





Author Field Editor






Supported Operating System(s):
Mac OS, Web browser (OS agnostic), Windows 8, Windows 10About HotDocs
HotDocs is a document automation solution designed for businesses of any size or type. It enables users to convert frequently used documents and forms into ready-to-use templates to automate customer documentation. The solution offers on-premise, cloud-based and hybrid deployment options.
HotDocs offers end-to-end document control that allows document authors to control the data entered within the template and apply rules to populate data fields and generate documents. Authors can manage both internal compliance and external regulations while designing document templates to ensure that the documents are created and populated in accordance with required standards.
HotDocs is utilized in banking, legal, financial and gover...
Author Field Editor
Supported Operating System(s):
Mac OS, Web browser (OS agnostic), Windows 8, Windows 10Average User Ratings
Overall
Ease-of-use
3.5
Value for money
3.5
Customer support
4.0
Functionality
4.0
Likelihood to Recommend
Not likely
Very likely
February 2018
Gordon from Monroe, Wallace & Morden, P.A.
Time Used: More than 2 years
Review Source: Capterra
Ease-of-use
4.0
Value for money
4.0
Customer support
4.0
Functionality
3.0
February 2018
Outstanding document production, fair UI
Document automation saves time and reduces errors. I've found HotDocs to be extremely reliable, stable, and bug-free.
Pros
This product's integration with Microsoft Word is outstanding. It is a fantastic scripting tool for document generation. I've also prepared some documents in WordPerfect and it seems entirely capable with that as well.
Cons
Hands down, the data entry interview is crude at best. It is probably ok for a developer who has never worked with another UI, but the "automation" it provides comes at a steep price - loss of control. If you want truly professional user interfaces, you'll have to write the front-end in some other language, write an "answer file" HotDocs can understand (which is not hard, it is very basic XML) and then let HotDocs work its magic to assemble the language in Word. When used that way, HotDocs is very powerful and flexible. When used in its native UI, it is fairly inflexible.
March 2018
Jonathan from Nazette, Marner, Nathanson & Shea, LLP
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Industry: Legal Services
Time Used: More than 2 years
Review Source: Capterra
Ease-of-use
4.0
Value for money
5.0
Customer support
5.0
Functionality
4.0
March 2018
Great software, but still needs to improve
It's really the best software out there for what it does. It just still seems behind the times in terms of connectivity, componentization, and still no HiDPI support.
Pros
It is extremely flexible and can help you craft just about any document that you want. I prefer the desktop version to the cloud version. It just works every time!
Cons
I feel that HotDocs has been stagnating recently. Here are some things that they need to address: *Easy import/export of answer data to other formats. For example, if I use some other tool such as an online form, it should have the ability to import that data into an answer file. *It still doesn't support Hi-DPI displays. *It would be great it if could be more flexible in the storage of answer data. The ability to componentize the fields/answer data would be wonderful. As it stands, each template is limited to only one component file.
March 2021
MARIA from Lebenbom & Rothman, PC
Company Size: 2-10 employees
Industry: Legal Services
Time Used: More than 2 years
Review Source: Capterra
Ease-of-use
5.0
Value for money
5.0
Functionality
5.0
March 2021
Quick Completion
Document Automation says it all. It integrates data into various documents with the click of a button.
Pros
Inputting client information one time to use with various forms. Court forms contain the same information in multiple areas and this fills the form.
Cons
There are two forms where the client information is not available from what was input. It is not a major issue since I am now aware.
June 2020
Jay from Brooks & Brooks, LLP
Company Size: 2-10 employees
Industry: Law Practice
Time Used: More than 2 years
Review Source: Capterra
Ease-of-use
3.0
Value for money
2.0
Customer support
2.0
Functionality
2.0
June 2020
Gets the job done, quite overpriced, and does about 80% of what it should
Gets the job done, and is ultimately worth it if your time is very valuable. Very expensive, and clearly only going to get more so. The document sets available are decent, but not amazing.
Pros
Saves time, and is very commonly used (and therefore understood) outside of our office.
Cons
Very expensive, and requires re-entry of data already entered far too often. The actual coding in documents is surprisingly opaque, and converting existing document structures to a HotDocs format is exceptionally cumbersome. The existing form sets that are on top of HotDocs are useful, and the community is broad, but the quality is hit or miss.
Reasons for Choosing HotDocs
Availability of forms and documents not found elsewhere, and the first mover advantage: HotDocs seemed to have broad penetration in the legal community over a decade ago. It is a de facto standard, and they are engaged in monopolistic rent-seeking behavior to take advantage of the situation.
February 2018
Anonymous
Time Used: More than 2 years
Review Source: Capterra
Ease-of-use
3.0
Value for money
4.0
Customer support
4.0
Functionality
4.0
February 2018
Overall, it's a helpful tool for drafting my documents.
Ease in drafting documents... biggest value for me. A lot of my practice is tailoring forms to my clients needs and wishes, and having the basic form available in HotDocs is a big help.
Pros
I enjoy being able to address both areas of my legal practice in the same program. I do not need to switch if I am creating for my client both estate planning documents and business transaction documents.
Cons
Most challenging is learning how to create new Hot Doc templates. Maybe I'm too busy in my legal practice, but I do not have time to devote to learning the ins and outs, and therefore am forced to pay an admin person to create any new forms I'd like. If it were more user intuitive, I know I would have MANY more documents created under the software and get even more productivity out of the program.