Top 8 Woodpecker Alternatives for Legal Document Automation

Woodpecker (now integrated into MyCase as Advanced Document Automation) was a go-to for simple legal document automation, especially if you worked out of Microsoft Word.

We’ll stick with calling it Woodpecker here – since that’s still how most people know it.

But here’s the catch:

• Some found its features too basic as their needs grew.
• Others didn’t want to be tied to MyCase’s full practice management platform just to use document automation.

So, if you’re looking for something more flexible (or simply exploring your options), this list has you covered.

That’s why we’ve put together the best Woodpecker alternatives that offer law firms and legal professionals powerful automation without locking you into a full software suite.

What Is Woodpecker?

Woodpecker is a legal document automation tool built to make drafting easier for legal professionals, especially solo practitioners and small to mid-sized practices.

Originally, it was a standalone tool, but it’s now part of MyCase as Advanced Document Automation (ADA).

It works right inside Microsoft Word (as part of your MyCase subscription), turning your go-to legal documents into smart templates that pull in client data and adjust based on your needs.

Key features

• Microsoft Word integration: Build and automate documents without leaving Word.
• Smart templates: Add logic, formulas, and dropdowns so documents adjust to fit each case.
• Custom client intake forms: Gather client info through easy questionnaires and plug it straight into your templates.
• Bulk document creation: Generate multiple documents at once using shared client data.
• Reuse data: Save client info and use it across different templates.
• Integrations: Connect with 3,000+ apps via Zapier to keep your tools in sync.

Pricing

Right now, Woodpecker’s automation features are part of MyCase’s Advanced plan, which costs:

• $119 per user/month (monthly billing)
• $109 per user/month (billed annually)

Since it’s part of MyCase, you’re also getting the full practice management suite – not just document automation.

Why Look for a Woodpecker Alternative?

While Woodpecker can work well for some law firms, it doesn’t check every box. Depending on what you need, you might find it a bit too limiting.

Here are a few common reasons legal professionals start looking for alternatives:

Tied to the MyCase platform

One of the biggest shifts since Woodpecker was acquired is that it’s no longer a standalone product. This means that to access its document automation features, you need a MyCase subscription.

For some firms, that’s fine – especially if they’re already using MyCase for practice management. But if you’re happy with another system (or prefer to piece together your set of tools), being forced into a full platform just to get document automation feels unnecessary.

You’re ultimately paying for features you might never use.

Limited advanced features

Woodpecker covers the basics well: simple templates, easy data entry, and Word-based automation.

But for firms needing more complex automation – like nested conditional logic, advanced workflows, or detailed clause libraries – it can feel limiting.

Cost isn’t as flexible as it used to be

Back when Woodpecker was on its own, you could subscribe just to its document automation features.

Now, those same features are bundled into MyCase’s Advanced plan, which includes a whole suite of practice management tools.

If you’re not looking for a full practice management system (or if you already have one), this pricing model can feel steep. You’re essentially paying for extra tools you don’t need, making it harder to justify the cost if all you really want is document automation.

The Best Woodpecker Alternatives

There’s no shortage of legal automation tools on the market, but not all of them are worth your time.

We’ve done the research and compiled eight solutions that cater to a range of needs and budgets.

1. Knackly

Knackly is a legal document automation platform built to handle complex document workflows with ease.

Unlike simpler tools, it can automatically generate entire sets of documents based on client responses, select the right templates, and fill in the details; all while ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Firms using Knackly have reported reducing document drafting time by up to 80%, transforming tasks that once took hours into minutes.

Key features

• Guided client intake forms: Collect the exact client information you need through smart, step-by-step forms; accessible on any device.
• Automatic document generation: Instantly produce multiple Word and PDF documents for a single case, with the right templates selected and filled out for you.
• Advanced conditional logic: Build dynamic forms and templates that adapt based on client responses, ensuring only the relevant fields and documents are used.
• Clause library management: Store and reuse key clauses across different templates to keep documents consistent and compliant.
• Secure data handling: AWS-powered encryption, real-time monitoring, automated backups, and role-based access controls keep client and case data secure.
• Seamless integrations: Connect Knackly to your other tools via Zapier or API, making it easy to sync data across your workflow.

Pricing

Knackly offers flexible pricing with no hidden fees:

• Plus: $250 per month for 4 users – Includes essential document automation, client intakes, PDF automation, and integrations.
• Do It For You: $500 per month – Knackly’s team handles the automation setup for your documents.
• Professional: $999 per month – Designed for larger teams needing advanced features like API access and support for up to 12 users.
• Additional users: $35–$50 per user/month, depending on the plan.

Best for

Knackly is ideal for law firms, loan companies, and other businesses that deal with repetitive document-heavy workflows and need a reliable way to automate even complex document sets.

It’s also a great fit if you’re looking for a tool that can cut drafting time drastically, without sacrificing accuracy or security.

2. Formstack Documents

Formstack Documents is a document automation tool that helps businesses streamline the creation of contracts, proposals, and other routine paperwork by pulling data from different sources straight into templates.

It’s known for being easy to use and integrates with popular tools, which makes setting up automations pretty straightforward.

Key features

• Connect with your favorite apps: Integrate with various platforms, including CRMs, form builders, and payment processors, to pull data directly into your documents.​
• Drag-and-drop template builder: Set up document templates without needing technical skills.
• Hands-off document delivery: Automatically send completed documents where they need to go – email, cloud storage, or even e-signature platforms.
• Built-in security and compliance: Keep sensitive data protected throughout the automation process.

Pricing

Formstack Documents offers various pricing tiers based on features and usage volume. You need to contact Formstack’s sales team to get a custom quote.​

Best for

Formstack Documents is a good fit for businesses that need simple, integration-friendly document automation, particularly for standard forms and contracts.

But if you’re managing a large variety of legal documents, there’s a catch: Formstack limits you to just ten templates, which can feel restrictive if your workflows involve lots of different forms or clauses.

3. NetDocuments

NetDocuments is a cloud-based document management system (DMS) used widely across the legal industry.

It’s a reliable choice for firms that need to store and manage documents securely at scale, though it leans more toward document management than full-on automation.

Key features

• Cloud-based document management: Store, organize, and search large volumes of documents securely.
• Email management: Capture and manage emails alongside related documents.
• Collaboration tools: Share documents internally or externally with security controls.
• AI-powered tools: Use AI to improve search, automate tagging, and manage workflows.
• Compliance and security: Meet legal industry standards for data protection and governance.

Pricing

NetDocuments typically costs $50 to $65 per user/month, depending on the number of users, storage needs, and any add-ons like ndMail or ndOffice.

Best for

NetDocuments is a good choice for mid-sized to large law firms that need secure document storage, compliance management, and some automation features built in.

That said, it’s important to know that NetDocuments focuses more on managing documents than automating their creation. While it offers workflow tools and AI-powered search, if your only goal is automating document generation, other platforms on this list might be a better fit.

4. HotDocs

HotDocs (offered under Mitratech) has been around for a while and is known for its ability to handle complex, customizable document automation. It’s a popular choice for law firms, financial institutions, and other businesses that deal with lots of repetitive paperwork.

Key features

• Template automation: Turn your standard documents into flexible templates that adjust to different situations.
• Conditional logic: Include or leave out parts of a document automatically based on the data you enter.
• Data integration: Pull client info directly from your CRM or database.
• Workflow automation: Set up workflows that guide your documents from draft to done.
• Cloud or on-premise options: Choose between cloud-based access or keeping everything in-house.

Pricing

HotDocs doesn’t make its pricing public, so you’ll need to contact their sales team for a custom quote.

Best for

HotDocs is best for mid-sized to large firms that need heavy-duty document automation and aren’t afraid of a bit of complexity.

But one thing to know upfront: setting up templates in HotDocs can be tricky. It’s powerful, but the learning curve is steeper than some other tools, and you might need specialized training to get the most out of it. So, if your team doesn’t have time (or the tech support) for that, a more user-friendly platform will be a better fit.

5. Docassemble

Docassemble is a free, open-source platform for creating guided interviews and automating document generation. It’s a popular choice for legal professionals, nonprofits, and organizations that need a flexible, customizable solution without the hefty price tag of commercial software.

Key features

• Guided interviews: Build interactive Q&A sessions that gather user info and feed it straight into your documents.
• Document assembly: Automatically generate PDFs, Word docs, and more.
• Conditional logic: Handle complex scenarios with decision trees that adjust as needed.
• API integrations: Connect with outside databases or services to pull in or send out data.

Pricing

Since it’s open-source, Docassemble is free to use.

But keep in mind: you’ll need to host and maintain it yourself, so there can be costs for servers, development, or support depending on how much customization you need.

Best for

Docassemble is a great fit for:

• Legal aid groups and nonprofits that want robust automation without the licensing fees.
• Tech-savvy law firms or developers who are comfortable with coding and want full control.

That said, Docassemble comes with a steep learning curve. Setting it up and customizing it requires programming knowledge, especially in Python and YAML. If coding isn’t your thing, you might find it a bit much, and a no-code platform could be a better fit.

6. Legito

Legito is a no-code document automation platform designed for businesses that need to handle complex documents. It’s a popular pick for legal, HR, procurement, and compliance teams that want to streamline document-heavy workflows and keep everything organized in one place.

Key features

• No-code automation: Build dynamic templates that adjust based on user inputs.
• Document lifecycle management: Keep track of documents from creation to approvals to archiving, all in one platform.
• Legito Sign: Collect secure, legally binding e-signatures without paying extra.
• Custom applications: Tailor the platform to fit your specific workflows with custom-built apps.
• Integrations: Connect Legito with tools like Salesforce or SharePoint to keep your processes flowing.

Pricing

• Free Plan: Unlimited documents, workflows, approvals, and e-signatures for up to 10 users.
• Team Plan: $1,200 per month for 10 users, with extra users at $80 per month. Adds automation features, clause libraries, and API access.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for bigger teams needing advanced integrations and unlimited users.

Best for

Legito works best for mid-sized to large organizations that want a robust document automation system without needing to deal with code.

However, a few users have mentioned that configuring more advanced features (complex templates or settings) can be a bit tricky. The platform gives you lots of options, but sometimes finding the right controls or making adjustments takes more clicks than you’d expect. If you’re looking for something with super-smooth navigation for advanced tasks, it’s worth keeping that in mind.

7. Clio Draft

Clio Draft is a document automation tool built to make legal drafting faster. It lets law firms turn their go-to Word documents into reusable templates, auto-fill them with client info, and even collect e-signatures – all in the cloud.

Since it’s part of the Clio family, it integrates smoothly with Clio Manage, so you can easily pull in client and case data.

Key features

• Template automation: Turn your standard Word docs into flexible templates that adjust pronouns, clauses, and more based on client info.
• Client questionnaires: Collect the details you need from clients upfront and have that information flow directly into your documents.
• Court forms library: Access a huge library of fillable court forms (for all U.S. states) and auto-fill them with case details.
• E-signatures: Send out documents for signing directly from Clio Draft.
• Conditional logic: Set up “if-then” rules so your documents adjust based on the specifics of each case.

Pricing

• Cloud-Based Court Forms: $70 per user/month
• Intelligent Document Automation: $110 per user/month
• PDF Court Forms + Document Automation: $150 per user/month

Pricing varies depending on what level of automation you need and how many people are using it.

Best for

Clio Draft is a great fit for law firms already using Clio Manage that want to level up their document automation without leaving the Clio ecosystem.

But one thing to keep in mind: Clio Draft runs as a separate app from Clio Manage. While the integration is there, you’ll still need to switch between platforms, which can feel a bit clunky if you were hoping for something fully built-in.

8. Gavel

Gavel (formerly Documate) is a no-code document automation platform that helps law firms and legal professionals automate even the most complex legal documents. It’s great for building custom workflows, client intake forms, and even client-facing tools like legal service apps.

Key features

• No-code automation: Build flexible templates that adjust based on client data.
• Document lifecycle management: Keep tabs on documents from drafting through approvals and archiving.
• Gavel Sign: Get secure, legally binding e-signatures without extra cost.
• Custom applications: Create client-facing tools or internal workflows tailored to your practice.
• Integrations: Connect with tools like Clio, Docusign, Zapier, and more.

Pricing

• Lite Plan: $83/month – 1 builder seat, 10 document templates
• Standard Plan: $210/month – 1 builder seat, 25 templates, Zapier integration
• Pro Plan: $290/month – 2 builder seats, 50 templates, Stripe integration, white labeling
• Scale Plan: Custom pricing for larger setups

Best for

Gavel is perfect for law firms, legal professionals, and legal tech entrepreneurs looking to build custom workflows or even create client-facing tools (think apps or online legal services).

That said, while Gavel does offer some pre-built templates, they’re pretty limited to certain jurisdictions like California. If you’re outside those areas, you’ll likely have to build your own from scratch. This does mean investing more time upfront.

Which Woodpecker Alternative Fits Your Needs?

Woodpecker keeps things straightforward; which is great if all you need is basic template automation. But if you’re after advanced features or the flexibility to grow with your firm, it can start to slow you down before you even get going.

What you need is a tool that can handle complex document sets and scale with your practice.

Knackly is built for that. With clause libraries, smart client intake forms, and advanced logic, it’s the best Woopecker alternative for firms that want to automate more without the extra work.

Why not see for yourself? Book a free 30-minute demo and find out how Knackly can help cut your drafting time by up to 80%.