Legal · head to head
Clio vs MyCase
The short version
- Only MyCase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Clio priced per user per month, so cost scales directly with headcount and adds up for growing firms; MyCase all plans are per-user pricing, not per-firm; previously paid fees are non-refundable
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Clio and MyCase actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Legal).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Clio
- Matter management
- Time and billing
- Trust accounting
- Client intake
- Document management
- Integration directory
Only in MyCase
Nothing recorded that Clio does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Clio
- Small and mid-sized firms replacing spreadsheets and paper matter filesnot MyCase
- Firms needing compliant trust accounting without a separate systemnot MyCase
- Practices billing hourly that lose revenue to uncaptured timenot MyCase
MyCase
- Managing billable hours and generating client invoices from time entriesnot Clio
- Organizing discovery documents and case materials in searchable repositoriesnot Clio
- Processing trust account reconciliations for client fundsnot Clio
- Coordinating client communications through texting and portalsnot Clio
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Clio
- Priced per user per month, so cost scales directly with headcount and adds up for growing firms
- Advanced features including some automation and reporting sit in higher tiers rather than the entry plan
- Aimed at small and mid-sized firms; large firms with complex matter structures often need heavier systems
- Strongest in North America, with less depth in other jurisdictions’ compliance requirements
MyCase
- All plans are per-user pricing, not per-firm; previously paid fees are non-refundable
Pricing, plan by plan
Clio
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Clio review.
MyCase
Free- Basic$60/month
- Basic features
- Annual option $50/month
- Pro$120/month
- Pro features
- Annual option $100/month
- Most popular
- Advanced$150/month
- Advanced features
- Annual option $130/month
Which should you pick?
Choose Clio if
- You need matter management.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cloud.
- You also want time and billing.
Questions people ask
- Is Clio or MyCase better?
- Neither clearly leads. Clio starts at On request and MyCase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Clio or MyCase?
- MyCase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Clio and Free for MyCase.
- Does Clio or MyCase run on more platforms?
- Clio runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cloud. MyCase runs on Web.
- Can I use MyCase for free?
- Yes. MyCase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Clio starts at On request.
- What is Clio best used for?
- Clio is most often used for small and mid-sized firms replacing spreadsheets and paper matter files, firms needing compliant trust accounting without a separate system, practices billing hourly that lose revenue to uncaptured time. Of those, small and mid-sized firms replacing spreadsheets and paper matter files and firms needing compliant trust accounting without a separate system are not what MyCase is typically brought in for.
- What can Clio do that MyCase cannot?
- Clio covers Matter management, Time and billing, Trust accounting, Client intake.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Clio: What does Clio cost?
Clio sells per-user subscriptions across several tiers. Rates change and vary by region, so check the vendor’s current pricing page rather than relying on a third-party figure.
MyCase: How much does MyCase cost?
MyCase pricing starts at $60/month per user for the Basic plan, $120/month for Pro, and $150/month for Advanced when billed monthly.
SourceClio: Does Clio handle trust accounting?
Yes, and it is one of the main reasons firms adopt it, because client fund rules are strict and mishandling them is a regulatory matter.
MyCase: Does MyCase offer a free trial?
Yes, MyCase offers a 10-day free trial with full access and no credit card required.
SourceClio: Is Clio suitable for a large firm?
It is aimed at small and mid-sized practices. Large firms with complex matter and billing structures usually evaluate heavier enterprise systems.
MyCase: Are there annual billing discounts available?
Yes, annual billing saves up to 16% compared to monthly billing, with Basic at $50/user/month annually, Pro at $100/user/month, and Advanced at $130/user/month.
SourceClio: Does Clio integrate with existing tools?
Yes. Its integration directory is the largest in legal practice software, covering Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, QuickBooks and many others.