What is CLM software?

Contract lifecycle management (CLM) software is a cloud-based solution that helps organisations manage contracts across every stage of the contract lifecycle, from creation and negotiation to execution, storage and renewal. CLM platforms digitise and automate contract processes so legal and business teams can collaborate more efficiently, reduce manual work and gain visibility into obligations and risk. Some platforms embed contract workflows directly into commonly used business tools like Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce and Gmail, allowing employees to manage contracts without leaving the systems they already use.

Who uses CLM software?

CLM software is used by multiple departments across a business. Legal teams rely on it to review contracts, manage compliance and automate routine work such as approvals and redlining. Sales teams use CLM tools to generate contracts faster and reduce delays in sales cycles. HR teams manage employment agreements and renewals, finance teams analyse contract data to monitor spend and risk, and procurement teams manage supplier contracts.

What are the benefits of CLM software?

CLM software helps organisations manage contracts more efficiently by automating manual processes, improving collaboration between teams and reducing the risk of human error. It provides a central repository for storing and searching contracts, improves visibility into key dates and obligations, and accelerates contract creation and approval workflows. Many modern CLM platforms also use artificial intelligence to analyse contract data and highlight potential risks.

What features should you look for in CLM software?

Key features to look for in CLM software include integrations with commonly used business tools such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, HubSpot, Salesforce and Gmail, a dynamic contract repository with advanced search functionality, and artificial intelligence that can analyse agreements and extract key information. These capabilities help improve efficiency and adoption across different departments.

How do you choose the best CLM software?

To choose the best CLM software, organisations should first identify the workflows that create the most friction in their contract processes. Businesses should evaluate the features they need, whether the platform integrates with existing systems and how easy it is for teams to adopt. Reviewing customer feedback, assessing AI capabilities and understanding the implementation process are also important factors.

What is the contract lifecycle?

The contract lifecycle refers to the stages a contract goes through from initial drafting to completion. This typically includes drafting, negotiation, approval, execution, storage, monitoring obligations and renewal or termination. CLM software helps organisations manage these stages digitally and ensures contracts remain organised, compliant and accessible.

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Best contract lifecycle management (CLM) software

We've narrowed down the best contract lifecycle management software on the market and identified the essential features you should be looking for in your CLM solution.

Published:

August 4, 2026

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Only got a minute? Here are the key takeaways

The best CLM software helps organizations manage the entire contract lifecycle, from creation and negotiation through to approval, signing, renewals and reporting.
When evaluating CLM software, businesses should consider workflow automation, contract repositories, AI capabilities, integrations, reporting and ease of adoption.
Modern CLM platforms improve contract management by centralizing agreements, reducing manual work and giving teams greater visibility into contract data.
The right CLM software should support both legal and business users through flexible workflows, self-service functionality and familiar integrations.

Contract lifecycle management (CLM) software has become a core part of how legal, procurement and commercial teams manage agreements. The right software can help your legal team reduce risk, improve visibility, speed up contract processes and give business teams easier access to the information they need.

But with so many CLM vendors on the market, choosing the right software can be difficult. Some platforms focus on enterprise configurability, some on AI-powered review, and others on ease of use and platform.

Here are 11 leading CLM software platforms to help you understand where each one fits and what to consider during your evaluation.

What is the best CLM software?

1. Docusign CLM

Best for organizations looking for an established CLM platform with broad agreement management capabilities.

Docusign CLM is best known for its eSignature technology. The platform supports contract creation, approvals, negotiation, storage and reporting, helping organizations manage agreements beyond the signing process. It’s typically considered by enterprise organizations looking for a mature CLM.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Strong brand recognition and established market presence Integrated eSignature and agreement management capabilities Extensive workflow and integration capabilities	Pricing can be a consideration, especially for smaller teams or organizations needing advanced functionality. Users report that customization options may be limited compared to other CLMs. Some users mention challenges with customer support responsiveness and administrative flexibility.

2. LinkSquares

Best for legal teams looking for modern contract management, AI-powered insights and strong repository capabilities.

LinkSquares is a CLM that combined contract repository, analytics, workflow automation and AI capabilities. Originally focused on helping legal teams organize and understand their agreements, the platform has expanded into broader CLM functionality.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Strong contract repository and search capabilities AI-powered contract analysis and insights User-friendly interface	Users would like more advanced search and filtering options. AI processes might need additional accuracy checks. Some users want more dashboard and reporting customization.

3. Summize

Best for organizations looking to increase contract adoption by bringing AI-powered CLM into the tools their teams already use.

Summize is an AI-powered CLM designed to help legal and business teams collaborate without leaving the tools they already use. Known for its integrations with Microsoft Word, Teams, Outlook, Slack and many more business tools, users can create, review and manage contracts within familiar workflows.

The platform combines contract repository functionality, workflow automation and AI-assisted contract review to help teams improve efficiency and reduce manual processes. Summize is designed for organizations that want to modernize contracting while prioritizing user adoption and collaboration across the business.

Pros	Considerations
Manage contracts directly inside the tools your teams are already familiar with. AI-powered contract review and analysis capabilities. Designed for increased adoption and speed of implementation.	Some users would like more workflow customization processes. Teams may need time to configure processes and workflows. Users would like continued expansion of repository features.

4. Ironclad

Best for enterprise legal teams managing complex contract workflows.

Ironclad’s CLM helps organizations automate and standardize contracting processes. Its functionality covers contract creation, negotiation, approvals, repository management and reporting.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Comprehensive workflow automation capabilities. Strong enterprise functionality. Wide range of integrations.	Repository search functionality needs improvement. New users may experience a learning curve. Some integrations require additional setup effort.

5. Agiloft

Best for organizations with complex contract processes that need extensive configuration.

Agiloft is a CLM known for flexibility and an ability to support highly customized workflows. It provides contract management, approval automation, reporting and repository capabilities. Its configurable approach makes it suitable for organizations with very specific process and governance needs.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Highly configurable platform. Supports complex workflows and processes. Strong enterprise governance capabilities.	Configuration can require significant effort. Configuration and onboarding can take some additional time. Some users want more integrations and out-of-the-box features.

6. LEAH (ContractPodAI)

Best for organizations looking to combine CLM functionality with AI-powered legal tools.

LEAH is a CLM that combines contract management with legal AI capabilities. It supports contract creation, review, approvals, storage and reporting, helping organizations manage agreements through their lifecycle.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Broad CLM functionality with AI features. Supports enterprise-scale contract processes. AI-assisted contract review capabilities.	Adoption may require process changes and additional support. Reporting flexibility could be improved. Some features might need additional support to maximize value.

7. Conga CLM

Best for organizations looking to connect contract processes with Salesforce and revenue workflows.

Conga CLM is a CLM platform with a strong focus on Salesforce integration. It supports contract generation, approvals, negotiation, repository management and renewals. The platform is often considered by organizations looking to connect contracting processes with sales and commercial operations.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Strong Salesforce integration. Established enterprise platform. Supports sales and revenue workflows.	Setup and configuration can be complex. Initial learning curve is challenging. Some users experience performance issues with larger documents.

8. Luminance

Best for legal teams looking to use AI for document review and analysis.

Luminance is an AI legal technology platform that provides contract intelligence, document analysis and lifecycle management capabilities. Its technology helps legal teams analyze agreements, identify risks and review large volumes of documents. Organizations evaluating Luminance should consider how its AI-led approach aligns with wider CLM requirements.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Advanced AI document analysis capabilities. Strong contract review functionality. Useful for higher-volume contract analysis.	Implementation can require significant expertise. Less practical for general daily contract management due to limited flexibility. Users often cite clunky usability with limited integration into other tools.

9. Juro

Best for growing businesses looking for a straightforward contract management experience.

Juro is a browser-based CLM platform focused on contract creation, collaboration, approvals and electronic signatures. Its user-friendly approach is designed to help legal and business teams manage contracts more efficiently. It’s often used by startups, scale-ups and mid-market organizations looking to replace manual contracting processes.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Intuitive user experience. Strong collaboration capabilities. Designed for fast adoption.	Redlining and negotiation features are flagged as needing improvement. Some users want improved navigation and tagging features. Browser-based platform may lead to lower adoption.

10. SpotDraft

Best for organizations looking for an AI-focused approach to contract automation.

SpotDraft is an AI-powered CLM platform that helps organizations automate contract creation, review, approvals and management. The platform focuses on reducing manual contract work and improving consistency across teams.

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Modern AI-powered contract workflows. Focus on automation and efficiency. Designed for growing businesses.	Limited integration and automation options. Updating existing contracts can be challenging. Users report consistent product issues.

11. Workday CLM (previously Evisort)

Pros	Cons (based on G2 reviews)
Strong integration with existing Workday processes. Connected business data and workflows. Supports enterprise operations.	Workflows can require time and effort to learn. Integration options may be more limited. Weaker on complex redlining and editing.

Tips for choosing CLM software

When you’re evaluating CLM software, focus on your organization’s specific contracting challenges rather than feature lists alone. Here are some key questions you may want to ask during the evaluation process:

How easily will users adopt the platform? Look for tools that fit naturally into existing workflows rather than requiring users to work in a separate system.

Which systems does it integrate with? Think about Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, procurement tools and eSignature platforms.

How much configuration will it need? Highly configurable platforms can be powerful, but they may need more implementation effort.

What AI capabilities are included? Assess whether AI features support contract review, search, summarization, risk identification and reporting.

What does the total cost look like? Include implementation, integrations, training and ongoing administration, not just license fees.

Can the platform scale with your business? Choose a solution that can support additional teams, workflows and reporting requirements over time.

Looking for a CLM platform your whole business will adopt?

Summize brings contract management and intelligence into the tools your teams already use, including Microsoft Word, Outlook Teams, Slack, HubSpot and more. By fitting into existing workflows, legal teams can streamline contract creation, review and negotiation while making it easier for business teams to collaborate – all without the disruption of complex implementations or low user adoption.

Take a closer look at our software by clicking below, or click here to get a full demo from one of our Product Specialists.

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"Summize is a cutting-edge CLM solution that has ticked every box - and then some - delivering everything we were looking for in a contract management platform."

Lee Dorman

Convey

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"The implementation journey with Summize has been exceptional. The adaptability and quick acceptance of the team are due to Summize seamlessly integrating with our existing tools - it has made it an astounding success."

Lynette Mapp

Asset Reality

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Still not sure where to start?

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When searching for the best CLM software it's important to find the provider that best meets your contract management needs. At Summize, we recommend basing your CLM criteria on the everyday business tools you currently use and identifying the workflows where CLM software can deliver the greatest improvements.

‍Olly Atkin

Head of Enterprise Sales at Summize