Most contract work doesn’t need deep legal thinking. It needs time, and lots of it.

You probably spend a good chunk of your day drafting boilerplate, reviewing the same language again and again, and performing other menial and repetitive steps.

Luckily, these are the kinds of tasks that contract automation is quietly taking over.

As legal tech professor Gabe Teninbaum puts it, tools powered by AI are already starting to handle the routine tasks, like drafting, reviewing, and even negotiation. With all these background tasks handled, legal teams can focus on the parts that truly require legal judgment.

This shift is what contract automation is really about. Here's what that looks like in practice, how it works behind the scenes, and which tools are actually worth your time.

What is Contract Automation?

Contract automation isn’t one fixed process. Rather, it’s more of an umbrella term. There’s no single way to do it, and that’s kind of the point. It simply means using software to take over the parts of contract work that slow you down.

How you set it up depends on what you need and how your legal teams manage the entire contract lifecycle.

Some teams just want a simple template they can use to create contracts without dealing with formatting every time. Others need full approval flows, signature tracking, reminders, contract storage, and reporting to be fully automated.

You can also automate just the first step, like generating the contract, or go all-in and automate the whole thing from draft to signature to document storage.

Some tools plug into your CRM and send contracts automatically once a deal reaches a certain contract stage. Others handle reviews or send alerts when contracts are about to expire.

So if someone says they’re implementing contract automation, they might mean five different things. The goal is to replace manual processes with systems that make contract work faster, easier, and more consistent.

This way, your team can focus on more strategic initiatives and, of course, more important agreements.

The Tech Behind Contract Automation

Let’s break down what’s really going on when you automate contracts. Usually, you’re using contract management software and clear rules to take care of the repetitive steps.

Here’s what’s typically involved:

• Templates: Create reusable contract templates with fill-in-the-blank fields. The system pulls in names, dates, and deal terms automatically.
• Workflows: Set up simple rules, like who approves, who signs, and when reminders go out. Once built, the system follows them every time.
• E-signatures: Send and sign documents electronically. You can monitor who viewed it and who still hasn’t signed.
• Storage and search: Signed contracts are stored with version history and search filters. You can find what you need in seconds.
• Integrations: Most tools connect with CRMs, cloud storage, and billing platforms, so contracts move through your full workflow.

Some tools also add artificial intelligence to speed things up even more. For example, an AI legal assistant can suggest clauses based on deal type and flag missing terms before the contract goes out. It can also compare changes across versions and point out what’s different.

It supports a smoother contract management process and aligns perfectly with what modern contract lifecycle management software aims to deliver: speed, consistency, and fewer manual errors.

What Are The Benefits Of Contract Automation?

Contract automation cuts down the manual tasks that slow teams down. It keeps contracts moving from creation through the entire lifecycle by automating the steps that usually take the most time.

Legal and procurement teams benefit from faster reviews, fewer errors, and stronger legal compliance. Instead of tracking drafts through endless emails or folders, everything happens in one connected system that’s easy to manage.

Here’s what it improves:

• Streamlined contract creation: Use templates to build and send contracts quickly while keeping contract language consistent.
• Fewer delays: Automated approvals push contracts forward without waiting on manual follow-ups.
• Fewer errors: Pre-approved clauses and smart fields minimize mistakes and missing details.
• Clear tracking: See who reviewed, signed, or needs to take action.
• No skipped renewals: Get notified before contracts expire so contract renewals happen on time.
• Organized storage: Store all contracts in one searchable system for easier access.
• Better insight: Identify bottlenecks and patterns across the full lifecycle to improve performance.
• Fits with your workflow: Contract management software connects with CRMs, billing, and document tools, keeping legal and procurement teams aligned and efficient throughout the contract management process.

Top 5 Contract Automation Tools

Once you’ve seen how much time and effort this can save, the next step is choosing the right tool. Not every team needs the same setup, so it helps to know what’s out there.

Below are some of the top contract automation tools, each with a slightly different focus, depending on how your team works and what you need.

1. Aline

If contracts eat up way too much of your week, Aline is built for you. It’s an AI-powered platform that helps legal, sales, and finance teams skip the slow parts. That includes contract drafting, redlining, approvals, all of it.

Using Aline means no more switching between Word, DocuSign, and long email threads. Aline keeps everything in one place and cuts your contract turnaround down to minutes, not days.

The standout feature? Real legal AI that actually understands contracts. Aline’s AI reads the document, knows your playbook, and points out what’s off (or just fixes it for you).

With Aline, you can review third-party contracts, ask complex questions across thousands of agreements, or have it draft something from scratch.

Best Features

• Aline AI: Draft and redline contracts with speed and precision. You don’t have to fix formatting or follow every edit yourself.
• AI Playbooks: It pulls your preferred terms from templates you've already approved. That way, everyone stays consistent when reviewing or redlining.
• Aline Associate: Ask specific questions, like which NDAs are missing key clauses, and get answers instantly. It works across single contracts or entire libraries.
• AlineSign: Aline comes with unlimited e-signatures built in. You won’t need extra tools just to get documents signed.
• AI contract repository: Every signed agreement is stored in one central place. You can search by keyword or pull insights straight from the contracts.
• Automated workflows: Approvals, reviews, and sign-offs happen automatically once your process is set up. Teams stay in sync without needing manual check-ins.
• Data security first: Aline is SOC II certified and uses strong encryption. It doesn’t train on your data or expose sensitive info.

Pros

• Cuts review time by more than half
• Handles complex agreements
• No steep learning curve
• Makes legal work easier for everyone, not just lawyers and other legal professionals
• Designed for fast-growing teams that need to move quickly
• No bouncing between contract management solutions and other tools
• Allows you to focus on high-value work

Start your free trial today!

2. Juro

Juro is a contract automation solution suitable for teams that want to manage contracts without jumping between apps. It covers the full process, including contract drafting, reviewing, approving, signing, and storing, right in your browser.

It’s built to make managing contracts easier for everyone. Legal teams stay in control of contract terms and templates, while business teams can move deals forward without bottlenecks. 

Plus, everything happens in one contract management system, so it’s easy to track what’s going on and who needs to take action.

Best Features

• In-browser contract editor: Draft and update agreements without downloading or switching tools. The editor is built for speed and clarity.
• Real-time contract collaboration: Add comments, suggest edits, and loop in stakeholders right inside the contract. Everyone works on the same version.
• Automated contract templates: Create reusable templates that legal approves once. Teams can then launch new contracts in minutes.
• Built-in e-signatures: Send contracts for signing without needing third-party tools.
• Structured contract data: Store every signed agreement with searchable fields, filters, and tags. Pull reports or find specific contract terms quickly.
• CRM integration: Syncs with Salesforce and HubSpot so contracts stay tied to your pipeline.

Pros

• Handles the full contract workflow
• Minimizes back-and-forth between legal and business teams
• Keeps contract data organized and easy to search
• Helps teams move faster while maintaining control over contract terms

3. Agiloft

Agiloft is a contract lifecycle management platform that works well for companies with complex processes, multiple departments, or specific rules around approvals.

If you’ve got more than just a few sales agreements or NDAs to manage, Agiloft gives you room to build exactly what you need.

This platform isn’t just for legal. Procurement, sales, HR — any team dealing with contracts can use it. You can automate contract management tasks, keep tabs on contract status, and even generate contracts based on specific triggers or forms.

Best Features

• Custom workflows: Build detailed approval and contract review flows without writing code.
• Clause library: Store approved clauses and insert them into contracts as needed. Keeps legal language consistent and accurate.
• Automated contract creation: Generate contracts from templates using form inputs, CRM data, or internal requests.
• Detailed reporting: Track contract status, performance, and key terms with flexible dashboards and filters.
• Role-based access: Control who can view, edit, or approve different types of agreements.
• Integrations: Works with Salesforce, Microsoft 365, and more to keep your systems aligned.

Pros

• Great for teams implementing contract automation software across departments
• Helps standardize how sales agreements and legal documents are created
• Supports detailed contract management tasks
• Scales well as your business grows or your process changes

4. ContractWorks

ContractWorks is a lightweight contract management tool built for speed, not bells and whistles. It focuses on the basics, such as signing, tracking, and storing contracts.

If your team doesn’t need a full-scale platform but still wants to automate parts of the contract process, ContractWorks gets the job done.

It’s a solid option for legal and sales teams looking to solve common contract automation problems without a complicated setup. You can launch contracts quickly, automate contract approvals, and monitor contract status from a simple dashboard.

Best Features

• Pre-approved clauses: Create templates with standard terms already in place. This makes contract creation faster and keeps language consistent.
• Automated contract workflows: Set up approval steps, automated alerts, and signature flows so contracts move without constant check-ins.
• E-signatures built in: Sign documents right in the system.
• Smart tagging and search: Organize contracts with custom tags and find what you need in seconds.
• Access controls: Limit who can view, edit, or sign contracts across teams.

Pros

• A good fit for sales teams that want fast, simple sales contract automation
• Helps standardize the contract creation process with pre-approved clauses
• Uses automated workflows to speed things up and reduce back-and-forth
• Easy to adopt for teams with limited bandwidth or tight deadlines

5. Zoho Contracts

Zoho Contracts is part of the larger Zoho suite, designed for businesses that want their contract work to connect with other systems they already use. It’s an integrated contract automation software that helps teams manage the full contract process.

This platform is especially useful for legal and operations teams looking to automate routine contract tasks.

With built-in templates, approval flows, and smart tracking, Zoho Contracts takes care of repetitive tasks and gives you better control over timelines and contract execution.

Best Features

• Automated contract creation: Build contracts from templates using form data to keep things consistent.
• Approval workflows: Route individual contracts for review, edits, or sign-off based on your team’s structure.
• Obligation tracking: Set reminders and follow-ups for key contractual obligations so nothing gets missed.
• Centralized dashboard: See contract status, owners, deadlines, and risk analysis results in one place.
• No manual data entry: Pull in details from Zoho CRM, Zoho Sign, or other connected tools to speed up the process.
• Audit trails and reporting: Improve your contract monitoring process by tracking activity and performance across your contract portfolio.

Pros

• Connects well with other Zoho tools for smoother contract workflow automation
• Cuts down manual data entry and repetitive tasks
• Allows teams to finalize contracts faster with fewer errors
• Keeps contractual obligations visible and easy to follow up on

Make Contract Work Less Work With Aline

From fast-growing startups to legal departments buried in paperwork, teams are turning to automation to improve contract performance and get out of reactive mode.

But how do you start automating your contract workflow?

You don’t need a massive overhaul to get started. You just need the right tool that fits your workflow and takes care of the details.

Aline gives you that kind of system. It solves contract automation across legal, sales, and operations. However, it doesn't add more platforms or steps. The entire process stays in sync and on track from drafting all the way up to signing.

Want to stop chasing contracts and start closing them? Try Aline today and see how embracing contract automation helps your team move faster, reduce errors, and stay compliant, but with less work.

‍

FAQs About Contract Automation Tools

What are examples of automation tools?

Popular automation tools include platforms that support contract generation, approval workflows, e-signatures, and document management. Many also include AI-powered contract features for redlining, clause suggestions, and contract analysis to improve accuracy and speed.

What is the best tool for contract management?

Aline stands out for combining automation, contract negotiation, and review in one system. It’s built for legal operations and business teams that want to manage the full lifecycle with robust security measures and compliance tracking to ensure compliance with industry regulations.

What is a CLM tool?

A CLM tool, or contract lifecycle management platform, manages every step of a contract’s journey from drafting to renewal. Its key features often include automated approvals, data extraction, and performance reporting to track contract metrics and improve business processes.

What is the difference between CMS and CLM?

A CMS focuses on storing and organizing documents, while CLM software handles the full lifecycle, including automating repetitive tasks like approvals, renewals, and reminders. This helps teams boost business outcomes and maintain strong business relationships.

How does contract automation improve security and value?

It increases contract security by using encryption and access controls while improving contract value through better tracking and analysis. These combined benefits make automation a practical choice for modern teams managing complex agreements.