Filevine vs PracticePanther

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Our analysts compared Filevine vs PracticePanther 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

Filevine is a cloud-based tool for law firms and solo practitioners to manage cases, clients, documents and billing. It offers various AI-powered features and automation to help you improve efficiency, streamline collaboration, reduce overhead tasks and capture more leads.

One of its standout features is the AI-powered document management system. It automatically categorizes and tags documents based on their content, making it easy for attorneys and staff to find information quickly. The AI also helps identify potential conflicts of interest and ensures compliance with legal regulations.

Filevine offers robust task management and matter-handling capabilities. You can easily create matters and consolidate all case-related documents, data, notes and tasks in the same environment. You can also connect contacts to associated legal matters and correspondence history. The software provides tools for accurate time tracking, invoicing and payment processing.

Additionally, the client intake module helps efficiently organize and convert leads from multiple channels. The AI-powered system automatically extracts key information from incoming inquiries, making it easier for staff to follow up and provide timely responses. Filevine's analytics module provides valuable insights into lead generation sources, allowing law firms to focus their marketing efforts on the most effective channels.

The platform employs security measures such as encryption, access controls and regular data audits. It requires multi-factor authentication for staff account access. You can set role-based permissions to grant different access levels based on responsibilities, ensuring sensitive client information remains confidential and secure.

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PracticePanther is a cloud-based platform that helps manage cases, documents, client communications, time tracking and billing for law firms. It acts as a centralized hub for handling client information, cases and documents. Its reporting tools let you track your firm’s financial health and performance.

The platform allows you to create detailed case files, including evergreen retainers, deadlines, billable hours and specific tasks associated with each case. It offers document management tools, enabling attorneys to edit, track changes, eSign and share files with concerned clients and internal departments.

Additionally, you can track time spent on each case, generate detailed invoices and automate trust account management. Practices of all sizes can automate invoicing, time-tracking and payments while remaining compliant with IOLTA, ABA and state bar guidelines.

The software also allows firms to store client contact information, communication history and matter details in one place. It provides tools for client intake and onboarding, including custom intake forms, checklists and client portals. Its intuitive mobile app helps you stay connected with your firm and communicate with staff and clients remotely.

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$87/User, Monthly
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$49/User, Monthly
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Product Assistance

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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Meet Every Deadline With Efficient Calendaring: According to our data, Filevine’s best module is its calendar management toolkit with a 100 analyst rating. You can create events, attach notes and add time entries for each task. The calendar provides color-coded views, filtering options and reminders for upcoming events. It also supports rule-based calendaring that tracks and automatically adds deadlines and events for specific jurisdictions.
  • Streamline Client Experiences Using Intelligent Automation: The platform’s client and contact management toolkit is another strong suite, with an 89 analyst rating. Built-in email communication, client portals and secure document sharing enhance collaboration and accessibility. Customizable intake forms and detailed client profiles enable personalized interactions and efficient lead management. Additionally, integration with two-way text messaging ensures timely and convenient client communication.
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  • Never Miss Billable Hours: PracticePanther excels in time and expense management, with our data showing that it offers 96% of all key requirements out of the box. You can manage retainers and set custom hourly rates, item prices and contingency rates. It supports multiple time clocks and helps you log billable and non-billable hours accurately. You can also add uniform task-based management (UTBM) codes while creating time and expense entries to set benchmarks.
  • Improve Client Experiences: Another strong suite is the platform’s client and contact management module, which has received an 89 rating from our analysts. You can design unique client intake funnels to capture all required information. Clients get individual portals to submit documents, track cases and pay invoices. You can use the built-in two-way messaging system or send emails and text messages from the software interface. The platform maintains a communication log and enhances client outreach with email campaigns and lead-tracking tools.
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  • Case Management: Centrally access all case-related information, documents, notes, tasks and correspondence. Automate standardized procedures, tasks, reminders and deadlines. Use the activity feed to track tasks in real time, communicate with clients and pull up contextual information. Set up roles and permissions to control access and assign responsibilities. 
  • Lead Capture: Create client intake forms tailored to the firm’s needs. Automate follow-up tasks and communications required to convert potential clients. Use the dashboard to display tasks and track lead volume over time, lead sources, revenue by source and conversion rate. 
  • Integrations: Connect with Lead Docket to streamline lead referrals and access its vast library of integrations. Add over 2,000 applications through its API-based architecture. Seamlessly integrate with QuickBooks to synchronize legacy accounts. Other integrations include Google Calendar, Zapier, Office 365, Domo, Vinesign and Slack. 
  • Legal Documentation: Access an end-to-end document management module with unlimited storage and built-in editing and collaboration tools. The DocGen inclusion instantaneously creates custom contracts, retainers, firm reports, demand letters, interrogatories and more. Search for specific documents via custom document hashtags and OCR. Create custom folder structures to store legal documents separately based on practice areas or cases. 
    • Editing: Lock documents for edits. Edit PDFs, combine and insert documents and apply consistent identifiers to multiple sets of documents. 
    • Filevine Fusion: Use granular reporting to create dynamic documents, sophisticated forms, visuals and charts with a single click. Consolidate data from all over the system into a single document ready to download, print and email. Seamlessly fits into the firm’s existing workflows. 
  • Contracts: Leverage automated approval workflows, version control, custom alerts and real-time editing to manage the entire contract lifecycle. Use dynamic templates with conditional logic to create legally binding contracts instantly. Create custom contracts, letters and drafts in bulk with self-service templates. Seamlessly transfer legacy contracts with captured metadata and track legal obligations via dashboard snapshots. 
  • Reporting and Business Analytics: Generate reports on everything from tasks and notes to time entries and calendar events. Schedule automatic delivery of reports when required. Get data-driven insights on top performers, productivity, training opportunities, task completion rates, cumulative actions taken and more. Expand or limit report results by any condition or factor. 
    • Audit Reports: Record every activity registered in the system and store it for 30 days. Get actionable insights into staff productivity and business profitability. 
    • Filevine Periscope: Enable data visualization via the Periscope extension and expand raw datasets. Get recommendations on the best possible combination of workflows and actions for maximum productivity. Identify and standardize efficient workflows and eliminate ineffective habits.
  • Time and Expense Tracking: Track time from anywhere within the platform. Set up custom hourly rates for legal practitioners and define default rates for everyday expenses. Implement custom templates to streamline expense tracking. 
  • Billing: Seamlessly generate invoices and connect payments to the corresponding bills. Send invoices directly from the billing portal via email, fax or postal mail. Create, send and review active invoices via the billing control panel.
  • Guest Access: Configure permissions to provide temporary guest access to co-counsels, clients and others. Securely share important files, documents, updates and information. 
  • E-signature: Allow clients to electronically sign documents via drawing, typing or uploading an image of their signature. Use recyclable templates to add up to four signers per document and create custom fields for dates, initials and signatures. Track document status and get instant alerts about updates. Automatically save signed documents and contracts to associated folders. 
  • Security: Require clients and staff to sign in with a selfie to get past gesture authentication. 
  • Mobile App: Securely access case files and time tracking capabilities on the go with the mobile application. 
  • Legal Calendar: Always stay up to date with deadlines, Statute of Limitations, important events, meetings and client touchpoints. Schedule firm-wide meetings, appointments and tasks with the central calendar. Filter the view to drill down on specific staff and run calendar reports to create actionable tasks. 
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  • Case Management: Store detailed user information with ease, along with tags and follow-up updates, making it easy and organized.
    • Remote Access: Get quick overviews of all case-related information, including contacts, tasks, calendar entries, documentation and more. Automatically sync firm databases for unobstructed remote access from any device with an internet connection.
    • Contacts and Matter Management: Keep legal matters organized and up-to-date by adding relevant contacts, notes and bills. Limit access to sensitive matter information with controlled permissions. Securely collaborate with team members and share and recall data.
    • Conflict Search: Link contacts to matters for checking on conflicts of interest and parties represented by the lawyer.
  • Document Management: Manage all your documents in one place and set up automation to reduce repetitive tasks.
    • Centralized Repository: Store and manage all legal documents and files securely in a single location. Enhance efficiency by electronically sending documents for signatures, auto-populating client information, and creating custom templates to streamline document creation workflows.
    • Organized Access: Avoid wasting time searching for documents. Organize files by client and matter for easy retrieval. Use custom tags to categorize and filter your firm's legal documents.
    • E-Signatures: Expedite the document approval process by offering electronic signatures via email, text message or the client portal. Create and send multiple documents for eSignature in batches simultaneously.
    • Cloud Integration: Connect with leading cloud storage platforms like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Box.com. This eliminates the need to switch between platforms and helps you sync all document changes automatically.
    • Customizable Templates: Boost document creation speed by uploading and using pre-defined templates. Automatically populate templates with your firm's information and client data. Track document progress through a dashboard with status indicators (incomplete, completed, in progress, overdue) and assign conditional tasks as needed.
  • Legal Billing: Never miss a billable hour with automated time and expense tracking tools.
    • Customizable Invoicing: Create professional invoices tailored to your firm's branding. Include client information, activity logs, notes and more. Assign specific billable rates based on user, activity, matter or contact for accurate fee calculations.
    • Integrated Payment Processing: Accept payments through various methods, including custom payment links, the client portal, phone or in-person transactions using Panther Payments, the native payment processor.
    • Billing Reports: Gain insights into your firm’s performance by generating detailed reports. Analyze billing trends and collections data, identify top-billed practice areas, and filter reports by custom tags, bank accounts, payment methods, contacts or matters.
  • Trust Accounting: Manage trust and operating accounts while automating compliance with IOLTA, ABA and all 50 state bar regulations. Stay informed about retainer balances by setting up automatic alerts. Receive notifications when trust account balances fall below pre-defined thresholds and perform daily three-way reconciliations for oversight of your trust account activity.
  • Legal CRM: Organize client data, gain a holistic view of cases, automate client onboarding and sync new client data from automated intake forms.
    • Custom Tags: Categorize contacts by client type (existing, potential etc.), professional contact or any other relevant category using custom tags. Use these tags to filter data and gain insights into your client base.
    • Client Portals: Provide clients with a secure online portal. They can access uploaded documents, communicate with your firm, review invoice balances and make online payments. The platform automatically populates client information from their intake forms to create accurate profiles.
    • Workflow Automation: Streamline client follow-up with automated workflows that trigger tasks and events based on pre-defined conditions. Automate appointment scheduling and send automatic reminders to clients, ensuring timely communication.
  • Calendaring: Create time entries, confirm client meetings, manage tasks and stay on top of court rule deadlines using a centralized calendar system.
    • Visualized Deadlines: Use color-coded tags to visually identify deadlines and events associated with specific contacts, matters and tasks.
    • Automated Time Capture: Convert appointments and events into time entries with a single click, ensuring all billable hours are captured and accurately allocated to the appropriate client.
    • Court Rule Integration: Connect with LawToolBox to sync pre-set and custom court rule deadlines with your PracticePanther calendar and workflows, keeping you ahead of important legal dates.
  • Integrations: Connect to a host of essential applications to improve the firm’s productivity and automation standards. Some popular applications it supports integrations with include Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, Box, Dropbox, Outlook, Google Calendar, Apptoto and many more.
  • Security: Protect firm data against vulnerabilities with 256-bit military-grade encryption. Limit platform access to authorized IP addresses and enable two-step authentication. Maintain client confidentiality and HIPAA compliance with Box.com’s secure storage capabilities.
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Product Ranking

#7

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#14

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Analyst Rating Summary

76
75
46
84
89
90
83
55
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Client and Contact Management
Matter/Case Management
Time and Expense Management
Client and Contact Management
Integrations and Extensibility
Platform, Security, and Compliances

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Filevine
PracticePanther
+ 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 46 89 83 84 88 78 71 76 84 90 55 18 75 76 82 97 0 25 50 75 100
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83%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

57%
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43%
100%
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83%
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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 425 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 613 reviews
93%
of users recommend this product

Filevine has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% when considering 425 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

92%
of users recommend this product

PracticePanther has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 613 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (149)
4.2 (100)
4.6 (263)
4.7 (508)
4.4 (13)
4.6 (5)

Awards

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

User Favorite Award
Document Management Award

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

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Customization: Filevine is highly customizable to suit various legal practices and case types.
Ease of Use: Most reviewers highlighted the platform’s user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate.
Comprehensive Reporting Features: Its robust reporting tools help firms track data, performance and client conversion effectively.
Streamlined Client Communication: Features like two-way text messaging, document sharing and email linking simplify client communication while maintaining accountability.
Support for Remote Work: Many users praised its accessibility, allowing legal work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Easy Integrations: Filevine integrates well with other legal platforms, enhancing its versatility.
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Ease of Use: Many users find PracticePanther easy to use, with an intuitive interface that makes it accessible for beginners without extensive coding experience.
Comprehensive Features: The software addresses critical legal practice management needs, offering tools for billing, invoicing, time tracking, case management, document handling and client portals.
Efficient Automation: PracticePanther offers automation for client onboarding, billing and document handling, streamlining workflows and saving time on repetitive tasks.
Easy Accessibility: The cloud-based platform, along with its mobile app, helps users access tasks and stay in touch with their operations from anywhere.
Streamlined Client Experiences: The platform offers client onboarding automation, unique portals and internal messaging tools that help simplify and streamline client-attorney interactions.
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Customer Support Issues: Several users complained about poor customer service, long response times and challenges during onboarding and implementation.
Complex Setup: The initial setup and implementation process can be lengthy, requiring significant internal resources.
Glitches and Bugs: Some users experienced software glitches and technical issues, leading to workflow delays.
Documentation and Training: Reviewers expressed concerns about the lack of sufficient documentation and the need for more training.
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Performance Issues: Some users report the software being slow and unresponsive, particularly during peak usage times.
Bugs and Errors: A few users reported calculation errors in trust accounting and time tracking due to bugs and cookie issues.
Documentation Quality: The software’s documentation could be clearer and more user-friendly, particularly for new users.
Limited Reporting: The solution offers limited pre-built reporting templates and dashboard visualizations. However, the vendor offers assistance in designing custom ones.
Integration Challenges: Users have reported faulty integrations with third-party tools, especially with Zapier, Jubilee and Record Grabber.
Billing Limitations: The platform offers limited billing customizations and requires users to manually open each bill to see its content, making the review process slow and cumbersome.
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Filevine is a versatile legal practice management solution that helps streamline various operations, from client management and document organization to time tracking, invoicing, and payment processing. Its integrated payment processor facilitates client payments through credit cards or ACH, providing a convenient option for law firms.One of Filevine's standout features is its robust reporting capabilities, enhanced by built-in AI. Law firms can generate detailed reports to track revenue, performance, lead conversion, hiring, caseloads and staff performance. AI-powered analytics provide valuable insights into team dynamics, caseload trends and overall firm health. By identifying top performers and areas for improvement, firms can optimize their operations and enhance efficiency.Filevine's AI also offers generative capabilities. The platform can summarize client applications and interactions, analyze lead sources to inform marketing strategies, and even generate demand letters and scan documents for insights. Additionally, it can automate immigration application processes and assist in document creation by generating summaries, charts and descriptions based on user prompts.While Filevine is a powerful tool for many law firms, it has some limitations that may not suit all needs. For example, it currently lacks a dedicated section for subrogation liens in the draft closing tab. Its sorting and filtering options for reminders could be improved. Additionally, the restriction of assigning only one cost/trust account per organization may not align with regulatory requirements for larger firms.Overall, Filevine is a valuable tool for solo practitioners and mid-sized law firms seeking to streamline their operations and leverage AI-powered insights. However, larger enterprises with more complex needs may find limitations that require careful consideration.

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During testing, I found PracticePanther relatively straightforward to set up. Customizing the platform with my firm’s logo and name was a breeze. Creating matters, assigning tasks and syncing calendars felt intuitive. Even integrating Panther Payments for online payments was smooth sailing. While the interface could use a design refresh, it’s functional and easy to navigate.One standout feature is the matter creation process. The ability to categorize matters with tags and custom fields is beneficial. PracticePanther’s flexibility in handling different billing structures, including flat rates, hourly rates and retainers, is a major plus. The platform's automatic alerts for depleted retainer funds are a time-saver.I'm also impressed with its document management capabilities. The integration with cloud storage and the version history feature is invaluable for maintaining document control. Creating custom templates for different document types is a convenient touch.While PracticePanther offers a solid foundation for legal practice management, it presents some notable limitations. The billing process is particularly cumbersome. The absence of a streamlined review function, forcing users to open each invoice individually, significantly hampers efficiency. This contrasts sharply with other platforms that offer more intuitive billing and reviewing navigation.Additionally, the lack of advanced features, such as integrated legal research tools, is a drawback for firms that rely heavily on online research. Although the software can track time, the absence of connections with research websites and tools means manual timekeeping, which can be error-prone and time-consuming.Despite these shortcomings, PracticePanther is well-suited for solo practitioners and small law firms with relatively straightforward caseloads. Its ease of use and core features, such as matter management and document handling, make it a viable option for firms that prioritize these functions. However, for larger firms with complex caseloads or those that require advanced features like robust reporting and analytics, PracticePanther may fall short.

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