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Contract Management Software

Best Contract Management Software

We tested and reviewed dozens of popular vendors to narrow it down to our top picks for 2024

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No matter your industry, contracts are essential. However, there’s no denying that they’re time-consuming and tedious to create and manage. That’s where contract lifecycle management software comes in. With the right CLM solution, you can create, edit, track, and store contacts without the hassle. To simplify your search for the ideal platform, we’ve done the research for you and compiled this list of the best contract management software.

Our Top Picks

Contract Management Software Reviews

To zero in on the six best contract management solutions, we focused on pricing transparency, features, brand reputation, and customer support. Our team spent hours performing research and comparing the various options on the market to help you determine the best software for your unique business. Check out our methodology for more details.

PandaDoc

Best for Small Businesses

PandaDoc has been around since 2011 and markets its cloud-based solution to sales-oriented businesses, like sales managers and business development managers, due to its robust analytics capabilities. It’s a cost-effective and feature-rich contract management solution, making it great for small businesses.

ContractSafe

Best for Quick and Easy Setup

Based in Malibu, California, ContractSafe’s mission is to “make contract management simple, easy, and affordable.” Even the basic tier is comprehensive, as it supports an unlimited number of users, attachments, date reminders, e-signatures, and more.

Bonsai

Best Contract Management Software for Freelancers

Bonsai is a Y-Combinator-backed contract management tool that targets freelancers, independent contractors, and small business owners. With Bonsai, you can manage your clients, projects, and finances with ease.

DocuSign CLM

Best for Scalability

DocuSign has been around since 2003 and markets itself as a “contract lifecycle management tool.” It’s a leader in the contract management space and has more than 500,000 customers. Due to its comprehensive set of features, it can grow with you.

LinkSquares

Best Contract Management Software for Legal Firms

LinkSquares is an artificial intelligence-powered contract management system that meets the various needs of legal teams. It aims to simplify the way legal professionals draft, review, and execute contracts.

Ironclad

Best for Digital Security

Ironclad promotes itself as the “global leader in CLM software.” You can use this end-to-end solution to securely manage a variety of contracts related to HR, sales, legal, supply chain, and procurement.

On this page:

Compare the best contract management software side-by-side

BrandBest forStarting PriceFree Option
PandaDocSmall Businesses$19 per user per month14-day free trial
ContractSafeEasy Setup$329 per month for unlimited users7-day free trial
BonsaiFreelancers$21 per month7-day free trial
DocuSign CLMScalability$15 per month30-day free trial
LinkSquaresLegal FirmsMust contact for pricingNone
IroncladDigital Security Must contact for pricingNone

What is contract management software?

Contract management software is a tool you can use to create, edit, manage, sign, and store a variety of contracts, such as employment agreements and non-disclosure agreements. It allows for e-signatures, which are legally binding signatures that vendors and customers can make to finalize contracts online. 

From contract creation and contract drafting to signing, a contract management solution can handle the entire contract lifecycle. While some products are highly customizable and come with a plethora of features and automation, others focus on basic features or aim to serve specific use cases or industries. 

What does contract management software do?

The primary goal of contract management software is to simplify contract life cycle management for legal teams, sales teams, HR teams, finance teams, operations teams, and many others. It helps improve workflows and streamline complex processes. 

Each contract management tool is unique, but most of them allow you to store all of your contracts in one secure place and search through them as needed. You can also count on them to systematize contracts and improve collaboration between your business and third parties.  

In addition, they can save your organization and/or HR team a great deal of time and reduce the risk of manual errors.

Contract management software features to look for

As you shop around for contract management software, here are several features to prioritize: 

  • Audit trails: Audit trails are digital records or logs of actions that were taken on your contracts, such as read, edited, and finalized. Ironclad, PandaDoc, and ContractSafe feature them.
  • Mobile application: DocuSign CLM and Bonsai offer mobile apps that are compatible with Android and iOS devices and let you eSign and manage contracts on the go.
  • Templates: Templates make it easy to create and share contracts. LinkSquares and ContractSafe offer a wide range of templates for various use cases, such as non-disclosure agreements, employment agreements, and bills of sale.
  • Document storage: Contract management platforms should allow you to store documents electronically so you can organize and access them easily and don’t have to worry about losing them. Ironclad, LinkSquares, and DocuSign all offer document storage.
  • Full-text search: With full-text search, you can use keywords and clauses to search contracts and find what you’re looking for. ContractSafe, DocuSign, and Ironclad all feature full-text search.

How much does contract management software cost?

Pricing for contract management software varies greatly. Some companies will charge a flat rate per month for unlimited users while others charge a monthly rate per user or a flat rate. 

In some cases, you’ll need to contact the vendor directly for pricing as not all providers advertise their packages on their websites. Typically, pricing for “enterprise-level” packages requires a custom quote. 

Here’s a look at the cost of three contract management solutions on our list:

ContractSafePandaDocBonsai
$329 per month for unlimited users$19 per user per month$21 per month

Contract Management Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best way to manage contracts?

The most efficient way to manage contracts is through contract management software. Through automation and customized workflows, this software reduces the risk of manual errors and streamlines the process while saving you a great deal of time.

What are the benefits of contract management software?

With a quality contract management solution, you can simplify document management, be better prepared for audits, increase contract visibility, and shorten approval times. It also helps to ensure compliance and improve communication with third parties.

What is the difference between CRM and contract management?

CRM is an acronym for customer relationship management, which often involves contracts. However, CRM solutions rarely offer contract management functionality. Therefore, you may need to invest in a contract management provider in addition to a CRM. This way you can create and manage contracts within your CRM tool.

How is contract management software different from eSignature software?

The goal of contract management software is to improve the entire contract workflow to save you time and reduce the risk of errors. eSignature solutions, however, only allow for digital signatures. Compared to eSignature platforms, contract management tools are far more robust.

Methodology: How we chose the best contract management software providers

First, we looked at 84 reputable contact software solutions. Then, we narrowed down our list to 20. From there, we dove deep into popularity, features, pricing, ease of use, and customer reviews. Once we collected information from vendors and confirmed it through third-party sources, like software reviews, we focused on the following to hone in on six of our top picks.

  • Pricing: We gave bonus points to companies who offer a lot of value to users as well as free trials and free demos that can give small business owners the chance to “try before they buy” and make the most informed decision. 
  • Ease of use: Since a contract management platform is intended to streamline your contract process, we made sure the solutions on our list feature intuitive interfaces that anybody can learn and use, regardless of technical skill or experience.
  • Brand reputation: Through online reviews, live demos, in-depth research, and user interviews, we were able to determine which products were not only well-known but also thoroughly vetted and tested. While reputation isn’t everything, it does indicate trustworthiness and a positive track record.

About the Authors

anna baluch headshot

Anna specializes in business insurance and financial software for the NAWBO Expert Reviews team. Her work has appeared on LendingTree, Credit Karma, Business Insider, and other popular media outlets, helping business owners make informed financial decisions.

jamie ostroe headshot

Bringing more than a decade of editorial experience to the NAWBO Expert Reviews Team, Jamie is dedicated to ensuring articles are accurate and helpful. Her experience running a small business inspires her to help others choose the best products for their unique business needs.

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