with separate timers. Convert meetings to billable hours and run multiple timers at the same time. Review daily and weekly time entries to measure the firm’s productivity and financial health. Set up custom activity types and work code lists to improve efficiency. 
  • Expense Tracking: Upload images of receipts to track case-related expenses in real time. Leverage two-way image syncing to track expenses internally or charge a flat percentage markup. Comes with built-in configurable UTBMS billing codes. 
  • Integrations: Integrate with third-party applications such as QuickBooks, Outlook, Google Calendar, Box, NetDocuments, Cyber Revolution and more. 
  • Billing and Invoicing: Create pre-filled bills, detailed invoices and statements with configurable payment terms, currency and late fees. Set up tailored payment plans and link invoices to online payment options. 
    • Invoice Templates: Track the status of invoices in real time. Override default payment rates and add a brand logo, currency, company details, payment terms, late fees and more. Prepare invoices en masse and generate summary reports. Provide clients with flat rates, percentage discounts, hybrid billing options and online payment methods. 
  • Online Payments: Securely process online payments with various flexible payment options, including eCheck and credit cards. Ensure compliance with IOLTA, ABA and state bar guidelines. Run payment-related reports to maximize efficiency. 
  • Client Management: Get 24/7 access to client and project information from any device. Customize the dashboard for quick access to specific information, such as client info, outstanding balances, assigned account manager and more. Centrally store all case-related data, contacts and notes. Tailor the client’s budget according to the firm’s financial goals. 
  • Case Tracking: Organize cases with custom notes and files. Assign activities to specific cases and track pending tasks with the shared schedule. Get status updates on essential activities with the customizable notification center. 
  • Tasks: Set up automated workflows to assign, track and schedule tasks. Add custom descriptions, details, priority levels and due dates. Search for specific tasks with custom filters, such as due date, assigned employee, completion status and priority level. Convert completed tasks into time entries. 
  • Accounting: Get complete visibility of outstanding balances, credits and debits, pending projects and balance adjustments. Supports trust accounting. 
  • Reporting: Run preconfigured reports to evaluate accounting activity, client details, entry specifics, legal matter, user activity and productivity. Export recorded data in PDF or CSV format for analysis by external auditors. 
  • Client Portal: Provide clients with a self-service portal. Get real-time access to invoices, payment history, outstanding balances and the payment portal. Improve brand awareness by embedding the firm’s logo into the client portal and payment gateway. 
  • Customization: Prepare custom invoices to match the firm’s existing layout, data fields and format. Create custom reports with extra columns, optional views and additional filters. Set up custom rate tables with flexible billing rates. 
  • Firm Metrics: Leverage the configurable dashboard to track monthly performance metrics, measure key performance indicators, set utilization targets and develop competitive billing rates. Evaluate unique data points to generate actionable insights. Track the firm’s reputation on review sites and take corrective action where necessary.  
  • Data Security: Protect the firm’s data with 256-bit SSL encryption. Provide round-the-clock protection and comply with SSAE 18 SOC 1 reporting standards. 
  • Permissions and Access: Limit visibility into restricted information with permission-based access. Assign permissions for every function and provide third-party contractors with temporary access. Track logins automatically. 
  • Mobile Application: Get unrestricted access to the firm’s data, legal matters, dashboard and activity timers via a native app for mobile devices. Get daily, weekly and monthly progress reports, add case details, communicate with clients and view outstanding balances.  
  • Legal Documentation: Upload and store an unlimited number of case-related documents. Create custom folders and subfolders and share access with the entire firm. Leverage file duplication and templates to standardize document creation. Search for specific documents and quotes faster with fuzzy search. Implement completely new conventions or use the built-in structure.  
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  • Matter Management: Manage legal matters, tasks, contacts, deadlines and documents from a single platform. Automate the client intake process and store an unlimited amount of documentation and files. 
    • Matter Search: Identify specific legal documents and files with the global search function. 
  • Collaboration: Securely share case files and calendar entries with all team members and counsels. Encourage collaboration between counsels and clients with a dedicated client portal. 
  • Task Management: Assign tasks to staff members, set reminders for important events and appointments and keep track of notifications. Monitor document reviews and updates and perform conflict checks across the client database. 
  • Time Tracking and Billing: Track every single minute of billable time with the Firm Central Time & BIlling portal. Create and operate trust funds, run reports and issue expedited invoices for faster payments. 
    • Financial Reporting: Generate reports with custom datasets to identify profitable practice areas, aging receivables, referral values, important clients and more. 
    • Financial Dashboard: Get real-time access to firm financials, outstanding bills, WIP, year-end reconciliations and more through a single interface. Use the dashboard insights for agile decision-making and strategic future planning. 
    • Time and Expense: Log billable hours with multiple timers from any computer or mobile device. Integrate time tracking and billing capabilities to directly invoice for the time entries. 
    • Billing: Prepare tailored payment plans and payment options for clients. Edit invoices and accept credit card payments with the ClientPay portal. 
  • Accounting: Manage separate trust and operating accounts with purpose-built accounting software. Process invoices ethically and in compliance with industry standards. 
    • Reports: Run regular accounting reports to measure profitability, discounts, write-offs, bank reconciliations, account transactions and more. Stay on top of the firm’s financial health to make informed decisions. 
    • Eliminate Error: Automate data entry to eliminate duplicate data and human errors. 
    • Compliance: Prepare an audit trail for all trust account transactions and simplify year-end reconciliations. Set up internal controls to protect financial data from leaks. 
  • Legal Calendar: Manage deadlines, events, hearings and more with the integrated legal calendar tool. 
    • Deadlines: The Deadlines Assistant automatically computes the deadlines of ongoing projects based on the rules set by the firm’s jurisdiction. Set up custom rules if required. 
    • Calendar Sync: Add, edit and update events in either the built-in calendar or Microsoft Outlook and automatically synchronize entries. 
    • Multiple Calendar Views: Allow all staff members to view the legal calendar for a holistic awareness of deadlines and appointments. Drill down on specific entries by matter and permissions. 
  • Mobile Application: Retain full control over legal matters and tasks while away from the office. Use the mobile application to securely access legal documents, matters, contacts, calendars and more. Track time and process expenses on the go. 
  • Security: Secure firm files and documentation in transit as well as in storage. Additionally, solve any data residency requirements with U.S.-based servers hosted by Thomson Reuters. 
    • Data Encryption: All connections to Firm Central servers are routed via HTTPS sessions with 256-bit SSL and TLS encryption. 
    • Compliance: Ensure the data security standards of the firm are compliant with SOC 2 Type II and AICPA regulations. Physical data centers are ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified. 
  • Client Portal: Provide clients with an encrypted communication environment for secure collaboration with counsels. 
    • Communications: Share documents, bills, case updates, messages and more with clients in real time. Monitor all client activity and maintain a record of all communications. 
    • Self-service: Clients can check case files and matter information, receive push notifications and upload documents. 
    • Security: Maintain ABA ethics mandates with the self-service portal. Use permission-based controls to decide who gets access to what items and documents. 
  • Westlaw Compatibility: Subscribe to Westlaw for built-in case citation flags and integrated global search and research tools. 
  • Integrations: Integrate with multiple Thomson Reuters applications under the same platform. Available inclusions include Westlaw legal research, Westlaw Form Builder, Practical Law and Drafting Assistant. 
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Product Ranking

#11

among all
Legal Software

#37

among all
Legal Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Bill4Time
Firm Central
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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 88 57 99 33 65 89 100 100 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 329 reviews
Good User Sentiment 141 reviews
95%
of users recommend this product

Bill4Time has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 95% when considering 329 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

74%
of users recommend this product

Firm Central has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 74% when considering 141 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

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4.1 (5)
4.3 (13)
3.8 (11)
4.77 (166)
3.68 (62)
4.8 (150)
3.7 (62)
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3.0 (1)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Bill4Time and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Task Management. Bill4Time stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Task Management Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Customizable Invoices: Users appreciate the ability to personalize invoices with their firm's branding and preferred layout, ensuring a professional presentation to clients.
Detailed Reporting: Bill4Time offers comprehensive reports that provide insights into billable hours, expenses, and overall firm performance, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Client Portal: The secure client portal facilitates seamless communication and collaboration, allowing clients to access invoices, make payments, and share documents conveniently.
Mobile App: The mobile app empowers attorneys to track time, manage expenses, and stay connected while on the go, enhancing flexibility and productivity.
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Data Management: It provides easy and secure access to client records and legal matters, according to 100% of users mentioning data management.
Ease of Use: According to 83% of users who reviewed this aspect, the platform is user-friendly and easy to learn.
Sharing and Collaboration: All reviewers who mentioned this benefit said they found it easy to share and collaborate on legal matters, especially with access to SharePoint.
Task Management: According to 67% of users who reviewed this feature, the legal calendar simplifies tracking pending tasks, assignments and deadlines.
KPI Monitoring: Everyone reviewing this element said that the customizable dashboard made it easy to track KPIs.
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Limited Functionality for Legal Professionals: Bill4Time may not be the best fit for all law firms due to limitations in features specifically designed for legal professionals, such as trust accounting and conflict checking.
Usability Challenges: Some users find the interface to be clunky and outdated, leading to a steeper learning curve and potential frustration during daily use.
Customer Support Concerns: A portion of users have expressed dissatisfaction with the responsiveness and effectiveness of Bill4Time's customer support, which can be crucial when encountering technical issues or needing assistance.
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Functionality: Without integrations, it has limited functionalities, according to 57% of users mentioning this element.
Integrations: According to 71% of users who reviewed this feature, integrations can be buggy and expensive.
Service and Support: 64% of users who mentioned this aspect said they found the technical support lacking in knowledge and responsiveness.
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Time is money, and when it comes to billing for your time, you need software that doesn't waste either. Bill4Time has been making waves in the legal software arena, but is it all hype or does it truly hold up in court? Let's delve into the jury's verdict on this popular time-tracking and billing solution. Bill4Time users rave about its intuitive interface and robust features, especially its time-tracking capabilities. The ability to track time across projects with ease, generate detailed reports, and seamlessly integrate with accounting software streamlines the billing process, saving valuable time and ensuring accuracy. Users also appreciate the flexibility of the platform, allowing customization to fit individual workflows and preferences. However, some users find the mobile app to be less user-friendly than the desktop version, and others desire more advanced reporting options. Compared to competitors like Clio and TimeSolv, Bill4Time stands out with its competitive pricing and user-friendly interface. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some higher-priced options, it provides a solid foundation for time-tracking and billing needs, making it a compelling choice for solo practitioners and small to medium-sized law firms seeking an efficient and cost-effective solution.

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Firm Central provides legal practitioners with a capable practice management solution with direct access to Westlaw. It offers secure and fast web access to basic features, including time tracking, billing, accounting, and matter and task management modules. Access to Westlaw is an important asset and should weigh heavily on any acquisition decision. That said, multiple integrations can drive up costs and put a lot of pressure on the platform. Implementation and technical support can be hard to reach at times. Unless a Westlaw integration is absolutely essential to the firm, there are better options available in this price range.

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Screenshots

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Head-to-Head Comparison

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