Thryv Holdings Inc.
10/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 07:25
10 Best Scheduling Software for Attorneys & Law Firms
Law firms handle enormous amounts of information, and most lawyers agree that staying organized means more time to devote to clients. Firms rely on good reputations to be profitable, and scheduling software makes you more efficient and able to respond quickly to client needs.
You also have to comply with legal standards while tracking your billable hours and court dates. The right appointment scheduling software can track your work, grow your business, and uphold the privacy standards required for a successful law firm. No matter the size of your business, you need an appointment scheduler that automates tasks and helps you stay organized.
That's why we've compiled this list of the best appointment-scheduling software for law firms. Pick a tool that works for you, and start focusing on winning cases instead of scheduling them.
Scheduling Software for Law Firms
We created this list based on ease of use, satisfaction ratings, and how well the appointment scheduler worked with other software. Read on to learn their key features, pros and cons, and pricing for each.
1. Thryv
Thryv's appointment scheduling software has powerful automation options, so you spend less time scheduling and more time solving problems for your clients. It syncs with your online calendar (Gmail or Outlook), and clients can book via email, website, or even through your Google Business Profile.
Thryv also sends automated reminders about upcoming meetings and nudges you to rebook no-show appointments, helping you reduce lost time and non-billable hours. Small business owners will also appreciate the customizable promotions and pricing packages, which let you group services together and sell them all at once. Overall, Thryv is a great option if you're looking for an all-around tool to automate tedious tasks at your business.
Thryv: Best for Small Business Owners
Pros
- This tool connects to a CRM, so you can track interactions between clients and your business.
- Thryv provides automated email campaigns that request customer reviews.
- You get access to a social media management tool to promote your business online.
Cons
- Since Thryv is designed for small businesses, larger firms may experience more limitations.
- Thryv is not as ideal for large teams with multiple locations and departments.
- Estimates & Invoices
- Automated Customer Reviews
- Social Media Manager
- CRM
$228/month for Plus plan; $382/month for Professional plan; $533/month for Unlimited plan
2. Practice Panther
Practice Panther is a favorite for firms of all sizes because it simplifies the intake process, starting with appointment scheduling. It syncs with your team's online calendars and makes it easy for you to coordinate and reduce non-billable hours. It also sends automated reminders, re-booking notices, and client intake forms to smooth out the booking process.
Practice Panther has "quick create" tools to speed up your workflow. For example, you can create tasks, contacts, and invoices with the click of a button. The app also has an automatic timer to track your hours while working on each case. When you're done, simply stop the timer and add a note so you know exactly who to bill for future payments.
Pros
- The built-in CRM features closely track activities and payments over time.
- You can connect your bank account to receive direct payments from customers.
- The pre-made document templates make it easy to create intake forms and collect customer information.
Cons
- Because there are so many features, the interface is bulky and tricky to navigate.
- Some of the tools wouldn't load when we tested them.
- eSignatures
- Document Management & Storage
- Case Management Features
- Business Texting
$49/user/month for Solo plan; $69/user/month for Essential plan; $89/user/month for Business plan
3. MyCase
MyCase is a comprehensive legal platform with an appointment scheduler as part of its CRM. While the appointments tool has plenty of useful features - calendar integrations, collaboration options, client tracking - the most interesting part is that you can track clients from the point of contact to their payment. It helps you stay on top of billing and invoicing, and it's a great way to reduce manual tasks, manage your schedule, and track interactions with potential clients.
Pros
- There's unlimited document storage.
- You can add the "LawPay" payment software to your account for free.
Cons
- MyCase does not offer as many integration options as other software.
- The interface feels clunky and somewhat outdated.
- Workflow Automation
- Case Analytics
- Financial Reporting
- AI Writing Tools
$39/user/month for Basic plan; $79/user/month for Pro plan; $99/user/month for Advanced plan
4. Setmore
Setmore's main draw is that you can customize your scheduling page to include your logo and company branding. The interface is a little more advanced than other options on this list, but most users love the software once they figure out how to use the powerful brand features and marketing options.
You'll also save time with automated reminders, team calendars, and video consulting options. You can meet with customers via Zoom, Google Meet, and even social media while tracking the interaction in Setmore's system. Although it's not specifically intended for law firms, this software has everything you need to manage cases and track hourly work.
Pros
- 1% of Setmore's profits go to planting trees around the world.
- It integrates with other tools like Google, Facebook, Stripe, etc.
- You can customize availability times, appointments, and service types.
Cons
- Free accounts are limited to 200 appointments each month.
- You can only send automated appointment reminders with a Pro account.
- Appointment Booking Forms for Websites
- Customizable Booking Pages
- Staff Scheduling
- Recurring Appointments
Free to get started; $5/user/month for Pro plan; $5/user/month for Team plan
5. Lawcus
This appointment-scheduling app is designed for law firms and legal professionals. It has a client portal where customers can check in on cases, ask questions, and send and receive important documents. It also has two-way SMS texting, so you can stay connected with your clients even on the go. Lawcus even provides a phone number for your business, so you don't have to use your personal number.
Additional features include billing and invoicing, expense tracking, and "bank-grade security." You can work confidently knowing that this system stores all your sensitive information securely.
Pros
- You can export tasks into Excel sheets.
- The customizable reports make it easy to track income sources and client referrals.
- The canned responses feature helps you respond to clients quickly.
Cons
- You have limited e-signatures each month unless you purchase an Enterprise plan.
- This software lacks a multi-sheet timekeeping function.
- Multi-View Team Calendars
- Google Calendar and Outlook Integrations
- Automatic Reminders
- Marketing Automation
$34/month/user for Standard plan; $44/month/user for Plus plan; $59/month/user for Business plan
6. Clio
Clio is a popular legal software that over 150,000 legal professionals use. It has a CRM, an expense tracker, and a case management system that reduces redundant tasks like billing and onboarding.
It's also compatible with court rules from all 50 U.S. states and two provincial courts in Canada. You can track court deadlines and schedule client meetings based on events in different jurisdictions, and the calendar software helps you collaborate with teams more efficiently. You can also integrate the calendar with CozyCal to design custom booking pages.
Pros
- Clio is mobile-friendly. Clients can receive and fill out documents from their mobile devices.
- It's compatible with Google Ads, so you can launch search marketing campaigns.
Cons
- Some customers reported having issues with customer service.
- Depending on your state, you may incur additional costs for compliance scheduling features.
- Medical Records & Settlement Management
- Accounting & Billing
- Client Communication
- Document Management
$39/user/month for EasyStart plan; $79/user/month for Essentials plan; $109/user/month for Advanced plan; $139/user/month for Complete plan
7. Appointy
Appointy keeps scheduling simple at your law firm with custom calendars and multi-calendar views. You can see meetings booked on your schedule or your team's using the advanced features of this tool.
The best feature is that it lets clients book multiple appointments at once, which means they don't have to wait to continue their service. You also get a steady stream of recurring meetings each month. The software also offers helpful data insights to help you manage clients better and create smoother booking processes.
Pros
- It's easy to set up, and you can see your availability on your dashboard.
- Appointy supports firms with multiple locations.
- Appointy gives you a free website and booking page.
Cons
- Appointy isn't designed specifically for law firms. You may have to customize the settings to fit your needs.
- The free marketing tools are limited to gift certificates and coupon codes.
- Recurring Bookings
- Multi-Lingual
- Business Analytics
- Payment Software
Free to get started; $19.99/month for Growth plan; $49.99/month for Professional plan; $79.99/month for Enterprise plan
8. Calendesk
Calendesk is an appointment booking software for small businesses. It's not specific to law firms but has plenty of valuable tools.
For example, one of our favorite features is employee data insights, which shows you which attorneys on your team are getting booked and for what kinds of meetings. This information helps you optimize everything from client intake to marketing.
Calendesk also connects to apps like Zoom and Google Meet. You can record meetings in those tools, and updates will sync directly to your Calendesk account. Calendesk saves you time and lets you work from your preferred communication channels.
Pros
- Automated text, email, and push notifications smooth out the booking process for you and your clients.
- Customer profiles help you stay organized and collaborate with your team.
Cons
- You have a limited number of bookings each month unless you pay for an Enterprise account
- There is no phone support. You can only use email, live chat, and Calendesk's help center.
- Website Builder
- Automatic Notifications
- Video Consultations
- Mobile App
$79/month for Standard plan; $117/month for Pro plan
9. Calendly
Calendly is one of the easiest scheduling software to set up and integrate with other apps and platforms. It allows you to connect your calendars, collaborate with teams, and book online consults in several ways. For example, a LinkedIn integration lets you book appointments via direct messaging. There are also integrations for WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace, so you can embed your booking page directly on your website.
Calendly isn't strictly for online meetings but is more geared toward them, so it's an excellent option for firms that do a lot of remote work, whether with clients or colleagues.
Pros
- You can set custom availability for holidays and vacations.
- The free version has plenty of useful features for small business owners.
- Calendly provides 24/7 live chat support.
Cons
- Calendly doesn't provide many marketing or communication tools.
- With a free account, you are limited to one meeting type.
- Customizable Booking Page
- Round Robin Events
- Automatic Reminders
Free to get started; $10/seat/month for Standard plan; $16/seat/month for Teams plan; $15k/year for Enterprise plan
10. Lawtap
Lawtap is a bit different from the other options on this list. It has your typical appointment scheduling features and calendar syncing for teams. However, the most interesting feature is the Lawtap directory, which allows potential clients to search a database, find your law firm, and book an appointment with you all in one place.
Lawtap helps clients find your business before they book an appointment with a competitor - a standout feature for law firms hoping for a seamless intake from connection to appointment to onboarding.
Pros
- There are several integration options with other legal business platforms.
- The Lawtap directory provides an additional channel for clients to find your business.
Cons
- Clients found through the business directory may not always fit your firm well.
- Many features depend on you having and integrating other software.
- Lawtap Directory
- Advanced Integrations
- Website Forms
Choosing a Scheduling Software for Your Law Firm
Choosing the right scheduling software can set your law firm up for success. Your needs may vary based on size or practice, so use this post to find the best solution for your business. Once you've found the right tool, integrate it into your workflow for a smooth and seamless booking process.
Buying Software
Checklist
With so many software options, we'll help you determine which tools are right for your small business and how to choose the best ones in this free ebook.