Top 10 Online Payment & Billing Solutions for Law Firms & Solo Attorneys: Streamline Client Billing and Other Practice Payment Services

Legal billing and payments can be complicated, even for the most seasoned professionals in the field. You have to deal with tracking the expenses of billable hours, projects and fees, and other expenses that might be involved. Not only that, but you could be dealing with clients who aren’t totally capable of paying for the services that they need, so collecting is never going to be an easy task. 

You're a lawyer, though—your job isn’t to argue about bills, it’s to argue for people’s rights and help people get through the legal issues that they are facing. So, what are you to do? If your small law firm or solo practice needs a better solution, the tools on this list can help. These billing and payment platforms include some dedicated to the legal field and some that are designed for general use, but they all have one thing in common: they will guarantee that you get paid faster, easier, and with less stress.

Of course, with all of the tools available today, how are you to choose? Many of the platforms offer similar features like recurring billing, custom invoice creation, automated payment reminders, and electronic payment processing—these are the essentials. However, some offer even more, depending on your budget and what type of platform you have in mind. 

We've taken the hard work out of it for you. In the list below, you’ll find the 10 best tools for legal billing and payments, including their best features, prices, and other things that you need to know. That way, you’ll be able to choose a better way to manage your billing once and for all. 

And, when you want to add a better way to manage your client services, consider enlisting the help of the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai for outbound collection calls, 24/7 live chat, customer service inquiries, and more. 

‍1. Wave Accounting

Wave Accounting is a full-service suite of billing and payment tools for legal practices and lawyers who need simple, integrated solutions. This platform makes it easy to track expenses, generate and send invoices, automate tasks and workflows, and more. The app has several features that can be used on a pay-as-you-go basis, making it a cost-effective solution for smaller firms and solo attorneys, too. 

With Wave, you can invest in the monthly payroll tools and find tax solutions, too, if you need them. There's also an open API to integrate with your existing tech stack. Of course, you’ll find standard things like customizable invoices, recurring billing, and more—in fact, the professional invoices from Wave are free to use, which makes this one of our favorites for the budget-minded lawyer. 

• Free option? Some features are free
• Price: $20 per month to start for monthly plans
• Pay-per-use payment gateway
• Free professional invoices
• Automated payments and reminders
• Recurring invoicing
• Payroll management
  

2. Xero

For business professionals, Xero offers a simple solution that makes billing and payments easier than ever before. It includes project tracking tools for case-by-case billing management so that you can get paid on time and interactive quotes allow your clients to know exactly what they’re paying for and why. 

Xero also makes it easy to sync your bank accounts and integrate with the tools that you’re already using. You can track and claim expenses and download the mobile apps for iOS and Android to manage everything on the go. There are reconciliation tools, scalable features, and a real-time dashboard that keeps it all in one place. 

• Free option? No, but a trial is offered
• Price: $11 per month to start
• Custom invoicing
• Interactive quote feature
• Electronic account syncing
• Reconciliation tools
• Case tracking feature
  

3. Invoicely

Invoicely delivers a free-forever option that gives you all the billing tools that you need without the extras you don’t. This tool has a lot more than you’d expect from a free platform, including dedicated apps for Android and iOS so that you can handle all of your billing on the go. There are tools to automate workflows, track expenses and payroll, and organize all of your billing with ease. 

You can integrate Invoicely with all of your existing software and tools, as well as several payment gateways and processors. Mobile invoicing means you can get paid on the go and you can custom brand everything to create the professional look you desire. Plus, the dashboard makes it easy to create custom labels and track everything in one place for total billing management. 

• Free option? Yes
• Price: $10 per month to start
• Robust reporting
• Free option
• Workflow automation
• Recurring payments
• Automated reminders
• Custom labels
  

4. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is one of the tools preferred by law firms that are looking for simplicity in their billing and payments. This accounting tool offers everything that you expect, including automation and recurring payment and billing options, as well as customer data collection to keep all of your client details organized and secure. Lawyers love this platform for its retainer feature and fee-based payment processing ensures you get paid when you need to. 

With FreshBooks, you can enjoy access to mobile apps for both iOS and Android, along with double-entry accounting to keep everything organized. Billing has never been easier and this platform even integrates with hundreds of other tools and software, ensuring that it will blend into your tech stack seamlessly. For lawyers on the go, the mileage tracking on the iOS app is an added bonus. 

• Free option? No
• Price: $15 per month to start
• Retainer feature
• Fee-based payment processing
• Integrated mobile apps
• Automated payments
• Time tracking tools
  

5. FreeAgent

FreeAgent delivers a scalable solution that’s great for solo attorneys and small practices that need a simple billing and payment solution that doesn’t skimp on the perks. For starters, it’s got one of the biggest databases of invoice templates that you’ll find anywhere and they can all be customized to your exact needs. The user-friendly dashboard makes tracking things easy and detailed reports make sure that you are getting paid. 

FreeAgent also offers a scalable solution so that it can grow with your legal practice over time. Apps are available for iOS and Android and there are never any contracts or setup fees with this solution. There are even discounts on monthly memberships for those who are just joining the platform. Unlimited clients and users are available, as well. 

• Free option? No, but there is a trial
• Price: $12 per month to start
• Huge invoice template database
• Automated and recurring billing
• Seamless integrations 
• Detailed reports
• Payroll and expense tracking
  

6. Clio

Clio is a dedicated tool created specifically for legal practice management, including billing and payments. More than 150,000 lawyers are using the Clio platform for their law firm management and it is approved by 66 bar associations. It offers one-click invoice generation, instant bill delivery via email, a client portal, and electronic payment acceptance. 

Clio also tracks outstanding invoices, provides searchable filters, and allows you to customize the dashboard so that it works for you. You can generate custom bills that are based on contingency, flat fees, or hourly rates, and even tailor your payment profiles to ensure that collections are better. Customization adds that branded touch for total professionalism, too. 

• Free option? No
• Price: $39 per month to start
• Dedicated legal billing
• Manage cases with ease
• Track billable hours and expenses
• Detailed reports
• Generate contact forms and communications
• Premium security
  

7. Scoro

Scoro is a payment and billing solution that offers everything that your law firm needs. Whether you’re a solo attorney or working for a larger firm, this billing platform has you covered with recurring payments, customized invoices, automated reminders, and everything else that you need to get paid on time. The tool is customizable and allows you to brand invoices and so much more. 

You can even customize the dashboard so that you can keep tabs on all of your real-time goings-on in billing and payments. You'll be able to track revenues, active and paid invoices, open cases, and more. Plus, there are tools for client management, project and case management, and mobile access. A prepayment request feature is also included for retainers and prepayment needs. 

• Free option? No
• Price: $26 per month to start
• Real-time dashboard
• Customizable and scalable
• Prepayment requests
• Quoting feature
• Total billing management
  

8. Invoice2Go

For solo attorneys and small firms on a budget, Invoice2Go simplifies and mobilizes invoicing and billing. Who sits in an office anymore? As a busy lawyer, you’re on the go and on your phone more than you’re ever at a desk—your apps and tools should do the same. Invoice2Go allows you to generate mobile invoices, handle billing from anywhere, and more. 

You’ll also enjoy being able to track time and billable hours until they are billed and get paid instantly by adding a ”pay now” button to emails and invoices. The app also offers lead generation support and makes it easy to accept online payments in minutes. You’ll have detailed reports to show you where things stand, too. 

• Free option? No
• Price: Starts at $3 per month
• Online payment acceptance
• “Pay Now” feature
• Lead generation
• Time tracking
• Billable hours 
• Invoice templates
• Robust reporting
  

9. OneUp

OneUp is another simplified platform that takes the bulk out of billing and payment software. The tool makes invoicing and getting paid simple with its business assistant that can take care of quotes, cash flow, invoicing, taxes, and more. The tool lets you scan and pay bills in seconds with digital accounting entries, split payments, and even send automated reminders so a payment is never missed.

OneUp can be customized to your exact needs and it comes with an open API so that it will integrate with the tools you’re already using. The scalable platform will grow with your law practice and you can even use the other tools to help manage other areas of your firm, turning AI into just another part of daily business. 

• Free option? No
• Price: Starts at $9 per month
• Customer 360 views
• Digital accounting
• Automated reminders
• Customizable dashboard
• Easy payment processing
• Open API
  

10. Zola Suite

Zola Suite is designed specifically for law firms and the legal industry. This suite includes built-in billing and payment tools that make it easy to get paid faster and save time. You can create custom invoices, capture time entries, and even bulk email, print, and download invoices. Split billing and LEDES are available, and the tool even helps track expenses. 

Zola Payments, powered by LawPay, makes it easy to accept payments and you’ll find a host of tools for automating workflows, scheduling recurring payments, and more. You can generate checks, process payments, handle batch billing, and so much more. Plus, it also includes a suite of other practice management tools for seamless administration. 

• Free option? No, but a trial is available
• Price: Starts at $59 per user per month
• Convert Tasks and Activities into billable time
• Time continuation between devices
• Dedicated iOS and Android access
• Bulk billing
• Rate cards
• Expenses
• Invoice unbilled activities
  

Streamline your practice further with Smith.ai’s virtual receptionists 

The tools listed here are all going to change the way that you handle your billing and payments, but are you also ready to change the way that you handle other areas of your client and practice management? Streamlining is all about taking advantage of every efficiency—our team of receptionists at Smith.ai is all about efficiency, from helping with incoming calls and lead screening to notifications, voicemails, and more. 

We can act as the face of your law firm when it comes to client requests, vendor billing inquiries, and other needs so that you can focus on your clients and your cases. Our team can even integrate with all of your legal software so that everything is organized and you never have to worry about information getting lost in the transfer. 

Schedule your Live Chat consultation today to find out how our virtual receptionists can take care of all of your logistics and administrative tasks. Why hire one person for the job when you can have an entire team available 24/7? The law never sleeps, and even when you do, our team will make sure that your clients are taken care of. You can reach us at (650) 727-6484, as well.