Software · head to head
Laserfiche vs American Legal Publishing
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Laserfiche self-hosted deployment requires dedicated IT resources and infrastructure management; American Legal Publishing a 2019 recodification contract between American Legal Publishing Corporation and the City of Dry Ridge, Kentucky, publicly posted by a separate Kentucky municipality as a model agreement, sets a base codification cost of $9,485 (USD) plus per-page increase rates of $18 (single column) and $21 (dual column) once the code exceeds the estimated page count, a one-time $550 setup fee to put the code in a searchable online format, $495 per year to host the code online after that, and a five-year supplement plan billed at $18-21 per reprinted page plus $200 per annual statutory update. This is one specific signed municipal contract, not a general price list, and actual costs for other municipalities will scale with code length.
- They diverge on capability: Laserfiche covers Document Capture, American Legal Publishing covers Code Codification.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Laserfiche and American Legal Publishing actually diverge.
| Attribute | Laserfiche | American Legal Publishing |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $50/month | $150/month |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux | Web |
| Founded | 1976 | 1912 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Laserfiche
- Document Capture
- Workflow Automation
- Records Management
- Electronic Forms
- Process Automation
- Microsoft Office
- SharePoint
- Salesforce
Only in American Legal Publishing
- Code Codification
- Online Publishing
- Print Services
- Editorial Support
- Code Search
- Legislative Systems
- Document Management
- Public Portals
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Laserfiche
- Citizen Services
- Records Management
- Public Safety
- Civic Engagement
American Legal Publishing
- Citizen Services
- Records Management
- Public Safety
- Civic Engagement
Both are used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Laserfiche
- Self-hosted deployment requires dedicated IT resources and infrastructure management
- Complex implementation often requires significant upfront customization
- High total cost of ownership for on-premises deployments due to infrastructure needs
American Legal Publishing
- A 2019 recodification contract between American Legal Publishing Corporation and the City of Dry Ridge, Kentucky, publicly posted by a separate Kentucky municipality as a model agreement, sets a base codification cost of $9,485 (USD) plus per-page increase rates of $18 (single column) and $21 (dual column) once the code exceeds the estimated page count, a one-time $550 setup fee to put the code in a searchable online format, $495 per year to host the code online after that, and a five-year supplement plan billed at $18-21 per reprinted page plus $200 per annual statutory update. This is one specific signed municipal contract, not a general price list, and actual costs for other municipalities will scale with code length.
Pricing, plan by plan
Laserfiche
$50/month- Cloud$50/month
- Document Management
- Workflow Automation
- Records Management
American Legal Publishing
$150/month- Online Code$150/month
- Online Publishing
- Code Updates
- Search
Which should you pick?
Choose Laserfiche if
- You need document capture.
- You work on Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want workflow automation.
Choose American Legal Publishing if
- You need code codification.
- You also want online publishing.
Questions people ask
- Is Laserfiche or American Legal Publishing better?
- Neither clearly leads. Laserfiche starts at $50/month and American Legal Publishing at $150/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Laserfiche or American Legal Publishing?
- Laserfiche starts at $50/month and American Legal Publishing at $150/month.
- Does Laserfiche or American Legal Publishing run on more platforms?
- Laserfiche runs on Web, Mobile, Windows, macOS, Linux. American Legal Publishing runs on Web.
- What is Laserfiche best used for?
- Laserfiche is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement.
- What can Laserfiche do that American Legal Publishing cannot?
- Laserfiche covers Document Capture, Workflow Automation, Records Management, Electronic Forms. American Legal Publishing covers Code Codification, Online Publishing, Print Services, Editorial Support. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Laserfiche: Does Laserfiche offer both cloud and self-hosted options?
Yes. Laserfiche Cloud offers three tiers (Starter $53/user/month, Professional $73, Business $93). Laserfiche 12 provides self-hosted deployment for organizations requiring on-premise infrastructure or with strict security and regulatory constraints.
SourceLaserfiche: What does Laserfiche capture from documents?
Laserfiche provides document capture, electronic forms, workflow automation, case management, mobile access, and government-certified records management with automatic filing and retention schedules.
SourceLaserfiche: Can Laserfiche track document workflows automatically?
Yes. Laserfiche includes workflow automation that tracks and fulfills processes like FOIA requests, with access controls, audit trails, and automated recordkeeping for compliance.
Source