Fastcase
Fastcase is a comprehensive legal research software providing access to a massive library of primary law, including case law, statutes, and regulations to help you build stronger legal arguments.
Westlaw
Westlaw is a comprehensive legal research platform providing AI-powered search, verified case law, and expert secondary sources to help legal professionals build stronger arguments and make faster, more informed decisions.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fastcase | Westlaw |
|---|---|---|
| Website | fastcase.com | westlaw.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $65/month | $105/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 24 days free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1999 | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., USA | Eagan, USA |
Overview
Fastcase
Fastcase is a modern legal research platform designed to help you find the law you need without the complexity of traditional legacy systems. You can search through an extensive database of federal and state case law, statutes, regulations, and court rules. The platform uses smart sorting technology to surface the most relevant results first, saving you hours of manual filtering through dense legal documents.
You can visualize search results using interactive maps to see how cases relate to one another and identify the most influential precedents quickly. Whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a large firm, the software provides the tools to track your research history and organize your findings into folders. It integrates directly with many state bar associations, often providing you with premium access as a member benefit.
Westlaw
Westlaw is a specialized research platform designed to help you navigate the complexities of legal data with confidence. You can access an exhaustive database of case law, statutes, and regulations, all supported by the exclusive KeyCite feature to ensure your citations are still valid. The platform uses advanced AI to surface the most relevant documents quickly, saving you hours of manual searching through physical archives or fragmented digital records.
Whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a global law firm, you can leverage expert-authored secondary sources and practical tools to draft better briefs. The software solves the problem of information overload by organizing legal precedents into an intuitive hierarchy. You can track specific practice areas, monitor new filings, and use integrated drafting tools to streamline your entire litigation or transactional workflow from a single interface.
Overview
Fastcase Features
- Forecite Research Discover important cases that your keyword search might have missed by identifying decisions frequently cited by your search results.
- Interactive Timeline View your search results on a visual map to quickly spot the most seminal cases and see how the law has evolved.
- Authority Check Generate a list of other cases that cite your current document to ensure your legal authority remains valid and persuasive.
- Mobile Sync Access your saved folders and research history on the go with native apps that sync across your desktop and mobile devices.
- Advanced Filtering Narrow your results by jurisdiction, date, or document type using intuitive filters that help you pinpoint specific legal points.
- Cloud Folders Organize your research into custom folders and share them with your colleagues to keep your entire firm on the same page.
Westlaw Features
- WestSearch Plus. Get instant answers to legal questions with AI-powered search that understands natural language and legal intent.
- KeyCite Verification. Check the status of any case or statute instantly to ensure your legal authority is still good law.
- Practical Law. Access thousands of checklists, standard documents, and practice notes created by expert attorneys to speed up drafting.
- Quick Check. Upload your legal briefs to automatically identify missing precedents and find weaknesses in your opponent's arguments.
- Key Number System. Navigate the world's most organized legal classification system to find every case related to your specific point of law.
- Alerts and Tracking. Set up automated notifications for new court filings or legislative changes so you never miss a critical update.
Pricing Comparison
Fastcase Pricing
- Federal and State Case Law
- Statutes and Regulations
- Interactive Timeline
- Authority Check tool
- Mobile app access
- Unlimited printing
- Everything in Appellate, plus:
- Briefs and Pleadings
- Expert Witness profiles
- Advanced data analytics
- Expanded secondary sources
- Priority customer support
Westlaw Pricing
- Core legal research
- State or Federal primary law
- KeyCite citation research
- WestSearch AI engine
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Expanded secondary sources
- Brief drafting tools
- Advanced litigation analytics
- Multi-jurisdictional access
Pros & Cons
Fastcase
Pros
- Often free for members of participating state bar associations
- Intuitive visual search tools help identify key cases quickly
- Clean interface is easier to navigate than legacy competitors
- Mobile app allows for effective research while in court
- Excellent customer support and live training webinars
Cons
- Secondary source library is less extensive than Westlaw
- Search syntax can occasionally feel less flexible than competitors
- Loading speeds can vary when handling very large documents
Westlaw
Pros
- Unmatched accuracy in case law verification
- Intuitive search that understands complex legal phrasing
- Extensive library of expert secondary sources
- Reliable mobile app for research in court
- Excellent customer support and training resources
Cons
- Higher price point than most competitors
- Complex interface requires initial training time
- Long-term contracts can be difficult to cancel