Head-to-head · Legal Payments Software
CaseFox vs Smokeball
CaseFox leads on 1 check, Smokeball on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreCaseFox · 8.5/10
- Free planonly CaseFox
- Most featuresCaseFox · 7 of 7
CaseFox scores higher on our rubric for legal payments software: 8.5 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.
CaseFox offers free plan; Smokeball doesn't.
CaseFox is the better fit for small firms seeking free legal payments. Smokeball is the better fit for firms wanting payments within a full practice suite.
- CaseFox fits best
Small firms seeking free legal payments
- Smokeball fits best
Firms wanting payments within a full practice suite
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Side by side
| Feature | CaseFox 8.5/10 Visit ↗ | Smokeball 8.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.5 | 8.2 |
| Ranking | #3 in Legal Payments Software | #5 in Legal Payments Software |
| Best for | Small firms seeking free legal payments | Firms wanting payments within a full practice suite |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $45/user/mo | — |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets · 24/7 | Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs |
| Compliance | 2FA | ISO 27001, 2FA |
| Integrations | 16 integrations | 6 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features CaseFox 7/7 · Smokeball 0/7 | ||
| Trust account support | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Payment plans | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Client payment portal | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| ACH payments | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Card payments | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Legal billing integration | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Reconciliation tools | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | CaseFox is cloud-based legal practice management software for attorneys and law firms that need billing, online client payments, trust and operating account management, and client-facing financial workflows. Its payment portals support… Read the review → |
Smokeball is legal practice management software for solo attorneys, small law firms, and growing legal teams, with a particular fit for people-law practices. It brings matter and contact management, intake, calendaring, tasks, document… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
CaseFox — where it wins
- Free Solo plan includes online payments, billing, reporting, and a client portal
- Supports card, ACH, LawPay, PayPal, and recurring payment schedules
- Trust-account management, audit-ready reports, and QuickBooks/Xero integrations
Where it doesn't
- Unlimited cases and integrations begin on the $45 Professional plan
- Advanced features such as AI documents require a paid tier
- Payment processing depends on third-party providers such as LawPay and PayPal
Smokeball — where it wins
- Online payments and trust accounting are included in the Bill plan.
- Client portals, intake workflows, and document automation support firm operations.
- Microsoft 365, QuickBooks Online, LawPay, and mobile apps extend its reach.
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires a personalized quote rather than published plan amounts.
- The broad practice suite may exceed the needs of payment-only buyers.
- Advanced capabilities are divided across multiple plans.
- CaseFox8.5/10 · Free plan
A flexible legal billing platform with free payments and paid practice-management depth.
Visit CaseFoxFull verdict → - Smokeball8.2/10 · Pricing on request
A full legal practice suite that adds online payments, trust accounting, and client portals.
Visit SmokeballFull verdict →
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All legal payments software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update