Head-to-head · Legal Case Management
Smokeball vs Actionstep
Smokeball leads on 0 checks, Actionstep 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 scoreSmokeball · 8.7/10
Smokeball scores higher on our rubric for legal case management: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.
Smokeball is the better fit for small firms that value document automation and desktop tools. Actionstep is the better fit for mid-market firms needing configurable legal workflows.
- Smokeball fits best
Small firms that value document automation and desktop tools
- Actionstep fits best
Mid-market firms needing configurable legal workflows
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Side by side
| Feature | Smokeball 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | Actionstep 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #3 in Legal Case Management | #4 in Legal Case Management |
| Best for | Small firms that value document automation and desktop tools | Mid-market firms needing configurable legal workflows |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs | Tickets, Docs |
| Compliance | ISO 27001, 2FA | SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 50+ integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Smokeball 3/5 · Actionstep 3/5 | ||
| Matter management | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Client portal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Time tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Billing tools | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Mobile apps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Practice areas | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Smokeball brings matter management, client intake, document automation, time tracking, billing, trust accounting, calendaring, reporting, and a client portal into one legal practice management product. It is aimed at solo attorneys, small… Read the review → |
Actionstep brings legal practice management and accounting together for midsize firms managing matters from intake through billing and reporting. Its core scope includes matter and case management, client intake forms, a client portal,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Smokeball — where it wins
- Automates documents with more than 20,000 templates
- Combines intake, matters, billing, trust accounting, and client portal
- Offers Windows desktop, web, and mobile access
Where it doesn't
- Plans are quote-based rather than publicly priced
- The native desktop application is Windows-only
- Support is not available 24/7
Actionstep — where it wins
- Combines matter management, intake, documents, billing and trust accounting
- Client portal, mobile apps and API support different ways to work
- 50 integrations include Microsoft 365, iManage, Xero and LawPay
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires a request and includes per-user and implementation fees
- Support is listed through tickets and documentation
- Builder, Capture, Trace and Acumen are separate modules
- Smokeball8.7/10 · Pricing on request
A broad legal workflow suite centered on document automation and matter management.
Visit SmokeballFull verdict → - Actionstep8.6/10 · Pricing on request
A broad legal practice and accounting suite with configurable workflows and quote-based pricing.
Visit ActionstepFull verdict →
More comparisons
All legal case management comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update