Clio vs Actionstep for Australian Law Firms: Which PMS Should You Choose?

April 2026 · 11 min read

Clio and Actionstep are the two practice management platforms most frequently compared by Australian and New Zealand law firms evaluating their technology stack. Clio is a Canadian-founded platform with a large global user base and an extensive API ecosystem, while Actionstep was founded in Auckland and has deep roots in the AU/NZ legal market with workflow-centric design. The right choice depends on your firm's size, practice areas, integration requirements, and whether you prioritise breadth of ecosystem or depth of workflow automation.

According to the Law Society of NSW, over 85% of Australian law firms use one of four major PMS platforms: Actionstep, LEAP, Clio, or Smokeball. Among these, Clio and Actionstep are the most common choices for firms that want a cloud-native platform with strong API support for third-party integrations. This comparison focuses specifically on how each platform serves Australian and New Zealand firms.

Quick Comparison

Trust Accounting

Trust account compliance is non-negotiable for Australian law firms. Every state and territory has specific trust accounting regulations under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW and Victoria) or equivalent legislation, and your PMS must produce reports that satisfy law society audits.

Actionstep has the edge here. Its trust accounting modules were built specifically for Australian state-level and New Zealand requirements. The trust ledger, receipt and disbursement processes, and audit reporting are designed around AU/NZ regulatory frameworks. Most accounting consultants who specialise in law firm trust accounts are familiar with Actionstep's reporting formats.

Clio's trust accounting is functional but was originally designed for the North American market and adapted for Australia. Some firms report needing to configure custom reports to match specific state law society audit requirements. Clio has improved its AU trust accounting significantly since entering the market, but firms with complex trust accounting needs (particularly conveyancing practices handling large volumes of trust transactions) should test thoroughly during the trial period.

Workflow Automation

This is where the platforms diverge most sharply. Actionstep's core design philosophy centres on configurable workflows — each matter type (conveyancing, family law, commercial, etc.) can have a custom workflow template with automated steps, document generation triggers, and task assignments. When a new matter is opened, the workflow automatically creates the required tasks, generates standard documents, and tracks progress through defined stages.

For firms that handle high volumes of similar matters — conveyancing firms processing 50+ settlements per month, family law firms running parallel proceedings — Actionstep's workflow engine provides genuine efficiency gains. The initial setup requires investment (either internal configuration time or a consultant), but the ongoing time savings for repetitive matter types are substantial.

Clio takes a simpler approach. It offers matter templates with task lists and document templates, but its automation is less granular than Actionstep's. Clio's philosophy is to keep the core platform simple and rely on its integration ecosystem for specialised automation. For firms that value simplicity over configurability, this is an advantage. For firms that want deep process automation within their PMS, it is a limitation.

API and Integration Ecosystem

Clio wins decisively on integration breadth. With over 250 third-party integrations in its marketplace, Clio connects to accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks), document management (NetDocuments, Dropbox), communication tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams), and specialised legal tools. For Australian firms, key integrations include InfoTrack (searches and conveyancing), and AI billing tools like LexUnits that push billing entries directly to Clio via API.

Actionstep has a REST API that supports third-party development, but its integration marketplace is smaller. Key Australian integrations exist — InfoTrack, LEAP Conveyancer, and several document automation tools — but the range is narrower than Clio's. Third-party developers can build integrations using Actionstep's API, and tools like LexUnits offer Actionstep-formatted export with direct API integration in active development.

The practical implication: if your firm relies heavily on third-party tools and wants them all connected to your PMS, Clio's ecosystem gives you more options. If your firm prefers an all-in-one platform where most functionality is built in, Actionstep's approach may suit better.

Billing and Time Recording

Both platforms support 6-minute unit recording, GST-exclusive rates, and standard Australian billing conventions. The differences are in the details.

Clio's time recording interface is clean and mobile-friendly. The Clio mobile app allows lawyers to start and stop timers, create manual time entries, and view matter details from their phone. Clio also supports activity-based billing with UTBMS/LEDES codes, which is primarily relevant for firms with US or multinational clients.

Actionstep's time recording is integrated with its workflow system. When a lawyer opens a matter, the relevant workflow stage is visible alongside the time entry interface. Actionstep also supports bulk time entry and time sheet approval workflows, which are useful for firms where partners review and approve associate time entries before invoicing.

For firms using AI billing tools, Clio has a clear advantage today. LexUnits offers direct API integration with Clio — billing entries generated from meeting recordings, emails, or documents can be pushed to Clio with one click, with automatic matter matching and rate assignment. For Actionstep, LexUnits currently provides formatted XLSX export, with direct API push in development for mid-2026.

Pricing

Direct pricing comparison is difficult because both platforms offer multiple tiers and pricing can vary based on contract terms, firm size, and add-on modules. As of early 2026, the approximate Australian pricing is as follows.

Clio offers three main plans: Clio Manage (the core PMS, approximately AUD $60-80 per user per month), Clio Grow (client intake and CRM, additional cost), and Clio Suite (combined Manage + Grow, approximately AUD $100-140 per user per month). Annual billing typically provides a 10-15% discount over monthly billing.

Actionstep pricing varies more widely depending on the modules selected. The base platform starts at approximately AUD $70-90 per user per month, with additional modules for trust accounting, document automation, and workflow templates adding to the total. Full-featured configurations for mid-size firms typically land at AUD $100-130 per user per month.

Both platforms offer trial periods. Clio's trial is self-service (sign up on the website). Actionstep typically requires a demo call before providing trial access. Always request AU-specific pricing — rates published on global websites may not reflect Australian pricing or currency.

Mobile Access

Clio has a significant advantage in mobile access. Its native iOS and Android apps provide full functionality including time tracking, matter access, calendar integration, document viewing, and billing. For lawyers who spend significant time out of the office — court appearances, client visits, mediations — Clio's mobile experience is materially better.

Actionstep is accessible via mobile web browsers but does not have a dedicated native app with the same level of functionality as Clio's. The mobile web experience is functional for basic tasks (checking matter details, viewing calendar) but is not as smooth as a native app for time entry and document review.

Which Platform Suits Which Firm

Choose Clio if:

Your firm values a broad integration ecosystem and wants to connect multiple third-party tools. You need strong mobile access for lawyers who work frequently outside the office. Your trust accounting requirements are standard (not highly complex conveyancing with hundreds of trust transactions per month). You want direct API integration with AI billing tools today. You prefer a clean, simple interface over deep configurability.

Choose Actionstep if:

Your firm handles high-volume repetitive matter types where workflow automation provides significant efficiency gains. You need deep AU/NZ trust accounting that is auditor-familiar. You operate in New Zealand and need LINZ and Companies Office integration. You prefer an all-in-one platform rather than assembling functionality from multiple third-party tools. You want configurable workflow templates with automated task generation and document production.

Consider both alongside a billing accelerator:

Neither Clio nor Actionstep can generate billing entries from your meeting recordings, emails, or documents. Both platforms store, organise, and invoice time — but they cannot create entries for you. A billing accelerator like LexUnits fills this gap regardless of which PMS you choose, with direct Clio API integration live and Actionstep API integration in development.

Is Clio or Actionstep better for Australian law firms?

Neither is universally better. Actionstep is stronger for workflow automation, AU/NZ trust accounting, and high-volume repetitive matters like conveyancing. Clio is stronger for API integrations, mobile access, and firms that want a broad ecosystem of third-party tools. Both handle Australian GST, 6-minute units, and standard billing requirements. The right choice depends on your firm's specific priorities.

Can I use Clio and Actionstep with AI billing tools?

Yes. Clio has the stronger AI integration ecosystem today, with tools like LexUnits offering direct API push of billing entries. Actionstep's REST API also supports third-party integration, and LexUnits provides Actionstep-formatted XLSX export with direct API integration in active development. Regardless of which PMS you choose, AI billing tools can complement your platform by generating time entries that your PMS cannot create on its own.

How much do Clio and Actionstep cost for Australian firms?

Clio starts at approximately AUD $60-80 per user per month for the Manage plan, with Clio Suite at AUD $100-140. Actionstep ranges from AUD $70-130 per user per month depending on modules. Both offer better pricing with annual commitments. Contact each vendor directly for current Australian pricing, as published rates may not reflect AU-specific pricing or promotions.

Last verified: April 2026. Platform features and pricing change frequently. Contact Clio and Actionstep directly for current AU pricing. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of either platform.