Decision Support · Side-by-side

CaseText CoCounsel vs Fastcase. Side by side.

Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.

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CaseText CoCounsel

Fastcase

Best overall

For most solo and small-firm lawyers, Fastcase is the smarter choice: it's more affordable, easier to start using, and its partnership with Clio means it fits into your existing workflow. CaseText CoCounsel is a powerhouse for large firms that need deep Westlaw integration and bulletproof citation accuracy, but its high cost and steep learning curve make it overkill for everyday users. The single biggest difference is price and accessibility: Fastcase is often free through bar associations, while CoCounsel is enterprise-only and opaque about cost.

CaseText CoCounsel

#999 of 3,826 Web

Fastcase

#1998 of 3,826 Web

Scores at a glance

CaseText CoCounselFastcasePractical Versatility

Onboarding Ease

Ecosystem Fit

Market Value

Choose CaseText CoCounsel if

You work at a mid-to-large law firm with a dedicated IT team and a budget for enterprise software.
You need bulletproof citation accuracy for high-stakes litigation and can't risk a case being overturned.
You regularly handle complex document review, contract analysis, or deposition prep and want an all-in-one AI assistant.
Your firm already uses Westlaw and you want a tool that plugs directly into that database.

Choose Fastcase if

You're a solo practitioner or small-firm lawyer who wants affordable legal research that's often free through your bar association.
You need to quickly verify case citations and get AI-powered brief analysis without a steep learning curve.
You use Clio or other practice management software and want seamless time tracking and billing integration.
You prefer visual tools (like the Badget map) to find related cases and patterns in your research.

Key differences

Fastcase is often free via bar associations; CoCounsel's pricing is enterprise-level and not publicly listed.
CoCounsel has no mobile app; Fastcase has a mobile app (though it's not great).
CoCounsel integrates with Westlaw; Fastcase integrates with Clio and other practice management tools.
CoCounsel is built for complex legal tasks (deposition prep, contract redlining); Fastcase focuses on core research and citation checking.
CoCounsel requires significant training and IT setup; Fastcase can be used within minutes of signing up.
CoCounsel has SOC2 Type II security; Fastcase does not advertise the same level of certification.

Facts side by side

	CaseText CoCounsel	Fastcase
Free plan
Mobile app
API access

CaseText CoCounsel: strengths & weaknesses

Top-notch citation accuracy — it's built on Westlaw, so you can trust case citations are current and correct.
Handles complex legal tasks like deposition prep, contract redlining, and timeline construction in one tool.
SOC2 Type II certified, meaning your client data is locked down to enterprise security standards.
No mobile app — you can't use it on your phone or tablet, which is a dealbreaker for lawyers on the go.
Very expensive and pricing is hidden; small firms will likely find it out of reach.
Steep learning curve — you'll need training on 'Parallel Search' syntax and prompt engineering to get full value.
No API or integrations with common practice management tools like Clio or MyCase.

Fastcase: strengths & weaknesses

Often free or heavily discounted through bar association memberships — huge value for solo practitioners.
Visual search mapping ('Badget' tool) makes finding related cases intuitive, even for legal research beginners.
Integrates with Clio for time tracking and billing, so you don't have to re-enter data.
AI brief analysis and citation verification (Authority Check) are powerful and easy to use.
Mobile app is clunky and behind the web version — not great for quick research on your phone.
Citation depth (citator) is slightly less thorough than Westlaw, so you may need to double-check very obscure cases.
Search syntax has a learning curve — natural language works okay, but advanced queries take practice.

Common questions

Is CaseText CoCounsel better than Fastcase for a solo lawyer?

No, for a solo lawyer Fastcase is almost always the better choice. It's much cheaper (often free through bar associations), easier to learn, and covers all the essential research tasks. CoCounsel is overkill and overpriced for a solo practice.

Can I use Fastcase on my phone?

Yes, Fastcase has a mobile app, but users report the interface is lagging behind the web version. It works for quick searches and citation checks, but for serious research you'll want to use a computer.

Does CaseText CoCounsel have a free trial?

CoCounsel does not publicly offer a free trial. Pricing is custom-quoted for firms, and you'll need to contact sales. Fastcase, on the other hand, often offers free access through bar associations or a free trial on their website.

Which tool is better for contract analysis?

CaseText CoCounsel is better for contract analysis because it has dedicated features for automated redlining and clause review. Fastcase's AI is more focused on case law research and brief analysis, not contract work.

Is Fastcase as accurate as Westlaw for citation checking?

Fastcase's 'Authority Check' is very good, but it's slightly less thorough than Westlaw's KeyCite for very obscure or older cases. For 95% of everyday legal research, it's accurate enough. CoCounsel uses Westlaw directly, so it matches Westlaw's accuracy.

Fastcase wins for everyday legal research on a budget; CaseText CoCounsel is the premium choice for Big Law teams that need Westlaw-level accuracy and complex document automation.

If you're a solo or small-firm lawyer, start with Fastcase — it's affordable, easy to use, and often free through your bar association. If you're at a large firm with deep pockets and need the absolute best citation accuracy and complex document tools, then CaseText CoCounsel is worth the investment, but be ready for a longer setup and higher cost.

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Detail pages: CaseText CoCounsel · Fastcase

CaseText CoCounsel

Fastcase

Free plan

Mobile app

API access