
Top 8 XpressDox Alternatives Law Firms Should Know About
Explore better document automation tools built for busy legal teams
Anyone who has been in the legal field long enough knows just how much time and effort go into creating accurate, compliant documents.
And if you want to see that wasted time in numbers:
Lawyers spend up to 60% of their time on tasks like drafting and reviewing contracts.
XpressDox was built to help, but for many legal professionals, it’s too technical and difficult to scale without developer support.
Maybe you’ve tried XpressDox and ran into a steep learning curve. Or perhaps you’re just starting your search and want to avoid tools that require scripting knowledge to get started.
Either way, we’ve done the research for you and put together a list of the best XpressDox alternatives on the market.
What Is XpressDox?
XpressDox is a document automation tool that runs inside Microsoft Word and gives legal teams advanced control over how their documents are built.
There’s a low-code interface for everyday users, but it also supports full-code scripting for firms that need custom logic or complex workflows.
However, many find it leans more technical than expected.
Key features
- Template automation: Convert standard documents into reusable templates that adapt to different scenarios.
- Conditional logic: Automatically include or exclude parts of a document based on the details provided.
- Data integration: Connect with CRMs or databases to pull in client information without manual entry.
- Workflow automation: Streamline the process of document creation, review, and finalization.
- Compliance and security: Ensure documents meet legal requirements and maintain data.
- Flexible hosting options: Choose between cloud-based access, local installation, or a hybrid setup.
Pricing
XpressDox offers a Professional Plan at $59 per user per month, which includes both template design and document generation capabilities.
For larger organizations or those requiring advanced features, XpressDox provides Enterprise Plans with custom pricing. These plans offer additional functionalities and integrations tailored to your specific organizational needs.
Why Look for an XpressDox Alternative?
XpressDox sounds great on paper. But once you get into the day-to-day of building templates and managing workflows, a different picture can start to emerge.
Here are some issues legal teams run into most.
It’s technical (and you’re mostly on your own)
XpressDox gives you a lot of control over how documents are automated. But to really make the most of it, you’ll need to be comfortable working with conditions, variables, and sometimes even scripting.
For teams without a technical background, that can mean a steep learning curve and a slow start.
While XpressDox does offer optional training and paid support blocks, the support you get is limited to guidance; not hands-on implementation.
That means they can walk you through what to do, but they won’t build your templates or configure automation for you. You’re still the one doing the technical setup.
If you’re short on time or technical bandwidth, that level of support might not be enough, especially when other tools now include more hands-on help as part of getting started.
The pricing model doesn’t scale well for teams
XpressDox starts at $59 per user per month, and they do offer custom pricing for larger teams. But the bigger issue is what’s included (or not) in that price.
Need help building your first template? That’s extra.
Their professional support is billed at $180 per hour, which adds up quickly if you’re relying on it to get automation off the ground. And because the platform leans technical, a lot of teams end up needing that help just to get started.
Other platforms take a more inclusive approach, offering bundled plans that include setup support, integrations, and transparent, upfront pricing.
The Best XpressDox Alternatives
You don’t need to settle for software that slows you down. If building templates feels more complicated than it should, it might be time to look elsewhere.
Here are eight tools worth considering.
1. Knackly
Knackly is a powerful document automation platform built to handle the complexity that legal teams deal with every day without relying on developers to keep it running.
What really sets it apart from tools like XpressDox is its “Do It For You” onboarding option, where the Knackly team builds your document templates and automation for you.
That hands-on help makes a huge difference for busy firms that don’t have time to learn scripting or hire outside consultants.
Key features
- Done-for-you implementation: Get expert help setting up your templates, workflows, and logic.
- Smart forms that adapt to the case: Conditional logic automatically adjusts the intake based on responses, so no irrelevant questions or fields appear.
- Multi-document output: Generate multiple Word and PDF files from a single form, with the right versions auto-selected and pre-filled.
- No duplicate data entry: Enter client or case info once, and it flows through every field, form, and document.
- Secure and compliant by design: Hosted on AWS with encrypted data, backups, and role-based access controls for total peace of mind.
- Works across devices: Whether you’re on a desktop or mobile, Knackly runs smoothly without special setup.
Pricing
Knackly offers straightforward pricing with no per-document fees or surprise costs:
- Plus – $250/month (4 users): Core automation features, PDF support, and integrations.
- Do It For You – $500/month: Includes expert setup, so Knackly builds your templates for you.
- Professional – $999/month (12 users): Built for larger firms needing advanced features and API access.
- Additional users: $35–$50/month each.
Best for
Knackly is a strong fit for law firms, loan companies, and any team that needs to automate complex or repetitive document workflows, especially if you want a tool that comes with next-level support, not just a manual.
2. Formstack Documents
Formstack Documents is a cloud-based document automation platform that offers deep integrations with other tools like form builders and CRMs.
Unlike more technical platforms like XpressDox, it’s designed for non-developers who want to automate documents without getting buried in scripting logic or custom variables.
Key features
- No-code document generation: Automate legal document creation without scripting or development resources.
- Pre-built integrations: Seamlessly connect with CRMs, databases, and form builders like Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Sheets, and more.
- Automated delivery: Route completed documents to email, e-signature platforms, or cloud storage without manual steps.
- Custom templates: Create reusable templates that dynamically pull in data from your connected tools.
Pricing
- Starter – $110/month: Includes 150 document merges per month, 2 users, 10 templates, and email support.
- Teams – $220/month: Offers 500 merges per month, 5 users, 20 templates, and enhanced data routing capabilities.
- Pro – $440/month: Provides 2,000 merges per month, 15 users, 50 templates, and priority support.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing: Tailored solutions with features like HIPAA compliance, single sign-on (SSO), and dedicated customer success management.
Best for
Formstack Documents is best suited for small to midsize legal teams that already use tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Formstack Forms and want a straightforward way to automate documents without hiring developers.
That said, it’s not ideal for firms with more advanced workflows since plans come with template and merge limits, which can get restrictive as your needs grow.
3. ClauseBase
ClauseBase lets you build legal documents out of reusable, intelligent clauses.
Instead of starting with a full template, you stack modular clauses that adapt based on rules, so your documents stay accurate and consistent no matter how complex the case.
Key features
- Clause-based drafting: Build documents using a library of smart clauses that update automatically based on your inputs.
- Interactive questionnaires: Create guided interviews to simplify complex legal drafting for end users.
- Multilingual output: Generate accurate legal documents in multiple languages without having to manage separate templates.
- Centralized styling controls: Keep formatting and branding consistent across every document your team creates.
Pricing
- ClauseBuddy – €99/user/month (billed annually, min. 3 users): Includes AI tools, smart templates, clause libraries, and proofreading features.
- Clause9 – Custom pricing: Offers advanced clause-based automation, multilingual documents, and interactive Q&As for larger legal teams with complex needs.
Best for
ClauseBase is best suited for legal teams that handle highly customized or complex documents and need their automation tool to adapt to nuanced scenarios.
However, only the enterprise-level Clause9 product offers full document assembly. ClauseBuddy (its lower-tier plan) is more focused on AI and clause management, so if you’re looking for true end-to-end automation, you’ll likely need to commit to the higher-tier solution.
4. Legito
Legito is a no-code document automation and contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform built to help legal teams not only draft documents faster but also manage the full process, from creation to signing to storage, without needing IT help.
Key features
- No-code document automation: Create and manage intelligent templates without programming knowledge.
- Contract Lifecycle Management: Manage the entire contract lifecycle with automated workflows, approvals, and dashboards.
- E-signatures: Utilize Legito Sign for secure and legally binding electronic signatures.
- Integration capabilities: Integrate with tools like Salesforce, Microsoft SharePoint, and others to streamline workflows.
Pricing
- Free – Unlimited documents and up to 10 users. Good for testing the basics.
- Team – $1,200/month: Includes automation, clause library, collaboration tools, integrations, and API access.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing: Unlocks advanced features like unlimited API calls, tailored SLAs, and custom onboarding.
Best for
Legito is a great fit for legal teams that want an all-in-one platform to automate documents and manage contracts.
But it’s not without a few quirks. For example, some users mention that more complex templates can lag or misbehave if the system gets overloaded.
5. HotDocs
HotDocs has been around for a long time. It’s one of the earliest document automation tools built for complex, logic-heavy documents, which makes it a go-to for large firms, banks, and government teams with big workflows and even bigger IT budgets.
Key features
- Advanced logic handling: HotDocs supports intricate logic within documents, such as conditional clauses and complex calculations.
- Integration capabilities: The platform integrates with various business applications, including CRM and risk management systems.
- Batch processing: HotDocs allows for the production and sending of bulk documents.
- Centralized template management: Users can manage templates centrally.
Pricing
HotDocs doesn’t make its pricing public. You’ll need to contact their team directly for a custom quote based on your firm’s needs.
Best for
HotDocs is best suited for large organizations and legal teams that require sophisticated document automation capabilities and have the technical resources to manage complex setups.
However, the platform’s complexity and the need for specialized training can present challenges for smaller teams or those seeking a more user-friendly solution.
6. Avokaado
Avokaado is a modern contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform that lets you draft, edit, automate, and manage your legal documents all in one place.
It also offers AI-assisted contract insights, which are helpful if you manage a lot of ongoing agreements.
Key features
- No-code contract templates: Build templates with smart fields, clauses, and conditions without needing any technical background.
- E-signatures included: Sign and manage contracts from one platform using built-in integrations with providers like SignNow.
- Team collaboration tools: Share documents internally or with clients to negotiate and finalize contracts faster.
- AI contract analysis: Get help tracking obligations and clauses across your library with AI-powered data extraction.
Pricing
Avokaado doesn’t list its pricing publicly. You’ll need to contact their team for a custom quote. From what we’ve seen, pricing tends to start around €49 per user/month, with more advanced features available on higher-tier plans.
Best for
Avokaado is a good fit for legal teams and fast-moving businesses that want an all-in-one workspace for their contracts, particularly those who need automation, collaboration, and tracking in one place.
Just note that advanced features like AI and integrations may be locked behind higher pricing tiers, and the lack of public pricing can make it harder to budget upfront.
7. Clio Draft
Clio Draft (formerly known as Lawyaw) is a cloud-based document automation tool made specifically for legal professionals. It simplifies how law firms generate and manage their documents, especially for those already using Clio’s practice management software.
Key features
- No-code template builder: Create templates from your own Word documents without needing technical skills.
- Smart questionnaires: Build client-facing forms that adapt to different answers.
- Court form library: Access thousands of up-to-date forms and autofill them with case details.
- E-signature included: Send documents out for signing directly from the platform.
- Clio integration: Sync client data across Clio Draft and Clio Manage to reduce double entry.
Pricing
Clio Draft doesn’t share pricing publicly. From what we’ve seen, it starts at around $110 per user/month, but actual pricing may vary depending on your firm’s setup. You’ll need to reach out to Clio for an exact quote.
Best for
Clio Draft is a good option for law firms already using Clio Manage and looking for a simple way to automate routine documents.
That said, its integration with Clio Manage can be limiting. That’s because it’s mostly one-way, so updates made in Clio Draft don’t sync back to Clio Manage automatically. If two-way syncing is important to your workflow, this might slow things down.
8. Gavel
Gavel (formerly Documate) is a no-code document automation platform that makes it easy to turn Word or PDF documents into smart templates without developers or steep learning curves.
Key features
- No-code automation builder: Create document templates and logic flows without writing a single line of code.
- Dynamic intake forms: Build branded, client-facing forms that collect case-specific info and trigger document generation.
- Built-in logic and calculations: Handle complex use cases using conditions and formulas inside templates.
- Gavel Exec (AI assistant): Draft and redline contracts in Word using Gavel’s built-in AI support.
Pricing
- Lite – $83/month: 1 user, 10 templates, basic integrations.
- Standard – $210/month: More templates (50), Zapier integration, and improved data management.
- Pro – $290/month: 2 users, 100 templates, e-commerce tools, and white-label options.
- Scale – Starts at $417/month: API access, flexible usage limits, and advanced support.
Best for
Gavel is a great choice for law firms that want user-friendly software. It’s accessible, flexible, and doesn’t require coding knowledge to get started.
That said, if your firm needs deep customization or more advanced integrations across enterprise systems, Gavel might feel a bit limited in scope. It’s built for speed and ease; not heavy-duty complexity.
Time to Upgrade Your Legal Document Automation
If you’re done wrestling with tools that require a technical background just to get started, it’s time for a better option.
Knackly gives legal teams what most platforms don’t – powerful automation paired with real implementation support. From building complex workflows to generating complete document sets, it’s designed to help you move faster without sacrificing accuracy.
Want to let someone else take the setup off your plate? Book a demo with Knackly today.
Nina is an SEO content writer specializing in B2B SaaS. She helps businesses increase organic traffic with strategic, high-quality content.
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