Best Legal Billing Software for Solo Attorneys 2026
For solo attorneys, billing software isn't optional—it's essential to profitability. Industry research shows that attorneys using dedicated billing software capture 15-30% more billable time compared to manual tracking, translating to $15,000-$45,000 in additional annual revenue for a typical solo practice. Yet according to legal technology surveys, many solo attorneys still rely on spreadsheets, losing thousands in unbilled hours annually.
In this comprehensive guide, we've evaluated the top billing platforms for solo attorneys based on ease of use, pricing, time tracking accuracy, and real attorney reviews. Whether you're just starting your practice or looking to upgrade from inefficient manual systems, we'll help you find software that pays for itself through recovered billable time.
Why Solo Attorneys Need Specialized Billing Software
Generic invoicing tools fall short for legal billing. Solo attorneys require specific capabilities: time tracking in 6-minute (0.1 hour) increments per ABA standards, IOLTA-compliant trust accounting with separate client funds tracking, expense tracking and reimbursement billing, matter-based time organization across multiple clients, and retainer management with automatic draw-down.
Recent data indicates that solo attorneys without proper billing software lose an estimated 20-30% of billable time due to forgotten time entries and approximated hours. For an attorney billing 30 hours weekly at $250/hour, capturing just 3-5 additional hours weekly generates $37,500-$62,500 in additional annual revenue—far exceeding any software cost.
The cost of inadequate billing systems is substantial. Solo attorneys using manual methods lose $10,000-$30,000 annually in unbilled time from forgotten entries and approximate time tracking, spend 5-8 hours monthly on manual invoice generation and payment tracking, and risk ethics violations from poor trust accounting practices. For a solo attorney targeting $150,000 in annual revenue, this represents 7-20% of income lost to preventable inefficiency.
Our Evaluation Methodology
We evaluated each billing platform based on six key criteria important to solo practitioners, testing with real billing data and interviewing attorneys using these systems.
| Criteria | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Time Tracking | 30% | Accuracy, ease of entry, timer functionality, mobile capture |
| Billing Features | 25% | Invoice generation, payment processing, retainer management |
| Trust Accounting | 20% | IOLTA compliance, reporting, ease of use |
| Ease of Use | 15% | Learning curve, interface simplicity, setup time |
| Pricing | 5% | Cost per month, hidden fees, value for features |
| Integrations | 5% | QuickBooks, email, calendar, document management |
Top 7 Legal Billing Software for Solo Attorneys in 2026
1. Clio — Best Overall for Solo & Small Firms
Rating: 9.3/10 | Price: From $49/user/month | Free trial: 7 days
Clio combines industry-leading billing capabilities with comprehensive practice management in a platform designed for solo and small firm workflows. The EasyStart plan at $49/month (billed annually) includes time tracking, invoicing, trust accounting, and integrated payment processing—everything solo attorneys need.
Clio's time tracking excels with built-in timers, mobile time entry, and the ability to create time entries from emails and calendar events automatically. The platform's billing features include customizable invoice templates, automatic payment reminders, and support for contingency, flat fee, and hourly billing arrangements.
With 4.7/5 stars from 12,000+ legal professionals, Clio earns consistent praise for its intuitive interface and excellent customer support. Solo attorneys appreciate being able to start simple with EasyStart and upgrade to higher tiers (Essentials at $89, Advanced at $119) as their practice grows.
Pros: - Comprehensive time tracking with timers and mobile entry - Integrated payment processing (credit cards, e-checks) - IOLTA-compliant trust accounting included - Excellent mobile apps for iOS and Android - Automatic payment reminders reduce collections time - Scales with your practice (upgrade to full practice management) - 200+ integrations including QuickBooks and Outlook - Outstanding customer support
Cons: - More expensive than specialized billing-only tools ($49 vs $29-39) - Some advanced features require higher tiers - Full value realized when using practice management features too - Annual billing required for best pricing
"Clio or LeanLaw offer affordable, focused billing solutions with legal-specific features for solo practitioners." — Clio Blog
2. CaseFox — Best Free Option
Rating: 8.9/10 | Price: Free (up to 2 users) | Free trial: N/A (free plan available)
CaseFox offers a genuinely useful free plan for up to two users—perfect for solo practitioners and two-attorney partnerships. The SOLO plan includes time tracking, billing, invoicing, expense tracking, and basic trust accounting without artificial limitations designed to force upgrades.
The free plan is not a "trial" but a permanent offering, making CaseFox ideal for new attorneys building their practice without significant software budgets. For attorneys needing more features, the PRO plan costs just $45/month or $39/month (billed annually)—maintaining affordability even with premium features.
CaseFox covers essential billing needs: timer-based time tracking, customizable invoice templates, expense and retainer management, basic trust accounting, and online payment acceptance. While the interface feels dated compared to modern platforms, the functionality is solid and reliable.
Pros: - Completely free for up to 2 users (forever) - No credit card required for free plan - Core time tracking and billing included free - Simple, straightforward interface - Cloud-based access from anywhere - Very affordable paid upgrade ($39-45/month) - IOLTA trust accounting included (even on free plan)
Cons: - Interface feels dated compared to modern platforms - Limited integrations compared to premium tools - No mobile app (responsive web interface only) - Advanced reporting requires paid plan - Fewer automation features than competitors
"The SOLO plan is free forever for up to two users, with the PRO plan charging $45 monthly or $39 yearly per user." — Software Finder
3. Bill4Time — Best for Time Tracking Simplicity
Rating: 8.7/10 | Price: From $39/user/month | Free trial: 14 days
Bill4Time specializes in making time tracking effortless with an intuitive interface designed specifically for attorneys who bill by the hour. At $39/user/month, it delivers excellent value for solo practitioners wanting robust time tracking without comprehensive practice management overhead.
The platform excels at capturing billable time with one-click timers, mobile time entry, browser extensions for tracking while working, and the ability to create time entries from emails. Bill4Time's strength is removing friction from time tracking—the easier it is to track time, the more billable hours get captured.
Bill4Time includes customizable billing rates (by attorney, client, or matter), expense tracking with receipt attachment, trust accounting for IOLTA compliance, and integrated payment processing with LawPay. The platform focuses on doing billing exceptionally well rather than trying to be a full practice management system.
Pros: - Extremely easy time tracking with multiple entry methods - One-click timers that run in background - Browser extension tracks time while working - Mobile apps with offline time entry - Flexible billing rates and arrangements - Strong expense tracking with receipt photos - Good customer support with fast response times
Cons: - Lacks comprehensive practice management features - Fewer integrations than Clio (though covers essentials) - Interface could be more modern - Some advanced features require higher-tier plans - Limited document management
Try Bill4Time Free for 14 Days →
4. TimeSolv — Best for Detailed Time Entry
Rating: 8.6/10 | Price: From $39.95/user/month | Free trial: 30 days
TimeSolv caters to attorneys who want detailed, precise time tracking with extensive task codes and matter organization. At $39.95/user/month, TimeSolv competes directly with Bill4Time on pricing while offering more granular time entry options.
The platform allows attorneys to create custom task codes aligned with court billing requirements, standardized UTBMS task codes for federal and corporate clients, and detailed activity descriptions that justify billing to clients. This level of detail helps reduce billing disputes and write-downs.
TimeSolv includes timer-based and manual time entry, comprehensive expense tracking, trust accounting with multiple trust accounts per client, customizable invoice templates with detailed time breakdowns, and integrated credit card processing. The platform is particularly strong for attorneys who bill large institutional clients requiring detailed documentation.
Pros: - Extensive task code customization - UTBMS task code support for corporate/federal billing - Detailed time entry reduces billing disputes - Multiple trust accounts per client - Very customizable invoice templates - Good reporting and analytics - 30-day free trial (longer than most competitors)
Cons: - Interface feels dated - More complex than needed for simple practices - Learning curve steeper due to extensive options - No mobile app (responsive web only) - Integration options limited
Try TimeSolv Free for 30 Days →
5. Rocket Matter — Best All-in-One for Solo Attorneys
Rating: 8.5/10 | Price: From $99/user/month | Free trial: 10 days
Rocket Matter is specifically designed for solo practitioners and small law firms, combining billing with essential practice management features like case management and document storage. While more expensive at $99/month, it provides more comprehensive functionality than billing-only tools.
The platform includes invoice management features that streamline billing, trust accounting, time tracking with timers and mobile entry, case and client management, document storage and organization, and Fastcase legal research included. For solo attorneys wanting one platform to handle billing and basic case management, Rocket Matter offers good value.
Rocket Matter's strength is balancing sophistication with simplicity—powerful enough for serious practices but designed for attorneys managing their own technology without IT support. The included Fastcase legal research (valued at $95/month standalone) helps justify the higher price.
Pros: - Combines billing with practice management - Fastcase legal research included ($95/month value) - Good trust accounting capabilities - Clean, modern interface - Mobile apps for iOS and Android - Good customer support - QuickBooks integration
Cons: - More expensive than billing-only tools ($99 vs $39) - May be overkill for attorneys wanting just billing - Fewer integrations than Clio - Some features less developed than specialized tools
"Rocket Matter is specifically designed for solo practitioners and small law firms, offering features like invoice management to streamline billing." — Clio Blog
Try Rocket Matter Free for 10 Days →
6. LeanLaw — Best for QuickBooks Users
Rating: 8.4/10 | Price: From $89/user/month | Free trial: 14 days
LeanLaw is built specifically to integrate with QuickBooks Online and Desktop, making it ideal for solo attorneys already using QuickBooks for business accounting. The platform layers legal-specific billing features on top of QuickBooks while syncing everything in real-time.
Starting at $89/user/month, LeanLaw handles time tracking with legal-specific increments, trust accounting with IOLTA compliance, billing with legal invoice templates, and expense tracking—all syncing automatically to QuickBooks. This eliminates duplicate data entry and leverages QuickBooks' powerful financial reporting.
LeanLaw excels at trust accounting with sophisticated IOLTA management that integrates perfectly with QuickBooks, ensuring compliance without complex manual reconciliation. Solo attorneys committed to QuickBooks will find LeanLaw's seamless integration worth the investment.
Pros: - Deep integration with QuickBooks Online and Desktop - Eliminates duplicate data entry between systems - Excellent trust accounting synchronized with QuickBooks - Leverages QuickBooks' financial reporting - Good time tracking and billing features - Compliance-focused design - Responsive customer support with QuickBooks expertise
Cons: - Requires QuickBooks subscription (additional cost) - Not suitable for attorneys not using QuickBooks - More expensive than standalone billing tools - Focused primarily on billing (limited case management) - Learning curve for attorneys new to QuickBooks
"LeanLaw starts at approximately $89 per user/month and offers affordable, focused billing solutions with legal-specific features." — Clio Blog
Try LeanLaw Free for 14 Days →
7. Time59 — Best Ultra-Budget Option
Rating: 8.0/10 | Price: $199/year (total) | Free trial: 30 days
Time59 offers incredible value at just $199 per year total—not per user, not per month. At $16.58/month, it's the most affordable legal billing software available, perfect for new solo attorneys minimizing overhead while building their practice.
Time59 provides time tracking with 6-minute increments, billing and invoicing, expense tracking, basic trust accounting, and client payment tracking. While less sophisticated than premium platforms, it covers core billing needs reliably at a fraction of the cost.
Time59 works best for solo attorneys with straightforward hourly billing practices who don't need complex automation or extensive integrations. The platform's simplicity is both strength (easy to learn) and limitation (lacks advanced features). Think of it as the "starter" billing software you use until revenue justifies upgrading.
Pros: - Extremely affordable ($199/year = $16.58/month) - One flat fee covers everything (no per-user pricing) - Simple, straightforward interface - Core billing and time tracking included - Basic trust accounting - Good for new attorneys minimizing costs - 30-day free trial - Desktop and cloud-based versions
Cons: - Very basic features compared to modern platforms - Dated interface - No mobile app - Minimal integrations - Limited automation capabilities - No advanced reporting - Limited customer support
"At $199 per year, Time59 is a budget-friendly solution, especially for solo attorneys and small firms." — Clio Blog
Quick Comparison Table
| Software | Price/Month | Key Strength | Trust Accounting | Mobile App | Free Option | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clio | $49 | Full-featured | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | 7-day trial | Overall best |
| CaseFox | Free | Free forever | ✅ Basic | ❌ Web only | ✅ Up to 2 users | Budget-conscious |
| Bill4Time | $39 | Time tracking | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | 14-day trial | Hourly billers |
| TimeSolv | $39.95 | Detail-oriented | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Web only | 30-day trial | Corporate billing |
| Rocket Matter | $99 | All-in-one | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | 10-day trial | Practice management |
| LeanLaw | $89 | QuickBooks sync | ✅ Excellent | ❌ | 14-day trial | QuickBooks users |
| Time59 | $16.58 | Lowest cost | ✅ Basic | ❌ | 30-day trial | Ultra-budget |
How to Choose the Right Billing Software
Your ideal billing software depends on budget, practice complexity, existing tools, and growth plans. Here's a decision framework:
Brand new solo attorneys on tight budgets: Start with CaseFox (free for solo use) to handle basic billing without financial commitment. Once generating consistent revenue ($50,000+ annually), upgrade to Bill4Time ($39/month) or Clio EasyStart ($49/month) for better features and support.
Established solo attorneys billing primarily hourly: Bill4Time ($39/month) or TimeSolv ($39.95/month) provide excellent time tracking and billing without practice management overhead. Both capture more billable time than manual systems, typically paying for themselves within the first month.
Solo attorneys wanting comprehensive solution: Clio ($49-149/month depending on tier) or Rocket Matter ($99/month) combine billing with case management, document storage, and client portals. The additional cost is justified if you need these features anyway—better integration than separate tools.
QuickBooks users: LeanLaw ($89/month) integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks, eliminating duplicate data entry and leveraging QuickBooks' financial reporting. The integration alone saves 2-3 hours monthly compared to manual reconciliation.
Attorneys with very simple billing needs: Time59 ($199/year = $16.58/month) covers basic time tracking and invoicing at the lowest cost available. Suitable for straightforward hourly billing without complex trust accounting or extensive reporting needs.
FAQ
What is the best billing software for solo attorneys in 2026?
For most solo attorneys, Clio EasyStart ($49/month) offers the best balance of features, ease of use, and scalability, rated 4.7/5 stars by 12,000+ attorneys. However, the "best" depends on your specific needs: CaseFox is best for budget-conscious attorneys (free for solo use), Bill4Time ($39/month) excels at time tracking simplicity, and LeanLaw ($89/month) is ideal for QuickBooks users. According to billing software research, attorneys using dedicated billing software capture 15-30% more billable time compared to manual tracking, making the choice significant for profitability.
How much does legal billing software cost for solo attorneys?
Legal billing software for solo attorneys ranges from free (CaseFox) to $99/month (Rocket Matter). Based on current market data, typical costs are: free options (CaseFox for 1-2 users), budget billing tools at $39-40/month (Bill4Time, TimeSolv), comprehensive solutions at $49-89/month (Clio, LeanLaw), and all-in-one platforms at $99/month (Rocket Matter). Time59 offers ultra-budget pricing at $199/year ($16.58/month). Most platforms offer 10-20% discounts for annual billing and free trials of 7-30 days. With attorneys capturing $15,000-45,000 additional annual revenue through better time tracking, even premium software quickly pays for itself.
Can I get free legal billing software that actually works?
Yes. CaseFox offers a genuinely functional free plan for up to 2 users that includes time tracking, billing, invoicing, expense tracking, and basic trust accounting—sufficient for many solo practitioners. Unlike "freemium" plans with crippling limitations, CaseFox's free tier provides real value without forced upgrades. The interface is dated and integrations are limited, but the core billing functionality works reliably. This makes it perfect for new attorneys building their practice without software budget. When revenue grows, you can upgrade to CaseFox PRO ($39-45/month) or switch to more sophisticated platforms like Clio or Bill4Time.
What's the difference between billing software and practice management software?
Billing software focuses specifically on time tracking, invoicing, and trust accounting—the financial aspects of running a practice. Practice management software includes billing plus case management, document storage, calendaring, client portals, and workflow automation. For solo attorneys, billing-only tools like Bill4Time ($39/month) and TimeSolv ($39.95/month) cost less and are simpler to learn. Comprehensive practice management platforms like Clio ($49-149/month) and Rocket Matter ($99/month) cost more but eliminate the need for separate tools. Choose billing-only if you have simple needs and use separate tools for case management; choose practice management if you want one integrated system.
How do I track time as a solo attorney without forgetting billable hours?
The key is using dedicated billing software with multiple time capture methods rather than relying on memory. Effective approaches include: running background timers while working on matters (Bill4Time and Clio excel at this), using mobile apps to capture time immediately after calls or court appearances, installing browser extensions that prompt time entry while working, and enabling automatic time entry from emails and calendar events (Clio feature). Research shows that attorneys using timer-based tracking capture 15-30% more billable time than those relying on end-of-day reconstruction. The best practice is entering time contemporaneously—as soon as the work is done—rather than approximating hours at day's end.
Do I need trust accounting features even as a solo attorney?
If you handle client retainers or settlements, yes—trust accounting is legally required. Most jurisdictions require IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) compliance for client funds. Legal billing software like Clio, CaseFox, Bill4Time, TimeSolv, LeanLaw, and Rocket Matter all include IOLTA-compliant trust accounting that tracks client funds separately from operating accounts, generates required trust reconciliation reports, and ensures ethical compliance. Without proper trust accounting software, solo attorneys risk ethics violations, malpractice claims, and bar discipline. Even CaseFox's free plan includes basic trust accounting, making compliance accessible regardless of budget.
How long does it take to set up billing software as a solo attorney?
Most billing software can be operational within 1-3 hours for solo attorneys. Basic setup involves: creating your attorney profile and hourly rates (15 minutes), importing or entering client and matter information (30-60 minutes), configuring invoice templates with firm information (15-30 minutes), connecting bank accounts for trust accounting (15 minutes), and optionally integrating email and calendar (30 minutes). Platforms like CaseFox and Bill4Time are particularly quick to set up due to their focused feature sets. More comprehensive platforms like Clio offer more configuration options, taking slightly longer initially but providing better long-term efficiency. Most attorneys are billing their first client within their first day of using the software.
Final Verdict
For most solo attorneys in 2026, Clio EasyStart ($49/month) represents the best overall investment, combining comprehensive billing features with practice management capabilities that grow with your firm. The platform's ease of use, excellent support, and 200+ integrations make it worth the premium over billing-only tools. Budget-conscious attorneys should start with CaseFox (free for solo use)—it's genuinely functional and includes trust accounting, making it perfect for new practices minimizing overhead.
Attorneys wanting the best pure billing experience should choose Bill4Time ($39/month) for its effortless time tracking and straightforward interface. QuickBooks users benefit most from LeanLaw's seamless integration ($89/month), while ultra-budget practices can rely on Time59 ($199/year = $16.58/month) for basic needs. Whatever platform you choose, remember that attorneys using dedicated billing software capture 15-30% more billable time compared to manual methods—for a solo attorney billing $150,000 annually, that's $22,500-$45,000 in additional revenue, far exceeding any software cost. Investing in proper billing software is one of the highest-ROI decisions solo attorneys can make in 2026.
Last updated: February 2026. Pricing and features verified through vendor sources and attorney reviews. We regularly review and update our recommendations. Methodology
Sources: - Clio - Best Small Law Firm Billing Software - Software Finder - Best Legal Billing Software for Solo Practitioners - Research.com - Best Cheap Legal Billing Software 2026 - Clio - Reviews and Ratings