Documate Review
Last reviewed October 2026. Documate rebranded as Gavel in early 2023, and Relativity announced its acquisition of Gavel in June 2026. Searches for “Documate” now lead to Gavel. This overview is based on the vendor's public materials and industry reporting, not hands-on testing of every feature. Features, ownership and pricing change often — confirm details with the vendor before buying.
Documate, now called Gavel, is a no-code platform for building document automation and client-facing legal workflows (questionnaires, intake and portals) without programming. It was renamed in 2023, and Relativity announced its acquisition of Gavel in June 2026.
Overview
Documate brings document automation into the modern web era with a focus on client experience and ease of use. Unlike traditional desktop-based solutions, Documate is entirely web-based, allowing firms to create interactive questionnaires that clients can complete from any device. The no-code visual builder means anyone can create complex workflows without technical expertise, while powerful integrations connect seamlessly with existing legal tech stacks.
Key Features
- No-Code Builder: Visual drag-and-drop workflow creation
- Client Portals: Branded web forms clients can access directly
- Conditional Logic: Smart branching based on answers
- Template Library: Pre-built workflows for common documents
- E-Signature Integration: Built-in signing capabilities
- Payment Collection: Accept payments within workflows
- API & Webhooks: Connect to any system
- White-Label Options: Full branding customization
Use Cases
- Law firms automating client intake
- Legal aid organizations scaling services
- Solo practitioners offering online document prep
- Corporate legal teams streamlining requests
- Courts and government agencies digitizing forms
Pros
- True no-code platform anyone can use
- Modern, mobile-friendly client experience
- Excellent integration capabilities
- Built-in e-signatures and payments
- Fast implementation and deployment
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Less powerful than code-based solutions
- Monthly subscription costs add up
- Limited offline capabilities
- Newer platform with smaller community
Integration Capabilities
Documate connects with popular legal and business tools:
- Clio for practice management
- Zapier for 3000+ app connections
- DocuSign and HelloSign for e-signatures
- Stripe and LawPay for payments
- Google Drive and Dropbox for storage
- Webhooks for custom integrations
- API for developer access
Security & Compliance
Vendors in this category commonly hold certifications such as SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001, but scope and dates vary and we have not verified Documate's current certifications. Before sending client data, ask for the latest SOC 2 report or ISO certificate, data-residency options, encryption and retention terms, whether customer data is used to train AI models, and the sub-processor list. Our vendor due-diligence guide has a full checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Documate?
Documate is a no-code document automation platform that allows law firms to create web-based workflows and client portals. Users can build interactive questionnaires that generate documents without any programming knowledge.
How much does Documate cost?
Documate does not publish a single price for every customer, and list prices change often. What you pay depends on seats, modules, contract length and any implementation services, so check Documate's current pricing page or ask for a written quote. We deliberately do not reproduce list prices here.
Can clients use Documate directly?
Yes, one of Documate's key features is client-facing portals. Clients can access branded web forms directly, complete questionnaires, upload documents, and even make payments without needing an account.
What integrations does Documate support?
Documate integrates with Clio, Zapier (3000+ apps), DocuSign, HelloSign, Stripe, LawPay, Google Drive, Dropbox, and offers webhooks and APIs for custom integrations with any system.