Casetext vs. CoCounsel 2026: What Happened and What You Should Use Now
Introduction
When Thomson Reuters acquired Casetext in 2023 for $650 million, the legal AI market took notice. When Casetext shut down as a standalone product in April 2025, more than 10,000 law firms faced an immediate migration decision.
Two years later, the dust has settled. CoCounsel — the Thomson Reuters AI platform built on Casetext’s technology — has grown to one million users and set a new standard for research-backed legal AI. But not every former Casetext user found CoCounsel to be the right fit. Some wanted a lighter-weight tool. Some balked at the Westlaw subscription dependency. Some found alternatives that better matched their specific workflows.
This guide covers the full landscape: what CoCounsel offers, how it compares to Casetext’s original capabilities, and what alternatives exist for practitioners who are still evaluating.
What Is CoCounsel Today?
CoCounsel is Thomson Reuters’ AI legal assistant — the direct evolution of the Casetext product, substantially expanded with Westlaw integration and enterprise capabilities.
What survived from Casetext:
- Natural language research queries
- Brief analysis and research synthesis
- Document analysis features
What was added after acquisition:
- Full Westlaw database integration (the most significant upgrade)
- Deposition preparation and analysis
- Enterprise security and compliance
- Dramatically expanded scale and reliability
What changed:
- Pricing increased for most users (Westlaw integration adds cost)
- The lightweight, solo-practitioner-friendly pricing model became less accessible
- The product became enterprise-focused over time
Who Should Choose CoCounsel?
CoCounsel is the right choice if:
- You were on Casetext and were satisfied with the research quality — CoCounsel is better
- Your firm is on Westlaw already (bundle pricing makes CoCounsel’s incremental cost reasonable)
- You need the most accurate, database-backed legal research available
- You want deposition analysis and document review in the same platform
- Enterprise security and compliance are requirements
2. Lexis+ AI Protégé — Best for Existing Lexis Subscribers
If you are on LexisNexis rather than Westlaw, Lexis+ AI Protégé is the natural alternative to CoCounsel. It offers research-backed AI with the Lexis database — comparable quality for Lexis subscribers.
Best for: Firms on LexisNexis who want database-backed AI research without switching to Westlaw.
See our full Lexis+ AI Protégé review → for a detailed assessment.
4. CoCounsel Core — Best Budget Entry Point to CoCounsel
For practitioners who want CoCounsel but cannot justify the full Westlaw Precision bundle, CoCounsel Core is available at approximately $100/month — significantly below the full bundle pricing. Research capabilities are somewhat limited compared to the full Westlaw-integrated version, but the AI assistant features are functional.
Best for: Former Casetext users who want CoCounsel’s interface and trust the Thomson Reuters ecosystem but need a more accessible price point.
Migration Decision Framework
Ask yourself these questions to determine the right path:
Are you already a Westlaw subscriber?
→ Yes: CoCounsel bundle pricing is almost certainly your best option.
→ No: Evaluate CoCounsel Core, Paxton AI, or Lexis+ AI Protégé based on your existing database relationship.
Are you primarily doing legal research?
→ Yes: CoCounsel (Westlaw), Lexis+ AI Protégé (Lexis), or Paxton AI (budget) based on database relationship.
→ No: Consider whether a research tool is your actual need, or whether a drafting tool (Spellbook, Draftwise) or practice management AI (Clio, MyCase) serves you better.
Is your primary concern pricing?
→ Yes: Paxton AI is the most accessible research-capable AI tool for solo and small firm practitioners.
Do you need enterprise security and compliance?
→ Yes: CoCounsel or Lexis+ AI Protégé. Both have enterprise-grade data handling; both are backed by established, publicly traded companies.
The Bottom Line
The Casetext era is over. CoCounsel is its direct successor and, objectively, a better product. For most former Casetext users who prioritized research quality, CoCounsel — particularly with Westlaw bundle pricing — is the right landing spot.
The exception is practitioners for whom Casetext’s accessibility and pricing were the primary draw. For those attorneys, Paxton AI is the most honest alternative, with CoCounsel Core as a step up when the budget allows.
Whatever you choose: the legal AI market has matured significantly since Casetext’s heyday. The tools available in 2026 are more capable, more reliable, and more diverse than anything Casetext’s original user base had access to. The migration decision, while disruptive, lands in a better market.
LegalAIReviews.net may earn a commission if you purchase through our links. Reviews are independent.