Actionstep vs SmartAdvocate
Both score 7.6/10. Compare features and pricing below.
Both score 7.6/10. 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 
SmartAdvocate Rank
#9 of 39
Rank
#11 of 39
Features
17/18
Features
18/18
Starting at
$69/mo
Starting at
Custom
User reviews
4/5 (200)
User reviews
4.5/5 (150)
What they cost
| Actionstep | SmartAdvocate | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $69 /mo | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Number of plans | 2 | Custom |
What the pricing really means
Actionstep publishes their pricing upfront, which is a good sign. SmartAdvocate requires you to contact sales for a quote. When a company hides pricing, it usually means the cost is high enough that they want a salesperson to justify it before you see the number. Always ask for total year-one cost, not just the monthly subscription.
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 SmartAdvocate wins
- Medical provider and insurance carrier databases are pre-loaded, saving setup time
- Settlement disbursement automation calculates attorney fees, liens, and client payouts automatically
- Court rule calendaring with jurisdiction-specific deadlines built in
- Strong reporting on case values, settlement timelines, and referral source ROI
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 SmartAdvocate falls short
- No public pricing — enterprise-oriented pricing likely $100+/user
- Steep learning curve for new staff due to depth of features
- Interface is functional but not as modern as CASEpeer or CloudLex
- Only useful for plaintiff-side practices
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.
SmartAdvocate
Target: 5-200 attorneys
SmartAdvocate is the enterprise-grade PI case management tool. If you're a mid-size plaintiff firm with 10+ attorneys and need serious medical tracking and settlement automation, it's worth the demo. Smaller PI firms should compare CASEpeer first.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Actionstep | SmartAdvocate |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Both score 7.6/10. Actionstep fits 2-50 attorneys, while SmartAdvocate fits 5-200 attorneys. Pick based on your team size and the features you need most.
Actionstep starts at $69/month. SmartAdvocate uses custom pricing (contact sales). Watch for add-on costs — the base price often does not include all features. Pricing last verified 2026-04-11.
Actionstep: No free trial. SmartAdvocate: No free trial. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
Actionstep covers 17 of 18 features we track. SmartAdvocate covers 18 of 18. SmartAdvocate 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. SmartAdvocate 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 SmartAdvocate if...
Mid-size plaintiff firms that need comprehensive medical provider tracking, insurance carrier management, and settlement disbursement automation.