Honest comparison
PI Case Management Software: Client Portals and Integrations
How the eight CMSes PI firms actually evaluate handle the client side: built-in portals, client texting and integrations. For full rankings, see our guide to the best personal injury case management software.
Looking for a specific head-to-head? Jump to CasePeer, SmartAdvocate, Filevine, Litify, Neos, MyCase, Clio, Smokeball.
At a glance
| CMS | Client portal | Client texting | API and integrations | With Quilia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CasePeer | A built-in client portal. Source ↗ | On the Pro and Advanced plans; scheduled texts on Advanced. Source ↗ | Yes, on the Advanced plan, through support. Lists 40 integrations. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Source 3 ↗ | Integration → |
| SmartAdvocate | A built-in client portal. Source ↗ | Through partners such as Kenect or Twilio. Source ↗ | API documentation isn't published; custom integrations on request. Says 175+ integrations. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Integration → |
| Filevine | Client Portal by Filevine, billed per client invite. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Two-way, through Text-to-Case-File. Source ↗ | Yes, with approval: credentials come from a Filevine rep or the partner program. Integrations page and partner directory, no count stated. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Integration → |
| Litify | Not stated for personal injury. Source ↗ | Not stated. Source ↗ | With Litify's API Integration Agreement; documentation isn't published. Integrations page, no count stated. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Integration → |
| Neos | Not stated. Assembly lists partner portals such as Case Status and Hona. Source ↗ | Included on Platinum; otherwise a Premium Texting add-on. Source ↗ | Assembly mentions a documented API but doesn't publish the docs or how to get access. Integration partners listed, no count stated. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Integration → |
| MyCase | A built-in web client portal. Source ↗ | Included on every plan except Basic. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Yes, on the Advanced plan, through support. Lists 61 integrations. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Integration → |
| Clio | Clio for Clients, a client portal with a mobile app. Source ↗ | Two-way texting in Clio Manage; needs a toll-free number. Source ↗ | Yes, with approval: developer accounts go through an application review. Clio lists 300+ apps. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Source 3 ↗ | Integration → |
| Smokeball | The Communicate Client Portal. Source ↗ | Two-way SMS through Communicate, on the Boost, Grow and Prosper+ plans. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗ | Yes, with approval: the Prosper+ plan and account manager approval; vendors apply as partners. The Marketplace lists 187 apps, 110 in the U.S. Source 1 ↗Source 2 ↗Source 3 ↗ | Integration → |
The eight CMSes, one at a time
CasePeer
Best fit: Small to mid-size PI firms that want a CMS built specifically for personal injury.
Honest take: CasePeer's PI-first DNA shows up in default fields, intake flows, and reporting. Lighter on integrations than Filevine, but easier to roll out.
Client experience: A built-in client portal. On the Pro and Advanced plans; scheduled texts on Advanced.
SmartAdvocate
Best fit: Mid-to-large plaintiff firms running high-volume PI or mass tort inventories.
Honest take: SmartAdvocate handles complex litigation and large case inventories. Customization is deep but the learning curve is real.
Client experience: A built-in client portal. Through partners such as Kenect or Twilio.
Filevine
Best fit: Firms that want flexible workflow automation across PI, mass tort, or a mixed practice.
Honest take: Filevine's template engine is the most powerful in this list, but that flexibility costs setup time. Best when you have someone who owns the workflows.
Client experience: Client Portal by Filevine, billed per client invite. Two-way, through Text-to-Case-File.
Litify
Best fit: Enterprise plaintiff firms already on Salesforce or hiring for it.
Honest take: Built on Salesforce, so reporting and analytics are best-in-class, if you have the Salesforce expertise. Otherwise, it's a heavier lift than purpose-built PI tools.
Client experience: Not stated for personal injury. Not stated.
Neos
Best fit: Growing PI firms graduating from a generalist tool but not ready for SmartAdvocate-level complexity.
Honest take: Cloud-based, PI-flavored, easier to deploy than the enterprise options, with strong document automation.
Client experience: Not stated. Assembly lists partner portals such as Case Status and Hona. Included on Platinum; otherwise a Premium Texting add-on.
MyCase
Best fit: Solo and small firms across multiple practice areas, not just PI.
Honest take: Strong on billing, client portal, and ease of use. Not PI-specific, so you'll customize it to fit. Good first CMS for a generalist practice.
Client experience: A built-in web client portal. Included on every plan except Basic.
Clio
Best fit: General-practice firms, including PI, that want the broadest integration ecosystem.
Honest take: The biggest legal-software ecosystem (Clio for Clients app, App Directory, etc.). Not PI-specific, but it integrates with almost everything.
Client experience: Clio for Clients, a client portal with a mobile app. Two-way texting in Clio Manage; needs a toll-free number.
Smokeball
Best fit: Firms that want passive time tracking and document automation as their #1 priority.
Honest take: Smokeball's automatic time tracking is unique. Best for firms where billable-hour capture matters more than PI-specific workflows.
Client experience: The Communicate Client Portal. Two-way SMS through Communicate, on the Boost, Grow and Prosper+ plans.
Where Quilia fits in
Quilia isn't a CMS. It's the client-facing layer that runs alongside whichever CMS you pick. ℚ texts each client about their own case and collects what it is missing, and their answers and uploads flow back into your CMS.
If you're evaluating a CMS, pick the one that fits how your firm runs. We'll plug into it. See all integrations →
Frequently asked questions
What is the best case management software for personal injury law firms?
There is no single "best" CMS: the right answer depends on firm size, case mix, and how much customization you want. CasePeer and SmartAdvocate are purpose-built for PI. Filevine is the most flexible across practice areas. Litify is the enterprise plaintiff option for firms on Salesforce. Clio and MyCase are general-practice CMSes that work for PI but are not PI-specific.
Clio vs Filevine: which is better for personal injury?
Filevine is the stronger fit for PI-heavy practices that want workflow automation across the case lifecycle. Clio is broader and better for general-practice firms or PI firms that prioritize integration ecosystem. Filevine's setup costs more time; Clio is faster to roll out but less PI-specific.
Filevine vs MyCase: which should a PI firm pick?
For a PI-focused firm, Filevine is usually the closer fit: its templates and case-phase automation are built around how PI cases run. MyCase suits solo and small firms across practice areas, with strong billing, a built-in client portal and quick setup, and works well for firms where PI is one practice area among several.
CasePeer vs SmartAdvocate: how do they compare?
Both are PI-purpose-built. CasePeer is lighter, faster to deploy, and a better fit for small-to-mid PI firms. SmartAdvocate is heavier and more configurable, which suits firms with larger caseloads.
Litify vs Filevine: which is better for an enterprise PI firm?
Litify if your firm is already on or willing to invest in Salesforce: its reporting and analytics are unmatched there. Filevine if you want a self-contained legal platform without the Salesforce overhead. Most large plaintiff firms split: Litify for ops and reporting, Filevine or a PI-purpose-built CMS for daily case work.
Does Clio for Clients replace a dedicated client app?
Clio for Clients gives clients a place to see updates, share documents and message the firm. Many firms pair it with a client app like Quilia for the follow-through: automated reminders, document and signature requests, multi-language onboarding and, on injury cases, treatment tracking.
Where does Quilia fit in?
Quilia is not a CMS. It's the client-facing layer that runs alongside whichever CMS you pick. ℚ texts each client about their own case and collects what it is missing, and their answers and uploads flow back into your CMS through integrations with Clio, Filevine, MyCase, CasePeer, SmartAdvocate, Litify, Neos, and others.
Pick any CMS. Give your clients Quilia.
Quilia runs alongside whatever you choose, capturing everything from the client so your team walks into every case knowing everything.
Book your demo