Smokeball review

Smokeball is built around the idea that small firms lose billable time they never record. Its AutoTime feature tracks time and activity automatically, and it is included on the top Prosper+ plan or sold as an add-on to Grow. The four plans step up clearly: Bill covers billing, expenses, trust accounting and payments; Boost adds browser-based case management, Microsoft 365 Word and Outlook integration, a client portal, eSignature and eFiling; Grow adds the native desktop app, practice area templates and calculators, advanced document automation and email management; and Prosper+ adds lead management, inquiry intake, custom workflows and profitability reporting. Practice area tools cover areas such as family law, personal injury, real estate and probate. Smokeball says there is no limit on firm users or clients. The drawback is pricing: the page lists no figures and explains that cost depends on users, plan, contract term and options, so firms must request a quote.

Who it is for

Small firms that bill by the hour and want automatic activity tracking and deep Word and Outlook integration.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• AutoTime automatic time and activity tracking, included on Prosper+
• Practice area templates, calculators and automated forms on Grow
• Microsoft 365 Word and Outlook integration
• Legal billing, trust management and online payments
• Lead management, inquiry intake and custom workflows on Prosper+

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No limit on the number of firm users or clients
• Strength: Unlimited electronic signatures through InfoTrack
• Strength: Training through live sessions and Smokeball Academy
• Weakness: No prices are published; every plan needs a quote
• Weakness: AutoTime is an add-on below Prosper+
• Weakness: Online payments and trust management carry fees

Key facts

• Plans: Bill, Boost, Grow, Prosper+
• Users: No limit on firm users or clients
• Desktop app: Included from Grow

Where it ranks

Smokeball is No. 6 in our Best Law Practice Management Software verdict.