10 Best Timekeeping Software for Lawyers

What is a Timekeeping Tool for Lawyers?

A timekeeping tool for lawyers is a computer program or software that tracks their billable and non-billable hours. A legal time tracking software is usually integrated with a law firm’s billing system to generate accurate and detailed invoices for clients.

How to Find The Best Timekeeping Software for Your Law Firm?

Finding the right timekeeping tool for your law firm can be overwhelming, with the many options available today. Here are some key criteria to consider when choosing a timekeeping software:

• Easy to use – The timekeeping tool should be straightforward to use even for a beginner.
• Integrates with other legal management software – The tool should work well with your main legal management software for a seamless workflow.
• Fits your budget – Timekeeping tools provide a simple function, so avoid paying for more than you should.
• Accurate – The timekeeping tool should be able to track your activities down to the second without issues so you provide accurate invoices to clients.
• Great customer support – Read reviews on the tool and pay attention to the feedback about their customer service.

1. Toggl Track

Toggl Track is a power timekeeping tool for law firms to track their time on multiple platforms (desktop, phone, or web). The software connects to invoicing software like Quickbooks, productivity tools like Trello and Asana, and calendars like Google and Outlook. Hours can be tracked manually or automatically with or without an internet connection.

Key features:

• One-click timer
• Manual time entries
• Visual dashboard for timelines
• Assign tasks to team members

Pricing: Free up to 5 users; Starter: $10 per user/month; Premium: $20 per user/month; Enterprise: Contact for pricing

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Detailed reports
• Customizable dashboard

Cons:

• Free plan has limited features
• User’s can’t pause the timer

2. Everhour

Everhour combines time tracking and project management in one app. In addition to tracking time and invoicing, this app extends features to managing projects and assigning tasks to team members that can be tracked in real time. It also integrates seamlessly with project management tools like Asana, Jira, and Trello.

Key features:

• A visual timeline of ongoing projects
• Assign a budget for each project
• Built-in invoicing

Pricing: Free (limited features); Team: $10 (minimum of 5 seats)

Pros:

• Highly customizable reports
• Great team management features

Cons:

• Occasional sluggish performance
• More expensive than other tools

3. RescueTime

RescueTime is an efficient way to track time because it automatically does it and you don’t need to start or stop a timer. One notable feature is its website and application blocking feature which helps users focus on their tasks and improve productivity. The software also lets users set specific goals and track their progress.

Key features:

• Automatic time tracking
• Focus mode
• AI-powered timesheets

Pricing: Solo: $78/year or $12/month; Team: $6 per team member/month (Annual) or $9 per team member/month (Monthly)

Pros:

• No need to start a timer
• Can block distractions
• Can categorize activities

Cons:

• Pricier than other tools
• Issues integrating with other tools

4. TimeSolv

TimeSolv is a time-tracking app made for lawyers and legal professionals. This tool tracks billable hours accurately and seamlessly creates invoices with just a few clicks. It can be connected with TimeSolvPay, a tool that allows law firms to accept credit card and ACH payments from their clients.

Key features:

• Multiple timers
• Custom dashboards that show billable hours
• Integrates with Quickbooks, Xero Accounting, and LawPay

Pricing: TimeSolv Legal: $49.99/month (1-4 users), $47.49/month (5-14 users), $44.99/month (15 users or more); TimeSolve Pro: $34.99/month (1-9 users), $29.99/month, $27.99/month (25 users or more)

Pros:

• Responsive customer support
• Competitive pricing
• Cloud-based

Cons:

• Issues with errors in data entry
• Advanced features have steep learning curve

5. Smokeball

Smokeball is a comprehensive legal management software with a time-tracking feature called AutoTime. Lawyers can automatically track their time when working on cases within Smokeball or when using other apps like Outlook and Word. Tracked hours can be edited for accuracy, from which invoices are generated.

Key features:

• Automatically tracks time
• Generates AI descriptions of tasks
• Integrates with accounting software like Xero

Pricing: Bill: $49 per user/month; Boost: $89 per user/month; Grow: Contact for pricing; Prosper+: Contact for pricing

Pros:

• Accurate time tracking
• Integrates well with other software
• Customizable timer settings

Cons:

• Setup can be challenging
• Only syncs at night

6. Chrometa

Chrometa is another automatic time-tracking software that doesn’t require manual input. It runs in the background and captures active windows on a user’s device, including phone calls and text messages. Users can set up rules to automatically assign categories to time entries.

Key features:

• Automatic time capture
• Data analytics
• Idle time detection

Pricing: Standard: $19 per user/month; Plus: $29 per user/month; Premium: $49 per user/month

Pros:

• Works on mobile devices
• Captures detailed information for time entries
• One-time purchase option available

Cons:

• Requires an internet connection
• Missing some integrations (Skype, Wrike, etc.)

7. Bill4Time

Bill4Time is a legal management tool that helps lawyers and team members account for billable hours with its built-in legal timekeeping software. The tool allows users to customize project terminologies, such as matters and cases. Users can opt to use timers and pause them or manually add time entries.

Key features:

• Automatic and manual time entry
• Can use multiple timers
• Customizable task types

Pricing: Time & Billing: $29 per user/month; Time & Billing Enterprise: $69 per user/month; Legal Pro $49 per user/month; Legal Enterprise: $89 per user/month

Pros:

• Can integrate client expenses into billing
• Great web-based user interface
• Reasonable pricing

Cons:

• Some issues integrating with Office 365

8. MyCase

MyCase is an all-in-one legal management software with a time-tracking function. It automatically tracks time spent within the MyCase app but allows manual time entries. This tool integrates with Google and Outlook calendars which makes it easier for lawyers to schedule appointments and track the time spent on them.

Key features:

• End-of-day summary
• Calendar integration
• Built-in invoicing and billing

Pricing: Basic: $49 per user/month; Pro: $89 per user/month; Advanced: $109 per user/month

Pros:

• Accurate time capture
• Easy time entry review
• Billing and invoicing is integral to the tool

Cons:

• Limited customization
• Technical support can be improved

9. PracticePanther

PracticePanther is a legal management tool that includes time tracking, billing, and invoicing in its platform in addition to case and document management. You can easily create time entries from calendar events, phone calls, and emails and edit your time entries in case you left a timer running.

Key features:

• Automated time tracking
• Includes custom invoicing and payment processing
• Custom filter tags

Pricing: Solo: $59 per user/month; Essential: $79 per user/month; Business: $99 per user/month

Pros:

• Complete legal management platform
• Automated invoice generation
• Detailed reports help identify unbilled time

Cons:

• Limited customization
• Takes time to learn

10. TimeCamp

TimeCamp is a simple time tracker and productivity app that runs in the background and automatically records your time. It can track time with or without an internet connection. While it’s not as advanced as other tools, it integrates with apps like Asana, Jira, and Monday.com for better functionality.

Key features:

• Keyword-based time tracking
• Productivity reports
• Attendance management

Pricing: Free; Starter: $1.99 per user/month; Premium: $3.99 per user/month; Ultimate: $5.99 per user/month; Enterprise: $14.99 per user/month

Pros:

• Great pricing
• Focus on productivity
• Customizable billing rates

Cons:

• Mobile app can be improved
• Limited features

Final Thoughts: Here’s How to Manage Your Firm’s Time Effectively…

Tools like lawyer time tracking software offer efficient ways of accomplishing tasks while you focus on your cases and clients. However, there’s not a single app that can do every legal task. This is why you need to figure out the best combination of legal management tools that work for your firm.

If you want to save more time, you can try tools that focus on other aspects of running a law firm. This includes matter management, document management, project management, billing, and marketing.

To achieve online visibility and attract new clients, you can hire a legal marketing agency like On The Map Marketing to save time and get impressive results. Contact us to learn more about how we deliver tailored marketing plans for law firms.