Actionstep vs PCLaw
Actionstep scores 7.6/10 vs 5.8/10. Best for: Firms that want to standardize their workflows with step-by-step matter templates so every case follows the same process regardless of who handles it.
Actionstep scores higher overall at 7.6/10 vs 5.8/10. Actionstep is the right pick if you want to systematize your firm's workflows so every matter follows the same playbook. The workflow builder is genuinely powerful. Skip it if you want a simple, pick-up-and-go tool — the setup investment is real.
Actionstep 
PCLaw Rank
#9 of 39
Rank
#39 of 39
Features
17/18
Features
13/18
Starting at
$69/mo
Starting at
$69/mo
User reviews
4/5 (200)
User reviews
3.3/5 (100)
What they cost
| Actionstep | PCLaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $69 /mo | $69 /mo |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Number of plans | 2 | 1 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, PCLaw looks cheaper at $69/month vs $69/month. But sticker price is only part of the story. Look at what is included on the base plan, how many users you get, and whether you need add-ons to get the features you actually need. The $99/month plan that requires $200 in add-ons is actually more expensive than the $250/month plan that includes everything.
Where Actionstep wins
- Workflow automation is the core feature, with step-by-step matter templates that ensure nothing falls through the cracks
- Strong in conveyancing and property law workflows, which few competitors handle well
- Built-in trust accounting with compliance checks for multiple jurisdictions (US, UK, AU, NZ)
- API is robust enough to build custom integrations without hitting walls
Where PCLaw wins
- Full legal accounting with GL, AP, AR, and bank reconciliation — one of the most complete accounting suites in legal tech
- Trust accounting is mature and bar-audit-ready
- 200+ standard reports for financial analysis
- Backed by LexisNexis brand reliability
Where Actionstep falls short
- No free trial — you commit based on a demo
- G2 rating of 4.0 is below average, with users citing a steeper learning curve than competitors
- Interface looks dated compared to Clio or PracticePanther
- Originally built for the Australian/NZ market, so some US-specific features feel like afterthoughts
Where PCLaw falls short
- G2 rating of 3.3 and Capterra 3.5 are the lowest in the category — user frustration is widespread
- No case management, document management, calendar, tasks, client portal, or mobile app — it's purely billing/accounting
- Historically desktop-based with cloud migration that feels incomplete
- No API, severely limiting integration options
Who is each product built for?
Actionstep
Target: 2-50 attorneys
Actionstep is the right pick if you want to systematize your firm's workflows so every matter follows the same playbook. The workflow builder is genuinely powerful. Skip it if you want a simple, pick-up-and-go tool — the setup investment is real.
PCLaw
Target: 1-30 attorneys
PCLaw is aging accounting software that existing users tolerate and new users should avoid. CosmoLex offers better accounting with full practice management included. The LexisNexis name alone doesn't justify the limitations.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Actionstep | PCLaw |
|---|---|---|
| Case Management | ||
| Case / matter management | ||
| Contact management | ||
| Conflict checks | ||
| Client intake forms | ||
| Client portal | ||
| Documents & Automation | ||
| Document management | ||
| Document automation | ||
| E-signatures | ||
| Email management | ||
| Billing & Accounting | ||
| Time tracking | ||
| Billing & invoicing | ||
| Trust / IOLTA accounting | ||
| Scheduling & Deadlines | ||
| Calendar management | ||
| Task management | ||
| Court rule deadlines | ||
| Platform | ||
| Reporting / analytics | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| API access | ||
Common questions
Actionstep scores 7.6/10 vs PCLaw's 5.8/10 in our ranking. Actionstep is the better pick for 2-50 attorneys. PCLaw is better if you need firms that want established, lexisnexis-backed legal accounting and billing with deep trust compliance and don't need modern practice management frills.
Actionstep starts at $69/month. PCLaw starts at $69/month. Watch for add-on costs — the base price often does not include all features. Pricing last verified 2026-04-11.
Actionstep: No free trial. PCLaw: No free trial. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
Actionstep covers 17 of 18 features we track. PCLaw covers 13 of 18. Actionstep has broader feature coverage, but more features does not always mean better — pick the tool that covers what your business actually needs.
Yes, Actionstep has a mobile app. PCLaw does too.
Yes. The main effort is migrating your data (customer lists, job history, invoices). Plan for 1-2 weeks of overlap where you run both. Most legal practice management tools can import CSV data. Ask both vendors about migration support before you sign.
The bottom line
Pick Actionstep if...
Firms that want to standardize their workflows with step-by-step matter templates so every case follows the same process regardless of who handles it.
Pick PCLaw if...
Firms that want established, LexisNexis-backed legal accounting and billing with deep trust compliance and don't need modern practice management frills.