Legal Payment Processing Solutions Review
How do other legal payment processors compare to Clio? We’ve put together a side-by-side comparison to help you make the best choice for your law firm.
Clio versus Other Payment Processing Solutions
| Feature | Clio | Generic payment processor | Standalone legal payment processor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card processing rates | Rest easy with transparent rates. Pay one low rate of 2.95% for all standard cards and 3.75% for American Express—with no additional hidden fees and no per-transaction fees. | Fluctuating, unpredictable rates. You often pay a different rate, as high as 3.9% with an additional 30 cents, depending on how you collect the payment. | Rates depend on card types. Rewards and speciality cards will cost you extra—with an additional 30 cents per transaction. |
| Card brand network fees | No hidden fees, ever. Clio doesn't pass on card network fees when you run a card. Always know what you're paying with one simple, flat rate per transaction and no hidden fees. | Do your research. Some providers pass them directly onto you, others will blend them into your rate. Be sure to check their fee policy to avoid any unexpected charges. | Get ready to pay extra. Additional network fees are typically applied to most transactions and add to the total cost of accepting card payments. |
| Monthly fees | No additional subscription needed. The ability to accept online payments is included in all Clio Manage subscriptions. | Penalty fees may apply. While you won’t be charged a subscription fee, you may be charged monthly for inactivity on your account. | Subscription required on top of fees. It’s common for providers to charge up to $25 per month in addition to your transaction fees. |
| eChecks | Secure, with one rate. Accept eChecks at a simple, transparent rate per transaction. Your client's bank account is verified instantly so they can make a secure payment right away. | Long processing and hold times. It can take several days for your client's bank account to be verified and then up to 7 days before you receive the funds. | Not guaranteed and your rates will vary. Not all legal payment processors will have this feature and those that do will have different rates or a lower transaction size. |
| Payment plans | Easy to use, easy to set up. Create flexible installment plans that can be paid on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule. | Repetitive and time consuming. New payment plans need to be set up for clients from scratch every single time. | Clunky work arounds needed. Often there’s no payment plan feature and you need to rely on manual workarounds. |
| Trust accounting compliance | Trust accounting compliant. Clio handles all trust-related transactions in compliance with IOLTA rules. With earned and unearned funds kept separate, funds in your trust account are protected from all third-party debiting, including processing fees and chargebacks. | Not trust accounting compliant. A generic payment processor is not compliant with trust accounting rules. | Trust accounting compliant. A legal specific payment provider will ensure you’re compliant with trust accounting rules. |
| All-in-one practice management system | A better payment experience for you and your clients. Clio allows law firms to manage clients, matters, billing, and payments from one place. | No practice management integration. Generic payment processors don’t typically integrate into your practice management system, resulting in more manual data entry work. | Limited integrations and functionality. While there are integrations between standalone legal payment processors and practice management software, your payments and client information are in two different places. You have two different numbers to phone for support and two separate bills at the end of the month. |
| Support | 24/5 Support (Monday through Friday). Clio’s award-winning team offers unlimited support at no additional cost. Our North American-based support team is available 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday via phone, email, or live chat. | Business hours only. Generic payment processors offer limited support during regular business hours. | Not standardized, call to check. Support hours can fluctuate. You may be required to call their support team ahead of time to check if they’re available. |
Make it easy to pay — and get paid — with Clio Manage
Clio’s legal practice management solution makes it easy for your clients to pay online and in-person. Accept credit card, debit card, digital wallet (Apple Pay or Google Pay), or eCheck for online payments, without the need for a third-party payment processor. And, accept in-person payments using tap to pay in Clio’s mobile app.
Payments are automatically deposited directly into your trust or operating accounting and tracked in real-time, so you and your integrated accounting platform are always up-to-date.
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