Legal · head to head
Relativity vs NetDocuments
Relativity
Legal
Ediscovery and legal data platform for large matters
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Relativity quote-only and expensive, typically billed on data volume, so costs escalate with matter size; NetDocuments quote-only pricing per user with no published rates
- They diverge on capability: Relativity covers Large-scale processing, NetDocuments covers Matter-centric filing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Relativity and NetDocuments actually diverge.
| Attribute | Relativity | NetDocuments |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Cloud, Self-hosted | Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Cloud |
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 Relativity
- Large-scale processing
- Review workflow
- Analytics and active learning
- Application ecosystem
Only in NetDocuments
- Matter-centric filing
- Ethical walls
- Email management
- Version control
- Search
- Retention
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Relativity
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Relativity review.
NetDocuments
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the NetDocuments review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Relativity if
- You need large-scale processing.
- You work on Web, Cloud, Self-hosted.
- You also want review workflow.
Choose NetDocuments if
- You need matter-centric filing.
- You work on Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Cloud.
- You also want ethical walls.
Questions people ask
- Is Relativity or NetDocuments better?
- Neither clearly leads. Relativity starts at On request and NetDocuments at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Relativity or NetDocuments?
- Relativity starts at On request and NetDocuments at On request.
- Does Relativity or NetDocuments run on more platforms?
- Relativity runs on Web, Cloud, Self-hosted. NetDocuments runs on Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Cloud.
- What is Relativity best used for?
- Relativity is most often used for large litigation with very high document volumes, corporate investigations requiring defensible, auditable review, firms whose review process is already built around the platform. Of those, large litigation with very high document volumes and corporate investigations requiring defensible, auditable review are not what NetDocuments is typically brought in for.
- What can Relativity do that NetDocuments cannot?
- Relativity covers Large-scale processing, Review workflow, Analytics and active learning, Application ecosystem. NetDocuments covers Matter-centric filing, Ethical walls, Email management, Version control.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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: What does NetDocuments cost?
It quotes per user and does not publish rates.
Relativity: Is Relativity only for law firms?
No. Corporate legal departments and government agencies use it for investigations as well as litigation.
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: Do I need trained staff?
In practice yes. Relativity certification is a recognised specialism, and that staffing cost is part of the total.
NetDocuments: Does it handle email?
Yes, capturing correspondence into the matter record, which is where most legal email otherwise fails to land.