“Legal professionals spend only 30% of their time on billable work due to inefficient processes.”
According to a 2024 Legal Technology Statistics report by ZipDo, a significant portion of this time is lost due to outdated systems and disjointed workflows.
We know that you’re in an industry where time equals billable hours. So, software sprawl is inefficient and expensive. Your firm may currently rely on bulky case management software that attempts to do everything.
The result? You end up with bloated systems, cluttered dashboards, and an intimidating learning curve even if you’re a seasoned professional. But what if there were a more flexible, cost-effective alternative?
Meet Microapp: the app store for web apps. It’s a new way to streamline legal operations by using single-purpose tools that work, with no bloat, unnecessary features, and no IT team required.
Why Legacy Case Management Software Holds Teams Back
Your traditional case management software is built for enterprise legal teams with deep pockets and in-house IT departments. These tools offer you different functions but lack clarity, affordability, and flexibility.
Common Pitfalls of Traditional Case Management Systems:
Some common pitfalls you can encounter are complex interfaces, which are designed for every department but optimized for none. Not to mention the locked-in ecosystems, which require consultants or developers for customization. Lastly, you have expensive licensing as you pay for features your team never uses.
| Feature | Legacy Systems | Microapps |
| Cost | $$$ (per user/month) | $ or free (per microapp) |
| Customization | Developer required | Drag-and-drop/simple logic |
| Onboarding Time | Weeks | Minutes |
| Feature Scope | All-in-one (bloated) | Task-specific (streamlined) |
| Vendor Lock-in | High | Low |
For SaaS alternatives for small teams, microapps provide freedom: pick the tools you need, ignore the ones you don’t, and stop paying for software that works against you.
One-Job Tools: A Better Approach to Legal Ops
Legal work is process-driven. Intake forms, document requests, client updates, and case tracking each have a start and end. You don’t need a monolithic system to handle these tasks. You need single-purpose tools that excel at one specific task.
This is where microapps shine. With a simple app builder, you can spin up lightweight web tools that your team will use. No code. No meetings with IT. Implement just the process improvements you can deploy today.
5 Microapps That Simplify Case Intake, Tracking, and Billing
Here are five that legal teams can use today:
1. Tally – Effortless Intake Forms
Create beautiful, branded intake forms in minutes. Tally makes it easy to collect client information securely and streamline the onboarding process.
- Simplifies: Initial case intake
- Works: Embed forms on your website or share via link
- Example: A Solo attorney automates client pre-screening without a CRM
2. Clerk – Identity and Session Management
Built-in user authentication and client portals without writing code.
- Simplifies: Client access to shared case files
- Works: Add secure login flows to web tools
- Example: Create a client dashboard where users can check case status
3. Trello – Visual Case Tracking
Use boards and cards to visually map case progress.
- Simplifies: Case workflow management
- Works: Drag-and-drop cards by phase or team
- Example: A Small firm tracks litigation timelines across multiple clients
4. Notion – Document Management & Collaboration
One workspace for SOPs, client notes, and internal docs.
- Simplifies: Knowledge management
- Works: Share pages with clients, tag team members, and centralize info
- Example: Legal ops manager uses it to track compliance updates firm-wide
5. Zapier – Automation Between Tools
Connect your microapps: automatically send emails when a form is filled, move cards in Trello, or log information to Notion.
- Simplifies: Data entry and status updates
- Works: Integrates with 6,000+ apps
- Example: Intake form sends client data to Notion and adds a Trello card
These tools represent a new generation of lightweight business apps that give teams more control without the weight of legacy software.
You Can Build or Launch Your Own Tools Too
What if you could design the perfect tool for your firm’s workflows? With Microapp, you can.
It’s a simple app builder that lets you:
- Drag and drop components
- Add business logic with plain rules
- Launch internal tools without developers
This DIY approach makes SaaS alternatives for small teams not only affordable but also scalable. You’re no longer stuck waiting for vendors to ship updates or pay extra for features you can create yourself.
👉 Check out our ultimate blueprint to marketing your app here.
Need help getting started? There’s a Microapp tutorial for every step, from design to deployment.
See the Microapp App Store for Legal Workflows
Whether you’re modernizing client intake, building a billing dashboard, or syncing notes between systems, there’s a microapp for that.
Browse the Microapp app store to:
- Discover vetted tools for legal teams
- Host and sell web apps you build
- Learn from other legal tech adopters
For firms tired of being weighed down by traditional case management software, Microapp offers a practical path forward: modern workflows powered by flexible, affordable tools built for your team.
Find the microapp that fits your casework and your team.
