Actionstep vs Smokeball:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Actionstep had more branded searches than Smokeball among legal practice software in Australia. Actionstep had about 6,600 branded searches, while Smokeball had 2,900. Actionstep made up 34.6% of all legal practice software searches we track, and Smokeball accounted for 15.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about legal practice software, Actionstep and Smokeball each appeared in three of the five answers. Smokeball was mentioned before Actionstep in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Actionstep, about 2 searches for every 1 for Smokeball
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Smokeball, named ahead of Actionstep in 3 of 3 answers
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Top legal practice software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Actionstep and Smokeball were each mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Smokeball was listed before Actionstep in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Clio5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
LEAP5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Actionstep3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Smokeball3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
SILQ3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
LawMaster1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about legal practice software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best practice management software for Australian law firms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which legal software is best for a small law firm in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What practice management software do Australian lawyers use?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“legal practice management software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“legal software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 23, 2026.
Is Actionstep or Smokeball more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Actionstep and Smokeball by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six legal practice software we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Actionstep, Smokeball. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Actionstep | Clio | Smokeball | LawMaster | LEAP | SILQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.2% | 20.1% | 16.2% | 4% | 8.9% | 5.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.2% | 20.1% | 16.2% | 4% | 8.9% | 5.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.5% | 22.3% | 18.4% | 5.5% | 6.8% | 5.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.1% | 24.1% | 19.4% | 4.8% | 10.7% | 4.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.8% | 19.9% | 16% | 4.9% | 8.8% | 5.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.4% | 20.2% | 16.5% | 6% | 7.3% | 4.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 40.1% | 21.9% | 17.6% | 5.3% | 9.7% | 5.3% |
| May 2026 | 42.5% | 18.9% | 18.9% | 4.6% | 10% | 5.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.8% | 21.2% | 21.2% | 3.5% | 9.4% | 5.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.2% | 20.8% | 20.8% | 3.4% | 11% | 5.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.8% | 20.1% | 20.1% | 4% | 13.4% | 5.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 34.6% | 28.3% | 15.2% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 5.2% |
How has the Actionstep and Smokeball comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Actionstep was ahead of Smokeball in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Actionstep’s share of searches among legal practice software in Australia moved from 45.2% to 34.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Smokeball’s share of searches among legal practice software in Australia moved from 16.2% to 15.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.9K.
How did search popularity change for Australia legal practice software in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Smokeball lost share of searches among legal practice software in Australia, from 20.1% to 15.2%.
In September 2026, Actionstep lost share of searches among legal practice software in Australia, from 36.8% to 34.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Actionstep’s and Smokeball’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Actionstep
1 branded search term
- actionstep
Smokeball
1 branded search term
- smokeball
Other head-to-heads among legal practice software
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