Casetext vs Westlaw: AI vs Traditional Legal Research
Compare AI-powered research innovation with the established legal research standard
Casetext
AI Innovation Leader- Advanced AI search (CARA A.I.)
- Natural language queries
- Transparent pricing
- Modern, intuitive interface
Westlaw
Industry Standard- Comprehensive legal database
- Advanced search operators
- Extensive secondary sources
- Established industry standard
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Casetext | Westlaw |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | AI-first legal research platform with natural language search | Comprehensive legal database with traditional and AI search |
| Starting Price | $89/user/month | $200-400+/user/month |
| Database Coverage | ~ Federal & state cases, statutes | ✓ Most comprehensive |
| AI Search Technology | ✓ CARA A.I. (industry-leading) | ✓ WestSearch Plus AI |
| Natural Language Search | ✓ Optimized for plain English | ~ Limited natural language |
| Boolean Search | ✓ Standard operators | ✓ Advanced operators |
| Case Law Coverage | ✓ Federal & state courts | ✓ Most comprehensive |
| Secondary Sources | ~ Limited selection | ✓ Extensive treatises & journals |
| Legal Analytics | ✓ Judge & court analytics | ✓ WestSearch Analytics |
| Citation Analysis | ✓ Good citation tools | ✓ KeyCite (industry standard) |
| Shepardizing/Validation | ✓ SmartCite validation | ✓ Gold standard KeyCite |
| Brief Analysis | ✓ CARA Brief Analyzer | ~ Limited brief tools |
| Mobile App | ✓ Full-featured mobile | ✓ Westlaw Edge mobile |
| Offline Access | ✗ Cloud-only | ✓ Download capabilities |
| International Law | ✗ US-focused | ✓ Global coverage |
| API Access | ~ Limited API | ✓ Comprehensive APIs |
| Training & Support | ✓ Responsive support | ✓ Extensive training programs |
| Learning Curve | ✓ Intuitive & easy | ~ Steeper learning curve |
| Best For | Small to mid-size firms, AI-first research | Large firms, comprehensive research needs |
AI Capabilities Deep Dive
Casetext CARA A.I.
Key Features:
- Natural Language Processing: Ask questions in plain English
- CARA Brief Analyzer: Upload briefs to find relevant cases
- Parallel Search: AI finds conceptually similar cases
- Smart Filtering: AI-powered result refinement
- Citation Context: Understand how cases are being cited
Example Query:
"Can an employer fire someone for refusing to work overtime on religious grounds?"
CARA understands the legal concepts and finds relevant employment and religious accommodation cases.
Westlaw AI Features
Key Features:
- WestSearch Plus: AI-enhanced traditional search
- Quick Check: AI-powered citation validation
- Litigation Analytics: AI-driven insights on judges/courts
- Smart Search: Improved result ranking
- Practice Area Integration: AI within specific practice tools
Approach:
Westlaw integrates AI to enhance traditional Boolean search rather than replacing it. The AI assists with result ranking and provides additional context.
Pros and Cons Analysis
Casetext
Pros
- Revolutionary AI search that understands legal concepts
- Significantly lower cost ($89 vs $200-400+/month)
- Intuitive interface requiring minimal training
- Natural language search reduces research time
- CARA Brief Analyzer for comprehensive case finding
- Transparent, predictable pricing
- Excellent for rapid research and case discovery
- Strong mobile app for research on the go
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Smaller database compared to Westlaw
- Limited secondary sources and treatises
- US-focused (no international law coverage)
- Newer platform with shorter track record
- Less comprehensive for specialized practice areas
- No offline access capabilities
- Limited API and integration options
Westlaw
Pros
- Most comprehensive legal database available
- Industry-standard KeyCite citation analysis
- Extensive secondary sources and treatises
- Global coverage including international law
- Advanced Boolean search capabilities
- Established trust and reliability
- Comprehensive training and support programs
- Strong API and integration ecosystem
- Offline access and download capabilities
- Specialized tools for specific practice areas
Cons
- Significantly higher cost (3-5x more expensive)
- Steeper learning curve and complex interface
- AI features less advanced than Casetext
- Limited natural language search capabilities
- Can be overwhelming for simple research tasks
- Complex pricing structure with many add-ons
- Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
Pricing Comparison
Casetext Pricing
Standard Plan
- Full case law database access
- CARA A.I. search technology
- Brief Analyzer tool
- SmartCite validation
- Mobile app access
- Email support
Volume Discounts: Available for larger teams
Annual Plans: 10% discount for annual payment
Free Trial: 14-day free trial available
Westlaw Pricing
Custom Pricing
- Pricing varies by practice area
- Database size affects cost
- Secondary sources are add-ons
- Volume discounts available
- Training and support included
Practice-Specific Packages: Different pricing for litigation, corporate, etc.
Add-On Costs: International databases, specialized libraries
Enterprise Deals: Significant discounts for large firms
Which Platform is Right for You?
Choose Casetext If:
- Cost is a significant factor in your decision
- You want the most advanced AI search technology
- Your research is primarily US federal and state law
- You prefer intuitive, modern interfaces
- Quick case discovery is more important than comprehensive coverage
- You're a small to mid-size firm
- Natural language search appeals to your team
- You want to minimize training time
Choose Westlaw If:
- You need the most comprehensive legal database
- Secondary sources and treatises are crucial
- You handle international or specialized legal matters
- Your team is already trained on Westlaw
- Advanced Boolean search capabilities are important
- You're part of a large firm with diverse needs
- Established industry standard tools are preferred
- You need extensive API integrations
Our Verdict
Casetext Wins for Innovation and Value
Casetext represents the future of legal research with its AI-first approach that dramatically reduces research time and costs. For most law firms, especially small to mid-size practices, Casetext provides 80% of the functionality at 25% of the cost.
Westlaw remains necessary for comprehensive needs. Large firms with diverse practice areas, international clients, or heavy reliance on secondary sources will still find Westlaw indispensable despite its higher cost.
The legal industry is experiencing a shift toward AI-powered research, and Casetext is leading this transformation.
Casetext
Westlaw
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