Key takeaways
- Traditional legal form creation methods are slow, costly, and prone to human error, leading to mistakes, slow turnaround, and compliance issues
- Legal forms software provide a streamlined process for efficient and accurate form creation
- Docupilot is the most affordable and feature-rich option for comprehensive legal form automation
The need for efficient, accurate, and compliant legal forms software has never been greater.
Traditional methods of creating legal forms at scale are time-consuming, costly and despite having the resources in place, invite human error, leading to costly mistakes, slow turnaround, and compliance issues.
However, with the right legal forms software you can streamline workflows, enhance accuracy, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Numerous options are available on the market. And it is easy to get lost in the sea of choice and get stuck in analysis paralysis. To assist you and help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the top legal forms software.
In this article, we will delve into the best legal forms software for 2024, highlighting top tools that cater to various needs and budgets. We will share insights, including top features, unique selling points, pros and cons, and pricing models.
What is Legal Form Software
Legal form software is a digital tool that helps users create, manage, and automate legal documents by using pre-built templates, smart fields, and workflows.
Instead of manually drafting forms like contracts, NDAs, employment agreements, or lease agreements from scratch, legal form software lets you:
- Use templates for common legal documents
- Auto-fill information using connected data sources like CRMs, spreadsheets, or HR systems
- Apply logic (e.g., conditional clauses) to tailor documents based on specific scenarios
- Collaborate with team members for drafting and approvals
- Collect signatures with integrated e-signature tools
- Store and track all legal forms in one centralized system
Features Your Legal Form Software Must Have
Before reviewing top legal form software, let’s look at the essential features these software solutions must support.
Template Builder
Legal form templates are the foundation of document automation. To save time and effort, you will develop a template for each legal form you use. And you will use the relevant template when you need to generate forms in bulk.
Even though legal document software platforms often include pre-built templates, they will not always match your exact requirements. Therefore, a template builder is essential as it allows you to customize templates. For example, with Docupilot, you can upload existing templates and customize them, or build from scratch using our Document Builder.
Suppose you are building a template for a property form, with Docupilot. In that case, you can use advanced conditional statements to include or exclude clauses and information fields, and dynamic maps to insert the exact property location.
Integrations
You can extend the capabilities of your legal document software through integrations. For example, to automate data entry, you can connect your software to data sources such as Google Sheets and CRMs. This allows the software to seamlessly extract information from these sources and incorporate it into the documents. An ideal legal document software must integrate with email software, electronic signatures, and storage platforms.
Some platforms have a high barrier to entry for integrations: they will force you to sign up for expensive pricing plans just to enable a specific integration. When you choose Docupilot, you need not worry: all pricing plans support 1000+ integrations.
Collaboration
Real-time editing and co-authoring, access control and permissions, version control, notification systems, are some capabilities that enable collaboration. These features allow quicker approvals, execution, and reduce back and forths in contract negotiation. With multi-user collaboration, you can be agile and respond quickly to changing requirements and scenarios.
Embedded Editor
An embedded editor allows users to build and edit templates directly within your application without switching to a third-party platform.
The embedded editor should support drag-and-drop template design, dynamic field mapping, and access controls, while allowing full white-label customization. This feature is essential for improving user experience, simplifying your workflow and collaboration with clients or team members.
Electronic Signatures
Electronic signatures allow users to sign documents securely and legally without the need for printing or scanning. A legal document platform should support signature workflows that include assigning signers, inserting signature fields into templates, and tracking signing status.
With Docupilot, for example, you can send documents to multiple signers, add signature, date, and initials fields, and receive signed documents with a complete audit trail. The system complies with legal standards such as ESIGN and UETA, ensuring signatures are valid and enforceable. You can also bulk-send documents for signature and automate follow-ups or expiry reminders.
Security and Compliance
The safety and security of data, whether it relates to your business or your customers, is paramount.
According to the 2023 ABA Cybersecurity TechReport, 29% of law firms experienced a security breach, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year.
Security features prevent breaches and keep your business and customer data safe. With user access control, you can ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information. With audit trails and revision histories, you can track the history and progression of documents for accountability and legal compliance.
When you select a secure platform like Docupilot, you safeguard your firm's reputation and foster client trust at the same time.
Best Legal Forms Software: A Quick Overview
Check the table below for a quick overview of legal agreement software options.
Best 6 Legal Forms Software
Now let’s take a deep dive into the best legal forms software for 2024.
1. Docupilot
Docupilot is a cutting-edge cloud-based document automation platform that empowers businesses to streamline document creation and management processes.
With its intuitive interface and advanced features, you can automate the creation of legal forms, contracts, and agreements, saving time, reducing errors, and increasing efficiency.
Docupilot offers unparalleled customization capabilities, robust collaboration features, seamless integration with existing systems, and simple credit-based pricing. All plans include unlimited templates, document builder, API access, and third-party integrations.
Whether you're a startup or a large corporation, Docupilot is the perfect solution for streamlining legal document management processes.
Best Features
- Document builder for creating templates, forms, and legal documents
- Embedded template editor to edit and customize templates directly within your app using a drag-and-drop, no-code interface
- Built-in e-signature workflow to send, sign, and track documents without needing third-party signature tools
- Encryption, password protection, and access control for data security
- Integration with 1000+ third-party apps, including Zapier, Make, Airtable, and DocuSign
- API access
- Automated document generation
- Dynamic content, including tables, images, maps, QR codes, and barcodes
- Basic and advanced conditional statements
Pros
- Feature-rich legal document automation platform
- Intuitive user interface
- Responsive customer support
- Affordable pricing
- All features, integrations, and API access are available in all pricing plans
Cons
- Audit trails and review history are under development
- Pre-built templates are still in development
Ratings
- G2: 4.7
- Capterra: 5.0
Pricing
- Starter: $29/month for 100 credits
- Plus: $99/month for 500 credits
- Pro: $149/month for 1,000 credits
- Premium: $199/month for 2,000 credits
- Business: $399/month for 5,000 credits
- Enterprise: $699/month for 10,000 credits
All plans include unlimited templates, PDF/Word/Powerpoint/Excel templates, document builder, unlimited testing, third-party integrations, and API access.
You must have active credits in your workspace before you can generate documents. One document credit will be consumed if you generate a document and deliver it to each configured delivery. One document credit will also be consumed when you download a generated document.
2. Gavel
Gavel is an advanced legal form software designed to automate and simplify the creation of legal documents. It offers a user-friendly interface and a comprehensive suite of tools such as customizable templates, seamless integration with existing systems, and robust security measures.
With Gavel, law firms, corporate legal departments, and small businesses can reduce the time and effort required to generate precise and compliant legal forms. Automated workflows and real-time collaboration tools enhance efficiency and accuracy, making it suitable for any organization looking to optimize legal document processes..
Best Features
- Document automation for the creation of forms, templates, and agreements
- Integration with data sources, including Clio Manage, Zapier, and Stripe, to connect workflows and automate data transfer
- Client-facing portals, case studies, and pricing pages
- Safety features, including data isolation, server encryption, and regular penetration testing
- Data Manager to store, search, manage, visualize, transfer, and re-use data between forms and workflows
Pros
- Easy setup and customization
- Pre-built templates
- Reliable support
- Marketplace for online legal apps
Cons
- Expensive, making it unsuitable for small law firms and solo practitioners
- Advanced features, customization options, integrations, and API access are available on high-tier plans
- Template builder supports only PDF format, Gavel’s Word add-in is required for building Word documents
Ratings
- G2: 5.0
- Capterra: 5.0
Pricing
- Lite Plan: $99/month, includes 1 builder seat, 10 document templates, Clio Manage integration, and email, screen share, and phone support.
- Standard Plan: $250/month, includes 1 Builder seat, 25 document templates, Zapier integration, Data Manager, and email, screen share, and phone support.
- Pro Plan: $350/month, includes 2 Builder seats, 50 document templates per Builder, Build and sell legal products with Bundles, Stripe integration, White labeling, custom domain, DocuSign integration, embed in your website, and email, screen share, and phone support.
- Enterprise Plan: $417/month, includes unlimited document templates, full onboarding assistance, API access + integration support, discounted per-seat pricing, unlimited phone, and priority customer support.
3. Jotform
Jotform is a versatile online form builder designed to simplify the creation, customization, and management of various forms, including legal documents.
Jotform offers a range of features tailored for legal businesses and professionals, including drag-and-drop builder, legal form templates, eSignature integration, automated workflows, security, and compliance.
Jotform is an excellent choice for legal professionals due to its ease of use, comprehensive feature set, and focus on security.
Best Features
- Drag-and-drop form builder with support for PDF and Word template upload
- 100+ integrations, including Slack, Salesforce, PayPal and HubSpot
- Payment collection through forms
- Widgets for including e-signatures, checklists, and image sliders
Pros
- Free Starter plan supports all standard features and suits individuals and small teams
- Form template library
- Marketplace with form, app, and other templates
Cons
- Clunky drag-and-drop functionality
- Limited usage on the free Starter plan
Ratings
- G2: 4.7
- Capterra: 4.6
Pricing
- Starter Plan (Free): includes 5 forms, 100 monthly submissions, 100MB storage, 1,000 monthly form views, 500 submission storage, 10 payment submissions, and JotForm branding
- Bronze Plan: $39/month, includes 25 forms, 1,000 monthly submissions, 1GB storage, 10,000 monthly form views, 100 payment submissions, and 10,000 submissions storage
- Silver Plan: $49/month, includes 50 forms, 2,500 monthly submissions, 10GB storage, 100,000 monthly form views, and 250 payment submissions
- Gold Plan: $129/month, includes 100 forms, 10,000 monthly submissions, 100GB storage, 1 million monthly form views, 1000 payment submissions, and HIPAA compliance features
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, includes unlimited usage, multiuser platform, dedicated support, SLA, HIPAA compliance features and custom branding
All plans, except the Enterprise plan, allow 1 user per team.
4. Lawyaw (Clio Draft)
Lawyay is a comprehensive legal form automation software for law firms, legal departments, and solo practitioners. Lawyay’s range of features includes automated document assembly, an extensive template library, e-signature integration, collaboration, compliance, and security.
Lawyay provides ease of use through its template library and a simple interface, making it accessible even for those with minimal technical expertise. A feature set designed specifically for legal professionals ensures users can handle document automation needs efficiently and securely.
Best Features
- A wide range of customizable templates for various legal documents
- Conditional logic
- Collaboration tools enable team members to work together on legal documents,
- Integration with popular CRM, HR, and accounting software
- Built-in eSign for PDF forms
Pros
- Legal template services at $150/hour
- Onboarding and support at no additional cost
Cons
- No integration support for case management platforms, such as MyCase
- No Zapier integration
- Limited to PDF and Word formats
- Expensive
Ratings
- G2: 4.5
- Capterra: 3.0
- TrustRadius: 10.0
Pricing
- PDF Court Forms Automation: $70/month/seat
- MS Word Document Automation: $110/month/seat
- PDF Court Form & MS Word Automation: $150/month/seat
The plans can be customized to match the required number of seats and access to state libraries. Each additional seat costs $30/month and access to each additional state library costs $40/month.
5. PatternBuilder
PatternBuilder is a sophisticated legal form automation software for law firms, legal departments, and solo practitioners. Key features include an intuitive form builder, smart templates, conditional logic, e-signature, and collaborative editing.
PatternBuilder features ensure documents are accurate and tailored to specific needs, making it an ideal choice for legal professionals seeking to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline document workflows.
Best Features
- Customizable templates
- Document automation
- Conditional logic
- Numerical calculations
- Document automation for reviews and approvals
Pros
- Integrated eSignature
- NetDocuments integration for document management
- Multilayer security and compliance certifications
Cons
- No pre-built templates
- No API access
Ratings
- Not available
Pricing
Only custom pricing plans are available.
6. Smokeball
Smokeball is a cloud-based legal practice management software for law firms and legal professionals.
Key features include form automation, customizable templates, integration with existing systems, and AI assistant.
In addition to form automation, Smokeball offers a comprehensive, cloud-based practice management software for law firms of all sizes, enabling efficient management of cases, documents, billing, and communication.
Best Features
- Legal form automation
- Centralized document repository
- Automatic time tracking
- 35+ integrations, including Zapier, Zoom, Microsoft Word and Outlook
- Powerful insights and reporting
- Case management software
- Smokeball AI for assistance with information gathering, drafting correspondence, and matter summaries.
Pros
- Library of pre-built 20,000+ legal forms
- Forms for specific practice areas
- Comprehensive law practice management
Cons
- Form and document automation not available in “Bill” and “Boost” plans
- Non-intuitive user interface
- Nonresponsive customer support
- No mobile app
Ratings
- G2: 4.8
- Capterra: 4.8
Pricing
- Bill: custom pricing, includes Invoicing, time & expense tracking, online payments, and accounting integrations
- Boost: custom pricing, includes everything in “BILL” plan, client & matter management, task management, calendar management, document management, secure client portal, dashboards, and access to integrations
- Grow: custom pricing, includes everything in “BOOST” plan, practice area templates, practice area calculators, advanced document automation, automated forms/templates, email management and Word & Outlook integration
- Prosper: custom pricing, includes everything in "GROW" plan, firm insights reporting, lead management, enquiry intake, advanced matter intake, custom workflows, workflow templates, staff activity reporting and profitability reporting
How to Choose Legal Forms Software
We have reviewed the best legal form software. However, only you know your specific needs and requirements. and that is why only you can make the decision that is right for you.
Create a comprehensive list of your requirements and compare it with available software to see how they stack up. Factors you can consider include
- Ease of use
- Customizability
- Pre-built templates
- Integration capabilities
- Collaboration tools
- Security and compliance features
- Automation features
- Scalability
- Training and onboarding
- Mobile Access
- Budget and software pricing plans
- Customer support
- User reviews and ratings
Streamline Legal Form Creation with Docupilot
Manual legal form creation is slow, error-prone, and risky. Typos, missing clauses, and inconsistent formatting can easily result in non-compliant documents that delay legal processes and hurt your firm’s credibility. Delays in form generation and execution often translate to lost time, frustrated clients, and missed opportunities.
Legal form software changes that. By automating document creation, it ensures accuracy, consistency, and speed, helping you close deals faster, stay compliant, and reduce operational costs.
But not all tools deliver on their promises. Some are too complex to set up, lack critical features like integration or real-time editing, or simply don’t fit into your existing workflows.
Docupilot removes those barriers. With powerful features like an embedded editor that lets your team (or clients) build and edit templates directly inside your app, and built-in electronic signature workflows to get documents signed securely and quickly, Docupilot gives you the tools to move faster from creation to completion.
Try it yourself. Sign up for a free 30-day trial and see how Docupilot transforms your legal document workflow.
FAQs
What is legal forms software and why is automation important?
Legal forms software helps create, customize, and manage legal documents using templates, logic, and automation, saving time and minimizing errors inherent in manual drafting.
Can Docupilot automate legal form creation?
Yes, Docupilot automates legal form generation with a template builder, dynamic fields, conditional logic, and batch generation features suitable for contracts, NDAs, HR documentation, and more.
Does Docupilot include eSignature functionality for legal forms?
Docupilot’s built-in eSignature workflow lets you send, track, and collect legally binding signatures without needing third-party signature tools.
Is Docupilot secure and compliant for legal documents?
Docupilot incorporates encryption, access controls, audit trails, and secure storage to help meet compliance standards and protect sensitive legal information.
How does Docupilot compare with other top legal forms software?
Docupilot provides a balanced combination of intuitive template design, automation capabilities, integrations, and price flexibility, enabling efficient legal form workflows across industries.
Learn how to automate document creation with Docupilot
