MyCase Client Portal: Features, Setup, and Alternatives

What the MyCase client portal does

The MyCase client portal gives clients a login where they can access documents, send messages to the firm, view invoices, pay outstanding balances, and sign documents without calling the office.

From the attorney’s side, documents shared through the portal link automatically to the correct matter file. Messages are stored in the matter record alongside other communications, so there is no separate inbox to check.

For a small firm, this cuts down on calls asking for document copies, speeds up retainer collection when clients can pay through the portal, and keeps client communications in one place rather than across personal email accounts.

Which MyCase plan includes the portal

The client portal is not available on MyCase Basic ($39/user/month). It requires MyCase Pro ($69/user/month) or MyCase Advanced ($89/user/month).

Firms that sign up for Basic to evaluate MyCase and then want to enable the portal have to upgrade. The jump from $39 to $69 per user is meaningful for a four or five attorney firm.

If client portal access is a requirement from day one, evaluate MyCase at the Pro tier. The advertised entry price does not include it.

Setup process

Setting up the portal takes less than an hour for most firms. The main steps:

1. Enable the client portal in firm settings (one toggle, not a separate configuration panel).
2. Customize the welcome message clients see when they first log in.
3. Send portal invitations to clients from within each matter — MyCase generates the invitation email automatically.
4. Share documents by uploading them to the matter and marking them as client-visible. Documents not marked for sharing remain internal.

There is no client onboarding fee. Clients set their own passwords and can log in immediately after accepting the invitation.

What clients see

The client view is intentionally simplified compared to the attorney view. Clients see:

• Documents: Only files the attorney has explicitly shared. The full internal document file is not visible.
• Messages: The secure message thread between the client and the firm. Standard email is not part of this thread.
• Invoices and billing: Outstanding invoices with a payment link. Paid invoices are also visible for reference.
• Case status: Basic matter information the attorney has chosen to display.

Clients do not see internal notes, staff communications, billing rates, or any information from other clients.

Comparison with Clio for Clients

Clio’s equivalent is called Clio for Clients. It is available on Clio Essentials ($79/user/month) and above.

Both portals cover the same ground: document sharing, secure messaging, invoice access, and eSignature. The distinction is in execution. MyCase’s client-facing interface is generally considered cleaner and easier for non-technical clients to navigate. Clio for Clients sits more tightly inside the Clio ecosystem — if your firm runs on Clio for everything, the portal feels like a natural part of the workflow.

MyCase Pro is $69/user/month; Clio Essentials is $79/user/month. CaelusLaw Essentials at $20/user/month includes client portal, secure messaging, and intake in one subscription.

The portal is not the right reason to pick one product over another. Evaluate it as part of the full workflow: billing, matter management, intake, and calendar all matter more over the long run than which portal looks cleaner.