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Builder

Toggle modules, pick a design, preview live, submit for delivery.

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A la carte

Modules

18 individual operational tools at $29-$49 each. Mix and match.

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Visual identity

Templates

11 aesthetics. Same kit, different look. Compose orthogonally.

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Free forever · MIT

The three free cores

Each is a Vercel-deployable Next.js project.Browse all cores →
For Solo practitioners and small law firms (1 to 10 attorneys)

Clio starts at $49 per user per month. Own LegalKit for $199 once.

Matters, time tracking, trust accounting, conflict checks and a client portal, except the code is yours and every new attorney or paralegal adds nothing to the software bill.

The verdict

LegalKit replaces Clio for solo practitioners and small law firms (1 to 10 attorneys): a one-time $199 instead of paying from $49 per user/mo indefinitely, and you own the source code and the database. Keep Clio if you want a vendor-maintained product with built-in e-signatures, a large app marketplace and vendor support. Trust accounting rules vary by state bar, so check yours before relying on any software.

ClioLegalKit
Pricefrom $49 per user/mo, forever$199 once
OwnershipYou rent a seatPrivate repo, code is yours
Lock-inData + roadmap held by vendorYour Supabase, full export anytime

Why operators leave Clio

Six reasons that come up over and over.

The math, over time

Clio pricing is from $49 per user/mo, forever. LegalKit is $199 one time. Here's what that means at common operator lifetimes.

Time horizonClio (starting price)LegalKitYou keep
1 yearat least $588$199at least $389
3 yearsat least $1,764$199at least $1,565
5 yearsat least $2,940$199at least $2,741
Cumulative cost over 60 months: Clio against LegalKitEven at Clio's lowest listed price of $49 per user a month, LegalKit pays for itself in about 4.1 months.$0$750$1,500$2,250$3,000start12 mo24 mo36 mo48 mo60 moowning wins after 4.1 moClio at its lowest price: $2,940LegalKit: $199 once
Even at Clio's lowest listed price of $49 per user a month, LegalKit pays for itself in about 4.1 months. The chart counts the software price only: your own hosting is extra, and Supabase and Vercel both have free tiers.

Clio Manage plans are Starter, Core, Signature and Elite, starting at $49 per user per month. Only that starting price is public. Figures above are for one user, so multiply by your headcount. Starting price per user per month. Core, Signature and Elite show "Get pricing" on the page. Source: clio.com/pricing/, read 2026-10-26. You pay your own hosting (Supabase free tier covers most small operators) + Stripe's standard 2.9% + 30c on payments. No platform middleman fees.

Feature parity, line by line

Every capability you rely on, mapped against what each side ships. Clio as of mid-2026 published pricing tiers; verify against your specific plan.

CapabilityClioLegalKit
Matter and contact managementYes· All plansYes· Cases module with linked contacts
Time tracking and billingYes· All plansYes· LEDES-compatible, multiple billing rates
Trust accountingYes· All plansYes· Trust/IOLTA with three-way reconciliation
Conflict checksLimited· Core and aboveYes· Automated across all matters
Client portalLimited· Core and aboveYes· Secure messaging and document exchange
E-signatureLimited· Counted by plan: 3, 15, unlimitedNo· Not included in LegalKit
Data exportLimited· CSV and PDF exports by areaYes· Your own Supabase
Code-to-own, no rentNoYes· Private GitHub repo

What's actually different

Feature parity is table stakes. The real shift is ownership.

No per-user meter

A firm of six pays for six seats at Clio. LegalKit is one purchase, and the headcount does not change it.

Client files stay in your control

Matters, contacts, time entries and the document vault live in your own database.

Change what you need

Intake questions, billing rules and reports are your own code to adjust.

How switching works

Most operators take 2-3 weeks end to end. We handle the data migration; you handle the customer-facing brand polish.

  1. 1

    Export from Clio

    Clio exports matters, contacts, bills and transactions as CSV or PDF from the relevant tabs. Export each area you want to keep.

  2. 2

    Deploy LegalKit

    Accept the repository invitation and follow the README to deploy on your own Supabase and Vercel.

  3. 3

    Import and reconcile trust accounts

    Load matters and contacts with the CSV import, then reconcile every trust ledger by hand against your bank before relying on the new system.

  4. 4

    Run in parallel through a billing cycle

    Keep Clio read-only for one full billing cycle, then cancel once your first invoices and trust reports tie out.

Questions we hear

What does LegalKit cost to run?+

LegalKit is $199 once. You pay your own hosting and messaging; Supabase and Vercel have free tiers.

Is the trust accounting compliant?+

It provides three-way reconciliation. Rules differ by state bar, so confirm what yours requires, and have your bar or accountant review it before you hold client funds in any new system.

Does it do e-signatures?+

No. It has document templates and assembly. If you need e-signatures, pair it with a dedicated e-signature service.

Do I need to be a developer?+

You deploy it once by following the README, or send a custom request for setup. Daily use is point and click.

Own your operations.

LegalKit ships with for solo practitioners and small law firms (1-10 attorneys). One purchase, no per-seat fees, full source ownership.