8 Best Contract Express Alternatives for Legal Professionals

Contract drafting is time-consuming. But with the right automation tool, firms have cut that time by as much as 95%.

Contract Express is one of the most recognized names in legal document automation, but it’s not always the best choice if your goal is to streamline workflows at that scale.

Many legal teams find it too tightly bound to the Thomson Reuters’ ecosystem. And while that works well for firms using TR tools, it creates barriers for those wanting to connect with non-TR systems, ultimately slowing down automation.

Whether you’ve tried the popular tool or are still weighing your options, we will walk you through the best Contract Express alternatives that offer better results for busy legal professionals.

What Is Contract Express?

Contract Express is a legal document automation platform built by Thomson Reuters, best known for streamlining the creation of contracts.

It’s designed mainly for law firms and in-house legal teams that need to generate complex legal documents quickly and accurately. 

While it’s primarily used for contracts, it also supports other legal paperwork like NDAs, engagement letters, and compliance documents.

Key features

• Template automation: Turn your standard legal documents into reusable templates that adapt to each new matter or client.
• Dynamic questionnaires: Guide users through a step-by-step form that generates documents automatically.
• Conditional logic: Automatically include or leave out clauses based on the information entered.
• Integration capabilities: Works best with Microsoft Word and other tools in the Microsoft and Thomson Reuters ecosystems, like SharePoint and Practical Law.
• Compliance and risk management: Helps ensure documents meet internal standards and legal requirements.
• Flexible deployment: Available as a cloud-based tool or for on-premise installation, depending on your firm’s IT preferences.

Pricing

Contract Express doesn’t list pricing on its website. Estimates suggest it starts around $195 per user per month, though actual costs can vary based on your firm’s size and feature needs.

Why Look for a Contract Express Alternative?

If you’re starting to question whether Contract Express is the right fit long-term, you’re not alone. Here are some of the most common reasons legal teams begin exploring other options.

It’s deeply tied to the Thomson Reuters ecosystem

Contract Express is built to work best within Microsoft Word, SharePoint, and Office 365 – but it’s especially optimized when used alongside Thomson Reuters tools like Practical Law or HighQ.

That close integration comes at a cost: it’s hard to connect with anything outside that ecosystem.

If your firm uses platforms like Google Workspace, a custom case management system, or a non-Microsoft CRM, getting those systems to work together often requires custom APIs or manual workarounds.

That’s because Contract Express doesn’t offer many built-in integrations beyond its native ecosystem, which makes it harder to automate across the broader tool stack your firm may already rely on.

The learning curve is steep

Although it’s technically a low-code tool, Contract Express still requires legal teams to invest time in learning how to structure templates, logic, and workflows. Many firms find themselves reliant on a single trained expert or needing outside help just to maintain the system.

By contrast, many alternative tools focus on usability from the start. Some even offer onboarding packages where their own teams will build out your templates for you, saving time and getting you up and running faster.

It’s priced for big firms

Contract Express pricing starts around $195 per user per month, making it a significant investment, particularly for smaller firms or legal teams that don’t need an enterprise-level solution.

When you factor in setup, training, and potential IT support, the total cost can quickly outweigh the benefits, especially when more affordable tools offer similar (or better) functionality with less complexity.

The Top 8 Contract Express Alternatives

Let’s take a closer look at the best alternatives to Contract Express available today.

1. Knackly

Knackly is a legal document automation platform built to help law firms and other document-heavy businesses draft complex documents faster and more accurately.

Unlike Contract Express, it offers more flexibility when it comes to integrating with both Microsoft and non-Microsoft tools without locking your workflows into a single vendor.

Did you know? A team member at RocketStay reduced their drafting time from 14 hours to just 3 using Knackly’s automation!

Key features

• Smart intake forms: Create dynamic forms that automatically show only the relevant questions based on client responses.
• Output to multiple documents: Generate multiple Word or PDF documents for a single case with auto-filled, case-specific data across all forms.
• “Do It For You” setup: Get up and running faster with a plan where Knackly builds your document templates for you – ideal for busy legal teams.
• No Microsoft lock-in: Use Knackly on any device and with your existing workflows – no dependency on Word ribbons, SharePoint, or Microsoft 365.
• Secure client intake: Clients can securely upload documents and complete forms from any device, with all responses encrypted and stored safely.
• Role-based access controls: Control who sees and edits what, so sensitive data stays protected across your firm.

Pricing

Knackly offers transparent pricing with three main tiers:

• Plus: $250/month for 4 users — great for small teams. Includes core automation features, client intakes, PDF automation, and third-party integrations.
• Do It For You: $500/month — includes everything in Plus, plus Knackly builds your automated documents for you.
• Professional: $999/month for up to 12 users — ideal for larger firms needing advanced automation, API access, and enterprise support.

Additional users range from $35–$50/month, depending on the plan.

Best for

Knackly is a perfect fit for:

• Law firms with repetitive or complex document workflows
• Loan and escrow companies that need high-volume, accurate document generation
• Legal teams looking to automate quickly without hiring IT staff or learning complex systems
• Firms that want automation power without being tied to Microsoft

2. Woodpecker

Woodpecker is a legal document automation tool, offered as part of MyCase’s Advanced tier.

Compared to Contract Express, it offers a simpler, more approachable setup with fewer technical hurdles. You can build templates directly in Word, and basic automation features are easier to use for smaller firms.

Key features

• Built into Microsoft Word: Create and automate documents inside Word using a familiar interface.
• Smart template fields: Use conditional logic, dropdowns, and reusable fields to tailor documents to each client or case.
• Bulk document generation: Generate multiple documents at once using shared client information.
• Client intake forms: Collect structured client data that feeds directly into your documents.
• Integrated with MyCase: Works as part of MyCase’s broader practice management suite, alongside billing, calendaring, and case tracking.

Pricing

To access its features, you’ll need to subscribe to MyCase’s Advanced plan, which starts at $99 per user/month (billed annually). This plan includes document automation along with other tools like time tracking, eSignature, and advanced reporting.

Best for

Woodpecker is ideal for solo attorneys and small law firms that already use (or are considering using) MyCase and want basic, easy-to-use document automation built into their practice management system.

However, if you’re not planning to adopt MyCase, you can’t use Woodpecker separately. That means if you just need document automation, you’ll end up paying for a full practice management suite you might not use.

3. ClauseBase

ClauseBase is a legal document automation platform built around clause-based drafting.

It offers two main products: ClauseBuddy, an AI-powered drafting assistant that works inside Microsoft Word, and Clause9, its full-featured automation platform.

Key features

• Clause-based drafting: Build documents by stacking reusable clauses.
• Advanced questionnaires: Create interactive questionnaires that adapt based on user input.
• Multilingual support: Draft documents in multiple languages.
• AI-powered tools: Utilize AI for clause extraction, document review, and proofreading.
• Integration with Microsoft Word: Work within a familiar environment using ClauseBuddy.

Pricing

• ClauseBuddy: €99/user/month – includes AI-powered Word assistant and clause library access.
• Clause9: Custom pricing – tailored to your team’s automation needs.

Best for

ClauseBase is great for mid-sized to large law firms and in-house legal teams that want strong clause control and multilingual capabilities.

However, it does have a learning curve. That’s largely because it uses a clause-based drafting model, where documents are assembled from modular clauses instead of traditional templates. 

It also includes its own rules-based system to manage how clauses appear or change, which gives you a lot of control, but can take time to learn.

4. Legito

Legito is a no-code document automation platform designed to streamline the creation, management, and automation of complex documents. 

It offers a user-friendly interface that allows legal professionals to build and manage templates without extensive technical knowledge.

Key features

• No-code document automation: Easily automate advanced documents using interactive templates without writing any code.
• Document lifecycle management: Manage the entire lifecycle of documents, including drafting, approvals, and archiving, with built-in workflows.
• Clause library: Maintain a centralized repository of clauses for consistent and efficient document drafting.
• E-signature integration: Utilize Legito Sign for legally binding electronic signatures.
• Advanced integrations: Connect with popular tools like Salesforce, Microsoft SharePoint, and Zapier.

Pricing

• Free: $0/month (includes up to 10 users) – Includes unlimited documents, e-signatures, file storage, workflows, approvals, and access to the custom app builder.
• Team: $1,200/month (includes 10 users) – Adds document automation, clause library, collaboration tools, guest access, unlimited workflows, API access, single sign-on, and premium support. Each additional user is $80/month.
• Enterprise: Custom pricing – Designed for larger organizations needing unlimited users, advanced integration tools, unlimited API calls, enterprise-level support, custom SLAs, and tailored onboarding and training.

Note: Document automation is only available in the Team plan.

Best for

Legito is ideal for mid-to-large firms that want an all-in-one platform to automate, manage, and sign documents.

However, document automation is only available on the paid Team plan ($1,200/month). So if you’re a small firm looking specifically for automation, you may find the cost high compared to other tools.

5. HotDocs

HotDocs is a document automation platform that simplifies the creation of complex, customizable documents.

It’s a popular choice for law firms, financial institutions, and businesses that deal with repetitive paperwork because it turns frequently used legal documents into smart templates.

Key features

• Template automation: Turn your go-to documents into reusable templates that adapt to different scenarios.
• Conditional logic: Automatically include or exclude parts of a document based on the details you provide.
• Data integration: Connect with your CRM or database to pull in client info without retyping anything.
• Workflow automation: Streamline how documents are created, reviewed, and finalized.
• Cloud or on-premise options: Choose between cloud-based access or local installation, depending on what works best for your team.

Pricing

HotDocs doesn’t make its pricing public. It is said that entry-level plans start at around $75 per user monthly, but bigger setups with enterprise-level features can cost more.

Best for

HotDocs is ideal for large law firms, financial institutions, and enterprises that require robust document automation capabilities and have the resources to manage more complex setups.

However, the steep learning curve may be challenging for smaller firms or those without dedicated IT support. The initial setup and template creation can be time-consuming, and the platform’s complexity might outweigh its benefits for organizations with simpler needs.

6. Avokaado

Avokaado is a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform that helps legal and business teams automate, manage, and collaborate on contracts.

Key features

• Smart templates: Create contracts from pre-approved templates that adapt based on user input.
• Clause-based drafting: Reuse standardized clauses to keep documents accurate and consistent.
• Collaborative editing: Work on contracts with your team or external parties in real time.
• Workflow management: Set reminders, track approval steps, and manage the full contract lifecycle.
• E-signature ready: Integrates with Signicat and SignNow for secure, built-in signing.

Pricing

• Freemium: $0/user/month – Access to 100+ pre-lawyered templates, smart drafting, template management, and secure archiving.
• Starter: $35/user/month – Adds unlimited collaborators, document sharing, and centralized document management.
• Standard: $58/user/month – Includes collaborative drafting, reminders, dynamic approvals, and external document uploads.
• Premium: $72/user/month – Unlocks document automation, multilingual documents, advanced branding, and a clause library.

Note: Document automation is only available in the Premium plan.

Best for

Avokaado is a good choice for in-house legal teams, HR departments, and procurement teams that want a single platform to manage contracts.

However, if automation is your main goal, you’ll need the Premium plan. At $72/user/month, it’s more affordable than some tools, but still something to factor in if you’re on a tight budget.

7. XpressDox

XpressDox is a highly customizable document automation tool built for legal teams that need full control over their templates, logic, and deployment.

It’s especially well-suited for firms with complex document workflows or those that want to self-host their automation software.

Key features

• Advanced template logic: Create smart templates with detailed conditional logic and calculations using its proprietary scripting language.
• Data source integration: Pull data from CRMs, document management systems, or external databases directly into your documents.
• Microsoft Word integration: Build and test templates directly in Word using a dedicated add-in.
• On-premise or cloud hosting: Deploy XpressDox in the cloud or host it on your own servers.
• Batch generation & workflows: Generate multiple documents at once and route them through automated workflows for review or approval.

Pricing

• Professional: $59/user/month – Includes full document automation, integrations, and Word add-in. No free trial available.
• Enterprise: Custom pricing – Designed for firms needing advanced deployment, higher user volumes, or tailored support.

Best for

XpressDox is great for mid-size to large law firms and legal departments that want total control over how their documents are automated.

However, it’s not designed for firms that want a quick setup or a fully guided experience. You’ll get plenty of control, but that also means more responsibility, i.e., template configuration, ongoing management, and so on. 

8. Gavel

Gavel is a no-code document automation platform built for legal professionals. It lets you turn your existing Word and PDF templates into interactive forms and automated documents without writing code.

Key features

• Document automation: Automate the creation of complex legal documents using conditional logic and data inputs.
• Client intake forms: Design and deploy client-facing forms to gather necessary information.
• Workflow management: Build custom workflows to manage document generation and approval.
• Integrations: Connect with tools like Clio, Zapier, and DocuSign.
• White-labeling: Customize the platform’s appearance to align with your firm’s branding.

Pricing

• Lite: $83/month – Includes 1 builder seat, 10 document templates, Word and PDF automation, and Clio Manage integration.
• Standard: $210/month – Adds 50 document templates, data management features, Zapier integration, and enhanced support.
• Pro: $290/month – Offers 2 builder seats, 3 organizational user seats, 100 document templates, e-commerce tools, custom domain, and priority
• Scale: Starting at $417/month (billed annually) – Provides API access, custom usage limits, single sign-on (SSO), and dedicated account management.

Best for

Gavel is great for solo lawyers, small firms, and growing legal teams looking for an intuitive, no-code tool to automate documents and streamline client intake.

However, some of the more advanced features, like API access or full branding control, are only available on higher-tier plans. That might be a stretch for smaller teams on a tight budget.

There’s a Better Way to Automate Legal Docs

If you’re weighing alternatives to Contract Express, the next step is simple: choose a tool that doesn’t box you in. 

Whether your firm uses Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a custom setup, your automation platform should work with what you already have.

Knackly is built for that kind of flexibility. 

While it’s designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft Word, it doesn’t lock you into a specific vendor ecosystem (and it offers integration options for non-Microsoft tools through API and Zapier). 

Plus, if you don’t have time to build everything yourself, the “Do It For You” service means you don’t have to. You’ll get expert-built templates tailored to your firm’s workflow.

Book a demo today to see how Knackly can help your team cut drafting time in half.