Document Automation
Product features
By practice area
By company size
Contract Review
PRODUCT FEATURES
Resources
LearN
Case Studies
Pricing
Clio Draft vs. Gavel Workflows for Clio Firms Weighing Court Forms Against Advanced Logic
Clio Draft and Gavel Workflows both automate legal documents. Clio Draft focuses on court forms and drafting workflows inside the Clio ecosystem, and since October 2026 those tools live in Clio Work, while Gavel Workflows gives firms more flexibility to automate templates, intake, and workflows.
Choose Clio Draft, whose drafting and court forms tools now sit inside Clio Work, if court forms and AI drafting within Clio are your priority; most firms needing advanced logic, automation of their own Word and PDF templates, client intake, and transparent self-serve pricing land on Gavel Workflows.
Clio Draft
Clio Draft is a legal document automation platform for law firms using Clio. It includes document automation, court forms, client questionnaires, and eSignature tools, with deep integration into the Clio ecosystem. On October 26, 2026, Clio launched drafting in Clio Work, its AI workspace, which combines generative AI drafting, template automation with conditional logic, and a court forms library that Clio puts at more than 45,000 state, local, and USCIS forms. Clio's Draft product page now redirects to the Clio Work drafting page.
Gavel Workflows
Gavel Workflows is legal document automation software for law firms. It automates Word and PDF documents using client intake, questionnaires, and advanced workflow logic.
Firms can automate their own templates or start with Gavel's attorney-reviewed legal template library. Pricing starts at $83 per month with a free trial available.
Key differences
- Price: Gavel Workflows starts at $83/month. Clio does not publicly list pricing for Clio Work.
- Trial: Gavel Workflows offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card. Clio offers the same for its plans, and Clio Work is also sold through demos.
- Output: Gavel Workflows automates your own Word and PDF templates. Clio Draft automates Word templates and fills court forms from its library.
- Automation: Gavel Workflows supports advanced logic, calculations, and repeating items. Clio Draft is more limited, and Clio Work adds generative AI drafting.
- Client intake: Gavel Workflows includes a dedicated client portal. Clio Draft includes questionnaires.
- Integrations: Gavel Workflows integrates with Clio, Zapier, Docusign, and a public API. Clio Draft integrates with Clio.
- Ratings: Gavel Workflows is rated 4.7/5 on Lawyerist; Clio Draft is rated 4.4/5.
law firms should know that it is a legal document automation platform for firms on Clio, with court forms, client questionnaires, conditional-logic document assembly, and eSignature, deeply integrated into the Clio ecosystem. Since October 2026 its drafting and court forms tools are offered inside Clio Work, Clio's AI workspace, which adds generative AI drafting. Clio does not publish Clio Work pricing, offers a 7-day free trial of its plans with no credit card, and advertises 24/5 live support.
Gavel Workflows is legal document automation software for law firms, and Clio is one of its integrations, so Clio firms can run it alongside Clio Manage. It produces both Word and PDF output, generating finished documents from client intake answers. Its no-code platform brings together client intake forms, conditional-logic document generation, workflow automation, e-signature, payments, and a legal template library. It is self-serve, starts with a free trial, and needs no implementation engagement. A former Sidley Austin litigator, CEO and Founder Dorna Moini founded Gavel so attorneys could build and maintain their own automation.
When to choose Clio Draft vs. Gavel Workflows
- Court forms are a core part of your practice.
- You want AI drafting and court forms in the same Clio workspace.
- Your automation needs are relatively simple and form-driven.
- You want eSignature functionality included in the platform.
- You need more powerful document automation than simple form filling.
- You want Word and PDF output from the same workflow.
- You prefer transparent pricing and self-serve access.
- Integrations and workflow automation are important to your firm.
- You want clients to enter their own information through a secure intake portal.
Side-by-side comparison
While both Clio Draft and Gavel Workflows automate legal document drafting, Gavel Workflows offers more flexibility for firms that need Word and PDF output, client-facing intake, and workflow integrations. Pricing starts at $83 per month with a free self-serve trial, while Clio does not publish pricing for Clio Work, where Clio Draft's drafting tools now live.
| Feature | Clio Draft | Gavel Workflows |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ✗ Pricing not publicly listed | ✓ From $83/mo, no minimum seats |
| Billing | ✗ Not publicly listed | ✓ Monthly or annual, cancel anytime |
| Free Trial | ✓ 7-day free trial of Clio plans, no credit card | ✓ 7-day free trial, no credit card |
| Features | ✓ AI drafting, template automation, court forms (in Clio Work) | ✓ Word + PDF document automation |
| Templates | ✓ 45,000+ court forms | ✓ Legal template library (Pro), custom templates |
| Output | ✓ Word templates; Clio for Word add-in | ✓ Word and PDF automation |
| Support | ✓ 24/5 live support | ✓ Email, phone, screen share; priority support (Pro) |
Document automation and output
Both Clio Draft and Gavel Workflows automate legal document drafting. Gavel Workflows automates your own Word and fillable PDF templates, while Clio Draft's template automation uses Microsoft Word templates. Clio Draft's strongest differentiator is its library of court forms across all 50 states, which Clio says now holds more than 45,000 state, local, and USCIS forms in Clio Work.
Automation capabilities
Gavel Workflows supports advanced logic, calculations, and repeating data structures for more complex documents. Clio Draft is better suited to simpler form-based workflows. Clio Work also adds generative AI drafting for one-off documents such as motions and briefs.
Client intake and integrations
Both platforms integrate with Clio Manage. Gavel Workflows also includes a dedicated client intake portal, plus integrations with Zapier, Docusign, and a public API.
Firms reviewing their practice management system as well can compare MyCase, PracticePanther, Smokeball and four other systems in Clio alternatives, and intake and CRM tools in Clio Grow alternatives.
Clio Draft reviews
Clio Draft is rated 4.4/5 on Lawyerist. Commonly cited constraints in user reviews include limited conditional logic for complex documents and the absence of repeating item support.
Clio Draft is rated 4.4/5 on Lawyerist. Gavel Workflows is rated 4.7/5 on Lawyerist.
Because both ratings come from the same review platform, they are useful directional signals, but buyers should still evaluate the products based on workflow fit, pricing, and automation requirements.
We were able to do an entire estate plan in 30 minutes. I was running around the office telling everyone about how magical Gavel is.
Jessica Streeter, Partner at Streeter Law Firm
Switching from Clio Draft
Firms often choose Gavel Workflows for more powerful automation, greater flexibility, and the ability to try the platform before committing.
Pair Clio with Gavel Workflows for repeating items, calculations, and PDF output
Gavel Workflows integrates with Clio and generates finished Word and PDF documents from client intake answers, keeping intake, e-signature, payments, and workflow automation in one place. Try it free on a template with repeating items, no credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Clio Draft alternative?
For Clio firms that need more advanced document automation, flexible workflows, and client intake, Gavel Workflows is a strong alternative.
Is Clio Draft still available?
Clio Draft still has a listing in the Clio App Directory, but Clio's Draft product page now redirects to Clio Work, where Clio launched drafting, document automation, and court forms on October 26, 2026.
How does Clio Draft's pricing compare to other legal document automation tools?
Clio does not publicly list pricing for Clio Work, where Clio Draft's drafting tools now live. Gavel Workflows starts at $83/month and offers a free self-serve trial.
Does Clio Draft offer a free trial?
Clio offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card. Gavel Workflows also offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required.
Does Clio Draft include client intake tools?
Both platforms include questionnaires. Gavel Workflows also includes a dedicated client portal where clients can enter and save their own information.
How customizable is Clio Draft's document logic?
User reviews describe Clio Draft's conditional logic as basic, and Clio Work adds generative AI drafting for one-off documents. Gavel Workflows supports advanced logic, calculations, and repeating data structures.
Can Clio Draft handle repeating items in documents?
Lawyerist user reviews of Clio Draft cite the absence of repeating item support, and Clio's announcement of drafting in Clio Work does not mention it. Gavel Workflows supports repeating items, making it a better fit for documents with dynamic lists.
Can I migrate my templates to Gavel Workflows?
Yes. Gavel Workflows works with existing Word templates.
How long does it take to get started with Clio Draft?
Clio offers a self-serve 7-day trial, and Clio Work is also sold through demos. Gavel Workflows is self-serve, so a firm can sign up and set it up the same day.
Methodology
This comparison uses publicly available product, pricing, and review information. Features, pricing, and access terms may change, so buyers should verify current details directly with each vendor.
Turn client intake answers into finished documents
Automate documents, client intake, and workflows with Gavel Workflows. Start free, no credit card required.
