Home > Legal Software > Tabs3 > Tabs3 vs Centerbase

Tabs3 vs Centerbase

Last Updated: November 18th, 2024

Our analysts compared Tabs3 vs Centerbase 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

Get Free Demo Demo Request Pricing Pricing

Product Basics

Tabs3 is an integrated suite of solutions designed for law firms to streamline their entire matter lifecycle. Practices can opt and pay for only the modules they need, which include billing, practice management, general ledger, accounts payable and trust accounting. It requires minimal implementation and can be deployed either in the cloud or on-premises. It has an array of ways to review important metrics, track billable hours, send bills and get paid faster.

In addition to modifying account structures with ease, users can stay on top of their cash flows by tracking and resolving invoices, bank statements, deposits and payments. It improves firm-wide monitoring with dashboards to visualize historical data and flexible reporting on productivity, profitability, billing and other aspects. Users can access it on the go from any device and use numerous integrations to enrich it.

Centerbase provides a cloud-based end-to-end legal toolkit aimed at enabling mid-sized firms to securely manage practice workflows and improve the client experience. Firms can leverage its billing and payment modules including e-billing, online portal and various payment arrangements to get paid faster. Users can maximize billable hours using remote timekeeping, accessible timesheets and reviewing workbench. It provides comprehensive matter management with configurable workflows, real-time dashboarding and relevant details. Practices can monitor goals, projects, tasks, deadlines, meetings and court dates effortlessly with color-coded calendaring, project management and activity reminders.

Administrators can utilize prebuilt and custom reporting and comprehensive controls to efficiently manage firm operations and make informed decisions. Users can streamline client intake and communication with its secure client portal. It also offers integrated legal and trust accounting modules and robust security.

$40 Monthly

Free Trial is available →

Get a free price quote

Tailored to your specific needs

$59 Monthly

Free Trial is unavailable →

Get a free price quote

Tailored to your specific needs

Small

Medium

Large

Small

Medium

Large

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

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

Expedited Billing: Boost cash flow with multiple payment modes, mobile payment options, and customizable statements and payment plans.
Streamlined Data Management: Quickly find legal matters, records and case information with electronic data organization and easy-to-use search tools.
Sync With Court Rules: Seamlessly sync the legal calendar to Federal and State-based jurisdictional rules with affiliations to ALA and ABA.
All-in-One Connectivity: Stay connected regardless of the mode of deployment using a mobile app.

Stay Connected: Access important case-related information and management tools from any device with an internet connection.
Accessible KPIs: Improve business decisions with the most current information from firm-wide calendar entries and custom reports.
Faster Billing: Increase cash flow with a billing module designed to reduce clicks, deduplicate entries and accelerate invoicing.
Customizability: Use in-house customization tools to appropriately scale the platform according to the firm’s size and maintain relevance in a changing legal landscape.
Flexible Subscription Charges: The role-based pricing structure provides multiple options for interested parties. Add or subtract any applicable licenses and pay only for the integrations and tools required.

Financial Management: Manage firm financials with the end-to-end accounting portal. Interact directly with the billing module to issue checks, print financial statements, operate trust accounts and perform year-end reconciliations.
- General Ledger: Balance operating and trust accounts with the general ledger tool.
- Accounts Payable: Track all incoming and outgoing transactions for a holistic view of firm financials. Monitor aging receivables, cash requirements, vendor payments, recurring payments and voided checks.
- Trust Accounting: Automatically log all transactions made from trust accounts. Reconcile deposits and withdrawals and print checks from the client’s trust fund.
- Integrations: Supports integrations with Tabs3 Billing Software, Tabs3 Accounts Payable Software and Tabs3 General Ledger Software.
- 1099 Forms: Combine payment disbursements to vendors and trust account payees with the 1099 form. Always maintain compliance with IRS regulations.
Matter Management: View a quick feed of matter-specific information like contacts, communication history, case notes, documentation and invoices directly into the dashboard. Verify the billing summary of matter information and issue invoices against unpaid bills.
Calendar Management: Switch between firm-wide and personal calendar views to get a 360-degree picture of firm obligations. Schedule individual and/or collective appointments and color-code them based on associated staff and activities.
- Deadline Checks: Automatically check new calendar entries against existing events for scheduling conflicts. Set up custom federal, state, county and jurisdiction-based rules for detecting deadlines.
- Notifications: Notify individual or collective staff members about important events and hearings.
- Recurring Meetings: Automate calendar entries for recurring events that take place at both regular and irregular time intervals.
- Planning Templates: Prepare sequential events with calendar planning templates. Use event-based or time-based triggers for court rules and collection follow-ups.
Conflict Checks: Check all potential clients for conflicts of interest. Investigate legal documents, emails, matters and attachments for partial and/or phonetic matches to the conflict checking tool.
Email Management: Integrate with Microsoft Outlook to automatically track time spent on writing and reviewing client emails. Add emails directly to client files, perform conflict checks and sort by associated matter.
Time and Expense Tracking: Track every minute of time spent on client activities and correspondence with multiple built-in timers. Interact directly with the billing portal to issue invoices directly from time entries. Set custom billing and increment rates for individual clients.
Document Management: Organize legal documents by connecting them to associated matters and clients. Import scanned documents using the PaperPort extension. Track various changes made to a document across previous versions.
- Smart Documents: Autofill common data fields with information already in the firm database. Automatically issue invoices for any document-related activity.
Workflow Automation: Engineer custom workflow patterns with up to 10 tasks including emails, communication, documentation, appointments and more. Assign tasks to staff members with trigger-based alerts.
Controlled Access: Restrict access to sensitive documents with permission-based accounts and customizable viewership controls. Permit edits for specific data fields.
Backup and Recovery: Secure firm information with regular backups. Export firm data at any time in case of power outages or network failures.
eNote: Send secure messages in real time with the built-in messaging portal. Send appointment links and reminders along with text messages.
Billing: Use the billing portal to directly transform time entries into billable hours. Prepare tailored bills with quick access to client contacts, payment history, write-offs, WIP, account balance and more.
- Billing Flexibility: Process payments faster with flexible billing methods. Issue contingency, retainer, hourly, flat fee or threshold-based bills and design custom rate charts for specific clients.
- Online Payments: Accept credit card transactions for expedited payments. Use the Tabs3Pay tool to email online payment links along with client invoices. Supports integration for LawPay and ProPay.
- Reports: Generate built-in reports for greater insights into revenue, important clients, receivables, compensation, productivity, profitable practice areas and more.

Billing Management: Digitize the firm’s entire billing cycle. Prepare and approve a single bill with a log of all inline markups.
- Client Service: Allow clients to pay bills, view invoices and track payment history via the billing portal. Create an audit trail with .txt eBilling files email multiple invoices at once.
- Simple Payments: Provide clients with a single, integrated payment method to settle current charges and/or fill the retainer at the same time. Control payment options and payment methods on a matter-to-matter basis.
- Billing Support: Access support for hourly billing, flat fee billing, expense-only billing, project billing, consolidated billing and more. Prepare electronic invoices with the help of UTBMS codes.
Legal Accounting: Set up all firm accounts under a single infrastructure and organize them based on location, matter or practice area. Link checks directly to expense accounts and provide free platform access to the firm CPA.
- Vendor Management: Set up automated vendor bills for recurring payments. Enter vendor checks and invoices into the system database and automatically track due dates.
- Online Payment: Accept credit card payments securely with the accounting module. Link payments directly to transactions and track client expenses. Eliminate manual data entry and human error.
- Trust Accounting: Create and operate multiple trust and IOLTA accounts. Automatically approve payments from invoices and log all trust fund expenses.
- Trust Reporting: Run reports to trace the flow of money going in and out of trust and IOLTA accounts. Keep a detailed record of all transactions, receivables and matter expenses.
Time and Expense Tracking: Never miss out on a single minute of billable time with round-the-clock time tracking. Automatically log time spent on client calls and messages as billable hours.
- Simple Time Tracking: Track time directly from in-platform applications or external integrations like Microsoft Word or Microsoft Outlook. Enter time while on the move from mobile devices.
- Time Entries: Update, edit and sanction time entries at the end of the month. Hold or approve billing based on the case status and merge multiple associated time entries into a single entry.
- Rate Tables: Prepare tailored rate tables with built-in date ranges effective all year round. Exempt specific matters and clients from the rate table under special circumstances.
- Budgets: Create and track timekeeper budgets for client work. Benchmark staff productivity against firm averages.
Firm Reporting: Generate reports in real time with accounting, billing, productivity, budgeting and compensation data. Group associated reports together and safeguard sensitive information with permission-based access.
- Insights: Get detailed insights into aging receivables, profitable clients, staff compensation and productivity, annual budgets, valuable practice areas and more.
- Custom Reporting: Run custom reports to highlight specific firm strengths and requirements. Increase stakeholder engagement with detailed spreadsheets and data visualization.
Matter Management: Organize and manage all legal matters from a single dashboard. Track contacts, client information, documents, meetings, deadlines, notes and tasks associated with relevant matters.
- Matter Dashboard: Access the matter dashboard for a quick overview of trust balances, WIP, client payment history, ledger, credits, outstanding receivables and more. Prepare matter budgets for individual clients and run reports on fees, expenses and staff productivity.
- Matter Layouts: Create matter layouts with customized data fields. Organize matters on the basis of relevant case information.
- Matter Automation: Design and integrate matter-specific workflows directly into the platform. Automatically assign tasks and execute the next step in the workflow. Update the firm database, team members and clients with new information.
Calendar Management: Create and track calendar entries in real time with a legal calendar. Toggle between firm-wide and personal views, color code entries and print calendar reports as physical reminders.
- Calendar Sync: Design automated calendar entries for recurring meetings and notifications for upcoming events. Connect to the Outlook 365 application for real-time synchronization of calendar entries.
- Deadline Management: Steer clear of malpractice claims with the LawToolBox portal. Automatically add jurisdiction-based deadlines and time-based triggers to legal matters.
Client Services: Improve the overall client experience with an efficient intake process, communications module and client portal.
- Client Portal: Share messages, calendar entries, documentation and invoices with clients securely via the client portal.
- Direct Communication: Communicate with clients via dedicated private lines. Control client access to sensitive information and keep track of their communications with the firm.
- Client Intake: Streamline the firm’s client intake process with self-populating contact forms, automated emails and documentation. Schedule tasks and perform conflict checks against client databases.
- Reporting: Run reports to track marketing ROI, profitable practice areas and referrals.
Document Management: Manage documents directly from associated matters or from integrated web browsers or applications like Microsoft Word. Access and share legal documentation securely from any device with an internet connection.
- Email Management: Store emails to associated matter files in its native .MSG format. Search for specific emails based on subject, content and date sent/received. Integrate with Microsoft Outlook and automatically log any time spent reviewing, sending or editing emails.
- Document Tracking: Search for individual documents using multiple data fields. Track changes made across different versions of the same file.
- Integrations: Open, edit and save documents with the built-in Centerbase Drive inclusion. Integrate with NetDocuments to seamlessly consolidate documents into workspaces.

Product Ranking

#49

among all
Legal Software

#60

among all
Legal Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

we're gathering data

Show More Show More

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Tabs3

Centerbase

+ Add Product + Add Product

94%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

58%

42%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

80%

20%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

64%

36%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

67%

33%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

78%

22%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

67%

33%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

71%

29%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

75%

25%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

User Sentiment Summary

93%

of users recommend this product

Tabs3 has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% when considering 355 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

92%

of users recommend this product

Centerbase has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 60 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

3.8 (27)

3.8 (2)

4.7 (160)

4.61 (31)

4.7 (166)

4.7 (27)

3.9 (2)

n/a

Awards

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Users highlight the user-friendliness of Tabs3, making it easy to navigate and manage legal tasks.

Comprehensive Features: Tabs3 is praised for its wide array of features, covering various aspects of legal practice management, from time tracking and billing to document management.

Robust Reporting: Users appreciate the detailed reporting capabilities of Tabs3, allowing for insightful analysis of financial and operational data.

Robust Billing: Centerbase offers advanced billing and accounting features that streamline the process of generating invoices, tracking payments, and managing client accounts.

Streamlined Matter Management: Centerbase provides robust matter management capabilities, allowing law firms to effectively organize case files, track deadlines, and manage client information.

Customizable Workflows: Centerbase allows firms to create customized workflows to automate repetitive tasks, ensuring consistency and efficiency in handling routine processes.

Document Management: Centerbase offers integrated document management features, enabling firms to securely store, organize, and retrieve case-related documents within a centralized system.

Limited Customization: Users have expressed frustration over the inflexibility of certain features, particularly when it comes to document assembly. For instance, one user found it cumbersome that they couldn't easily modify the formatting of numbered clauses within a legal document.

Learning Curve: Legal professionals transitioning from older software versions have reported a steep learning curve with Tabs3. The new interface and features require time and effort to master, impacting productivity during the transition phase.

Integration Challenges: Some users have encountered difficulties integrating Tabs3 with other essential software used in their legal practice. This lack of seamless integration can disrupt workflows and lead to inefficiencies.

Complex Setup: Centerbase requires significant setup and configuration, demanding more time and resources compared to other cloud-based legal software options.

Limited Client Intake: Users have reported that Centerbase's client intake features are not as robust as desired, potentially slowing down the onboarding process for new clients.

Expensive Support: While Centerbase offers support, it comes at a significant cost of $200 per hour, which can be a deterrent for firms operating on tighter budgets.

Reporting Limitations: Some users have expressed frustration with limitations in Centerbase's reporting capabilities, particularly the inability to customize column headings within specific data sets.

Customer Service Concerns: Several reviews have highlighted concerns about Centerbase's customer service, citing issues such as slow response times, difficulty reaching support staff, and unresolved technical problems.

Users rave about Tabs3's robust document management and search capabilities, highlighting its ability to centralize all case-related information, making it easy to find any document quickly. They also appreciate the comprehensive financial tools, including billing, trust accounting, and reporting features, which streamline financial operations and ensure compliance. However, some users find the interface dated and not as intuitive as newer cloud-based solutions like Clio or MyCase. They also point out that the on-premise deployment option, while offering more control, can be more demanding to maintain than cloud-based alternatives. Despite these drawbacks, users consistently praise Tabs3's deep feature set and its long-standing reputation for reliability, making it a solid choice for firms prioritizing stability and comprehensive functionality over a modern user interface. It's particularly well-suited for larger, established firms with complex needs and the IT infrastructure to support an on-premise solution.

Is Centerbase the center of attention when it comes to legal software, or does it strike out? User reviews from the past year reveal a mixed bag. While many users praise Centerbase for its robust customization options, powerful features like automated time capture, and seamless accounting integration, some express concerns about customer service and initial setup complexity. For instance, one user raved about how Centerbase's customizability allowed them to tailor workflows and improve efficiency in identifying and managing projects. Conversely, another user found the customer service, which relies on third-party partners charging $200/hour, to be a significant drawback. What truly sets Centerbase apart is its comprehensive approach to law firm management, encompassing everything from matter management and billing to document automation and workflow customization. This makes it a one-stop shop for firms looking to streamline operations and boost productivity. However, this strength can also be a weakness, as the sheer breadth of features can be overwhelming for smaller firms or solo practitioners who may not need such an extensive suite of tools. In a nutshell, Centerbase is like a Swiss Army knife for law firms – incredibly versatile and powerful, but potentially daunting to use effectively without proper guidance. It's best suited for mid-to-large-sized firms with 5 or more lawyers who can fully utilize its extensive feature set and afford the potentially high support costs. Smaller firms or those seeking a simpler solution might find Centerbase to be overkill.

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Legal Software

AbacusLaw

Amicus Attorney

Bill4Time

CARET Legal

CaseFleet

CASEpeer

Clio

CosmoLex

Filevine

Law Ruler

Lawcus

MyCase

PracticePanther

Rocket Matter

Smokeball

Related Categories

Bankruptcy Software

Case Management Software

Client Intake Software

eDiscovery Software

Estate Planning Software

Family Law Software

Legal Billing Software

Legal Calendaring and Docketing Software

Legal Document Management Software

Legal Practice Management Software

Personal Injury Software

Social Work Case Management Software

Workers Compensation Software

Bankruptcy Software

Case Management Software

Client Intake Software

eDiscovery Software

Estate Planning Software

Family Law Software

Legal Billing Software

Legal Calendaring and Docketing Software

Legal Document Management Software

Legal Practice Management Software

Personal Injury Software

Social Work Case Management Software

Workers Compensation Software

Compare other software products using the SelectHub platform

Head-to-Head Comparison

Tabs3 VS AbacusLaw

Tabs3 VS Amicus Attorney

Tabs3 VS Bill4Time

Tabs3 VS CARET Legal

Tabs3 VS CASEpeer

Tabs3 VS CaseFleet

Tabs3 VS CosmoLex

Tabs3 VS Filevine

Tabs3 VS Law Ruler

FAQ

How can I do a in-depth comparison of Tabs3 and Centerbase? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

What are the top-rated propducts for Legal Software? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Which Legal Software is rated the highest by users? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Is there a requirement template for Legal Software? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics

Build Your Requirements

SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide

Get Your Free Comparison Report

Table settings

Expand all details

Expand all scores

Collapsed view

Priority order