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

Finding the ideal contract lifecycle management solution in 2025

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 critical for business 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.

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	Days to weeks	Built-in	Agreement Intelligence	Per month	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ContractSafe	$375/month	Days	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	Days to weeks	Unlimited included	Limited	Custom	⭐⭐
ContractZen	$9.50/month per user	Days	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: streamlined contract management with AI capabilities

Price range

Concord offers tiered pricing starting at $399/month in 2025. The platform provides multiple plans with different feature sets to accommodate various organizational needs.

At a glance

Concord delivers a well-balanced contract management solution with robust template capabilities, built-in e-signatures, and intelligent data extraction. The platform can be implemented relatively quickly and focuses on delivering practical functionality for everyday contract needs.

With Concord, you’ll get:

• Template-based contract creation: Create standardized agreements quickly with templates that streamline the generation process and implement automated approvals.
• Agreement Intelligence features: Extract key information from contracts automatically and generate analytics across your document portfolio to identify trends and opportunities.
• Built-in electronic signatures: Manage the entire contract process within a single platform, including secure e-signatures that eliminate the need for separate solutions.
• Streamlined implementation: Get your contract management system operational quickly without lengthy consulting engagements or extended setup processes.
• Collaborative environment: Enable team-based contract work with clear tracking and versioning to maintain control throughout the negotiation and approval process.
• Customer support resources: Access support for all users, helping teams resolve issues quickly and maintain productivity.

Pros and cons of Concord

Pros	Cons
Strong pre-signature capabilities	Some document formatting changes during uploads
Practical templates for contract creation	User permissions setup takes some initial effort
Robust contract editing features	Per-user pricing model
Built-in e-signature capability
Agreement Intelligence included
Quick implementation timeline

What customers are saying

Concord users appreciate the platform’s comprehensive features while acknowledging its learning curve:

“I’ve found it to be a bit confusing at times and it’s slowed down my work. We have a lot of options when it comes to customizing our platform. However, setting it up can take some time. I’m worried that the platform can be slow sometimes. This has made it difficult for me to use it smoothly and efficiently.”

• Brizl P., IT Marketing and Advertising (Capterra)

ContractSafe: document storage with limited editing options

Price range

ContractSafe offers three pricing tiers in 2025:

• Organize: Starting at $375/month
• Finalize: Starting at $579/month
• Maximize: Starting at $746/month

The platform provides unlimited users on all plans, with pricing based on the number of contracts in the system rather than user count.

At a glance

ContractSafe positions itself as a straightforward contract management solution with transparent pricing and quick implementation. The platform focuses primarily on contract storage and organization rather than advanced creation and collaboration features.

With ContractSafe, you’ll get:

• Central contract repository: Store contracts, amendments, and related files in a contract repository designed for document management and retrieval.
• Basic search functionality: OCR-based search helps locate documents based on their content, though filtering options for complex contract portfolios are somewhat limited.
• Simple AI for metadata: The platform offers AI assistance for extracting basic metadata from contracts, primarily focusing on dates and party information.
• Unlimited user model: Every plan includes unlimited users without additional fees, making it accessible for organizations that need wide access.
• Task assignment features: Delegate basic tasks and set up reminders for important contract dates to manage renewal timelines.
• Standard reporting: Generate reports on contract data, though customization options are somewhat restricted compared to more robust platforms.

Pros and cons of ContractSafe

Pros	Cons
Unlimited users at every price point	No in-app contract drafting or editing capabilities
Basic search functionality	No clause library for standardization
Automated alerts for key dates	Limited analytics capabilities
Relatively easy to use	Minimal collaboration features
Quick implementation	Not suitable for complex contract workflows
	External tools required for contract creation

What customers are saying

ContractSafe users appreciate its simplicity while working around its limitations:

“ContractSafe was the best platform we didn’t know we needed! It is so user friendly, and a very viable option to manage all your contracts and related info. My team is thrilled with the roll out of ContractSafe and happy to be modernized in our contract management.”

• Teresa J., Billing and Contracts (G2)

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: advanced features with steep barriers to entry

Price range

Ironclad does not publicly disclose pricing on its website. Industry research reveals costs ranging from $25,300 to $36,200 annually for organizations with around 200 employees, $39,200 to $56,800 for companies with 1,000 employees, and $34,900 to $76,700 for larger enterprises.

At a glance

Ironclad positions itself as a comprehensive contract automation software with numerous advanced features. The platform targets enterprise-level organizations with sophisticated legal departments, complex approval workflows, and significant implementation resources.

With Ironclad, you’ll get:

• Enterprise-grade features: The platform offers advanced capabilities designed for organizations with complex legal requirements and dedicated contract management resources.
• Complex workflow designer: A no-code workflow designer that provides flexibility but requires significant time investment to understand and configure properly.
• AI contract analysis: AI-powered tools for contract review that can flag potentially problematic clauses, though effectiveness varies based on contract complexity.
• Separate e-signature integration: Unlike platforms with built-in e-signature capabilities, Ironclad typically requires integration with third-party e-signature providers.
• Challenging permission system: While the platform supports unlimited users, reviewers consistently report that permissions are difficult to assign correctly, creating administrative overhead.
• Extended implementation timeline: Organizations should prepare for a 3-6 month implementation process before realizing value from their investment.

Pros and cons of Ironclad

Pros	Cons
Comprehensive contract features for large enterprises	Extremely high price point
Advanced AI for contract analysis	3-6 month implementation timeline
Workflow customization for complex organizations	Additional fees for implementation support
	Requires legal expertise to use effectively
	Complex permission management
	Fragmented e-signature experience
	Overwhelming for most users

What customers are saying

Reviewers consistently highlight Ironclad’s premium pricing structure:

“Downsides of the product tend to be primarily the price — Ironclad is one of the leading platforms in contract management and as Ironclad delivers many premium features no one else offers, their pricing model tends to be on the premium end, which might not be ideal for smaller businesses.”

• G2 reviewer (G2)

Agiloft: highly customizable with technical requirements

Price range

Agiloft does not publicly disclose pricing on its website, offering custom quotes based on specific business requirements and deployment options.

At a glance

Agiloft has been in the contract management space for many years, offering extensive customization capabilities. The platform features a grid-based interface and requires significant technical expertise to implement and maintain effectively.

With Agiloft, you’ll get:

• Extensive customization options: The platform allows significant customization to match specific business processes, though implementing these customizations requires considerable technical knowledge.
• Grid-based interface: Agiloft uses a dated grid structure for its user interface, which many users find less intuitive than modern design approaches.
• Comprehensive feature set: The system offers numerous features and capabilities, though organizations typically utilize only a fraction of what’s available.
• Extended implementation timeline: Organizations should expect a longer setup period compared to more modern platforms, with implementation often taking several months.
• Technical expertise requirement: Without dedicated IT resources, organizations struggle to extract value from the platform’s complex customization options.
• Limited modern integrations: Despite its technical focus, Agiloft lacks some common integrations with popular tools like HubSpot, Zapier, and Slack.

Pros and cons of Agiloft

Pros	Cons
Extensive customization for those with technical resources	Requires dedicated IT support
Comprehensive feature list	Outdated user interface
Vendor and compliance management tools	Lengthy implementation process
Custom analytics capabilities	Most features go unused by typical organizations
	Non-technical users struggle significantly
	Missing integrations with modern business tools
	Opaque pricing structure

What customers are saying

Reviewers highlight Agiloft’s technical requirements and adoption challenges:

“Unless you have a proficient dedicated IT in-house support who can set up the system, you will have to invest in some time at the start along with Agiloft to customise to your liking. I think most companies do not use even 50% of Agiloft’s capabilities.”

• Damian C., Consultant (Capterra)

DocuSign CLM: e-signature foundation with contract limitations

Price range

DocuSign CLM starts at approximately $39 per month per feature according to industry research. The per-user pricing structure scales with team size and additional features.

At a glance

DocuSign leverages its e-signature brand recognition to provide a contract lifecycle management software solution aimed at non-technical users. However, the platform has notable limitations in several key contract management areas including editing capabilities and search functionality.

With DocuSign CLM, you’ll get:

• E-signature integration: The platform provides electronic signature capabilities directly integrated with contract management—the natural extension of DocuSign’s core business.
• Limited contract editing: Users report significant difficulties editing contracts within the system, often requiring them to start from scratch when changes are needed.
• Basic search capabilities: The platform struggles with metadata capture, creating challenges when searching for specific contract content or generating reports.
• Extended implementation timeline: Organizations typically experience a longer-than-expected setup process, delaying time-to-value.
• Performance challenges: Users frequently mention slow report generation and preview loading times, affecting day-to-day productivity.
• Inflexible interface: The dashboard lacks customization options, limiting its usefulness for different teams and workflow needs.

Pros and cons of DocuSign CLM

Pros	Cons
Familiar e-signature integration	Contract editing is severely limited
Brand recognition	Per-user pricing becomes expensive for teams
Basic workflows	Search functionality struggles with contract content
	Slow performance with reports and previews
	Inflexible dashboard with limited customization
	Implementation takes longer than expected

What customers are saying

Users highlight significant limitations in DocuSign CLM’s interface and performance:

“The Dashboard UI can be improved and need more customization option to add widgets. The reports take a lot of time to generate. The time it takes to view merge preview can be reduced.”

• G2 reviewer (G2 via Capterra)

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:

“The user interface is very simple, however, because the product overall requires data and information to be input, sometimes it can be frustrating to have to go through multiple screens (and remember to go through multiple screens) to make sure everything needed has been captured.”

• Priscilla C., Contracts Supervisor (G2)

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:

“Evisort is great for finding your contracts and automating the contract review process. It is also super helpful at finding key aspects of your contract such as effective date and term provisions. Evisort can seem a bit complicated if you aren’t familiar with the platform, especially when building workflows.”

• Rachel S. (G2)

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

Making your selection: practical considerations

When evaluating contract management software, consider these practical tips from contract management specialists:

1. Start with your actual contract processes rather than generic feature checklists. Map your current workflows and identify specific pain points that technology needs to address.
2. Evaluate user adoption potential by including representatives from all departments who will use the system during the demo process.
3. Calculate total cost over 3-5 years, factoring in implementation, per-user costs as your team grows, support fees, and any additional modules you may need in the future.
4. Request customer references in your industry to understand how organizations with similar needs have implemented and adopted the platform.
5. Test the support experience during the evaluation process by asking technical questions and observing response quality and speed.
6. Consider phased implementation to deliver quick wins and build momentum, rather than attempting to deploy all capabilities simultaneously.
7. Prioritize platforms with transparent pricing that scales predictably with your organization’s growth to avoid budget surprises.

To explore how contract management software can address your specific challenges, consider scheduling demonstrations with several platforms on your shortlist for direct comparison.

Next steps in your contract management journey

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

1. Conduct an internal assessment of your contract management needs, volumes, and key pain points
2. Define your implementation timeline requirements and available resources
3. Calculate your budget for both initial implementation and ongoing subscription costs
4. Create a shortlist of 2-3 platforms that align with your requirements
5. 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

15. Fact.MR. “Contract Lifecycle Management Market Report.” 2024.
16. Vendr. “Ironclad Pricing Insights.” Vendr Buyer Guide. https://www.vendr.com/buyer-guides/ironclad
17. G2. “Contract Management Software Comparison.” 2025. https://www.g2.com/categories/contract-management
18. Capterra. “Contract Management Software Directory.” 2025. https://www.capterra.com/contract-management-software/## ContractWorks: template-focused with adoption barriers