In the fast-evolving business landscape, effective contract management has become indispensable for organizations of all sizes. Research by World Commerce & Contracting indicates that poor contract management can cost businesses up to 9% of their annual revenue, underscoring the critical need for streamlined systems. From ensuring compliance to mitigating risks and driving efficiency, Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) software has revolutionized the way contracts are handled across legal, procurement, and sales departments. As we step into 2025, we’ve curated a list of the top five CLM software solutions to help you make informed decisions tailored to your organizational needs.
What is Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) Software?
CLM software is a technology solution designed to manage contracts from initiation through negotiation, execution, and renewal. By centralizing contract workflows and leveraging automation, these platforms enable organizations to minimize risks, improve compliance, and streamline processes across teams. For a deeper dive into the essential principles of contract management and how to optimize your approach, check out our Fundamentals of Contract Management Guide. With advancements in AI, CLM tools have also begun offering insights into contract data, empowering teams to make strategic decisions faster.
Key Features to Look for in CLM Solutions
When evaluating CLM solutions, consider fundamental features such as:
- Automation: Streamlined workflows reduce manual tasks and approval bottlenecks.
- User-Friendly Interface: Ensures high adoption rates among cross-functional teams.
- Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly connect with existing tools like CRM and ERP systems.
- AI-Driven Insights: Unlock insights from unstructured data and identify risks proactively.
- Scalability: Adaptable solutions for both mid-sized organizations and large enterprises.
- Security: Robust data protection to ensure confidentiality and compliance.
For deeper insights, refer to the tabs below to discover the key questions to ask about advanced features.
- Does the solution support all contract types?
- Does the solution offer an agreement creation wizard?
- Can users make edits to the contract within the platform?
- Can custom approval rules be configured by contract type?
- Can signature requests be sent directly from your product?
- Does the solution provide the ability for counterparties to view or log into your system?
- Does the solution support sending emails with attached contract drafts?
- Can you set automated reminders around key events in contracts?
- Does the solution provide knowledge management features?
- Describe features for cross-functional collaboration.
- Can the solution integrate with electronic signature systems?
- Where is the final document stored?
- Does the platform enable additional methods of acceptance, including click-to-accept?
- Describe the counterparty experience.
- Can files be stored in a cloud storage system?
- Does the solution provide the ability to report on contracts by type, category, etc.?
- Are there out-of-the-box reports available?
- Can timed reports be scheduled for distribution?
- Does the solution provide an end-to-end contract execution timeline?
- Can the solution display graphic dashboards of reportable data?
- Does the solution provide centralized, electronic storage of all contracts?
- Does the solution provide the ability to view obligations within contracts?
- Can contracts be uploaded in bulk, and is there a volume threshold?
- Does the solution leverage AI/ML capabilities for document analysis?
- Is there assisted migration and onboarding for legacy contracts?
- Does the solution offer an open API?
- Can the solution integrate with CRM systems?
- Can the solution integrate with ERP systems?
- Can the solution integrate with Business Analytics tools?
- Are integrations generally available?
- Can versions generated during contract negotiations be compared side by side?
- Does the solution provide a full audit trail of activity?
- Can users include comments for every approval/denial?
- Does the solution support renewal options?
- Can approvals be collected via email?
- Does the solution provide user access management?
- Can users configure/update the workflow matrix without technical resources?
- Can the solution be accessed from mobile devices?
- Can contracts be mass reassigned or transferred due to organizational changes?
- Can business users be trained on the platform, and is there a sandbox environment?
- How does your product leverage artificial intelligence?
- Is the AI third-party or native to your company?
- Can AI be used for document classification and clause analysis?
- Does the solution support OCR functionality for languages other than English?
- How are risks in the AI space managed?
- Will we work with implementation partners, and what is the average time for implementation?
- What are the fees for implementation and additional templates/workflows?
- What is the average support response time?
- How are supported integrations set up?
- How are business users trained, and is there access to a sandbox environment?
- Does your offering include assistance with data migration?
- How often are new product releases?
- Are new releases included in the price?
Top 5 CLM Solutions for 2025
1. ContractPodAi
Positioned as a Visionary in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant, ContractPodAi leads with its GenAI-driven approach to CLM. With features like Leah Intelligence, empowering users with a more intuitive, interactive, and intelligent way to manage contracts. By integrating GenAI into its CLM platform, ContractPodAi sets a new benchmark for efficiency and precision in contract lifecycle management.
Key Strengths:
ContractPodAi’s CLM solution offers several key strengths that streamline and enhance the contract management process:
- End-to-End Contract Management: The platform provides comprehensive tools to manage contracts throughout their entire lifecycle, from creation and negotiation to execution and renewal. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of contract management are seamlessly integrated.
- GenAI-Powered Automation: Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, ContractPodAi automates routine tasks such as contract creation, analysis, and obligation tracking. This automation reduces manual workload, minimizes errors, and accelerates the contracting process.
- Centralized Contract Repository: The solution offers a secure, centralized repository for storing all contracts and related documents. This centralization enhances visibility, facilitates easy access, and improves collaboration across teams.
- Seamless Integrations: ContractPodAi integrates effortlessly with complementary SaaS applications, systems of record, and modern tech stacks. This interoperability allows organizations to work more efficiently by streamlining operations and leveraging in-app e-signing capabilities.
- Advanced Security and Compliance: The platform prioritizes data security and compliance, implementing advanced measures to protect contract data from unauthorized access and cyber threats. It also ensures adherence to regulatory standards, providing controlled access and comprehensive audit logs.
- Flexible and Scalable Pricing: The platform is designed to be fully modular, enabling buyers to begin with the features that address their immediate needs and expand as their use cases and organizational maturity evolve.
These strengths make ContractPodAi’s CLM solution a robust tool for organizations seeking to optimize their contract management processes at scale.
Cautions: More suitable for mid-large organizations and enterprises rather than small companies
2. Ironclad
Ironclad is known for its strong AI capabilities, including features like AI Playbooks and AI Assist.
Key Strengths:
- Accelerated contract review with AI.
- Wide range of workflow automation.
- High customer adoption rates.
Cautions:
- Workflows may feel complex and require more time to adapt.
- Language support options are limited.
- In-app editing has compatibility limitations with MS Word.
- Costs may be a consideration for organizations focused on growth.
- Administering AI in workflows might require additional support.
- The central repository experience can feel less streamlined.
3. Icertis
Recognized for its focus on compliance and integration, Icertis is another viable option for enterprise-grade CLM solutions.
Key Strengths:
- Deep ERP and CRM integration, including SAP and Microsoft.
- Comprehensive compliance and analytics tools.
- Market-leading vision for enterprise connectivity.
Cautions:
- Designed with large enterprises in mind, which may feel overwhelming for smaller teams.
- Navigation is difficult.
- Responsiveness may occasionally feel slower than expected.
- Customization options might require additional effort.
- Implementation can present some challenges.
4. Sirion
Sirion excels with its focus on AI-driven analytics and post-signature contract governance. Its smart contract risk management features make it stand out.
Key Strengths:
- Advanced AI capabilities.
- Strong vendor and spend management tools.
Cautions:
- Language support options are somewhat restricted.
- Limited UI-based configuration creates long-term reliance on third-party support.
- Implementation can take more time than anticipated.
5. Agiloft
Agiloft offers flexibility and customization, making it a preferred choice for organizations with unique workflow requirements.
Key Strengths:
- Highly customizable with a robust integration hub.
- Flexible pricing models.
Cautions:
- May lack capabilities to support many non-English speaking Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia/Pacific (APAC) customers.
- Steep learning curve.
- Poor interface design.
- Difficult setup.
| Platform | Strengths | Cautions |
|---|---|---|
| ContractPodAi | Ease of use, comprehensive language support with 40+ languages, strong partner network and implementation approaches, modular and scalable pricing model. | More suitable for mid-large organizations and enterprises rather than small companies. |
| Icertis | Comprehensive features, excellent customer service, highly configurable, partnered with SAP and Microsoft. | Confusing navigation, slow responsiveness, challenging customization, and implementation challenges. |
| Ironclad | Streamlined processes, robust integration, high ROI, customization options, efficient workflows. | Complex workflows, limited language support, in-app editing has compatibility limitations with MS Word, renewals cannot be shown in a calendar view, AI in workflow challenging to admin. |
| Sirion | Strong post-signature governance, extensible platform, best-of-breed architecture. | Limited language support, steep learning curve, longer implementation. |
| Agiloft | Highly customizable with a robust integration hub, flexible pricing models. | May lack capabilities to support many non-English speaking EMEA and APAC customers, steep learning curve, poor interface design, complicated setup. |
Why Choose ContractPodAi in 2025?
ContractPodAi differentiates itself with comprehensive language support and ease of use designed to simplify contract processes. With a customer-centric approach, it provides a flexible solution tailored to varying business maturity levels. From centralized repositories to advanced analytics, ContractPodAi is an ideal choice for organizations looking for a future-proof CLM solution.
Choosing the Right CLM Solution
Selecting the right CLM platform depends on your organization’s size, existing workflows, and strategic goals. Consider factors like scalability, AI capabilities, and integration requirements to find a solution that aligns with your needs.
To see how ContractPodAi can transform your contract management processes, schedule a demo today.
