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Head-to-head · Legal Accounting Software

Actionstep vs BarBooks

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Actionstep #3 in Legal Accounting Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Actionstep
BarBooks #5 in Legal Accounting Software 8.6/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit BarBooks

Actionstep leads on 0 checks, BarBooks on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreActionstep · 8.9/10
  • Free trialonly BarBooks
  • Most featuresBarBooks · 4 of 5

Actionstep scores higher on our rubric for legal accounting software: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Actionstep is the better fit for firms wanting broad practice and accounting tools. BarBooks is the better fit for firms needing comprehensive accounting across devices.

  • Actionstep fits best

    Firms wanting broad practice and accounting tools

  • BarBooks fits best

    Firms needing comprehensive accounting across devices

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Actionstep 8.9/10 Visit ↗ BarBooks 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #3 in Legal Accounting Software #5 in Legal Accounting Software
Best for Firms wanting broad practice and accounting tools Firms needing comprehensive accounting across devices
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 50+ integrations 1 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Actionstep 1/5 · BarBooks 4/5
Trust accounting ✓ ✓
Matter-level billing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Client ledgers Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Three-way reconciliation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Compliance reporting Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Platform Not checked yet Both
Our review
Pros
  • Trust and client accounting sit alongside billing, payments, and reporting.
  • Client intake, portals, documents, and workflow automation cover core operations.
  • Web, iOS, Android, and seven listed integrations support connected work.
  • Trust ledgers, reconciliation, and compliance reporting for client funds
  • Matter billing, time tracking, expenses, and receivables reporting
  • Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android access
Cons
  • Pricing is sales-led, region-dependent, and may include implementation fees.
  • Legal Accounting is offered separately in North America.
  • Broad functionality may be more than firms seeking a narrow accounting tool need.
  • No free plan; access is through paid plans or add-ons
  • Diary connectivity is limited to third-party diary integrations
  • BAS completion and lodgement is a separate add-on service
Our verdict

Actionstep is cloud-based legal practice management software for midsize law firms that want matter and case management connected with financial operations. Its scope includes client intake forms and webforms, client communication and…

Read the review →

BarBooks is cloud-based practice management and accounting software for barristers, sole practitioners, clerks, and legal lists. Its scope covers matter management, matter-linked contacts, invoicing, time tracking, expenses, disbursements,…

Read the review →
  1. ActionstepLegal Accounting Software 8.9Pricing on request
  2. BarBooksLegal Accounting Software 8.614-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Actionstep — where it wins

    • Trust and client accounting sit alongside billing, payments, and reporting.
    • Client intake, portals, documents, and workflow automation cover core operations.
    • Web, iOS, Android, and seven listed integrations support connected work.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is sales-led, region-dependent, and may include implementation fees.
    • Legal Accounting is offered separately in North America.
    • Broad functionality may be more than firms seeking a narrow accounting tool need.

  • BarBooks — where it wins

    • Trust ledgers, reconciliation, and compliance reporting for client funds
    • Matter billing, time tracking, expenses, and receivables reporting
    • Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android access

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; access is through paid plans or add-ons
    • Diary connectivity is limited to third-party diary integrations
    • BAS completion and lodgement is a separate add-on service
  • Actionstep8.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad legal operations suite combining matter management, accounting, automation, and billing.

    Visit ActionstepFull verdict →
  • BarBooks8.6/10 · 14-day trial

    A broad legal accounting suite with trust compliance, matter billing, and multi-device access.

    Visit BarBooksFull verdict →

More comparisons

All legal accounting software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update