The Best Contract Management Solution in 2025

It's 2025. And if you have been in business for some time, you would get it that contract management is still a major headache. With all the advanced technology available today, you’d think this issue would have been resolved by now. Yet most companies still wrestle with long email threads, outdated spreadsheets, and misplaced files. When contracts are managed incorrectly, it makes deals stall, renewals get missed, and legal headaches start piling up.

On the bright side, contract management software has seen tremendous growth. Today's tools are no longer digital filing cabinets, they automate workflows, accelerate negotiations, and keep everything neat and tidy in one place. No more rummaging through a pile for that elusive signature or wondering which version of a document is the most current.

The tricky part is picking the right tool out of all the options available. 

That's what this guide is for: to help you cut through the noise and look at some of the top contract management solutions for legal, sales, and procurement teams in 2025. Hopefully, you'll find one that finally makes your contract chaos a thing of the past.

What is Contract Management Software?

Contract management software—often called contract lifecycle management (CLM) software—is designed to take the headache out of handling contracts. Instead of juggling emails, spreadsheets, and scattered documents, everything happens in one central platform. You can create, negotiate, sign, store, and track contracts without the usual back-and-forth chaos.

But modern CLM software does more than just keep contracts organized. It helps teams collaborate better, reduces legal risks, and even provides real-time insights into contract performance. 

By 2025, AI is expected to be embedded in 90% of enterprise software, making contract automation a standard feature in business operations. Source: PwC

What Makes a Great Contract Management Software?

A great contract management tool should make handling agreements effortless—keeping everything organized, secure, and accessible, whether you manage a few contracts or thousands. Here’s what to look for:

✅ Access Anytime, Anywhere – Contracts shouldn’t be stuck in someone’s inbox or locked in a filing cabinet. A great solution allows you to access, review, and sign contracts from any device, whether you're at your desk or on the move. Plus, built-in security ensures sensitive information stays protected.

✅ Seamless Collaboration – Contract management isn’t a solo job. Sales, legal, finance, and procurement teams all need to stay in sync. The best software eliminates email back-and-forth by offering a centralized workspace where everyone can work together in real-time, track changes, and avoid version confusion.

✅ Smart Integrations – Your contract management software shouldn’t exist in isolation. It should connect effortlessly with your CRM, ERP, and accounting software so that contracts automatically pull in customer details, financial data, and approval workflows—eliminating double work and human error.

✅ Automation That Saves Time – Repetitive tasks like contract creation, approvals, and renewal reminders can slow teams down. A strong CLM solution automates these processes, ensuring contracts move forward without unnecessary delays. Less admin work, more strategic focus.

✅ Clear Insights & Analytics – You shouldn’t have to dig through spreadsheets to understand contract performance. A good CLM provides real-time dashboards and reports on key metrics like contract value, expiration dates, and risks—so you can make better decisions faster.

✅ User-Friendly Experience – Software is only useful if people actually use it. A great contract management tool is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, reducing the need for extensive training and making adoption seamless across teams.

How to Choose the Right Contract Management Software

With so many contract management solutions available, finding the right fit for your business can feel overwhelming. To make the process easier, focus on these key factors when shortlisting, testing, and selecting a tool:

1. Identify the Problem You're Solving
   Before diving into features, clarify the specific challenges you want the software to address. Are you struggling with scattered contracts, slow approvals, or compliance risks? Understanding your needs will help you prioritize the features that matter most.
   

2. Determine Who Will Use It
   Consider who in your organization will need access. Will it be just legal and sales teams, or will the entire company use it? This impacts cost, licensing, and usability. If multiple teams need access, ease of use might be a priority. If only power users will use it, speed and advanced functionality may be more important.

3. Assess Integration Needs
   Look at the tools your business already relies on, such as CRM, ERP, or accounting software. Will your contract management system need to integrate seamlessly with them? Or can you replace multiple tools with an all-in-one solution? Identifying these requirements early will prevent workflow disruptions later.

4. Define Your Desired Outcomes
   Instead of getting lost in feature comparisons, focus on the results you want. Are you looking for better contract visibility, faster deal cycles, or stronger compliance controls? Defining success metrics upfront ensures you're choosing software that delivers real value, not just ticking boxes.
   
   
5. Align with Your Workflow
   Every business has unique processes. A tool that works well for one company might not fit yours. Consider how the software will fit into your existing contract workflows, approval processes, and collaboration needs. Choose a solution that enhances productivity rather than forcing your team to change how they work.

Which is the best contract management software?

Below is an overview of each tool, highlighting what makes them stand out from other contract management solutions.

top.legal

top.legal is a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform that streamlines the entire contract process—from creation to execution and beyond. It eliminates the inefficiencies of traditional contract handling by providing a centralized space where teams can draft, negotiate, sign, and manage agreements without the usual delays.

With top.legal, negotiations become more transparent and efficient, as users can always see whose turn it is to act, avoiding confusion and unnecessary back-and-forth. The platform’s AI-powered features extract key terms and deadlines automatically, ensuring that businesses stay on top of obligations without the risk of missing critical dates. The insights dashboard provides a clear overview of contract performance, risks, and opportunities, allowing companies to make data-driven decisions.

Outlaw

Outlaw is a modern contract management platform that simplifies the entire contract lifecycle with features like templated document generation, real-time collaboration, cloud-based redlining, and e-signatures. It enhances visibility, ensures compliance, and integrates with existing workflows for a seamless experience. 

However, it may not be ideal for businesses needing advanced automation, deep ERP integrations, or highly customizable approval workflows. While user-friendly, its reporting and AI-driven contract analysis capabilities are more limited than some enterprise-focused solutions.

Ironclad

Ironclad is a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform that streamlines the entire contract process, from creation and negotiation to signing and tracking. It offers AI-driven insights, real-time collaboration, and automated workflows to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency. 

However, while it excels in workflow automation and legal oversight, some users may find its customization options limited for highly specialized contract needs.

ContractWorks

ContractWorks is a contract management solution recognized for its secure document storage and search capabilities. It provides features like custom reporting, automated notifications, and OCR-powered search.

However, it lacks a built-in contract editor and a dedicated collaboration workspace, meaning users must rely on external tools like Microsoft Word for redlining and contract negotiations.

Concord 

Concord is a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform designed to simplify contract creation, collaboration, and execution. It offers features like real-time editing, version control, e-signatures, and automated workflows, making it easy for teams to manage contracts in one centralized platform. Concord also integrates with popular business tools, enhancing efficiency and compliance. 

However, while it provides strong collaboration features, its customization and advanced automation capabilities may be more limited compared to some enterprise-level CLM solutions. Additionally, users looking for deep AI-powered insights or complex approval workflows might find it lacking in flexibility.

Conga

Conga is a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform that automates contract creation, negotiation, and execution. It offers document generation, e-signatures, workflow automation, and analytics, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to streamline contract processes and integrate with CRM systems.

However, Conga's interface can be complex, requiring time for users to adapt. Its extensive customization options may also need technical expertise, which can be a challenge for teams looking for a more intuitive, out-of-the-box solution.