Letterhead of Esanu Katsky Korins & Siger, LLP



January 29, 1999


                                                                      13146-02
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

                                          Re: Netsmart Technologies, Inc.

Gentlemen:

   We  refer  to the  registration  statement  on Form  S-8  (the  "Registration
Statement")  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"),  filed by
Netsmart  Technologies,  Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Terms defined in the Registration Statement
and not otherwise defined in this opinion shall have the same meanings herein as
in the Registration Statement.

   We have examined the  originals or  photocopies  or certified  copies of such
records of the  Company,  certificates  of  officers  of the  Company and public
officials,  and other  documents as we have deemed  relevant and  necessary as a
basis  for the  opinion  hereinafter  expressed.  In such  examination,  we have
assumed the  genuineness of all  signatures,  the  authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as certified  copies or photocopies and the  authenticity of the
originals of such latter documents.

   Based on our  examination  mentioned  above,  we are of the opinion  that the
shares of Common Stock  issuable upon the exercise of the Options  granted or to
be granted under the 1998 Plan (the "Plan") are duly authorized and, when issued
upon exercise of the Options in accordance  with the terms of the Plan,  will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

   We  hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion  as  Exhibit  5.1 to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under "Legal Matters" in
the related Prospectus.  In giving the foregoing consent, we do not hereby admit
that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the  Act  or the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.

                                          Very truly yours,


                                          ESANU KATSKY KORINS & SIGER, LLP


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