MyCase vs Smokeball
Compare MyCase and Smokeball for your law firm. Cloud-first vs desktop, automatic time tracking, and which works best for small practices.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | MyCase | Smokeball |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | 100% cloud | Desktop + cloud sync |
| Auto Time Tracking | No | Yes |
| Starting Price | ~$39/user/mo | ~$29/user/mo |
| Document Automation | Basic | Strong built-in |
| Client Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | Full-featured | Limited |
MyCase
Our PartnerMyCase is a cloud-based practice management platform built for small firms, with built-in client communication, payments, and an intuitive interface.
Best For: Small firms wanting a simple, affordable cloud platform
Pricing: ~$39 to $69/user/month
Pros
- 100% cloud-based
- Clean interface
- Affordable pricing
- Built-in client portal
Cons
- No automatic time tracking
- Fewer integrations
- Limited automation
Smokeball
Smokeball combines a desktop application with cloud sync, offering automatic time tracking and strong document automation for high-volume practices.
Best For: Small firms doing high-volume work who want automatic time tracking
Pricing: ~$29 to $99/user/month
Pros
- Automatic time tracking
- Strong document automation
- Good for high-volume practices
- Lower entry price
Cons
- Desktop app required
- Limited mobility
- Smaller integration ecosystem
- Mac support limited
Detailed Breakdown
MyCase and Smokeball represent two very different approaches to helping law firms manage their practice, and the comparison often surprises firms that expect them to be interchangeable.
MyCase is a fully cloud-based platform accessible from any web browser on any device. Its strength lies in simplicity: the interface is intuitive, the client portal is one of the best in the industry, and the platform can be up and running in a single day. MyCase handles case management, calendaring, task management, time tracking (manual), document storage, billing, and client communication in a single affordable package. For firms with attorneys who work remotely, travel to court, or operate from multiple locations, MyCase's browser-based access and capable mobile app provide flexibility that desktop-dependent platforms cannot match.
Smokeball takes a fundamentally different approach by running a lightweight desktop application (primarily Windows-based) that monitors attorney activity and automatically captures time entries. The application tracks which case files, emails, documents, and programs an attorney works on throughout the day and creates time entries mapped to the correct matter without any manual input. For firms doing high-volume, repeatable work — residential real estate closings, traffic tickets, workers' compensation claims, or collections — this passive time capture can recover 20 to 30 percent more billable time compared to manual tracking. Smokeball also includes a robust document assembly engine with hundreds of built-in legal templates that auto-populate with matter data, making it exceptionally strong for firms that generate standardized documents at scale.
The architecture difference is the decisive factor. MyCase's cloud-native design means unlimited device flexibility, strong mobile capabilities, and no dependency on specific hardware or operating systems. Smokeball's desktop-first design means superior automatic time tracking and document assembly, but limited Mac support, reduced mobility, and a smaller integration ecosystem. Firms need to honestly assess whether their attorneys primarily work from a single office (favoring Smokeball) or need access from anywhere (favoring MyCase).
Key Differences
Time Tracking
Smokeball captures time automatically in the background. MyCase requires manual entry or timer use. For firms losing billable hours to poor tracking, this can be the deciding factor.
Cloud vs Desktop
MyCase runs entirely in the browser. Smokeball requires a desktop install, which limits remote flexibility.
Document Tools
Smokeball's document assembly is more powerful out of the box. MyCase has solid document management but less automation.
Pricing Deep Dive
MyCase ranges from $39 to $69 per user per month across its three tiers (Basic, Pro, Advanced). Smokeball starts at approximately $29 per user per month for its Starter plan, with the Boost plan at $69/user/month and the full-featured Grow+ plan at $99/user/month.
While Smokeball's entry price appears lower, the real financial comparison should factor in recovered billable time. If Smokeball's automatic tracking captures even one additional billable hour per attorney per week at a $250/hour billing rate, that translates to roughly $13,000 per attorney per year in additional revenue — dwarfing the subscription cost difference. However, this benefit only materializes for firms where manual time tracking discipline is genuinely a problem. Disciplined timekeepers who already capture 90%+ of their billable work will see less incremental value from Smokeball's automation. MyCase's lower total cost of ownership and simpler pricing structure make it the more predictable investment for budget-conscious firms.
When We Recommend Each
MyCase
Excels At: Small firms wanting a simple, affordable cloud platform
We typically recommend MyCase for firms that prioritize 100% cloud-based and clean interface.
Smokeball
Excels At: Small firms doing high-volume work who want automatic time tracking
We typically recommend Smokeball for firms that prioritize automatic time tracking and strong document automation.
Migration Considerations
Migrating between MyCase and Smokeball requires careful planning due to their architectural differences. MyCase is fully cloud-based while Smokeball has a desktop component, so the migration process involves exporting data from one environment and importing it into the other with thorough field mapping.
Contacts, matters, documents, time entries, and billing history transfer between the platforms, though Smokeball's automatic time entries may need formatting adjustments when imported into MyCase's manual time-tracking structure. Document templates are platform-specific and must be recreated in the destination system. Big Mode Consulting typically completes this migration in two to four weeks, with careful attention to ensuring no billable time data is lost during the transition. We recommend scheduling the cutover during a slower practice period to minimize disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Help Deciding?
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