CHL Software

What CHL Software does

CHL Software is a privately owned UK software company founded in 1996. It develops DocMoto, a multi-user document and email management system for law firms and other knowledge-based organizations, with particular relevance to teams using both Mac and Windows. The product is delivered through native Mac and Windows applications and dedicated iPad and iPhone clients.

DocMoto's WebDAV-based architecture uses PostgreSQL for metadata and Apache Solr for full-text indexing. Its capabilities include version control, check-in/check-out, document assembly, tagging and search, secure external sharing, folder and document templates, reporting, REST/API access, and integrations with Clio, Slack, Apple Mail, Outlook, Postbox, and Open Directory. CHL offers both cloud-hosted and on-premise deployments.

CHL monetizes DocMoto through monthly per-user hosted subscriptions, one-time perpetual on-premise enterprise licenses, and support or managed services. The company reaches customers through direct consultative sales, a free trial, demonstrations, customer case studies, legal-industry events, and the iOS App Store. Its core segments are law firms and other professional organizations, and the company states that its product is used by thousands of users worldwide.

Name

CHL Software

Legal name

Cranham Haig Limited

Website

https://chlsoftware.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CHL Software is a privately owned UK developer of DocMoto, a native application-based document and email management platform for law firms and other knowledge-based organizations using Mac or Windows devices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheltenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hosted/Cloud Subscription: Monthly subscription pricing per user with minimum 3 users required, plus dedicated server charges. Customers pay recurring monthly fees for cloud-hosted document management access.
2. Enterprise Perpetual License: One-time perpetual license purchase for on-premise deployments. Includes unlimited document storage with no product limitations. Consultancy and support packages fully included.
3. Support and Maintenance Services: Support services including real-time monitoring for on-premise mission-critical installations. Support Services Policy available for hosted and on-premise customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHL Software develops and sells DocMoto, a multi-user document and email management system delivered as native desktop applications for both Mac and Windows. The platform provides a central repository with version control, check-in/check-out, document assembly, content tagging and search, plus close integration with Apple Mail, Outlook and Postbox. It is offered as a cloud-hosted monthly subscription (DocMoto Hosted) and as an on-premise enterprise perpetual license with consultancy and support (DocMoto Enterprise), and is complemented by a dedicated iPad/iOS client and a Slack integration app.

Product overview

CHL Software delivers DocMoto, a unified document and email management platform built around a core product with multiple deployment tiers and integrated modules. The primary offering is DocMoto itself — a complete document and email management system available as native apps for both Mac and Windows, as well as a dedicated iPad/iOS client. CHL Software offers two deployment tiers: DocMoto Hosted (cloud-based, per-user subscription) and DocMoto Enterprise (on-premise with no product limitations and included consultancy/support). Key integrated modules include Document Assembly (automated document creation from templates), DocMoto Reports (database-level reporting), Tagging (content tagging and workflow tagging), Folder Templates (automated matter/folder creation), Secure Sharing (external collaboration with universal links), and Master Documents (standardised document templates). The platform is complemented by a Slack integration app for accessing DocMoto files within Slack conversations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DocMoto A complete document and email management system for Mac and Windows, delivered as a true multi-user native application providing central document repository, version control, email attachment management, content tagging, searching, sharing and full revision history. Targeted at law firms and knowledge-based professional organisations.
• DocMoto Hosted

Quantifiable outcome

• Department efficiency restored with reduced errors and improved security
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, infrastructure and platform.

• CliocoreTechnology or IntegrationDocMoto development team worked with Clio's integration specialists to bring a DocMoto Clio integration, enabling connection between document management and Clio's practice management platform.
• SlackcoreTechnology or IntegrationSlack integration allowing users to access DocMoto files directly from Slack conversations, add files or DocMoto links to Slack messages, and archive Slack conversations as fully searchable PDF documents into DocMoto.
• Amazon Web ServicesinfrastructureTechnology or IntegrationPrimary cloud hosting provider for DocMoto hosted/cloud solutions. Cloud infrastructure supports document storage and delivery for cloud customers.
• AppleplatformTechnology or IntegrationDocMoto is optimized for Apple platforms including macOS, iOS, iPadOS with native applications and deep integration with Apple Mail, iOS Files app, and Mac-native workflows.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• iManage: Market-leading document and email management system for law firms and professional services. iManage is the closest direct competitor to DocMoto in serving legal-sector knowledge workers with version control, matter-centric organization, and email archiving.
• NetDocuments: Cloud-native document management platform widely used in legal, financial, and professional services firms. Directly competes with DocMoto on secure document collaboration, version control, and email/document integration for law firms.
• World Software (Worldox): Established document management system with strong presence in mid-sized law firms. Comparable to DocMoto as a Windows/Mac-friendly DMS focused on legal practice productivity, version control, and email integration.
• M-Files: Metadata-driven document management platform serving professional services and regulated industries. Competes with DocMoto on document automation, version control, and information management for mid-market and enterprise customers.
• Epona (Documents/Epona DMS): Specialized legal document management vendor serving law firms with Windows/Mac clients and tight Microsoft Outlook and document automation integrations. Directly comparable niche player to DocMoto in the legal DMS market.

Broad incumbents

• OpenText Documentum: Enterprise content management suite from OpenText with broad document management, records management, and workflow capabilities. Overlaps with DocMoto's ECM position but targets much larger enterprise deployments and regulated industries.
• Microsoft SharePoint: Default enterprise document and content management platform within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Represents the chief 'browser-based' alternative DocMoto positions against; widely deployed in legal and professional services organizations.
• Box: Cloud content management and collaboration platform with strong security and enterprise workflow features. Serves regulated industries including legal and financial services, competing with DocMoto for collaboration and external document sharing use cases.

Emerging players

• eFileCabinet: Cloud-based document management platform focused on SMB and mid-market customers in legal, accounting, and financial services. Competes in adjacent segments to DocMoto with an emphasis on workflow automation and integrations.

Others

• Clio: Leading cloud-based legal practice management platform. Listed as a DocMoto integration partner and frequently used alongside DocMoto for managing the operational, financial, and client-facing side of law firms, making it an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct DMS competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHL Software