Pigeon Review: The Top-Rated Pipefile Alternative for Immigration lawyers
Table of Contents
What is Pipefile?
Pipefile is a platform that helps businesses request and collect documents and supporting evidence from clients. Pipefile’s core product allows you to create itemized checklists listing the files needed from clients.
The process of using Pipefile breaks down into 4 key steps:
Create request checklists (you can save them as templates)
Send the list to your client via email or SMS with automatic reminders
Clients submit files without creating an account
Review submissions, rejecting or verifying files
For a full review of Pipefile for immigration lawyers, see Pipefile Review: Pros and Cons of Pipefile for Immigration Lawyers.
But Pipefile isn’t the only player in town. It has a competitor that matches and surpasses its features, providing unique capabilities for immigration law firms.
Pigeon Documents: Pipefile's Top-Rated Alternative
Every immigration lawyer’s goal is to help clients get their applications approved and navigate the immigration process successfully—without getting overwhelmed by administrative tasks. Pigeon Documents was designed to do just that, streamlining document collection to support immigration law firms.
Pigeon’s Core Document Collection Features
Pigeon includes all of Pipefile’s core features, plus additional enhancements.
Itemized Checklists: Like Pipefile, Pigeon lets you create supporting evidence checklists and send them to clients in a click via email and SMS, with your firm’s custom branding.
Templates: Easily save your checklists as templates for each case type.
Automatic reminders: Pigeon automatically follows up with clients at your selected cadence.
No Account Necessary: Clients never need to create an account.
Review and Request Changes: Send comments to clients requesting changes, or verify submissions.
Mobile Optimized: Pigeon is fully mobile optimized so clients can upload files or take pictures from their phone, without downloading any app.
Dashboard: To track, review, and manage requests.
Export: Download files as a .zip or integrate with your cloud storage system to automatically move files into your cloud storage of choice.
Foreign Language Support: Send all Pigeon communication in 30+ languages.
The Key Differences Between Pigeon and Pipefile:
Pigeon and Pipefile share similar core features, like document checklists, templates, reminders and approve or reject. However, the Pigeon team’s experience in the legal field enabled a number of key compliance, efficiency and client experience enhancements for immigration lawyers.
Security | Onboarding | Client Experience | Team Collaboration | Full Feature Pricing | Unique Features | |
| SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, E-SIGN Act | Automatic checklist creation | Intuitive layout for multiple file uploads | Streamlined collaboration,Unlimited storage | $50/month | Immigration Law features |
 | No compliance | Manually create all of your checklists | Restricted to view only one item at a time | Not available | Contact Sales | Not available |
Here are the 3 key differences between Pigeon and Pipefile;
Security Compliance
Pigeon
SOC 2 Certification: Unlike Pipefile, Pigeon is SOC 2 certified. This means that Pigeon receives independent third-party audits, ensuring your client data remains safe.
Other Security Compliance: Pigeon is also HIPAA, GDPR, and E-SIGN Act complaint.
Pipefile
No SOC 2 Certification and third-party security audit
No Other Compliance such as HIPAA, GDPR or E-SIGN Act compliance
Winner: Pigeon
Pigeon’s Intuitive Client-Friendly Experience
Intuitive Layout and design allowing clients to see the full checklist throughout the submission process, making it easy to track outstanding items and requested changes—unlike Pipefile.
Pigeon's Client Interface
Pipefile's Client Interface
One Submission vs Many Submissions: Unlike Pipefile, Pigeon provides flexibility so that clients can upload files for different checklist items at once and finalize submission when ready. With Pipefile, clients need to complete new submissions for each checklist item, and if they don’t, previously uploaded files are wiped.
Email deliverability ensuring all emails come directly from your firm’s email address, not a generic 'no-reply' address.
People might not be aware of all the ways a product might help them out. So be sure to highlight these in your post. You may mention ways they hadn't even thought of!
Winner: Pigeon
Pigeon sets up your templates for you
Let’s be honest, the most annoying part of getting started with any new software is set up. That’s why Pigeon handles it for you.
Effortless Onboarding with Pigeon:
Automated Template Setup: We seamlessly convert your existing documents into Pigeon-ready templates, saving you hours of manual work.
Ongoing Template Support: We continuously update your templates to ensure they remain current with the latest standards and policies, so you don't have to.
Contrast With Pipefile's Setup Approach:
Manual setup so you have to set everything up manually yourself.
Manual upkeep so you have to manually update your templates for new policy changes.
Winner: Pigeon
Pigeon’s Immigration-Specific Features
The Pigeon team’s experience in legal practice enabled them to develop a number of unique, immigration-specific features, such as:
Auto-convert .HEIC files to JPEG and any images to PDF
Combine files into one PDF in one click to assist your assembly process
Drag-and-drop checklist to easily adjust and reorder templates, accommodating policy changes and unique client needs
Internal comments on each case to enhance team collaboration
Enhanced tracking capability enabling easier team collaboration
Winner: Pigeon
Modern, professional interface
Pigeon provides a significantly more modern and professional interface, enhancing your team and client experience.
Pigeon Dashboard vs Pipefile Dashboard
Pigeon
Pipefile
Pigeon Email vs Pipefile Email
Pigeon
Pipefile
Key Differences
One Submission vs Many Submissions: Unlike Pipefile, Pigeon provides flexibility so that clients can upload files for different checklist items at once and finalize submission when ready. With Pipefile, clients need to complete new submissions for each checklist item, and if they don’t, previously uploaded files are wiped.
Email deliverability ensuring all emails come directly from your firm’s email address, not a generic 'no-reply' address.
People might not be aware of all the ways a product might help them out. So be sure to highlight these in your post. You may mention ways they hadn't even thought of!
Winner: Pigeon
The Verdict: Pigeon vs Pipefile
Pigeon is the ultimate document collection and management solution for immigration lawyers who demand efficiency, security, and an outstanding client experience. It not only matches Pipefile’s core capabilities but surpasses them, eliminating administrative headaches and ensuring law firms can focus on winning cases—not chasing paperwork.
Winner: Pigeon
Want to give Pigeon a try? You can book a demo to learn more or sign up for a free trial.
What if you’re already using Pipefile?
Not to worry! If you already have templated checklists saved, Pigeon will easily recreate them in your new account—at no cost.
If you’re on a long-term contract with Pipefile, Pigeon offers a full migration plan to ensure a smooth transition without duplicating costs.
How does Pigeon's Pricing work?
Pigeon offers one plan that includes everything:
Unlimited requests
Unlimited storage
Training and support
Access to all Pigeon features and integrations
Pricing is based on the number of users at your firm, starting at $50/month per user for solo firms.
Get started with Pigeon today—schedule a demo or start your free trial now!