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matter vs Migration Manager
Migration Manager is still the benchmark for firms that depend on deep eLodge automation. If you want browser-based software, lower upfront cost, and built-in automation, here is where matter is the better fit.
Migration Manager earned its place.
Migration Manager is the incumbent for a reason. It has deep MatterAccount eLodge automation, a large template library, certified trust accounting, and years of market habits behind it.
If your practice depends on those features every day, that is not inertia. That is a real product advantage, and it is worth acknowledging plainly.
The trade-off is everything around that strength: desktop-era architecture, a $900 setup fee, multi-year contracts, and pricing that assumes switching should be hard.
The short version
Quick comparison.
| matter | Migration Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Modern web app, works on any device | Desktop app + cloud hybrid |
| Setup fee | None | $900 |
| Monthly cost | From $79 per agent | $239 - $279/licence |
| Contract | Month-to-month, cancel any time | 12, 24, or 36 months |
| Security certification | CASA Tier 3 | ISO 27001 |
| Client portal | Included on all plans | MM Portal (included) |
| MatterAccount eLodge | Coming soon | Yes, 90+ app types |
| Letter templates | Case templates included | 4,000+ ($50/mo add-on) |
| Trust accounting | Not included | NSW Law Society certified |
| Mobile access | Full browser access | Limited (desktop app) |
| AI features | Neudash automation built in | None |
| Onboarding | Self-service, immediate | $900 setup, assisted |
Still ahead
Where Migration Manager is stronger.
If these are central to how your practice runs, they should carry real weight in the decision.
MatterAccount eLodge automation
MM can auto-fill and lodge 90+ visa application types directly through eLodge. If your team lodges at volume, this is the clearest reason to stay put. matter does not have this yet.
4,000+ letter templates
If your practice runs on MM Templates, switching is not just a software change. It means replacing working documents, internal habits, and review processes that already exist today.
Trust accounting
MM includes a NSW Law Society certified trust accounting solution. If your practice handles trust money inside the case system, MM has the edge. matter does not include trust accounting.
Where matter is stronger.
matter is newer, but there are already clear reasons a lot of firms would choose it over Migration Manager.
Security: tested, not just certified
CASA Tier 3 means the application itself was independently penetration tested across all 14 OWASP categories. ISO 27001 still helps, but it covers organisational controls. These are different things, and application testing is critical when you store passports, health information, and financial records.
Pricing that respects your business
No $900 setup. No 36-month lock-in. Lower starting price. Month-to-month terms. For a small or mid-sized firm, that means you can change systems without turning the decision into a capital project.
Modern architecture
Open it in a browser on any machine. No desktop install. No Windows dependency. No office-only setup just to check a case when you are out.
Client portal that works for everyone
Clean, simple, and easier for clients to actually use. They can upload documents, track progress, and read updates without being dropped into back-office software disguised as a portal.
Automation built in
Because it runs on Neudash, reminders, deadline alerts, and client updates can be automated. The point is not flashy AI. It is less admin, fewer missed follow-ups, and more time on client work.
Decision guide
Who should switch, and who should not.
Stay with Migration Manager if...
eLodge auto-fill and lodgement save your team real hours every week.
You rely on MM Templates or built-in trust accounting today.
The cost of changing systems is higher than the cost of staying put.
Look at matter if...
You want browser-based software your team can use anywhere, without setup.
You care about transparent pricing, month-to-month terms, and verified application security.
You want your case system to do more than store files, and start taking admin work off the team.
For many firms, the real question is simple: do you need everything Migration Manager has, or are you paying desktop-era costs for a handful of features you only use occasionally?
See whether matter fits your practice.
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