CourtListener
CourtListener: A free U.S. legal research archive with opinions, RECAP materials, citation tools, and alerts. Ranked #4 of 32 in Legal Research Software by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free U.S. opinions and docket research.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree U.S. opinions and docket research
- Free planYes
- Founded2010 · Oakland, California, United States
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free access to federal and state court opinions
- RECAP Archive search covers federal filings and dockets
- Citation tools, alerts, APIs, and oral argument audio
Where it doesn't
- Focuses on U.S. court materials rather than broader legal content
- Federal filing and docket coverage depends on the RECAP Archive
- No paid tier for expanded features or service levels
Our verdict on CourtListener
CourtListener is a free legal research website and searchable archive operated by Free Law Project. It is designed for lawyers, journalists, academics, researchers, and members of the public who need to search U.S. federal and state opinions, federal filings and dockets in the RECAP Archive, citations, oral arguments, and related court data. Its scope suits litigation research and public-interest legal information work, especially when access to opinions and docket materials is the primary requirement.
The pricing model is straightforward: CourtListener is free, with a free plan and no paid tiers described. Its research features include keyword and query search alerts, docket alerts for new case filings, and citation alerts for decisions cited in filings or case law. Citation lookup and citation-based searching support work that starts with a known authority or follows how decisions are being cited. Oral argument audio and podcasts add an audio source alongside searchable written materials.
For technical and workflow fit, CourtListener provides web access, APIs, and bulk-data access. PACER integration connects the service with a federal court filing ecosystem, while webhooks can support event-driven workflows. The main tradeoff is scope: CourtListener centers on U.S. opinions, RECAP filings and dockets, citations, alerts, and court-related data. Research teams that require statutes, regulations, or secondary legal commentary should choose a broader legal research product instead. CourtListener is the better fit for users prioritizing free access to U.S. case law and docket research, with programmatic access available for further analysis.
Your product? Our editors can test CourtListener in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
CourtListener pricing
All 5 CourtListener plans and prices →
CourtListener fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Case law search | Yes |
| Statute & regulation search | Not verified |
| Docket search | Yes |
| Legal commentary | Not verified |
| Citation tools | Yes |
| Jurisdiction coverage | U.S. federal and state courts |
| Research alerts | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Chrome extension |
| Support | Email, Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: REST API, Webhooks, MCP server, RECAP browser extension |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | courtlistener.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
CourtListener integrations
CourtListener lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- REST API
- Webhooks
- MCP server
- RECAP browser extension
Alternatives to CourtListener
- WestlawA broad core research platform for legal professionals handling complex U.S. matters.9.4
- Lexis+A broad U.S. legal research workspace combining authorities, guidance, citation analysis and alerts.9.2
- CanLIIA free web-based research library focused on Canadian legal materials.9.1
See all CourtListener alternatives →
CourtListener vs the competition
- CourtListener vs Westlaw
- CourtListener vs Lexis+
- CourtListener vs CanLII
- CourtListener vs vLex Library
- CourtListener vs SCC Online
- CourtListener vs vLex Justis
Compare CourtListener with any tool side by side →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used CourtListener for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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