Legal · head to head
NetDocuments vs Relativity
Relativity
Legal
Ediscovery and legal data platform for large matters
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: NetDocuments quote-only pricing per user with no published rates; Relativity quote-only and expensive, typically billed on data volume, so costs escalate with matter size
- They diverge on capability: NetDocuments covers Matter-centric filing, Relativity covers Large-scale processing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which NetDocuments and Relativity actually diverge.
| Attribute | NetDocuments | Relativity |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Cloud | Web, Cloud, Self-hosted |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (quote), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Legal).
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 NetDocuments
- Matter-centric filing
- Ethical walls
- Email management
- Version control
- Search
- Retention
Only in Relativity
- Large-scale processing
- Review workflow
- Analytics and active learning
- Application ecosystem
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
NetDocuments
- Firms needing enforceable ethical walls rather than folder permissionsnot Relativity
- Capturing email into the matter record instead of individual inboxesnot Relativity
- Moving document management off on-premise serversnot Relativity
Relativity
- Large litigation with very high document volumesnot NetDocuments
- Corporate investigations requiring defensible, auditable reviewnot NetDocuments
- Firms whose review process is already built around the platformnot NetDocuments
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
NetDocuments
- Quote-only pricing per user with no published rates
- Migrating an existing document store is a substantial project, and legacy metadata rarely survives cleanly
- Aimed at mid-size and large firms; solo practices find it heavier than needed
- Adoption depends on fee earners filing correctly, and habits are the hard part
Relativity
- Quote-only and expensive, typically billed on data volume, so costs escalate with matter size
- Complex enough that certified specialists are a job title, which is a real staffing cost
- Considerable overkill for small matters, where lighter self-service tools are far cheaper
Pricing, plan by plan
NetDocuments
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the NetDocuments review.
Relativity
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Relativity review.
Which should you pick?
Choose NetDocuments if
- You need matter-centric filing.
- You work on Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Cloud.
- You also want ethical walls.
Choose Relativity if
- You need large-scale processing.
- You work on Web, Cloud, Self-hosted.
- You also want review workflow.
Questions people ask
- Is NetDocuments or Relativity better?
- Neither clearly leads. NetDocuments starts at On request and Relativity at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, NetDocuments or Relativity?
- NetDocuments starts at On request and Relativity at On request.
- Does NetDocuments or Relativity run on more platforms?
- NetDocuments runs on Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Cloud. Relativity runs on Web, Cloud, Self-hosted.
- What is NetDocuments best used for?
- NetDocuments is most often used for firms needing enforceable ethical walls rather than folder permissions, capturing email into the matter record instead of individual inboxes, moving document management off on-premise servers. Of those, firms needing enforceable ethical walls rather than folder permissions and capturing email into the matter record instead of individual inboxes are not what Relativity is typically brought in for.
- What can NetDocuments do that Relativity cannot?
- NetDocuments covers Matter-centric filing, Ethical walls, Email management, Version control. Relativity covers Large-scale processing, Review workflow, Analytics and active learning, Application ecosystem.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
NetDocuments: What does NetDocuments cost?
It quotes per user and does not publish rates.
Relativity: What does Relativity cost?
It does not publish rates. Ediscovery is generally billed on data volume and users, quoted per matter or organisation.
NetDocuments: Why not just use SharePoint or Dropbox?
Neither expresses matter-centric security or ethical walls in an auditable way, which is a professional obligation rather than a preference in legal practice.
Relativity: Is Relativity only for law firms?
No. Corporate legal departments and government agencies use it for investigations as well as litigation.
NetDocuments: Does it handle email?
Yes, capturing correspondence into the matter record, which is where most legal email otherwise fails to land.
Relativity: Do I need trained staff?
In practice yes. Relativity certification is a recognised specialism, and that staffing cost is part of the total.