Home > Legal Software > Needles > Needles vs CARET Legal

Needles vs CARET Legal

Last Updated: November 18th, 2024

Our analysts compared Needles vs CARET Legal based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Legal Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Overview Pricing Benefits & Features Analyst Ratings Comparison Charts User Ratings Analyst Summary Screenshots

Get Free Demo Demo Request Pricing Pricing

Product Basics

Needles is a flexible solution aimed at enabling law practices to streamline their firm operations. It provides numerous templates to build configurable workflows, daily checklists and schedules. Firms can maximize billable hours using its time and expense tracking modules. It allows firms to manage and collaborate on documents and cases with ease. Its personalized dashboards provide greater practice visibility.

Users can leverage pre-built or custom real-time reporting modules to gain granular insights into different practice facets. Firms can opt for its cloud-based Neos offering to enable remote access to all its functionality. Hosted on Microsoft Azure, it provides robust security, data backups and an API for seamless integrations.

CARET Legal (formerly Zola Suite) is a cloud-based practice management solution with integrated matter management, CRM, time tracking and billing capabilities. Businesses can centralize all firm and client data, track time and expenses, and manage operating and trust accounts. It helps prepare digital invoices, run financial reports and connect legal matters with associated contacts, documents, communications and tasks to get complete visibility over active cases. The built-in legal calendar tracks important events and touchpoints in real time.

It complies with SOC 2 auditing standards and secures sensitive information via military-grade encryption and user permissions. Companies can expedite client onboarding with trigger-based workflows and intelligent forms. It integrates with third-party applications for continued scalability.

$85 Quote-based

Free Trial is available →

Get a free price quote

Tailored to your specific needs

$150/User, Monthly

Free Trial is available →

Get a free price quote

Tailored to your specific needs

Small

Medium

Large

Small

Medium

Large

Windows

Mac

Linux

Android

Chromebook

Windows

Mac

Linux

Android

Chromebook

Cloud

On-Premise

Mobile

Cloud

On-Premise

Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation

In Person

Live Online

Videos

Webinars

Documentation

In Person

Live Online

Videos

Webinars

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

Phone

Chat

FAQ

Forum

Knowledge Base

24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

Ensure Accurate Documentation: Eliminate human errors or omissions by creating document checklists.
Abundant Reporting Options: Offers multiple reporting modules categorized by legal matter and practice areas.
Enhanced Security: Clients can choose to maintain an in-house database for maximum security.
Personalized App Experience: Customize apps based on the firm’s requirements.
Implementation Support: Trained professionals guide the implementation process and provide hands-on help whenever required.

Easier Data Management: A centrally accessible data repository provides a single source of truth for all employees and team members.
Prompt Customer Support: Offers multiple support options to clients with quick response times.
Flexible Accounting: Provides in-house accounting tools and integration with QuickBooks.
Onboarding Support: Minimize time to market with dedicated onboarding and data migration support.
Better Insights and Decisions: Comprehensively diagnose the firm’s financial health, productivity, profitability and efficiency metrics with powerful built-in reports.
Global Reach: The mobile app provides unrestricted access to all features, including time tracking, matter management, emails, payment portal, billing and OCR capabilities.
Seamless Integration: CARET Legal seamlessly integrates with your existing systems, streamlining workflows and eliminating data silos.
Enhanced Efficiency: Automated processes and intuitive dashboards empower your team to work smarter, saving time and resources.
Improved Collaboration: Secure document sharing, real-time communication, and collaborative workspaces foster seamless teamwork.
Advanced Analytics: Data-driven insights provide actionable intelligence, empowering you to make informed decisions and optimize operations.
Exceptional Security: Industry-leading security measures protect sensitive data, ensuring compliance and safeguarding your clients' information.
Tailored to Your Needs: Customizable settings and flexible configurations adapt CARET Legal to the unique requirements of your practice.
Enhanced Client Experience: Client portals and self-service options provide transparency and empower clients to actively participate in their cases.
Timely Reporting: Automated reporting capabilities deliver real-time visibility into key metrics, enabling proactive decision-making.
Expert Support: Our dedicated team of legal experts provides ongoing support, ensuring a smooth implementation and maximizing your ROI.
Future-Proof Innovation: CARET Legal is continuously updated with the latest technologies and best practices, ensuring your firm remains at the forefront of legal innovation.

Task Management: Stay on top of pending tasks, deadlines and important events with fully configurable workflows, synchronized Outlook calendars and automated daily checklists. Receive and broadcast important updates with firm-wide scheduling and communication portals.
Document Management: Encourage employees to collaborate on and share documents, globally in real time. Identify documents using keywords, prepare files for e-Signatures and choose customizable rich templates from industry-specific case libraries.
Firm Insights: Leverage real-time reporting and analytics on business health. Use the configurable dashboard to create custom reports, data and metrics, monitor business processes and identify valuable assets.
Data Management and Security: Secure your data with centralized data storage that eliminates redundancies and automatically backs up all documentation. Organize and store files with the PDF Template Wizard and import data in bulk via CSV files.
Time and Expense Tracking: Track time effortlessly with the help of the Outlook add-in for any device, including mobile devices. Log expenses in real time, eliminate errors and omissions and automate internal audit logs.
Client Management: Improve customer satisfaction via the self-service portal with over 99% uptime. Address client inquiries, process reimbursements and payments and update case details seamlessly.
API: Implement low-code integration of third-party extensions or create new integrations entirely using the API-based architecture. Directly integrate with Microsoft Office 365, OneDrive, QuickBooks, DocuSign and Lexitas.
Security: Secure data, documentation and digital access with Microsoft Azure. Get 24/7 security from cyber attacks and ensure business continuity with biometrically-secured physical data centers, remote-hosted servers and advanced data encryption.

Matter Management: Use the matter dashboard to track active cases in real time. Create custom fields with check-boxes, dates, pick lists and currency and record all matter-specific activities, including time entries. Limit access to sensitive information on a per-matter basis and categorize matters based on practice area, responsible attorney, custom fields and open date.
Intelligent Email: Automatically file emails to associated case files and add time entries for sent emails. The proprietary smart suggest feature locates associated contacts. Convert emails to tasks, matters and billable hours.
Integrations: Supported integrations include G Suite, Exchange, Microsoft 365, RPost, Outlook, Google Calendar, NetDocuments, OneDrive, LawPay and QuickBooks.
Calendar: Send ICS invites, create time entries, set private events, mark recurring events and follow up on team obligations. Set up daily, weekly or monthly schedules for report delivery.
- Rules-Based Calendaring: Integrate with LawToolBox to automatically track procedural, administrative and regulatory deadlines.
- Date Calculator: Factor in days out, federal holidays and weekends while calculating dates for templates and deadlines.
Legal Contacts: Create cards and lists for various legal contacts, including clients, prospects, witnesses, opposition counsels and referral sources. Generate custom fields and categorize them based on contact role, created by and contact type.
Legal Documentation: Store multiple legal documents depending on the subscription plan. Access instant preview of documents, in-document search, complete version history and file locking and tagging capabilities. Create matter-specific document folders and securely share files via the Caseway portal.
- Word Ribbon Plugin: Create, open and save documents directly from Microsoft Word.
CRM: Filter leads by source, practice area and potential revenue and convert them to matters. Identify successful referral sources with intelligent metrics. Embed intake forms into the firm’s website. Automatically create lead entries and generate retainer agreements and standard documents.
Task Management: Tag, sort, filter and create sub-tasks based on requirements. Implement standardized procedures using task templates. Delegate tasks to team members, turn on notifications and assign deadlines.
Client Portal: Allow clients to exchange case-related documents via a 256-bit encrypted channel. The payment portal can process both debit and credit card transactions. Request and approve eSignatures instantly.
Mobile App: Available for both Android and iOS users. Insurers can design custom logos, send and receive documents, share invoices and receive payments. Secures access via fingerprint authentication and Apple TouchID.
Time and Billing: Choose from over 11 ways to create time entries. Build custom invoices with support for UTBMS codes and LEDES format. Run financial reports, develop accounts payable and trust checks, process payments and more. Manages vendor bills and supports split, consolidated and separate billing frequencies.
- Time Entry: Create automated time entries and assign “no charge” and “no charge don’t show” labels. Designate round-up increments and log time entries in decimals or HH:MM format.
- Rate Cards: Create rate cards with custom user rates. Allow clients to inherit rate cards and set matter-specific discount rates.
- Expenses: Automatically track all expenses. Charge soft costs and import copy activities from photocopier devices via the uniFLOW importer.
Business Accounting: Earmark part of payments for expenses and to timekeepers. Set up firm-wide budgets to predict revenue on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. Run year-end reconciliations and add time entries for individual transactions.
- Reports: Run built-in client, compensation, productivity, accounting, trust and vendor reports.
Trust Accounting: Manage trust accounts separately. Accept payments via checks and debit and credit cards. Administrators can withdraw money from trust accounts to avoid overdrawing from operating accounts.
- Retainer/Trust Fund: Create retainers for trust and operating accounts and get notifications when the balance falls below the minimum. View and print ledgers and trust account summaries with sub-ledgers. Run three-way reconciliation reports.
Smart Settlement: Intelligently manage settlement workflows, including percentages and memo generation for all involved parties. Create a settlement statement for every settlement memo. Capture expenses incurred by the firm, clients and third parties in a detailed value list.

Product Ranking

#4

among all
Legal Software

#46

among all
Legal Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

we're gathering data

100

we're gathering data

Show More Show More

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Needles

CARET Legal

+ Add Product + Add Product

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

92%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

64%

36%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

89%

11%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

67%

33%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

100%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

86%

14%

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

we're gathering data

N/A

75%

25%

User Sentiment Summary

85%

of users recommend this product

Needles has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 164 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

94%

of users recommend this product

CARET Legal has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 345 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (12)

n/a

4.2 (22)

4.8 (114)

4.2 (98)

4.64 (119)

4.3 (32)

4.6 (112)

Awards

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Functionality: Its time-tracking, billing and accounting functionalities meet the modern-day requirements of the legal industry, according to 65% of users mentioning this element.

Ease of Use: According to 69% of users who reviewed this aspect, the platform is intuitive and easy to use.

Reporting: 67% of users who reviewed this feature said that it provides plenty of customizable options.

Task Management: Regarding this feature, 75% of users found it helpful to track tasks and meet deadlines.

Training: 75% of users who reviewed this element said they’re satisfied with the knowledge base and training resources.

Robust Legal Case Management: CARET Legal offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing cases, including document management, calendaring, and time tracking, streamlining legal operations.

Excellent Collaboration Features: Its intuitive interface fosters collaboration among team members, allowing seamless sharing of documents, notes, and tasks, enhancing teamwork.

Customized Reporting: CARET Legal's customizable reporting capabilities provide tailored insights into case progress, resource allocation, and billing, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Automated Workflows: The software automates repetitive tasks such as document generation and approval processes, freeing up lawyers to focus on higher-value work.

Improved Efficiency and Productivity: By centralizing legal operations and automating tasks, CARET Legal helps firms improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and enhance productivity.

Integrations: It provides limited integration options, according to 60% of users mentioning this aspect.

Speed and Performance: According to 100% of reviews about this feature, the platform’s performance sometimes suffers under heavy workloads.

Cost: All the users who mentioned this element said it’s more expensive than its competitors.

Limited Customization: Many users find that CARET Legal's customization options are limited, making it difficult to tailor the software to their specific needs.

Steep Learning Curve: The software's complex interface and lack of user-friendly features can make it challenging for users to navigate and use effectively.

Expensive: CARET Legal's pricing model is often seen as expensive, especially for small to medium-sized law firms with limited budgets.

Integration Issues: Users have reported difficulties integrating CARET Legal with other software applications, leading to workflow disruptions and data management challenges.

Limited Support: Some users have experienced slow response times and inadequate support from CARET Legal's customer service team, leading to frustration and delays in resolving issues.

Needles provides all the functions expected of a modern legal practice management solution, including matter and document management, mobile time tracking, reporting and task supervision. It offers an efficient task management module, but it’s important to note that some users experienced difficulty editing entries in the legal calendar. According to reviews, the platform is difficult to learn, but the product training and support team are helpful in getting past the initial hurdle. Finally, the intuitive UI and exhaustive features make it a capable contender, but only for companies with a budget to justify the extra cost.

CARET Legal has garnered significant user praise over the past year, with reviewers consistently highlighting its strengths in legal research and document automation. One user remarked that CARET Legal's "research tools are top-notch, making it easy to find relevant case law and statutes." Another reviewer lauded its "intuitive document automation features, which have saved me countless hours drafting contracts and pleadings." Compared to similar products, CARET Legal stands out for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive research capabilities, and robust automation tools. Users have noted that its "clean and organized interface makes it a breeze to navigate," while its "deep integration with legal databases provides access to a wealth of information." The software's ability to automate repetitive tasks has also been a major differentiator, with one reviewer stating that "CARET Legal has streamlined my workflow, freeing up more time for high-value tasks." In summary, CARET Legal is highly recommended for legal professionals seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly legal software solution. Its strengths in research, document automation, and user experience make it an ideal choice for lawyers, paralegals, and legal teams looking to enhance their productivity and efficiency.

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Legal Software

AbacusLaw

Amicus Attorney

Bill4Time

CARET Legal

CaseFleet

CASEpeer

Clio

CosmoLex

Filevine

Law Ruler

Lawcus

MyCase

PracticePanther

Rocket Matter

Smokeball

Tabs3

Related Categories

Bankruptcy Software

Case Management Software

Client Intake Software

eDiscovery Software

Estate Planning Software

Family Law Software

Legal Billing Software

Legal Calendaring and Docketing Software

Legal Document Management Software

Legal Practice Management Software

Personal Injury Software

Social Work Case Management Software

Workers Compensation Software

Bankruptcy Software

Case Management Software

Client Intake Software

eDiscovery Software

Estate Planning Software

Family Law Software

Legal Billing Software

Legal Calendaring and Docketing Software

Legal Document Management Software

Legal Practice Management Software

Personal Injury Software

Social Work Case Management Software

Workers Compensation Software

Compare other software products using the SelectHub platform

FAQ

How can I do a in-depth comparison of Needles and CARET Legal? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

What are the top-rated propducts for Legal Software? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Which Legal Software is rated the highest by users? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Is there a requirement template for Legal Software? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics

Build Your Requirements

SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide

Get Your Free Comparison Report

Table settings

Expand all details

Expand all scores

Collapsed view

Priority order