Clio vs MyCase In 2026: Which Practice Management Software Fits Your Law Firm?
Daria Pohrebniak
Marketing Director - Reverb
10.16.2026
Clio and MyCase are the two most common shortlist entries for small and mid-size law firms moving to cloud practice management. Both handle the core of running a firm: matters and contacts, calendars and deadlines, documents, time tracking, billing, trust accounting and a client portal. Both are cloud-based, both work on Mac and PC, and both have mobile apps.
The real differences are in how they are packaged and priced, how far each one scales, and what kind of firm each is built around. Clio is the larger platform with a huge integration ecosystem and a product line that now stretches into intake, document automation and AI. MyCase, now part of 8am (formerly AffiniPay, the company behind LawPay), focuses on an all-in-one experience with clear published pricing and strong client communication tools.
Short answer: Choose MyCase if you are a solo or small firm that wants transparent pricing, a built-in client portal and texting, and an all-in-one system that is easy to adopt. Choose Clio if you want the largest integration ecosystem, plan to grow past a small team, need more control over permissions and workflows, or want intake and CRM from the same vendor.
Pricing is as of October 2026, from each vendor’s pricing page.
Feature
Clio
MyCase
Best for
Growing firms that want flexibility and integrations
Solo and small firms that want an all-in-one system
Plans
Starter, Core, Signature, Elite
Basic, Pro, Advanced
Entry price
Starter from $49 per user per month
Basic $50 per user per month annually ($60 monthly)
Higher tiers
Core, Signature and Elite priced by quote
Pro $100 and Advanced $130 per user per month annually
Trust accounting
Included, with trust reconciliation
Included on all plans
Client portal
Core and above
Limited on Basic, fuller on Pro and Advanced
Intake and CRM
Clio Grow (included in Elite, add-on for Core and Signature)
Client intake forms on Pro and above
AI
Included from Core upward
8am IQ Writing Assistant on Pro, Case and Discovery Assistants on Advanced
Integrations
300+
70+ on Pro and above
Payments
Clio Payments: 2.95% card, 1% eCheck
LawPay, no monthly fee, processing rates apply
Free trial
Yes
10 days, no card needed
What Is The Difference Between Clio And MyCase?
Clio is a platform. Clio Manage handles practice management, and the company sells related products around it: Clio Grow for intake and CRM, Clio Draft for document automation, Clio Work for AI, Clio for Personal Injury and Clio Payments. It connects to more than 300 other tools. That breadth means a firm can build exactly the stack it wants, but it also means more decisions and a pricing model where most tiers now require a quote.
MyCase is closer to a single box. Case management, billing, trust accounting, document storage, client communication and, on higher tiers, eSignature, intake forms and document generation all live in one product with three published price points. Its 8am IQ AI features are built into the Pro and Advanced tiers. For firms that want one login and one bill, that simplicity is the selling point.
A rule of thumb that holds up in practice: MyCase tends to win with solo practitioners and small firms in family law, criminal defense, estate planning and general practice that care most about ease of use and client communication. Clio tends to win with firms that are growing, have more complex workflows or permission needs, or want to plug in specialized tools.
Clio vs MyCase Pricing In 2026
Clio Pricing
Clio restructured its plans and now publishes only its entry tier. According to its pricing page:
Plan
Price
What it adds
Starter
From $49 per user per month
Practice management with built-in accounting, contacts, matters, documents, time and expense tracking, online payments, trust and operating account reconciliation
Core
By quote
AI billing and drafting help, automated client updates and scheduling, client portal
Signature
By quote
Unlimited custom roles and permissions, Kanban matter stages, multi-currency and split billing
Elite
By quote
Everything in Signature plus Clio Grow for lead capture, intake forms, appointment booking, reputation and referral tracking
Clio says AI is included as part of the plan from Core upward rather than sold as a separate add-on. All plans include unlimited storage and 24/5 live chat, phone and email support, and Clio says you can cancel at any time. Clio Payments charges 2.95% for cards (3.75% for Amex) and 1% for eChecks.
Older comparison articles quote a different Clio lineup with published prices for every tier. Those figures are out of date, so treat them with caution and request quotes for Core, Signature or Elite.
MyCase Pricing
MyCase publishes all three plans on its pricing page:
Plan
Annual billing
Monthly billing
Highlights
Basic
$50 per user per month
$60 per user per month
Case management, time entry, invoicing, trust accounting, unlimited document storage, limited client portal
Pro
$100 per user per month
$120 per user per month
Unlimited eSignature, document generation, automated workflows, intake forms, two-way texting and chat, premium billing and reporting, 8am IQ Writing Assistant, 70+ integrations
Advanced
$130 per user per month
$150 per user per month
8am IQ Case Assistant and Discovery Assistant, advanced document automation, Desktop Drive, conflict check tracking, split billing, open API
LawPay payments have no monthly fee (processing rates apply), and MyCase Accounting is a $39 per user per month add-on. MyCase includes guided implementation, training sessions and support at no extra cost, and offers a 10-day free trial with no credit card required.
Which Costs Less?
At the entry level the two are close: Clio Starter from $49 per user against MyCase Basic at $50 per user on annual billing. The real comparison is one tier up, where most firms land. MyCase Pro at $100 per user per month (annual) is a known number. Clio Core and Signature are quote-based, so request a written quote for your headcount and compare it directly against MyCase Pro or Advanced, including any add-ons you need (Clio Grow, document automation, MyCase Accounting) and payment processing.
For a five-lawyer firm on MyCase Pro, the subscription is $500 per month on annual billing. If Clio’s quote for Core or Signature lands close to that, Clio’s larger ecosystem and permission controls may tip the balance. If it lands well above, MyCase’s all-in-one packaging becomes hard to beat.
Case Management, Calendars And Workflows
Both platforms handle matters, contacts, related parties, tasks, calendars with court rules, notes and document storage. Both let you build templates for repeatable matter types.
Clio’s strength is configurability. Signature adds unlimited custom roles and permissions and Kanban boards with matter stages, which helps firms with associates, paralegals and staff who should see different things. Its large integration catalog also means you can add specialized calendaring, docketing or practice-area tools.
MyCase’s strength is cohesion. Workflows, intake forms and document generation on Pro are designed to work together out of the box, and Advanced adds conflict check tracking and advanced document automation. For a small team that wants a sensible default setup without consultants, that matters.
Billing, Payments And Trust Accounting
Billing is the reason many firms buy practice management software, and both are strong.
Both platforms support hourly, flat-fee and contingency billing, time tracking with timers, expenses, invoice templates and online payments. Both include trust accounting designed around IOLTA rules, which is the feature you least want to get wrong. Clio highlights trust and operating account reconciliation even on Starter. MyCase includes trust accounting on every plan, adds premium billing and reporting on Pro, and split billing on Advanced (Clio offers split billing on Signature).
On payments, Clio Payments publishes its rates (2.95% for cards, 3.75% for Amex, 1% for eChecks). MyCase uses 8am LawPay, a payment processor built for law firms, with no monthly fee on the MyCase pricing page; ask for the processing rates for your volume. If you want full general ledger accounting inside the system, MyCase sells MyCase Accounting as an add-on, while Clio’s Starter plan describes built-in accounting and many Clio firms also sync with QuickBooks Online or Xero.
Client Portal, Communication And Intake
Client communication is where MyCase has long had a reputation edge. Its client portal, secure messaging and, on Pro and above, two-way texting and chat let clients see invoices, documents and updates without endless phone calls. Intake forms on Pro feed directly into new matters.
Clio has caught up with its own client portal from Core upward and automated client updates. For intake, Clio’s answer is Clio Grow, a dedicated CRM with lead tracking, online intake forms, appointment booking, reputation management and referral tracking. Grow is included in Elite and available as an add-on for Core and Signature. For firms that run real marketing and need to track leads from first call to retained client, Clio Grow is more capable than MyCase’s built-in intake forms.
AI Features
Both vendors are pushing AI quickly, and both now build it into their plans rather than leaving it as an afterthought.
Clio includes AI on Core and above. Clio says it can help draft client updates, flag risks, prioritize tasks and prepare billing, and it sells a broader AI product, Clio Work, separately.
MyCase includes the 8am IQ Writing Assistant on Pro, and the 8am IQ Case Assistant and Discovery Assistant (with OCR for discovery documents) on Advanced.
Neither AI layer replaces legal judgment, and both vendors update these features often. Test the AI on your own document types during a trial, and check each vendor’s data handling terms against your ethics obligations before you upload client files.
Integrations And Ecosystem
This is Clio’s biggest advantage. Clio advertises more than 300 integrations, covering accounting, email, calendaring, document management, e-signature, intake, marketing and practice-area tools. If your firm already relies on specific software, there is a good chance it connects to Clio.
MyCase lists 70+ integrations on Pro and above and an open API on Advanced. That covers the essentials for most small firms, especially because so much is built in. Firms with unusual tools or heavy customization needs will find the Clio ecosystem more forgiving.
Best Fit By Practice Area And Firm Size
Both platforms are general practice tools, but their strengths line up differently with practice areas and firm sizes:
Firm profile
Better default
Why
Solo general practice
MyCase
Published pricing, all-in-one setup, client portal
Family law
MyCase
Heavy client communication, texting, intake forms on Pro
Criminal defense
MyCase
Fast intake, online payments, simple client updates
Estate planning
Either
Both handle document generation; compare templates
Small litigation boutique
Clio
Permissions, integrations with litigation tools
Growing multi-practice firm (10+ users)
Clio
Custom roles, Kanban stages, integration catalog
Firm with an active marketing program
Clio
Clio Grow for lead tracking and intake
Personal injury
Depends
Clio for Personal Injury add-on, or a PI-specific platform
These are defaults, not rules. A family law firm with eight attorneys and a full-time intake team may prefer Clio with Grow, and a solo litigator who values simplicity may be happier on MyCase.
Ease Of Use, Onboarding And Support
MyCase consistently earns praise for being easy to learn. Its interface puts the most common actions front and center, and guided implementation and training sessions are included at no additional cost. Staff who are not technical tend to adapt quickly.
Clio has a little more surface area because it does more and connects to more. Most firms get comfortable within a few weeks, and Clio offers 24/5 live chat, phone and email support on all plans, with priority support on higher tiers. Firms that want hands-on help often work with a certified Clio consultant during setup.
Whichever you choose, the switch goes smoothly when one person owns it. Clean up your contact and matter lists before migration, decide on naming conventions for matters and documents, and set up billing and trust settings carefully before you send the first invoice.
Security, Data And Compliance
Both platforms store client data in the cloud, so security and ethics questions belong on your checklist. Look for the protections bar associations generally expect from cloud vendors: encryption, role-based access, audit trails and the ability to export your data if you leave. Both vendors market these safeguards, but ask for the documentation. Both also include unlimited document storage on their plans (MyCase on every tier, Clio on all plans), which removes one common reason firms keep a separate file server.
Ask each vendor for its current security documentation, data residency details and how its AI features handle client data, and review those answers against your state bar’s guidance on cloud computing and generative AI. If your firm handles especially sensitive matters, such as healthcare, government or high-profile litigation, involve your IT provider in the review.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Clio If…
You expect to grow beyond a handful of users and want room to scale.
You need custom roles, permissions or Kanban-style matter stages.
You rely on specialized tools and want the largest integration catalog.
You run active marketing and want a dedicated intake CRM (Clio Grow).
You are comfortable requesting quotes for the higher tiers.
Choose MyCase If…
You are a solo practitioner or small firm that wants one all-in-one system.
You want published, predictable per-user pricing.
Client communication through a portal, texting and chat is a priority.
You want eSignature, intake forms and document generation included on the middle tier.
You value guided implementation and training included in the price.
When Neither Fits
High-volume personal injury firms often look at case management tools built specifically for plaintiff work, such as Filevine or Clio’s own personal injury add-on. Firms that need deep desktop Microsoft Word and Outlook integration and automatic time capture may also consider Smokeball.
Marketing Your Law Firm After You Choose
Practice management software helps you serve clients efficiently, but it does not bring them in. Once your systems are in place, these ReVerb resources can help you find the right marketing partner:
Neither is better for every firm. MyCase is usually the better fit for solo and small firms that want an all-in-one system with published pricing and strong client communication. Clio is usually the better fit for growing firms that need more configurability, integrations and a dedicated intake CRM.
Is MyCase cheaper than Clio?
At the entry level they are similar: MyCase Basic is $50 per user per month on annual billing and Clio Starter starts at $49 per user per month. Above that, MyCase publishes Pro at $100 and Advanced at $130 per user per month annually, while Clio’s Core, Signature and Elite are quote-based, so compare written quotes.
What do reviews say about Clio vs MyCase?
Reviewers generally praise MyCase for ease of use, its client portal and its all-in-one design, and praise Clio for its integrations, reporting and ability to scale. Common complaints mention price increases and paying for higher tiers to unlock features you need.
How do Clio, MyCase and PracticePanther compare?
PracticePanther is another popular option for small firms, known for a simple interface and published pricing. Clio offers the broadest ecosystem, MyCase the most cohesive all-in-one package, and PracticePanther sits as a lighter-weight alternative. Trial all three on a real matter before deciding.
Can I migrate from MyCase to Clio, or from Clio to MyCase?
Yes. Both vendors offer data migration help, and MyCase includes guided implementation. Plan the migration around your billing cycle, reconcile trust accounts before and after, and keep read-only access to the old system until you have verified everything.
Does MyCase have AI like Clio?
Yes. MyCase includes the 8am IQ Writing Assistant on Pro and the 8am IQ Case Assistant and Discovery Assistant on Advanced. Clio includes AI on Core and above and sells Clio Work as a broader AI product.
Which is better for a solo attorney, Clio or MyCase?
For most solo attorneys MyCase is the easier starting point because pricing is published, onboarding is guided and the client portal is strong. Clio Starter is a good alternative for solos who want access to Clio’s integration ecosystem from day one.
Is MyCase part of LawPay?
MyCase and LawPay share a parent company. AffiniPay acquired MyCase in 2022 and rebranded as 8am in 2025, so the products are now 8am MyCase and 8am LawPay.
Conclusion
Clio vs MyCase comes down to scope. MyCase is the easier, more predictable all-in-one choice for solo and small firms, with published pricing and excellent client communication. Clio is the more flexible platform for firms that want to grow, customize workflows and connect a large ecosystem of tools, with intake and AI available from the same vendor.
Run a real matter through each during a trial, from intake to invoice to trust reconciliation, and get a written Clio quote to set against MyCase’s published prices. Then make sure the new system has clients to serve by choosing the right marketing partner from our list of the top law firm marketing agencies.
