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Head-to-head · Trust Accounting Software

Clio Accounting vs Smokeball

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Clio Accounting #3 in Trust Accounting Software 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Try Clio Accounting
Smokeball #8 in Trust Accounting Software 8.0/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Smokeball

Clio Accounting leads on 0 checks, Smokeball on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreClio Accounting · 8.6/10

Clio Accounting scores higher on our rubric for trust accounting software: 8.6 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Clio Accounting is the better fit for clio firms adding dedicated accounting. Smokeball is the better fit for firms wanting trust accounting in case management.

  • Clio Accounting fits best

    Clio firms adding dedicated accounting

  • Smokeball fits best

    Firms wanting trust accounting in case management

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Side by side

Feature Clio Accounting 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Smokeball 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.0
Ranking #3 in Trust Accounting Software #8 in Trust Accounting Software
Best for Clio firms adding dedicated accounting Firms wanting trust accounting in case management
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web Web
Support Phone, Email, Live chat, Docs Email, Phone, Tickets
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, 2FA ISO 27001, 2FA
Integrations 300+ integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Clio Accounting 3/4 · Smokeball 3/4
Three-way reconciliation ✓ ✓
Bank reconciliation ✓ ✓
Disbursement approvals Not checked yet Not checked yet
Compliance reports ✓ ✓
Specs
Trust ledger types Not checked yet Individual
Matter limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Three-way trust-account reconciliation and operating-account reconciliation
  • Bank-feed matching, ledgers, deposits, withdrawals, and financial reports
  • Synchronization with Clio Manage plus QuickBooks Online and Xero integrations
  • Records trust transactions against matters and accounts
  • Includes reconciliation, ledgers, cash books and audit reports
  • Connects with Microsoft 365, Xero, MYOB and Stripe
Cons
  • Designed for law firms rather than general-purpose accounting users
  • Advanced practice management is limited to higher-tier plans
  • Client acquisition features are limited to the Elite plan
  • No free plan
  • Advanced automation and reporting require higher tiers
  • Designed for Australian law firms and legal teams
Our verdict

Clio Accounting is cloud-based legal accounting software for small to mid-sized law firms, particularly firms already using Clio Manage. It records firm financial activity, manages trust funds, reconciles trust and operating accounts,…

Read the review →

Smokeball is legal practice management software for Australian law firms, including sole practitioners, small firms and growing legal teams. It brings matter, document and email management together with calendars, workflows, billing, time…

Read the review →
  1. Clio AccountingTrust Accounting Software 8.6Paid
  2. SmokeballTrust Accounting Software 8.0Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Clio Accounting — where it wins

    • Three-way trust-account reconciliation and operating-account reconciliation
    • Bank-feed matching, ledgers, deposits, withdrawals, and financial reports
    • Synchronization with Clio Manage plus QuickBooks Online and Xero integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for law firms rather than general-purpose accounting users
    • Advanced practice management is limited to higher-tier plans
    • Client acquisition features are limited to the Elite plan

  • Smokeball — where it wins

    • Records trust transactions against matters and accounts
    • Includes reconciliation, ledgers, cash books and audit reports
    • Connects with Microsoft 365, Xero, MYOB and Stripe

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Advanced automation and reporting require higher tiers
    • Designed for Australian law firms and legal teams

More comparisons

All trust accounting software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update