Finding the right legal practice management software can be an overwhelming task with so many options to evaluate.
In this comparative review, we cut through the noise to provide a detailed, side-by-side analysis of two popular platforms: Caret LEGAL and Rocket Matter.
You'll see how they stack up on critical features like billing and time tracking, document automation, integrations, mobile access, customer support, and pricing. We'll also consider alternatives like PracticePanther, CosmoLex, MyCase, and Clio. By the end, you'll have the insights to determine which solution best fits your firm's needs.
Introduction to End-to-End Legal Practice Management Platforms
Caret LEGAL and Rocket Matter are two popular legal practice management platforms that aim to streamline law firm operations. This article provides a brief overview of both solutions and sets the stage for a detailed comparative analysis.
Understanding Caret LEGAL
Caret LEGAL offers complete law practice management with integrated time tracking, billing and payment processing. Key strengths include document automation with HotDocs integration, client portals, and robust reporting. It is ideal for small to mid-sized law firms seeking an affordable all-in-one legal management platform.
Exploring Rocket Matter
Rocket Matter focuses on legal billing, accounting and time tracking. It provides trust accounting, batch invoicing, and detailed financial reports. The solution is tailored for law firms that want advanced billing and accounting capabilities combined with intuitive time entry options.
Setting the Stage for the Comparative Review
To compare Caret LEGAL and Rocket Matter, we will analyze key criteria like time tracking, billing features, document management capabilities, third-party integrations, mobile apps, customer support, and pricing models. This will reveal the overall strengths and weaknesses of each platform to match specific law firm needs and use cases. The goal is to outline key considerations for making an informed decision between the two legal practice management solutions.
Legal Billing and Time Worked Management
Caret LEGAL's Approach to Legal Billing
Caret LEGAL provides robust tools for legal professionals to efficiently track time worked and bill clients. Key features include:
- Intuitive time entry interface to log hours worked, with task timers and integration with calendars
- Customizable invoices with detailed billing rates and activities
- Secure online client portal for invoice delivery and payment
- Payment processing integrations (e.g. LawPay) for accepting credit cards
With Caret LEGAL, law firms can simplify timekeeping and get paid faster while maintaining professionalism.
Efficiency of Rocket Matter in Tracking Time Worked
Rocket Matter enables law firms to effectively track detailed time entries and bill clients accurately. Notable capabilities include:
- Multiple timers to track concurrent activities
- Real-time time entry directly on mobile devices
- Automated invoices sent based on pre-set rules
- Secure client portal with invoice review and online payments
- Robust reporting on billed and unbilled time
These features optimize legal billing workflows. Firms gain insights into productivity and profitability.
Head-to-Head: Billing and Time Tracking
Both Caret LEGAL and Rocket Matter provide the core functionality needed for time tracking and legal billing.
Caret LEGAL offers slightly more flexibility for entering time with a focus on clean invoice design. Rocket Matter provides more detailed analytics into productivity.
For most law firms, either solution would suit their billing needs. We'd recommend Rocket Matter for data-driven firms that value reporting. Caret LEGAL is ideal for firms focused on client experience and presentation.
Evaluating unique integration needs with other systems can also help determine the best fit. Testing each platform is advised to validate the interface, features, and workflows align with internal processes.
Document Automation and Management
HotDocs by CARET: Streamlining Document Creation
HotDocs is CARET LEGAL's integrated document automation solution that allows users to easily create templates for frequently used legal documents. Users can build templates with merge fields, conditional logic, and more to streamline document creation.
Key benefits of HotDocs integration in CARET LEGAL include:
- Automated document assembly based on templates
- Reusable clauses and text for efficiency
- Merge field capability to pull in data
- Conditional logic to show/hide content dynamically
- Version control and edit tracking
- Centralized template library management
With HotDocs, CARET LEGAL users can save time assembling legal documents while reducing risks associated with manual processes.
Rocket Matter's Document Automation Capabilities
Rocket Matter has built-in tools to create document templates that can be reused for efficiency. Users can build clause and document libraries to store reusable bits of text, clauses, and full document templates.
Key features for document automation in Rocket Matter include:
- Clause library for reusable text snippets
- Document template library
- Merge fields to integrate client data
- Basic conditional logic based on choices
- Template version tracking
While useful for basic document assembly, Rocket Matter lacks more advanced automation capabilities compared to dedicated solutions like HotDocs. The system is better suited for small firms with basic document needs.
Document Automation: Comparative Insights
When it comes to streamlining legal document creation, CARET LEGAL offers superior capabilities through its seamless HotDocs integration. HotDocs enables advanced functionality like conditional logic, calculations, complex templates, and more that is unmatched in Rocket Matter.
However, Rocket Matter provides sufficient basic automation for smaller firms or those with simple needs. Its tools for building reusable clauses and templates can still help improve efficiency.
Ultimately, CARET LEGAL is the better choice for leveraging document automation to enhance legal workflows. The native HotDocs integration facilitates more sophisticated templates and fewer manual steps to assemble documents. Rocket Matter lags behind for advanced functionality but offers basic automation as a built-in capability.
Platform Integrations: Extending Functionality
CARET Legal Integrations with Microsoft 365 and More
CARET Legal offers integrations with various platforms to extend its functionality, including:
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Abacus Payment Exchange (APX): Allows easy credit card and eCheck processing directly within CARET Legal. Streamlines legal billing and payments.
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NetDocuments: Enables direct integration with the popular cloud-based document management system. Allows easy organization and sharing of case files.
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Twilio SMS: Allows sending SMS notifications to clients and staff directly from CARET Legal. Useful for reminders, alerts, etc.
Rocket Matter's Integration Ecosystem
Some of Rocket Matter's key integrations include:
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LawPay: Provides secure credit card and eCheck processing abilities within Rocket Matter. Simplifies legal billing.
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Box: Allows connecting Rocket Matter to the Box content cloud for easy file sharing and collaboration.
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Clio: Enables integration with the well-known practice management platform. Allows data syncing between systems.
Comparing Integration Capabilities
When comparing the platforms:
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Both offer payment processing via APX and LawPay. CARET Legal has more direct Microsoft 365 and SMS integration.
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Rocket Matter provides connectivity to Box cloud storage and Clio software.
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CARET Legal appears more focused on back-office functionality while Rocket Matter offers more front-facing client features.
In summary, both platforms offer capabilities to connect with common tools used by legal professionals. The choice comes down to which set of integrations best fits your firm's needs and existing infrastructure.
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Mobile Integration and Client Portal Accessibility
On-the-Go with Caret LEGAL's Mobile Integration
Caret LEGAL offers mobile apps for iOS and Android to provide lawyers seamless access to time tracking and billing features on the go. Key highlights include:
- Robust time tracking allows lawyers to start timers, track time to matters, edit entries etc. directly from their phones. This helps capture billable time more accurately.
- Review billed and unbilled time entries, create and edit invoices, record payments received - all from the mobile app.
- Get notifications on outstanding invoices, allowing lawyers to send payment reminders promptly.
- Access client information, matters, documents etc. when meeting clients outside the office.
With Caret LEGAL's focus on lawyer mobility and productivity, their mobile offering enables seamless time tracking and billing management from anywhere.
Rocket Matter: Mobile Access and Client Portal
Rocket Matter offers a mobile-optimized site instead of native apps. Lawyers can access key features on-the-go from their mobile browsers.
- Time entry allows lawyers to track billable time from their phones, ensuring time capture when meeting clients externally.
- Review invoices, record payments received, check accounts receivable balances from the mobile site.
- Access client data, create notes and maintain a centralized matter dashboard from mobile browsers.
Additionally, Rocket Matter states their client portal is mobile responsive, accessible from phones and tablets. This allows clients self-service access to invoices, matters, documents etc.
Mobile Experience: A Comparative Review
- Caret LEGAL offers native iOS and Android apps focused specifically on lawyer mobility and productivity. This provides richer functionality than Rocket Matter's mobile site.
- Rocket Matter's mobile site covers key features like time tracking. Their client portal is also mobile accessible. But the experience may not be as seamless as Caret LEGAL's apps.
- For lawyers and firms wanting anytime-access and seamless integration with their practice management system, Caret LEGAL delivers better mobile experience.
In summary, Caret LEGAL edges out Rocket Matter on mobile integration based on their native apps. Rocket Matter offers mobile accessibility but the experience is perhaps not as refined. Firms wanting extensive mobile functionality should evaluate Caret LEGAL's superior offerings.
Customer Support: Ensuring Smooth Operations
Caret LEGAL's Support Network
Caret LEGAL offers multiple support channels for customers, including live chat, email ticketing, and an extensive knowledge base. Their support team is available during business hours to provide timely assistance.
Rocket Matter's Commitment to Support
Rocket Matter provides live chat, community forums, and a searchable knowledge base to customers. Their support team aims to respond quickly to issues.
Support Services: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Both Caret LEGAL and Rocket Matter offer live chat with quick response times during business hours. In addition, they both provide knowledge bases and community forums for self-service troubleshooting. Overall, their support offerings are comparable. When evaluating legal practice management systems, ensure the vendor provides multiple convenient support channels to enable smooth operations.
Investment Considerations: Pricing and Contracts
Analyzing CARET Legal's Pricing Structure
CARET Legal offers simple, transparent pricing with no long-term contracts. Their flat monthly fee includes unlimited users, unlimited matters, document storage, phone and email support, and software updates. There are no surprise fees or upcharges.
The flat-fee pricing provides predictable costs and makes budgeting easy. Law firms know exactly what they will pay each month.
Since there are no per-user fees, law firms can add unlimited staff to use CARET Legal at no additional cost. This helps firms scale up without incurring more software expenses.
Rocket Matter Pricing Analysis
Rocket Matter pricing is based on a per-user model. Firms pay a monthly fee for each user license on the platform. Additional licenses can be purchased if more staff need access.
The per-user pricing model can become expensive for larger law firms with many staff members. The costs scale up linearly as more licenses are added.
However, smaller firms may find value in only paying for the number of seats they need. Firms can start small and add licenses over time.
Rocket Matter also requires an annual contract, while CARET Legal has no long-term commitment.
Calculating the Return on Investment
When comparing total cost of ownership between CARET Legal and Rocket Matter, CARET Legal provides more value and flexibility:
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CARET Legal allows unlimited users at the flat monthly rate. Rocket Matter's costs increase with each additional user license.
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Over 3 years, CARET Legal maintains the same predictable pricing. But Rocket Matter's costs could dramatically increase as the firm grows.
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CARET Legal has no annual contract lock-in. Firms can cancel anytime. Rocket Matter requires a 1 year commitment.
For larger law firms or those expecting significant growth, CARET Legal provides better long term value with flexible flat-fee pricing.
Alternatives Considered: Other Law Practice Management Tools
Law firms have several options when considering legal practice management software. Here we explore some of the top alternatives to Caret LEGAL and Rocket Matter.
PracticePanther: A Quick Look
PracticePanther is cloud-based legal software designed for solo attorneys and small law firms. Key features include:
- Legal calendaring and deadlines
- Integrated credit card and eCheck payments
- Client intake and case management
- Document automation and templates
- Secure client portals
PracticePanther aims to provide an all-in-one solution to manage a legal practice. Its interface is intuitive and it offers robust features for a competitive price point.
CosmoLex Features Overview
CosmoLex markets itself as an affordable and user-friendly legal software. Capabilities include:
- Legal billing and accounting
- Calendaring, tasks and deadlines
- Document management and assembly
- Client database and case management
- Customizable client portals
Attractive features are its integration with Clio and LawPay, along with its focus on simplifying legal billing.
MyCase: An Alternative Option
MyCase delivers cloud-based law practice management with capabilities such as:
- Legal calendaring, tasks, and deadlines
- Billing and payment processing
- Document automation and management
- Client communication tools
- Custom reporting
MyCase aims to help firms organize their systems and workflows to enhance productivity. It offers integration with key third-party applications.
Clio's Place in the Market
As a leader in cloud-based legal technology, Clio offers features including:
- Legal practice management
- Client intake and communication
- Billing and payment management
- Calendaring and scheduling
- Document automation and storage
Clio focuses on security compliance and aims to provide an ecosystem of integrated apps and add-ons to customize the system. Its large market share speaks to its capabilities and support among legal professionals.
When assessing alternatives like these, law firms need to balance factors such as features, ease of use, integration, customer support and cost. Prioritizing which capabilities are most important to a firm's needs and workflows is key in determining the best solution.
Final Verdict: Caret LEGAL vs Rocket Matter
Based on the analysis, here is a final comparative verdict between Caret LEGAL and Rocket Matter:
Decoding the Most Important Features
Caret LEGAL
Pros:
- Comprehensive legal practice management features
- Built-in document automation
- Integrates with payment services
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Mobile app needs improvement
Rocket Matter
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Robust time tracking abilities
- Good mobile app
Cons:
- Limited document automation features
- Can be pricey for solos
Making the Choice: Likelihood to Recommend
For small firms or solo attorneys who want an intuitive platform with flexible billing, Rocket Matter is a good choice. The interface is easy to navigate and time tracking abilities are robust.
However, for larger firms who need document automation and payment integrations, Caret LEGAL is recommended. Although there is more complexity, Caret LEGAL equips firms with end-to-end practice management abilities. Firms should factor in training and change management costs that may arise.
When evaluating options, carefully assess firm needs and budget. Both platforms offer capabilities to enhance legal operations, but differ in their approach and ideal target users. Conducting demos of each solution can clarify which aligns best with firm priorities and growth trajectory.
