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14 Best Contract Lifecycle Management Software: 2025 Buyer's Guide

14 Best Contract Lifecycle Management Software: 2025 Buyer's Guide

May 28, 2025

Compare the best contract management software of 2025. Explore features, pricing, and buyer insights in this comprehensive CLM guide for legal and business teams.

The global contract lifecycle management market is booming—valued at $1.07 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $3.46 billion by 2034. As organizations recognize the strategic value hidden in their agreements, finding the right contract management software has become integral for success.

This guide compares Concord with leading competitors in the contract management space, examining pricing, features, and real user experiences to help you make an informed decision about the best contract lifecycle management software.

Key factors when selecting contract management software

When comparing solutions like Concord to alternatives, consider these essential factors:

  1. Implementation speed: While some platforms take months to deploy, more streamlined solutions like Concord can be operational in as little as a day.

  2. Pricing structure: Pay-per-user models (used by many competitors) can quickly become expensive as your team grows, whereas platforms with unlimited users offer more predictable costs and wider adoption.

  3. Ease of use: Complex interfaces reduce adoption rates and ROI, making intuitive design crucial for success.

  4. Essential vs. premium features: Many expensive platforms include advanced capabilities that most organizations never use—choose a solution that offers what you actually need without costly extras.

  5. Integration capabilities: Seamless connections with your existing tech stack amplify the value of your contract management solution.

Let’s examine how Concord and key competitors compare across these dimensions.

Comparison table: key features across top CLM platforms

To help you evaluate the various contract management options, here's a comparison of essential features across the platforms we've examined:

Platform

Starting Price

Implementation Time

E-Signature

AI Capabilities

User Pricing Model

Integration Strength

Concord

$399/month

Fastest in the industry: just days

Built-in

Agreement Intelligence

Per month

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ContractSafe

$375/month

Weeks

Through integrations

Basic extraction

Contract volume (unlimited users)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

ContractWorks

$700-$2,000/month

Weeks

Limited licenses

Basic AI

Unlimited users

⭐⭐

Ironclad

~$25,300/year

3-6 months

Requires integration

Advanced playbooks

Enterprise model

⭐⭐⭐

Agiloft

Custom quote

Months

Available

Customizable AI

Custom

⭐⭐⭐

DocuSign CLM

~$39/month per feature

Weeks to months

Native

Basic extraction

Per user

⭐⭐⭐⭐

CobbleStone

Custom quote

Weeks to months

Enterprise tier only

VISDOM AI

Custom

⭐⭐

LinkSquares

~$10,000/year

Weeks

Separate module

7-10 day processing

Custom

⭐⭐

Contractbook

Custom quote

Weeks

Unlimited included

Limited

Custom

⭐⭐

ContractZen

$9.50/month per user

Weeks

Integration (buggy)

Limited

Per user

SpotDraft

Custom quote

1-6 weeks

Available

NLP-focused

Custom

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evisort

Custom quote

30+ days

Available

Advanced analysis

Custom

⭐⭐⭐

Outlaw

Custom quote

Weeks

Available

Limited

Custom

⭐⭐⭐

Gatekeeper

$995/month

Weeks

Available

Limited

Flat rate (unlimited users)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Concord: The industry-leading CLM platform that actually works

Price range

Concord offers exceptional value with transparent pricing starting at $399/month in 2025, with no hidden implementation fees or surprise charges that plague competitor platforms.

Why Concord wins

Concord has revolutionized contract management by solving the core problems that make competitors fail: slow implementations, poor user adoption, and unpredictable costs. Unlike enterprise platforms that trap users in months-long implementations, Concord delivers immediate results.

Industry-leading capabilities that work from day one:

  • Revolutionary one-day implementation: While competitors struggle with 3-6 month implementations, Concord is the fastest CLM platform to deploy in the industry, getting teams productive immediately without costly consulting.

  • Gmail-like interface drives universal adoption: Users consistently praise Concord's intuitive design, comparing it favorably to familiar tools that require no training, unlike competitors that create user adoption barriers.

  • Native Agreement Intelligence: Concord's AI capabilities outperform competitor offerings with integrated analytics that work seamlessly, not as afterthoughts requiring separate modules or processing delays.

  • Complete platform eliminates integration costs: Unlike fragmented competitors requiring expensive third-party tools, Concord includes everything businesses need - templates, workflows, e-signatures, and analytics - in one cohesive solution.

  • Proven scalability without complexity: Concord grows with organizations without the overwhelming customization burdens that make platforms like Agiloft impractical for most teams.

What industry experts are saying

Concord consistently receives praise for solving the problems competitors create:

"I like that the format is similar to gmail, so it is simple, and intuitive to use." G2 reviewer (G2)

"The ability to quickly search and find relevant contracts has been incredibly beneficial to our organization, especially when we were in the midst of due diligence as part of a merger with our new parent company." Piper Paton S. (G2)

ContractSafe: Limited functionality undermines value proposition

Price range

ContractSafe charges $375-$746/month but delivers significantly less value than full-featured platforms, with severe limitations in contract creation and collaboration.

Major limitations exposed

ContractSafe's fundamental design flaws make it unsuitable for organizations needing comprehensive contract management. User feedback consistently highlights critical shortcomings:

Key problems that impact productivity:

  • No contract creation capabilities: Unlike complete platforms, ContractSafe forces users to create contracts in external tools, breaking workflow continuity

  • Clunky, unreliable interface: Users report the platform "can get a bit clunky or lag" with frequent technical issues

  • Outdated AI capabilities: Reviews consistently note that "AI capabilities are abit clunky and not upto the modern standards"

  • Limited analytics and reporting: Basic functionality that fails to provide business insights

  • No clause libraries or standardization: Lacks essential features for maintaining contract consistency

User frustrations documented

ContractSafe users frequently encounter significant limitations:

"Once in a while the interface can get a bit clunky or lag. Most of these issues (e.g., ContractSafe popups) are minor, however." Deputy General Counsel, Airlines/Aviation (Capterra)

"The AI capabilities are abit clunky and not upto the modern standards and I think fast paced constant platform updates and innovation would better these capabilities." Stephen M., Managing Director, Telecommunications (Capterra)

ContractWorks: template-focused with adoption barriers

Price range

ContractWorks starts from $700/month for the standard package and goes up to $2,000/month for the premium tier, representing a significant investment compared to some alternatives.

At a glance

ContractWorks is built for businesses that want robust contract drafting capabilities, but the platform comes with a steep learning curve and relatively high pricing that may create adoption barriers for some organizations.

With ContractWorks, you'll get:

  • Advanced contract drafting: The platform includes live preview functionality, in-document editing capabilities, and AI-generated definitions for key features, though setup typically requires legal team involvement.

  • Data-intensive dashboard: ContractWorks offers a dashboard packed with contract data, which power users may appreciate but average users may find overwhelming.

  • Limited e-signature capabilities: While the platform offers e-signature functionality, the base plan restricts this to just five licenses, creating potential scaling challenges.

  • Implementation support: Getting started with ContractWorks requires significant effort, though the company provides support through the process to ease the transition.

  • Folder-based organization: The platform relies heavily on folder and subfolder structures for document organization, which some users find limiting compared to more flexible tagging systems.

  • Attachment management challenges: Users report difficulties managing attachments within the system, potentially creating document relationship problems.

Pros and cons of ContractWorks

Pros

Cons

Contract drafting capabilities

Difficult attachment management

Easy report generation

Limited e-signature licenses

Unlimited users

Folder-dependent organization


Steep learning curve for new users


Implementation complexity


High price point

What customers are saying

Users note ContractWorks' value for transitioning from paper but highlight limitations:

"I felt like this software created a foundation for us to go from a paper process to an electronic process. It created a centralized database for our contracts and we had to reorganize our processes for that. However, some users wanted the next level functions or automated processes."

Craig S., IT Project Manager (Capterra)

Ironclad: Enterprise complexity creates implementation nightmares

Price range

Ironclad's pricing is prohibitively expensive for most organizations, with costs ranging from $25,300 to $76,700 annually, plus substantial implementation fees that can double the total investment.

Why Ironclad implementations fail

Ironclad's enterprise-focused approach creates significant barriers that prevent organizations from realizing value. Multiple user reviews document systematic implementation problems:

Critical implementation challenges:

  • Consistently painful 2+ month setup periods: Users report "Getting workflows set up to cover possible permutations and outliers was 2 months-long, aggravating experience"

  • Complex permission management: Reviews consistently mention that permissions are "difficult to assign correctly," creating ongoing administrative burdens

  • Fragmented user experience: Unlike integrated platforms, Ironclad requires multiple separate tools for e-signatures and other functions

  • Steep learning curve prevents adoption: Users report the platform "can be frustrating to navigate and some features aren't intuitive"

  • Rigid workflow systems: Changes to workflows cannot affect in-flight contracts, forcing users to abandon the system mid-process

Documented user frustrations

Ironclad consistently creates problems for organizations:

"Getting workflows set up to cover possible permutations and outliers was 2 months-long, aggravating experience." Verified user (Capterra)

"Ironclad can be frustrating to navigate and some features aren't intuitive." Hilary L., Legal Operations Coordinator (Capterra)

Agiloft: Overwhelming complexity defeats business users

Price range

Agiloft's custom pricing model lacks transparency and typically requires substantial professional services fees, making total costs unpredictable and often prohibitive.

Technical barriers prevent success

Agiloft's excessive complexity makes it impractical for most organizations. User reviews consistently highlight that the platform overwhelms teams with unnecessary technical requirements:

Major usability problems:

  • Requires dedicated IT staff: Users report "Because the software is so customizable, it can be difficult to make any changes on your own"

  • Overwhelming customization decisions: Reviews note that "With so many possibilities for customization comes a number of decisions that need to be made. This can be time-consuming"

  • Outdated interface confuses users: The grid-based interface feels dated and creates adoption barriers

  • Most features remain unused: Organizations typically use only a fraction of available capabilities, making the platform cost-ineffective

  • Steep learning curve: Non-technical users struggle significantly with the platform's complexity

User struggles documented

Agiloft consistently creates problems rather than solutions:

"Because the software is so customizable, it can be difficult to make any changes on your own." Blake G., Purchasing Manager, Automotive (Capterra)

"With so many possibilities for customization comes a number of decisions that need to be made. This can be time-consuming... If your organization wants to handle some of the maintenance and design, there definitely can be a learning curve for the more complex aspects." Verified user (Capterra)

DocuSign CLM: E-signature brand cannot overcome platform limitations

Price range

DocuSign CLM's per-user pricing becomes expensive quickly, starting at $39 per month per feature, with costs escalating as teams grow.

Platform limitations frustrate users

DocuSign CLM's fundamental design problems prevent organizations from achieving contract management success. User reviews consistently document serious usability issues:

Critical platform failures:

  • "Extremely inefficient" user experience: Users report the platform is "extremely inefficient and unnatural to use" with confusing navigation

  • Complex configuration creates implementation delays: Reviews note "It's not plug-and-play. The onboarding process is... a journey. Configuration is complex"

  • Severe contract editing limitations: Unlike integrated platforms, users struggle with basic editing tasks within the system

  • Poor performance impacts productivity: Users frequently mention "slow report generation and preview loading times"

  • Fragmented workflow experience: The platform creates disconnected experiences that frustrate daily users

Documented user problems

DocuSign CLM consistently fails to meet user expectations:

"I'm a sales rep where my company just switched to Docusign CLM from using SalesForce native workflows. DocuSign CLM is extremely inefficient and unnatural to use. It is difficult to determine which quotes tie to which opportunity." Verified user (G2)

"It's not plug-and-play. The onboarding process is... a journey. Configuration is complex, and if you don't have someone on your team who really gets CLM systems... you'll hit some snags." Verified user (G2)

CobbleStone: procurement-focused with complex interface

Price range

CobbleStone does not publicly disclose pricing on its website, instead providing custom quotes based on specific business requirements.

At a glance

CobbleStone is a contract management solution with a strong focus on procurement functions. The platform offers advanced features but presents users with a complex interface that can be challenging to navigate, particularly for those seeking a simplified contract management experience.

With CobbleStone, you'll get:

  • Procurement-centric approach: The platform includes many procurement-specific modules designed for purchasing teams and vendor management.

  • Complex user interface: Users consistently report that learning CobbleStone's interface requires significant time and training, with a steep initial learning curve.

  • Contract creation focus: The base product emphasizes contract creation capabilities, with additional features for negotiation and post-signature management available as add-ons.

  • Support as a premium service: While implementation and support services are available, they typically come with additional fees rather than being included in the base subscription.

  • AI-powered analysis: CobbleStone's VISDOM AI helps analyze contracts to identify potential risks and opportunities when properly configured.

  • Performance considerations: Users report that the platform "can be slow to load, especially when working with larger contract databases," potentially affecting productivity.

Pros and cons of CobbleStone

Pros

Cons

Template creation capabilities

Complex interface with steep learning curve

Vendor management features

Additional fees for support services

AI-powered contract analysis

Performance issues with larger contract volumes

Customizable workflows

Excessive focus on procurement functions


Native e-signature only at Enterprise tier


No bulk imports in base tier


Opaque pricing structure

What customers are saying

Reviewers highlight CobbleStone's interface complexity and performance considerations:

"One of the main difficulties is the interface, which can initially be difficult to use. It can take some time to get used to all the features and functions, and the learning curve for new users can be steep. Additionally, the software can be slow to load, especially when working with larger contract databases, which can hurt productivity."

Brizl P., Marketing and Advertising (Capterra)

LinkSquares: AI-powered with modular design challenges

Price range

LinkSquares does not publicly share pricing information on its website. According to industry research, pricing starts around $10,000 per year, with the exact cost varying based on the number of users, modules selected, and contract volume.

At a glance

LinkSquares offers an AI-powered contract management system through three separate products: Finalize (for contract creation), Sign (for e-signatures), and Analyze (for AI-powered data extraction). This modular approach creates distinct experiences for different aspects of contract management.

With LinkSquares, you'll get:

  • AI data extraction capabilities: The platform uses artificial intelligence to identify and extract key information from contracts, though processing can take several days and accuracy varies.

  • Separate modules for different functions: The three-part product structure separates contract creation, signing, and analysis functions, requiring users to navigate between different interfaces.

  • Tag-based organization system: LinkSquares implements a tagging approach to document organization rather than traditional folders, which receives mixed reviews from users.

  • Contract analytics: The platform can generate insights from contract data when properly configured, helping identify patterns across the contract portfolio.

  • Performance considerations: Users mention that "the system can be slightly slow to load or to run particular reports," affecting day-to-day usage experience.

  • Template creation challenges: The platform's contract template functionality is described as "cumbersome" by users, potentially creating friction in the document generation process.

Pros and cons of LinkSquares

Pros

Cons

AI-powered data extraction

AI processing can take 7-10 days with variable accuracy

Metadata extraction capabilities

Segmented experience across three separate products

Contract analysis features

Cumbersome template creation process


System performance issues with occasional slowness


Search limitations with spelling variations


Inflexible organization system for some users


Opaque pricing structure

What customers are saying

Users highlight LinkSquares' template challenges and performance considerations:

"The contract template creation functionality is a little cumbersome, which is fairly inevitable for a system of this nature. On occasion the system can be slightly slow to load or to run particular reports, but in general we're delighted with the system."

Simon S. (G2)

Contractbook: template-focused with usability challenges

Price range

Contractbook does not publicly disclose pricing on its website. They offer three plans: "Essential", "Centralize", and "Accelerate", with pricing available only through direct contact with sales.

At a glance

Contractbook is a contract management software that primarily focuses on contract generation through templates. The platform aims to streamline the contract creation process but faces challenges with user experience and reporting capabilities.

With Contractbook, you'll get:

  • Template-based contract creation: The platform provides templates for generating contracts, though users report these can be difficult to use effectively in practice.

  • Digital signature integration: Contractbook includes unlimited digital signatures as a standard feature, enabling document execution within the platform.

  • Basic workflow automation: The platform offers approval workflows to help standardize contract processes across teams.

  • Limited reporting capabilities: Contractbook lacks comprehensive reporting tools, which restricts organizations' ability to analyze their contract data effectively.

  • Email-based collaboration: The system relies heavily on email for notifications and collaboration, which some users find limiting compared to in-platform communication options.

  • Platform stability issues: Users report occasional bugs and performance issues, including page lagginess and refreshing requirements before sending contracts.

Pros and cons of ContractBook

Pros

Cons

Approval workflows for standardization

Limited reporting and analytics features

Unlimited digital signatures

Templates can be difficult to use

Basic contract creation templates

Platform stability issues and bugs

14-day free trial

Pricing not publicly disclosed


Implementation services capped by tier


Customer experience issues with signing

What customers are saying

Users highlight several functional challenges with Contractbook:

"Bugs and stuff that requires manual/extra work, e.g. having to refresh contracts before sending them, pop-ups about using same email twice (even while not doing that), overall lagginess of the page, customers having trouble signing (sometimes requests signing into CB to sign etc.)"

Kasper H. (G2)

ContractZen: affordable but limited in functionality

Price range

ContractZen offers one of the lowest entry price points in the market at $9.50/month per user for the basic plan and $27/month per user for the advanced plan, with custom options available for organizations with more than 50 users.

At a glance

ContractZen is a European-based contract management solution that deploys a cloud-based platform for basic contract storage and management. While it lacks some advanced features found in other platforms, it compensates with a competitive price point and straightforward approach to document management.

With ContractZen, you'll get:

  • Affordable entry point: The platform's low per-user pricing makes it accessible for small teams and organizations with limited budgets.

  • Cloud-based storage: ContractZen provides secure cloud storage with data encryption for contract documents and related files.

  • Basic collaboration tools: The system includes simple tools for team collaboration on contracts, though capabilities are less extensive than more advanced platforms.

  • E-signature integration: While ContractZen offers electronic signature integration, users report occasional glitches that can disrupt the signing process.

  • Limited storage capacity: The platform caps storage at 50 GB, which may be restrictive for organizations with large contract volumes or complex attachments.

  • Fixed field structure: Users cannot customize fields to match their specific business requirements, limiting flexibility for unique contract types or specialized metadata.

Pros and cons of ContractZen

Pros

Cons

Cloud-based storage with data encryption

E-signature integration can be unreliable

Basic collaboration features

Cannot customize fields for specific needs

Very affordable for small businesses

Limited search capabilities

Simple implementation

Overwhelming user interface with too many visible features


Storage limited to 50 GB

What customers are saying

Users appreciate ContractZen's document storage while noting its interface challenges:

"All our documents are in a single location, and it's easy to find information…Some times the UI could be more streamlined, there are a lot of features always visible."

Mikko L. (G2)

SpotDraft: NLP capabilities with complex UI

Price range

SpotDraft does not publicly disclose pricing information on its website, requiring potential customers to contact sales for custom quotes.

At a glance

SpotDraft is a contract management software that leverages natural language processing to manage large volumes of standard contracts. While the platform excels at handling standardized agreements, its interface complexity and rigid processes can create challenges for some organizations.

With SpotDraft, you'll get:

  • Natural language processing: SpotDraft uses NLP capabilities to analyze contract content and extract relevant information, particularly beneficial for organizations managing large volumes of standard agreements.

  • Template management system: The platform focuses heavily on contract template management, though some users find the processes rigid and templates difficult to edit independently.

  • CRM integration capabilities: SpotDraft works well with select CRM systems, facilitating connections between customer data and contract information.

  • Multi-screen workflow: Users report needing to navigate through multiple screens to complete tasks, which can create a fragmented experience when managing contracts.

  • Extended implementation process: While initial setup can be completed within a week, achieving full functionality can take up to six weeks as contracts are imported and organized.

  • Limited reporting tools: Some users find they need to rely on integrations to fill gaps in the reporting process rather than using native capabilities.

Pros and cons of SpotDraft

Pros

Cons

Strong NLP capabilities for contract analysis

Laggy user interface affects productivity

Good for high-volume standard contracts

Document storage not intuitive for many users

Multiple integration options

Rigid template system with limited flexibility


Requires navigating multiple screens for simple tasks


Opaque pricing structure


Extended time to reach full functionality

What customers are saying

Users note the platform's complicated interface for data input:

"Inability to generate templates as required, no functional AI, lots of human intervention, understanding and time required."

Verified user (Capterra)

"While drafting, there is no option to proceed further without selecting certain flags even if they're not relevant to the contract and it would have to be removed manually while drafting."

Verified user (Capterra UK)

Evisort: enterprise-focused AI with complexity barriers

Price range

Evisort does not publicly share pricing information on its website, requiring organizations to contact sales for custom quotes.

At a glance

Evisort's clientele includes large enterprises like Microsoft, Western Union, and Workday. The platform focuses on AI-powered contract analysis and enterprise-grade document management, though its sophisticated approach may present challenges for smaller organizations or those without specialized legal resources.

With Evisort, you'll get:

  • AI contract analysis: The platform uses artificial intelligence to identify critical contract details and potential risks, though some users report they don't fully trust the AI and manually review everything anyway.

  • Enterprise-grade document management: Evisort offers sophisticated contract drafting with a clause library and in-app document editing, aimed at organizations with complex agreement needs.

  • Traditional folder organization: The platform uses a conventional folder and subfolder hierarchy for document organization, which may feel limiting to users who prefer more flexible tagging approaches.

  • Status tracking capabilities: Users can monitor contract progress through dashboard updates and email alerts, helping manage multiple agreements simultaneously.

  • Fixed onboarding period: Evisort offers a 30-day onboarding process, which may or may not align with an organization's implementation needs depending on contract complexity.

  • Strong security features: The platform provides enterprise-grade security features appropriate for organizations with sensitive contractual information.

Pros and cons of Evisort

Pros

Cons

AI-powered contract data extraction

Users often don't trust AI and manually verify

Enterprise-level security

No bulk document uploading functionality

Advanced clause library

Interface complexity requires significant training

Integrated analytics

Pricing transparency issues


Designed primarily for large enterprises


Limited customization options

What customers are saying

Users note Evisort's strengths while acknowledging its complexity:

"Reports and dashboards are not customizable. There are workarounds like creating custom searches and lists, but generating custom reports would be a really nice feature."

Verified user (Capterra)

"It was very challenging to even get ballpark cost estimates for several weeks."

Verified user (Capterra)

Outlaw: batch contract generation with sharing limitations

Price range

Outlaw does not publicly disclose pricing information on its website, requiring potential customers to contact sales directly for quotes.

At a glance

Outlaw is a contract management solution with strong features for batch contract generation and advanced templates. The platform is designed specifically for in-house legal teams and includes a unique "Deal Room" feature for contract negotiation, though it has limitations in customization and external collaboration.

With Outlaw, you'll get:

  • High-volume contract generation: The platform excels at producing large numbers of templated contracts quickly, making it suitable for organizations with standardized agreement needs.

  • "Deal Room" collaboration feature: Outlaw provides a dedicated environment for internal negotiation and collaboration on contracts, though sharing with external parties can be challenging.

  • Rigid document editing: While the platform has strong template features, the document editing process lacks flexibility, creating barriers when changes are needed during negotiations.

  • Visual appeal: Users consistently praise Outlaw's interface aesthetics, which offers a more modern look than many competitors in the space.

  • Limited customization options: Organizations requiring tailored contract management workflows may find Outlaw's options too restrictive for their specific needs.

  • Search limitations: The platform's search capabilities may not meet the expectations of all users, particularly those needing to find specific details within complex documents.

Pros and cons of Outlaw

Pros

Cons

Visually appealing user interface

Difficult to share documents with external stakeholders

"Deal Room" for internal collaboration

Rigid editing process limits flexibility

High-volume template-based contract creation

Limited customization opportunities


Weak search capabilities for complex needs


Opaque pricing structure


Challenging for counterparties unfamiliar with the system

What customers are saying

Users note challenges with external collaboration:

"Overall it is great, though the sharing functionality can sometimes be confusing for counterparties who don't have any experience using the software."

Evan S., Vice President (Capterra)

Gatekeeper: integration-rich with premium pricing

Price range

Gatekeeper's pricing is among the highest in the market at $995/month for the basic plan and $4,815/month for the enterprise tier, representing a significant investment compared to most competitors.

At a glance

Gatekeeper is a contract management solution that primarily targets procurement teams, offering extensive integration with CRM and ERP systems. While the platform excels in connecting contract data with other business systems, its high cost and workflow complexity create barriers for many organizations.

With Gatekeeper, you'll get:

  • Extensive integration capabilities: Gatekeeper offers some of the most comprehensive integration options in the contract management space, particularly with CRM and ERP systems.

  • Procurement-specific features: The platform includes specialized functionality for procurement teams, though these features may not be relevant for other departments.

  • Pre-made reporting templates: Gatekeeper provides pre-configured report templates, though some users find these insufficient for their specific business needs.

  • Workflow rigidity: Users report that Gatekeeper's workflows can feel clunky and inflexible, creating friction in day-to-day contract management.

  • Tiered feature access: Some core features are only available in higher-priced tiers, requiring additional investment to access functionality that comes standard in other platforms.

  • Limited contract visualization: Despite having abundant data, users note difficulties in extracting and visualizing specific data sets for comparison and analysis.

Pros and cons of Gatekeeper

Pros

Cons

Extensive CRM and ERP integrations

Extremely high price point

Strong automation capabilities

Clunky workflow experiences

Procurement team focus

Features locked behind costly upgrades

Real-time data access

Rigid reporting templates


Data visualization challenges


Primarily designed for procurement use cases

What customers are saying

Users note challenges with data extraction despite the platform's abundant information:

"There is an abundance of data in Gatekeeper but at times, it can be difficult to extract or visualise data sets to compare data. This is more problematic on the spend module but overall, we've found the reporting capabilities and real time use of the product to far outweigh this."

Daniel B., Supplier Contracts Lead (Capterra)

Contract lifecycle management trends in 2025

The contract management landscape continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, with several important trends shaping the industry:

1. AI integration becoming standard

Artificial intelligence has moved from a premium feature to an expected component of contract management systems. However, the quality and depth of AI implementation varies significantly between platforms. Organizations should evaluate:

  • Speed and accuracy of data extraction

  • Practical applications versus marketing promises

  • Integration of AI throughout the platform rather than as an isolated module

2. Implementation timelines as competitive differentiators

As organizations face increasing pressure to digitize contract processes quickly, implementation speed has become a critical selection factor. The market now shows a clear divide between:

  • Platforms designed for rapid deployment (days to weeks)

  • Complex enterprise systems requiring months of implementation

This difference directly impacts time-to-value and overall ROI calculations when evaluating contract management solutions.

3. User experience driving adoption

Contract management platforms are increasingly being judged on their ability to drive organization-wide adoption through intuitive interfaces. Systems requiring extensive training or presenting overwhelming complexity face adoption challenges regardless of feature depth.

4. Integration capabilities as necessity

The ability to connect contract lifecycle management with other business systems has moved from a nice-to-have to a fundamental requirement. Organizations now expect seamless data flow between their contract repositories and:

  • CRM systems for customer alignment

  • ERP platforms for financial operations

  • Communication tools for collaborative workflows

  • Business intelligence systems for advanced analytics

5. Pricing model transparency

The market shows increasing demand for transparent pricing models that avoid hidden costs and scale predictably. Organizations are becoming more sophisticated in evaluating total cost of ownership beyond the base subscription price, considering implementation fees, support costs, and scaling expenses.

FAQs about the best contract lifecycle management software in 2025

What factors affect implementation time for contract management platforms?

Implementation timelines vary significantly across platforms:

  • Concord can be implemented in as little as 1 day

  • Mid-complexity systems typically take 2-6 weeks

  • Enterprise-grade platforms can require 3-6 months for full deployment

Key factors affecting implementation time include data migration complexity, integration requirements, workflow customization needs, and user training. Organizations should evaluate their timeline requirements when selecting a contract lifecycle management solution.

How do different pricing models impact total cost of ownership?

CLM pricing structures have significant implications for long-term costs:

  • Per-user models become increasingly expensive as team size grows

  • Contract-based pricing provides more predictable costs and encourages wider adoption

  • Hidden implementation fees can add 50-300% to advertised prices for some platforms

  • Support and training costs may be separate line items or included in the base subscription

When calculating total cost, consider all these factors rather than focusing solely on the base subscription price.

What value does AI bring to contract management?

AI enhances contract management in several ways:

  • Automated data extraction eliminates manual input and reduces errors

  • Risk identification flags potentially problematic clauses

  • Pattern recognition identifies trends across contract portfolios

  • Predictive analytics forecasts renewal opportunities and potential issues

  • Natural language processing enables more sophisticated search capabilities

The practical impact varies significantly between platforms, with some offering primarily basic extraction while others provide more advanced analytics.

Why do some enterprise CLM implementations struggle to deliver value?

Enterprise CLM implementations from various vendors face common challenges:

  • Extended implementation timelines create stakeholder frustration

  • Complex interfaces create adoption barriers for everyday users

  • Excessive customization options can lead to analysis paralysis

  • Feature bloat confuses users with capabilities they don't need

Organizations should focus on clear goals, phased implementation, and user adoption to improve success rates.

What integration capabilities matter most in contract management?

Key integrations to prioritize include:

  1. CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot) for customer alignment

  2. ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle) for financial coordination

  3. E-signature solutions if not built into the platform

  4. Document management systems for broader content context

  5. Communication tools (Slack, Teams) for collaborative workflows

The most valuable integrations depend on your existing tech stack and specific business processes.

The clear choice: Why Concord leads the market

After analyzing user reviews, implementation experiences, and total cost of ownership across leading contract management platforms, Concord emerges as the superior choice for organizations seeking reliable, efficient contract management.

While competitors create problems, Concord delivers solutions:

  • Ironclad traps organizations in months-long implementations and frustrating navigation experiences

  • Agiloft overwhelms teams with unnecessary complexity that requires dedicated IT staff

  • DocuSign CLM delivers "extremely inefficient" user experiences that slow productivity

  • ContractSafe limits functionality with clunky interfaces and outdated AI capabilities

Concord consistently outperforms competitors by focusing on what actually matters: fast implementation, intuitive design, complete functionality, and predictable costs.

Market leadership validated by results

Concord's approach has proven successful where competitors struggle:

  • Industry-leading one-day implementation vs competitors' months-long processes

  • Universal user adoption through Gmail-like interface design

  • Complete platform integration eliminating expensive third-party tools

  • Transparent pricing without hidden implementation fees or customization costs

For organizations that need contract management that actually works, Concord is the clear choice over platforms that create more problems than they solve.

Next steps in your contract management journey

As you evaluate the options presented in this guide, consider these practical next steps:

  • Conduct an internal assessment of your contract management needs, volumes, and key pain points

  • Define your implementation timeline requirements and available resources

  • Calculate your budget for both initial implementation and ongoing subscription costs

  • Create a shortlist of 2-3 platforms that align with your requirements

  • Schedule targeted demonstrations focused on your specific use cases rather than generic overviews

The right contract management solution should align with your organization's specific needs, resources, and growth trajectory while providing an intuitive user experience that encourages adoption across departments. By carefully considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can select a platform that delivers meaningful business value without unnecessary complexity or cost.

Bibliography

Customer Reviews and Citations

  1. Brizl P., IT Marketing and Advertising. “Concord Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/144154/Concord/reviews/4555559/

  2. Teresa J., Billing and Contracts. “ContractSafe Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/contractsafe/reviews/contractsafe-review-8915065

  3. Craig S., IT Project Manager. “ContractWorks Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/141131/ContractWorks/reviews/2464442/

  4. G2 Reviewer. “Ironclad Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/ironclad/reviews/ironclad-review-8288743

  5. Damian C., Consultant. “Agiloft Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/101273/Agiloft/reviews/2463362/

  6. G2 Reviewer. “DocuSign CLM Review.” G2 via Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/119589/SpringCM/reviews/4349664/

  7. Brizl P., Marketing and Advertising. “CobbleStone Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/15072/Contract-Insight/reviews/4565313/

  8. Simon S. “LinkSquares Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/linksquares/reviews/linksquares-review-8205709

  9. Kasper H. “Contractbook Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/contractbook/reviews/contractbook-review-7812726

  10. Mikko L. “ContractZen Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/contractzen/reviews/contractzen-review-7798547

  11. Priscilla C., Contracts Supervisor. “SpotDraft Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/spotdraft/reviews/spotdraft-review-7661721

  12. Rachel S. “Evisort Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/evisort/reviews/evisort-review-8138581

  13. Evan S., Vice President. “Outlaw Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/173268/Outlaw/reviews/2368174/

  14. Daniel B., Supplier Contracts Lead. “Gatekeeper Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/145449/Gatekeeper/reviews/3510136/

Industry Data and Research

  1. Fact.MR. “Contract Lifecycle Management Market Report.” 2024.

  2. Vendr. “Ironclad Pricing Insights.” Vendr Buyer Guide. https://www.vendr.com/buyer-guides/ironclad

  3. G2. “Contract Management Software Comparison.” 2025. https://www.g2.com/categories/contract-management

  4. Capterra. “Contract Management Software Directory.” 2025. https://www.capterra.com/contract-management-software/

The global contract lifecycle management market is booming—valued at $1.07 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $3.46 billion by 2034. As organizations recognize the strategic value hidden in their agreements, finding the right contract management software has become integral for success.

This guide compares Concord with leading competitors in the contract management space, examining pricing, features, and real user experiences to help you make an informed decision about the best contract lifecycle management software.

Key factors when selecting contract management software

When comparing solutions like Concord to alternatives, consider these essential factors:

  1. Implementation speed: While some platforms take months to deploy, more streamlined solutions like Concord can be operational in as little as a day.

  2. Pricing structure: Pay-per-user models (used by many competitors) can quickly become expensive as your team grows, whereas platforms with unlimited users offer more predictable costs and wider adoption.

  3. Ease of use: Complex interfaces reduce adoption rates and ROI, making intuitive design crucial for success.

  4. Essential vs. premium features: Many expensive platforms include advanced capabilities that most organizations never use—choose a solution that offers what you actually need without costly extras.

  5. Integration capabilities: Seamless connections with your existing tech stack amplify the value of your contract management solution.

Let’s examine how Concord and key competitors compare across these dimensions.

Comparison table: key features across top CLM platforms

To help you evaluate the various contract management options, here's a comparison of essential features across the platforms we've examined:

Platform

Starting Price

Implementation Time

E-Signature

AI Capabilities

User Pricing Model

Integration Strength

Concord

$399/month

Fastest in the industry: just days

Built-in

Agreement Intelligence

Per month

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ContractSafe

$375/month

Weeks

Through integrations

Basic extraction

Contract volume (unlimited users)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

ContractWorks

$700-$2,000/month

Weeks

Limited licenses

Basic AI

Unlimited users

⭐⭐

Ironclad

~$25,300/year

3-6 months

Requires integration

Advanced playbooks

Enterprise model

⭐⭐⭐

Agiloft

Custom quote

Months

Available

Customizable AI

Custom

⭐⭐⭐

DocuSign CLM

~$39/month per feature

Weeks to months

Native

Basic extraction

Per user

⭐⭐⭐⭐

CobbleStone

Custom quote

Weeks to months

Enterprise tier only

VISDOM AI

Custom

⭐⭐

LinkSquares

~$10,000/year

Weeks

Separate module

7-10 day processing

Custom

⭐⭐

Contractbook

Custom quote

Weeks

Unlimited included

Limited

Custom

⭐⭐

ContractZen

$9.50/month per user

Weeks

Integration (buggy)

Limited

Per user

SpotDraft

Custom quote

1-6 weeks

Available

NLP-focused

Custom

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evisort

Custom quote

30+ days

Available

Advanced analysis

Custom

⭐⭐⭐

Outlaw

Custom quote

Weeks

Available

Limited

Custom

⭐⭐⭐

Gatekeeper

$995/month

Weeks

Available

Limited

Flat rate (unlimited users)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Concord: The industry-leading CLM platform that actually works

Price range

Concord offers exceptional value with transparent pricing starting at $399/month in 2025, with no hidden implementation fees or surprise charges that plague competitor platforms.

Why Concord wins

Concord has revolutionized contract management by solving the core problems that make competitors fail: slow implementations, poor user adoption, and unpredictable costs. Unlike enterprise platforms that trap users in months-long implementations, Concord delivers immediate results.

Industry-leading capabilities that work from day one:

  • Revolutionary one-day implementation: While competitors struggle with 3-6 month implementations, Concord is the fastest CLM platform to deploy in the industry, getting teams productive immediately without costly consulting.

  • Gmail-like interface drives universal adoption: Users consistently praise Concord's intuitive design, comparing it favorably to familiar tools that require no training, unlike competitors that create user adoption barriers.

  • Native Agreement Intelligence: Concord's AI capabilities outperform competitor offerings with integrated analytics that work seamlessly, not as afterthoughts requiring separate modules or processing delays.

  • Complete platform eliminates integration costs: Unlike fragmented competitors requiring expensive third-party tools, Concord includes everything businesses need - templates, workflows, e-signatures, and analytics - in one cohesive solution.

  • Proven scalability without complexity: Concord grows with organizations without the overwhelming customization burdens that make platforms like Agiloft impractical for most teams.

What industry experts are saying

Concord consistently receives praise for solving the problems competitors create:

"I like that the format is similar to gmail, so it is simple, and intuitive to use." G2 reviewer (G2)

"The ability to quickly search and find relevant contracts has been incredibly beneficial to our organization, especially when we were in the midst of due diligence as part of a merger with our new parent company." Piper Paton S. (G2)

ContractSafe: Limited functionality undermines value proposition

Price range

ContractSafe charges $375-$746/month but delivers significantly less value than full-featured platforms, with severe limitations in contract creation and collaboration.

Major limitations exposed

ContractSafe's fundamental design flaws make it unsuitable for organizations needing comprehensive contract management. User feedback consistently highlights critical shortcomings:

Key problems that impact productivity:

  • No contract creation capabilities: Unlike complete platforms, ContractSafe forces users to create contracts in external tools, breaking workflow continuity

  • Clunky, unreliable interface: Users report the platform "can get a bit clunky or lag" with frequent technical issues

  • Outdated AI capabilities: Reviews consistently note that "AI capabilities are abit clunky and not upto the modern standards"

  • Limited analytics and reporting: Basic functionality that fails to provide business insights

  • No clause libraries or standardization: Lacks essential features for maintaining contract consistency

User frustrations documented

ContractSafe users frequently encounter significant limitations:

"Once in a while the interface can get a bit clunky or lag. Most of these issues (e.g., ContractSafe popups) are minor, however." Deputy General Counsel, Airlines/Aviation (Capterra)

"The AI capabilities are abit clunky and not upto the modern standards and I think fast paced constant platform updates and innovation would better these capabilities." Stephen M., Managing Director, Telecommunications (Capterra)

ContractWorks: template-focused with adoption barriers

Price range

ContractWorks starts from $700/month for the standard package and goes up to $2,000/month for the premium tier, representing a significant investment compared to some alternatives.

At a glance

ContractWorks is built for businesses that want robust contract drafting capabilities, but the platform comes with a steep learning curve and relatively high pricing that may create adoption barriers for some organizations.

With ContractWorks, you'll get:

  • Advanced contract drafting: The platform includes live preview functionality, in-document editing capabilities, and AI-generated definitions for key features, though setup typically requires legal team involvement.

  • Data-intensive dashboard: ContractWorks offers a dashboard packed with contract data, which power users may appreciate but average users may find overwhelming.

  • Limited e-signature capabilities: While the platform offers e-signature functionality, the base plan restricts this to just five licenses, creating potential scaling challenges.

  • Implementation support: Getting started with ContractWorks requires significant effort, though the company provides support through the process to ease the transition.

  • Folder-based organization: The platform relies heavily on folder and subfolder structures for document organization, which some users find limiting compared to more flexible tagging systems.

  • Attachment management challenges: Users report difficulties managing attachments within the system, potentially creating document relationship problems.

Pros and cons of ContractWorks

Pros

Cons

Contract drafting capabilities

Difficult attachment management

Easy report generation

Limited e-signature licenses

Unlimited users

Folder-dependent organization


Steep learning curve for new users


Implementation complexity


High price point

What customers are saying

Users note ContractWorks' value for transitioning from paper but highlight limitations:

"I felt like this software created a foundation for us to go from a paper process to an electronic process. It created a centralized database for our contracts and we had to reorganize our processes for that. However, some users wanted the next level functions or automated processes."

Craig S., IT Project Manager (Capterra)

Ironclad: Enterprise complexity creates implementation nightmares

Price range

Ironclad's pricing is prohibitively expensive for most organizations, with costs ranging from $25,300 to $76,700 annually, plus substantial implementation fees that can double the total investment.

Why Ironclad implementations fail

Ironclad's enterprise-focused approach creates significant barriers that prevent organizations from realizing value. Multiple user reviews document systematic implementation problems:

Critical implementation challenges:

  • Consistently painful 2+ month setup periods: Users report "Getting workflows set up to cover possible permutations and outliers was 2 months-long, aggravating experience"

  • Complex permission management: Reviews consistently mention that permissions are "difficult to assign correctly," creating ongoing administrative burdens

  • Fragmented user experience: Unlike integrated platforms, Ironclad requires multiple separate tools for e-signatures and other functions

  • Steep learning curve prevents adoption: Users report the platform "can be frustrating to navigate and some features aren't intuitive"

  • Rigid workflow systems: Changes to workflows cannot affect in-flight contracts, forcing users to abandon the system mid-process

Documented user frustrations

Ironclad consistently creates problems for organizations:

"Getting workflows set up to cover possible permutations and outliers was 2 months-long, aggravating experience." Verified user (Capterra)

"Ironclad can be frustrating to navigate and some features aren't intuitive." Hilary L., Legal Operations Coordinator (Capterra)

Agiloft: Overwhelming complexity defeats business users

Price range

Agiloft's custom pricing model lacks transparency and typically requires substantial professional services fees, making total costs unpredictable and often prohibitive.

Technical barriers prevent success

Agiloft's excessive complexity makes it impractical for most organizations. User reviews consistently highlight that the platform overwhelms teams with unnecessary technical requirements:

Major usability problems:

  • Requires dedicated IT staff: Users report "Because the software is so customizable, it can be difficult to make any changes on your own"

  • Overwhelming customization decisions: Reviews note that "With so many possibilities for customization comes a number of decisions that need to be made. This can be time-consuming"

  • Outdated interface confuses users: The grid-based interface feels dated and creates adoption barriers

  • Most features remain unused: Organizations typically use only a fraction of available capabilities, making the platform cost-ineffective

  • Steep learning curve: Non-technical users struggle significantly with the platform's complexity

User struggles documented

Agiloft consistently creates problems rather than solutions:

"Because the software is so customizable, it can be difficult to make any changes on your own." Blake G., Purchasing Manager, Automotive (Capterra)

"With so many possibilities for customization comes a number of decisions that need to be made. This can be time-consuming... If your organization wants to handle some of the maintenance and design, there definitely can be a learning curve for the more complex aspects." Verified user (Capterra)

DocuSign CLM: E-signature brand cannot overcome platform limitations

Price range

DocuSign CLM's per-user pricing becomes expensive quickly, starting at $39 per month per feature, with costs escalating as teams grow.

Platform limitations frustrate users

DocuSign CLM's fundamental design problems prevent organizations from achieving contract management success. User reviews consistently document serious usability issues:

Critical platform failures:

  • "Extremely inefficient" user experience: Users report the platform is "extremely inefficient and unnatural to use" with confusing navigation

  • Complex configuration creates implementation delays: Reviews note "It's not plug-and-play. The onboarding process is... a journey. Configuration is complex"

  • Severe contract editing limitations: Unlike integrated platforms, users struggle with basic editing tasks within the system

  • Poor performance impacts productivity: Users frequently mention "slow report generation and preview loading times"

  • Fragmented workflow experience: The platform creates disconnected experiences that frustrate daily users

Documented user problems

DocuSign CLM consistently fails to meet user expectations:

"I'm a sales rep where my company just switched to Docusign CLM from using SalesForce native workflows. DocuSign CLM is extremely inefficient and unnatural to use. It is difficult to determine which quotes tie to which opportunity." Verified user (G2)

"It's not plug-and-play. The onboarding process is... a journey. Configuration is complex, and if you don't have someone on your team who really gets CLM systems... you'll hit some snags." Verified user (G2)

CobbleStone: procurement-focused with complex interface

Price range

CobbleStone does not publicly disclose pricing on its website, instead providing custom quotes based on specific business requirements.

At a glance

CobbleStone is a contract management solution with a strong focus on procurement functions. The platform offers advanced features but presents users with a complex interface that can be challenging to navigate, particularly for those seeking a simplified contract management experience.

With CobbleStone, you'll get:

  • Procurement-centric approach: The platform includes many procurement-specific modules designed for purchasing teams and vendor management.

  • Complex user interface: Users consistently report that learning CobbleStone's interface requires significant time and training, with a steep initial learning curve.

  • Contract creation focus: The base product emphasizes contract creation capabilities, with additional features for negotiation and post-signature management available as add-ons.

  • Support as a premium service: While implementation and support services are available, they typically come with additional fees rather than being included in the base subscription.

  • AI-powered analysis: CobbleStone's VISDOM AI helps analyze contracts to identify potential risks and opportunities when properly configured.

  • Performance considerations: Users report that the platform "can be slow to load, especially when working with larger contract databases," potentially affecting productivity.

Pros and cons of CobbleStone

Pros

Cons

Template creation capabilities

Complex interface with steep learning curve

Vendor management features

Additional fees for support services

AI-powered contract analysis

Performance issues with larger contract volumes

Customizable workflows

Excessive focus on procurement functions


Native e-signature only at Enterprise tier


No bulk imports in base tier


Opaque pricing structure

What customers are saying

Reviewers highlight CobbleStone's interface complexity and performance considerations:

"One of the main difficulties is the interface, which can initially be difficult to use. It can take some time to get used to all the features and functions, and the learning curve for new users can be steep. Additionally, the software can be slow to load, especially when working with larger contract databases, which can hurt productivity."

Brizl P., Marketing and Advertising (Capterra)

LinkSquares: AI-powered with modular design challenges

Price range

LinkSquares does not publicly share pricing information on its website. According to industry research, pricing starts around $10,000 per year, with the exact cost varying based on the number of users, modules selected, and contract volume.

At a glance

LinkSquares offers an AI-powered contract management system through three separate products: Finalize (for contract creation), Sign (for e-signatures), and Analyze (for AI-powered data extraction). This modular approach creates distinct experiences for different aspects of contract management.

With LinkSquares, you'll get:

  • AI data extraction capabilities: The platform uses artificial intelligence to identify and extract key information from contracts, though processing can take several days and accuracy varies.

  • Separate modules for different functions: The three-part product structure separates contract creation, signing, and analysis functions, requiring users to navigate between different interfaces.

  • Tag-based organization system: LinkSquares implements a tagging approach to document organization rather than traditional folders, which receives mixed reviews from users.

  • Contract analytics: The platform can generate insights from contract data when properly configured, helping identify patterns across the contract portfolio.

  • Performance considerations: Users mention that "the system can be slightly slow to load or to run particular reports," affecting day-to-day usage experience.

  • Template creation challenges: The platform's contract template functionality is described as "cumbersome" by users, potentially creating friction in the document generation process.

Pros and cons of LinkSquares

Pros

Cons

AI-powered data extraction

AI processing can take 7-10 days with variable accuracy

Metadata extraction capabilities

Segmented experience across three separate products

Contract analysis features

Cumbersome template creation process


System performance issues with occasional slowness


Search limitations with spelling variations


Inflexible organization system for some users


Opaque pricing structure

What customers are saying

Users highlight LinkSquares' template challenges and performance considerations:

"The contract template creation functionality is a little cumbersome, which is fairly inevitable for a system of this nature. On occasion the system can be slightly slow to load or to run particular reports, but in general we're delighted with the system."

Simon S. (G2)

Contractbook: template-focused with usability challenges

Price range

Contractbook does not publicly disclose pricing on its website. They offer three plans: "Essential", "Centralize", and "Accelerate", with pricing available only through direct contact with sales.

At a glance

Contractbook is a contract management software that primarily focuses on contract generation through templates. The platform aims to streamline the contract creation process but faces challenges with user experience and reporting capabilities.

With Contractbook, you'll get:

  • Template-based contract creation: The platform provides templates for generating contracts, though users report these can be difficult to use effectively in practice.

  • Digital signature integration: Contractbook includes unlimited digital signatures as a standard feature, enabling document execution within the platform.

  • Basic workflow automation: The platform offers approval workflows to help standardize contract processes across teams.

  • Limited reporting capabilities: Contractbook lacks comprehensive reporting tools, which restricts organizations' ability to analyze their contract data effectively.

  • Email-based collaboration: The system relies heavily on email for notifications and collaboration, which some users find limiting compared to in-platform communication options.

  • Platform stability issues: Users report occasional bugs and performance issues, including page lagginess and refreshing requirements before sending contracts.

Pros and cons of ContractBook

Pros

Cons

Approval workflows for standardization

Limited reporting and analytics features

Unlimited digital signatures

Templates can be difficult to use

Basic contract creation templates

Platform stability issues and bugs

14-day free trial

Pricing not publicly disclosed


Implementation services capped by tier


Customer experience issues with signing

What customers are saying

Users highlight several functional challenges with Contractbook:

"Bugs and stuff that requires manual/extra work, e.g. having to refresh contracts before sending them, pop-ups about using same email twice (even while not doing that), overall lagginess of the page, customers having trouble signing (sometimes requests signing into CB to sign etc.)"

Kasper H. (G2)

ContractZen: affordable but limited in functionality

Price range

ContractZen offers one of the lowest entry price points in the market at $9.50/month per user for the basic plan and $27/month per user for the advanced plan, with custom options available for organizations with more than 50 users.

At a glance

ContractZen is a European-based contract management solution that deploys a cloud-based platform for basic contract storage and management. While it lacks some advanced features found in other platforms, it compensates with a competitive price point and straightforward approach to document management.

With ContractZen, you'll get:

  • Affordable entry point: The platform's low per-user pricing makes it accessible for small teams and organizations with limited budgets.

  • Cloud-based storage: ContractZen provides secure cloud storage with data encryption for contract documents and related files.

  • Basic collaboration tools: The system includes simple tools for team collaboration on contracts, though capabilities are less extensive than more advanced platforms.

  • E-signature integration: While ContractZen offers electronic signature integration, users report occasional glitches that can disrupt the signing process.

  • Limited storage capacity: The platform caps storage at 50 GB, which may be restrictive for organizations with large contract volumes or complex attachments.

  • Fixed field structure: Users cannot customize fields to match their specific business requirements, limiting flexibility for unique contract types or specialized metadata.

Pros and cons of ContractZen

Pros

Cons

Cloud-based storage with data encryption

E-signature integration can be unreliable

Basic collaboration features

Cannot customize fields for specific needs

Very affordable for small businesses

Limited search capabilities

Simple implementation

Overwhelming user interface with too many visible features


Storage limited to 50 GB

What customers are saying

Users appreciate ContractZen's document storage while noting its interface challenges:

"All our documents are in a single location, and it's easy to find information…Some times the UI could be more streamlined, there are a lot of features always visible."

Mikko L. (G2)

SpotDraft: NLP capabilities with complex UI

Price range

SpotDraft does not publicly disclose pricing information on its website, requiring potential customers to contact sales for custom quotes.

At a glance

SpotDraft is a contract management software that leverages natural language processing to manage large volumes of standard contracts. While the platform excels at handling standardized agreements, its interface complexity and rigid processes can create challenges for some organizations.

With SpotDraft, you'll get:

  • Natural language processing: SpotDraft uses NLP capabilities to analyze contract content and extract relevant information, particularly beneficial for organizations managing large volumes of standard agreements.

  • Template management system: The platform focuses heavily on contract template management, though some users find the processes rigid and templates difficult to edit independently.

  • CRM integration capabilities: SpotDraft works well with select CRM systems, facilitating connections between customer data and contract information.

  • Multi-screen workflow: Users report needing to navigate through multiple screens to complete tasks, which can create a fragmented experience when managing contracts.

  • Extended implementation process: While initial setup can be completed within a week, achieving full functionality can take up to six weeks as contracts are imported and organized.

  • Limited reporting tools: Some users find they need to rely on integrations to fill gaps in the reporting process rather than using native capabilities.

Pros and cons of SpotDraft

Pros

Cons

Strong NLP capabilities for contract analysis

Laggy user interface affects productivity

Good for high-volume standard contracts

Document storage not intuitive for many users

Multiple integration options

Rigid template system with limited flexibility


Requires navigating multiple screens for simple tasks


Opaque pricing structure


Extended time to reach full functionality

What customers are saying

Users note the platform's complicated interface for data input:

"Inability to generate templates as required, no functional AI, lots of human intervention, understanding and time required."

Verified user (Capterra)

"While drafting, there is no option to proceed further without selecting certain flags even if they're not relevant to the contract and it would have to be removed manually while drafting."

Verified user (Capterra UK)

Evisort: enterprise-focused AI with complexity barriers

Price range

Evisort does not publicly share pricing information on its website, requiring organizations to contact sales for custom quotes.

At a glance

Evisort's clientele includes large enterprises like Microsoft, Western Union, and Workday. The platform focuses on AI-powered contract analysis and enterprise-grade document management, though its sophisticated approach may present challenges for smaller organizations or those without specialized legal resources.

With Evisort, you'll get:

  • AI contract analysis: The platform uses artificial intelligence to identify critical contract details and potential risks, though some users report they don't fully trust the AI and manually review everything anyway.

  • Enterprise-grade document management: Evisort offers sophisticated contract drafting with a clause library and in-app document editing, aimed at organizations with complex agreement needs.

  • Traditional folder organization: The platform uses a conventional folder and subfolder hierarchy for document organization, which may feel limiting to users who prefer more flexible tagging approaches.

  • Status tracking capabilities: Users can monitor contract progress through dashboard updates and email alerts, helping manage multiple agreements simultaneously.

  • Fixed onboarding period: Evisort offers a 30-day onboarding process, which may or may not align with an organization's implementation needs depending on contract complexity.

  • Strong security features: The platform provides enterprise-grade security features appropriate for organizations with sensitive contractual information.

Pros and cons of Evisort

Pros

Cons

AI-powered contract data extraction

Users often don't trust AI and manually verify

Enterprise-level security

No bulk document uploading functionality

Advanced clause library

Interface complexity requires significant training

Integrated analytics

Pricing transparency issues


Designed primarily for large enterprises


Limited customization options

What customers are saying

Users note Evisort's strengths while acknowledging its complexity:

"Reports and dashboards are not customizable. There are workarounds like creating custom searches and lists, but generating custom reports would be a really nice feature."

Verified user (Capterra)

"It was very challenging to even get ballpark cost estimates for several weeks."

Verified user (Capterra)

Outlaw: batch contract generation with sharing limitations

Price range

Outlaw does not publicly disclose pricing information on its website, requiring potential customers to contact sales directly for quotes.

At a glance

Outlaw is a contract management solution with strong features for batch contract generation and advanced templates. The platform is designed specifically for in-house legal teams and includes a unique "Deal Room" feature for contract negotiation, though it has limitations in customization and external collaboration.

With Outlaw, you'll get:

  • High-volume contract generation: The platform excels at producing large numbers of templated contracts quickly, making it suitable for organizations with standardized agreement needs.

  • "Deal Room" collaboration feature: Outlaw provides a dedicated environment for internal negotiation and collaboration on contracts, though sharing with external parties can be challenging.

  • Rigid document editing: While the platform has strong template features, the document editing process lacks flexibility, creating barriers when changes are needed during negotiations.

  • Visual appeal: Users consistently praise Outlaw's interface aesthetics, which offers a more modern look than many competitors in the space.

  • Limited customization options: Organizations requiring tailored contract management workflows may find Outlaw's options too restrictive for their specific needs.

  • Search limitations: The platform's search capabilities may not meet the expectations of all users, particularly those needing to find specific details within complex documents.

Pros and cons of Outlaw

Pros

Cons

Visually appealing user interface

Difficult to share documents with external stakeholders

"Deal Room" for internal collaboration

Rigid editing process limits flexibility

High-volume template-based contract creation

Limited customization opportunities


Weak search capabilities for complex needs


Opaque pricing structure


Challenging for counterparties unfamiliar with the system

What customers are saying

Users note challenges with external collaboration:

"Overall it is great, though the sharing functionality can sometimes be confusing for counterparties who don't have any experience using the software."

Evan S., Vice President (Capterra)

Gatekeeper: integration-rich with premium pricing

Price range

Gatekeeper's pricing is among the highest in the market at $995/month for the basic plan and $4,815/month for the enterprise tier, representing a significant investment compared to most competitors.

At a glance

Gatekeeper is a contract management solution that primarily targets procurement teams, offering extensive integration with CRM and ERP systems. While the platform excels in connecting contract data with other business systems, its high cost and workflow complexity create barriers for many organizations.

With Gatekeeper, you'll get:

  • Extensive integration capabilities: Gatekeeper offers some of the most comprehensive integration options in the contract management space, particularly with CRM and ERP systems.

  • Procurement-specific features: The platform includes specialized functionality for procurement teams, though these features may not be relevant for other departments.

  • Pre-made reporting templates: Gatekeeper provides pre-configured report templates, though some users find these insufficient for their specific business needs.

  • Workflow rigidity: Users report that Gatekeeper's workflows can feel clunky and inflexible, creating friction in day-to-day contract management.

  • Tiered feature access: Some core features are only available in higher-priced tiers, requiring additional investment to access functionality that comes standard in other platforms.

  • Limited contract visualization: Despite having abundant data, users note difficulties in extracting and visualizing specific data sets for comparison and analysis.

Pros and cons of Gatekeeper

Pros

Cons

Extensive CRM and ERP integrations

Extremely high price point

Strong automation capabilities

Clunky workflow experiences

Procurement team focus

Features locked behind costly upgrades

Real-time data access

Rigid reporting templates


Data visualization challenges


Primarily designed for procurement use cases

What customers are saying

Users note challenges with data extraction despite the platform's abundant information:

"There is an abundance of data in Gatekeeper but at times, it can be difficult to extract or visualise data sets to compare data. This is more problematic on the spend module but overall, we've found the reporting capabilities and real time use of the product to far outweigh this."

Daniel B., Supplier Contracts Lead (Capterra)

Contract lifecycle management trends in 2025

The contract management landscape continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, with several important trends shaping the industry:

1. AI integration becoming standard

Artificial intelligence has moved from a premium feature to an expected component of contract management systems. However, the quality and depth of AI implementation varies significantly between platforms. Organizations should evaluate:

  • Speed and accuracy of data extraction

  • Practical applications versus marketing promises

  • Integration of AI throughout the platform rather than as an isolated module

2. Implementation timelines as competitive differentiators

As organizations face increasing pressure to digitize contract processes quickly, implementation speed has become a critical selection factor. The market now shows a clear divide between:

  • Platforms designed for rapid deployment (days to weeks)

  • Complex enterprise systems requiring months of implementation

This difference directly impacts time-to-value and overall ROI calculations when evaluating contract management solutions.

3. User experience driving adoption

Contract management platforms are increasingly being judged on their ability to drive organization-wide adoption through intuitive interfaces. Systems requiring extensive training or presenting overwhelming complexity face adoption challenges regardless of feature depth.

4. Integration capabilities as necessity

The ability to connect contract lifecycle management with other business systems has moved from a nice-to-have to a fundamental requirement. Organizations now expect seamless data flow between their contract repositories and:

  • CRM systems for customer alignment

  • ERP platforms for financial operations

  • Communication tools for collaborative workflows

  • Business intelligence systems for advanced analytics

5. Pricing model transparency

The market shows increasing demand for transparent pricing models that avoid hidden costs and scale predictably. Organizations are becoming more sophisticated in evaluating total cost of ownership beyond the base subscription price, considering implementation fees, support costs, and scaling expenses.

FAQs about the best contract lifecycle management software in 2025

What factors affect implementation time for contract management platforms?

Implementation timelines vary significantly across platforms:

  • Concord can be implemented in as little as 1 day

  • Mid-complexity systems typically take 2-6 weeks

  • Enterprise-grade platforms can require 3-6 months for full deployment

Key factors affecting implementation time include data migration complexity, integration requirements, workflow customization needs, and user training. Organizations should evaluate their timeline requirements when selecting a contract lifecycle management solution.

How do different pricing models impact total cost of ownership?

CLM pricing structures have significant implications for long-term costs:

  • Per-user models become increasingly expensive as team size grows

  • Contract-based pricing provides more predictable costs and encourages wider adoption

  • Hidden implementation fees can add 50-300% to advertised prices for some platforms

  • Support and training costs may be separate line items or included in the base subscription

When calculating total cost, consider all these factors rather than focusing solely on the base subscription price.

What value does AI bring to contract management?

AI enhances contract management in several ways:

  • Automated data extraction eliminates manual input and reduces errors

  • Risk identification flags potentially problematic clauses

  • Pattern recognition identifies trends across contract portfolios

  • Predictive analytics forecasts renewal opportunities and potential issues

  • Natural language processing enables more sophisticated search capabilities

The practical impact varies significantly between platforms, with some offering primarily basic extraction while others provide more advanced analytics.

Why do some enterprise CLM implementations struggle to deliver value?

Enterprise CLM implementations from various vendors face common challenges:

  • Extended implementation timelines create stakeholder frustration

  • Complex interfaces create adoption barriers for everyday users

  • Excessive customization options can lead to analysis paralysis

  • Feature bloat confuses users with capabilities they don't need

Organizations should focus on clear goals, phased implementation, and user adoption to improve success rates.

What integration capabilities matter most in contract management?

Key integrations to prioritize include:

  1. CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot) for customer alignment

  2. ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle) for financial coordination

  3. E-signature solutions if not built into the platform

  4. Document management systems for broader content context

  5. Communication tools (Slack, Teams) for collaborative workflows

The most valuable integrations depend on your existing tech stack and specific business processes.

The clear choice: Why Concord leads the market

After analyzing user reviews, implementation experiences, and total cost of ownership across leading contract management platforms, Concord emerges as the superior choice for organizations seeking reliable, efficient contract management.

While competitors create problems, Concord delivers solutions:

  • Ironclad traps organizations in months-long implementations and frustrating navigation experiences

  • Agiloft overwhelms teams with unnecessary complexity that requires dedicated IT staff

  • DocuSign CLM delivers "extremely inefficient" user experiences that slow productivity

  • ContractSafe limits functionality with clunky interfaces and outdated AI capabilities

Concord consistently outperforms competitors by focusing on what actually matters: fast implementation, intuitive design, complete functionality, and predictable costs.

Market leadership validated by results

Concord's approach has proven successful where competitors struggle:

  • Industry-leading one-day implementation vs competitors' months-long processes

  • Universal user adoption through Gmail-like interface design

  • Complete platform integration eliminating expensive third-party tools

  • Transparent pricing without hidden implementation fees or customization costs

For organizations that need contract management that actually works, Concord is the clear choice over platforms that create more problems than they solve.

Next steps in your contract management journey

As you evaluate the options presented in this guide, consider these practical next steps:

  • Conduct an internal assessment of your contract management needs, volumes, and key pain points

  • Define your implementation timeline requirements and available resources

  • Calculate your budget for both initial implementation and ongoing subscription costs

  • Create a shortlist of 2-3 platforms that align with your requirements

  • Schedule targeted demonstrations focused on your specific use cases rather than generic overviews

The right contract management solution should align with your organization's specific needs, resources, and growth trajectory while providing an intuitive user experience that encourages adoption across departments. By carefully considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can select a platform that delivers meaningful business value without unnecessary complexity or cost.

Bibliography

Customer Reviews and Citations

  1. Brizl P., IT Marketing and Advertising. “Concord Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/144154/Concord/reviews/4555559/

  2. Teresa J., Billing and Contracts. “ContractSafe Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/contractsafe/reviews/contractsafe-review-8915065

  3. Craig S., IT Project Manager. “ContractWorks Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/141131/ContractWorks/reviews/2464442/

  4. G2 Reviewer. “Ironclad Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/ironclad/reviews/ironclad-review-8288743

  5. Damian C., Consultant. “Agiloft Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/101273/Agiloft/reviews/2463362/

  6. G2 Reviewer. “DocuSign CLM Review.” G2 via Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/119589/SpringCM/reviews/4349664/

  7. Brizl P., Marketing and Advertising. “CobbleStone Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/15072/Contract-Insight/reviews/4565313/

  8. Simon S. “LinkSquares Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/linksquares/reviews/linksquares-review-8205709

  9. Kasper H. “Contractbook Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/contractbook/reviews/contractbook-review-7812726

  10. Mikko L. “ContractZen Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/contractzen/reviews/contractzen-review-7798547

  11. Priscilla C., Contracts Supervisor. “SpotDraft Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/spotdraft/reviews/spotdraft-review-7661721

  12. Rachel S. “Evisort Review.” G2. https://www.g2.com/products/evisort/reviews/evisort-review-8138581

  13. Evan S., Vice President. “Outlaw Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/173268/Outlaw/reviews/2368174/

  14. Daniel B., Supplier Contracts Lead. “Gatekeeper Review.” Capterra. https://www.capterra.com/p/145449/Gatekeeper/reviews/3510136/

Industry Data and Research

  1. Fact.MR. “Contract Lifecycle Management Market Report.” 2024.

  2. Vendr. “Ironclad Pricing Insights.” Vendr Buyer Guide. https://www.vendr.com/buyer-guides/ironclad

  3. G2. “Contract Management Software Comparison.” 2025. https://www.g2.com/categories/contract-management

  4. Capterra. “Contract Management Software Directory.” 2025. https://www.capterra.com/contract-management-software/