Head-to-head · Legal Research Software
Westlaw vs Lexis+
Westlaw leads on 0 checks, Lexis+ on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreWestlaw · 9.4/10
- Free trialboth
- Most featuresWestlaw · 6 of 6
Westlaw scores higher on our rubric for legal research software: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.
Westlaw is the better fit for full-service U.S. legal research. Lexis+ is the better fit for comprehensive U.S. legal research.
- Westlaw fits best
Full-service U.S. legal research
- Lexis+ fits best
Comprehensive U.S. legal research
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Side by side
| Feature | Westlaw 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Lexis+ 9.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Ranking | #1 in Legal Research Software | #2 in Legal Research Software |
| Best for | Full-service U.S. legal research | Comprehensive U.S. legal research |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Pricing on request · 7-day trial | Pricing on request · 7-day trial |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days |
| Free trial length | 7 days · no card needed | 7 days |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Westlaw 6/6 · Lexis+ 5/6 | ||
| Case law search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Statute & regulation search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Docket search | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Legal commentary | ✓ | ✓ |
| Citation tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Research alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Jurisdiction coverage | United States: state and federal jurisdictions | Federal and state U.S. jurisdictions; specific coverage varies by content type |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Westlaw is Thomson Reuters’ online legal research platform for attorneys, law firms, government agencies, courts, and other legal professionals. It combines searchable state and federal case law with statutes, regulations, court rules,… Read the review → |
Lexis+ is a legal research and workflow platform for law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and law schools. Its coverage spans federal courts, all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with federal… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Westlaw — where it wins
- Broad federal and state primary-law and secondary-source coverage
- KeyCite, alerts, dockets, and litigation analytics in one platform
- AI-powered Deep Research and document analysis capabilities
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contact with sales and varies by plan and configuration
- Access is delivered through the web platform
- Its scope is centered on U.S. federal and state jurisdictions
Lexis+ — where it wins
- Searches case law, statutes, dockets and secondary legal sources
- Shepard’s provides citation analysis and treatment signals
- Combines Practical Guidance, AI-supported search and research alerts
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contacting sales or reviewing online-store packages
- Content access varies by subscription package and jurisdiction
- Web access is the listed platform; no free plan is provided
- Westlaw9.4/10 · Pricing on request · 7-day trial
A broad core research platform for legal professionals handling complex U.S. matters.
Visit WestlawFull verdict → - Lexis+9.2/10 · Pricing on request · 7-day trial
A broad U.S. legal research workspace combining authorities, guidance, citation analysis and alerts.
Visit Lexis+Full verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update






