The verdict in three sentences
In a law firm, unrecorded time is lost revenue: a time-tracking tool with timers and per-matter allocation recovers on average +16% of billable time. Budget 32,000-70,000 EUR for a custom build versus 40-70 EUR/user/month for a vertical license. The second effect is just as critical: a procedural calendar that eliminates 90% of missed deadlines and the malpractice risk that comes with them.
What the tool covers and what it costs
A firm of 5 to 20 attorneys needs four building blocks: time entry (timers), a procedural calendar with deadline computation, hourly billing, and a per-matter profitability dashboard. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Functional block | Scope | Indicative 2026 price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Time entry + timers | Per-matter allocation, hourly rates | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| Procedural calendar | Deadline computation, alerts | 9,000 - 18,000 |
| Hourly billing | Fee notes, VAT, reminders | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| Profitability dashboard | Margin per matter, per attorney | 5,000 - 12,000 |
| Connectors (ledger, court) | Export, synchronization | 4,000 - 8,000 |
| Full integrated project | All 4 blocks + training | 32,000 - 70,000 |
Add maintenance of 15%/year (~4,800-10,500 EUR/year) covering upkeep, enhancements and support.
Custom vs. vertical license: the real math
Per-user licensing climbs fast with headcount; custom is fixed and fits the firm's organization.
| Approach | Year 1 cost (12 attorneys) | 4-year cost | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical license (~55 EUR/user/mo) | ~7,920 EUR | ~31,680 EUR | Standard |
| High-end custom | 70,000 EUR | 70,000 + maint. (~112,000) | Full |
| Core custom | 32,000 EUR | 32,000 + maint. (~51,200) | Full |
The Dubai benchmark differs: legal time-tracking SaaS runs 40-85 USD/user/month, while a custom build lands at 45,000-95,000 USD. Licensing stays competitive at low headcount; beyond ~15-20 attorneys or for very specific needs, custom is justified.
Mini case study
Ms. Rousset runs a 12-attorney firm in Lyon, with an average hourly rate of 220 EUR and 1,300 billable hours/attorney/year. An internal review showed ~16% of time actually worked was never recorded. After a 52,000 EUR project, timers capture that forgotten time: on an annual potential of 3,432,000 EUR (12 x 1,300 x 220), 16% represents ~549,000 EUR of time, a significant share of which becomes billable. On risk, missed deadlines fell 90%, and each attorney saves 6 hrs/month on entry and billing. Monthly invoicing accelerated by 8 days, improving cash flow. ROI in about 15 months.
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FAQ
How much does time-tracking software cost for a law firm in 2026?
Budget 32,000-70,000 EUR for a custom build with timers, procedural calendar and hourly billing, plus 15%/year maintenance. Vertical licenses run 40-70 EUR/user/month.
Why custom over a license?
Beyond ~15 attorneys or for specific needs (complex deadline computation, mass litigation), custom becomes cheaper and matches the firm's organization exactly.
How much billable time can we recover?
Firms recover on average +16% of previously unrecorded time, often worth tens of thousands of euros per year per firm.
Does the procedural calendar really cut risk?
Yes: automatic deadline computation and layered alerts cut missed deadlines by 90%, sharply reducing the firm's malpractice exposure.
What is the deployment timeline?
Between 3 and 5 months depending on the number of blocks. A timers + billing core can ship faster, then you add the procedural calendar and dashboard.
Let's scope your project. Share your attorney headcount, priorities (timers, calendar, billing) and target budget. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
