30 Best Legal Hold Software For Preserving Data in 2026
Best Legal Hold Software Shortlist
Legal hold software solves the problem of manual, error-prone preservation processes, which frees up your team to focus on high-impact work like case strategy, compliance oversight, and client communication. Managing legal holds and preserving data integrity can be time-consuming and legally risky, but the proper support can reduce liability exposure and streamline collaboration across departments.
In this article, I compare and review the best legal hold tools to support your buying decision.
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Best Legal Hold Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top legal hold software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for comprehensive audit trail capabilities | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 2 | Best for quick document uploads | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for quick data discovery and review | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best for continuous data backup | 14-day free trial | From $88/user/month | Website | |
| 5 | Best for complex case management with robust tracking | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 6 | Best for secure email monitoring | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for scalable legal eDiscovery with AI technology | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 8 | Best for efficient eDiscovery and forensic internal investigations | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 9 | Best for data privacy and risk management | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 10 | Best for continuous security compliance and certification | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
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CARET Legal
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.5 -
Redactable
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Insightful
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Best Legal Hold Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best legal hold software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Mitratech's LegalHold is a comprehensive SaaS solution designed to automate and manage the legal hold process for organizations. LegalHold ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements by overseeing the entire lifecycle of a legal hold, from issuance to release.
Why I Picked LegalHold: LegalHold maintains detailed logs of all actions taken within the system, from the issuance of legal holds to the acknowledgment of notices by custodians. This feature is invaluable for demonstrating compliance during audits and legal proceedings.
By providing a transparent and easily accessible record of all activities, LegalHold helps organizations mitigate risks associated with legal holds and ensures that they can respond accurately to any inquiries or challenges.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include a notification system that allows users to send automated, trackable notices to custodians, ensuring that all relevant parties are informed and compliant with legal hold requirements. The tool includes workflow automation capabilities and a dedicated portal for custodians.
Integrations include Active Directory, TeamConnect, and eCounsel.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Portal for custodians
- Audit trail capabilities
- Compliance reporting
Cons:
- Could offer more robust customization
- Potential learning curve for new users
Everlaw is a cloud-native ediscovery platform that offers advanced legal hold software to simplify complex legal processes. It's designed for law firms, corporations, and government agencies, providing a range of features to enhance litigation and investigation efforts.
Why I Picked Everlaw: I picked Everlaw for its quick document upload feature, which is crucial for legal hold processes. This functionality ensures that your team can rapidly gather necessary documents without unnecessary delays, allowing for timely legal actions. Additionally, the robust analytics provide valuable insights that help in understanding the data, making it easier to make informed decisions.
Another reason for choosing Everlaw is its effective search capabilities. These allow you to pinpoint the exact information you need from vast datasets quickly. This feature is essential in legal holds where time-sensitive data retrieval is often required. The ability to efficiently search through documents ensures that nothing is overlooked during the legal process.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include the ability to create defensible audit trails, ensuring all actions taken during the legal hold process are documented. This is crucial for compliance and risk mitigation. Everlaw also offers automated notifications to keep custodians informed about their data preservation obligations. Additionally, the platform provides customizable hold notices, allowing you to tailor communications to meet specific legal requirements.
Integrations include Dropbox, Slack, Google Drive, Google Vault, Microsoft 365, Zoom, SharePoint, OneDrive, Salesforce, ShareFile, Box, and Asana.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Strong automation: custodian selection, reminders, escalations.
- End‑to‑end e‑discovery + legal‑hold functionality (not just holds).
- Excellent user‑ratings: e.g., 4.7/5 on G2 from hundreds of reviews.
Cons:
- Search/filtering can be unintuitive or require refinement.
- Pricing and licensing details are less transparent publicly.
Logikcull is a cloud-based or SaaS legal hold software designed for straightforward eDiscovery. It simplifies the process of identifying, preserving, and analyzing potentially relevant information in a legal case.
Why I Picked Logikcull: I chose Logikcull because its intuitive interface and powerful eDiscovery capabilities differentiate it from other options. In my opinion, Logikcull is best for users who value simplicity without compromising on advanced eDiscovery features.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include its user-friendly design and efficient search capabilities. You can apply filters, tag documents, and automate repetitive tasks to accelerate eDiscovery.
Integrations include popular platforms such as Google Workspace and Office 365, and Slack, which allows easy access to data across various sources.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Integrates with popular platforms
- Efficient search capabilities
- Intuitive interface
Cons:
- Pricing could be a factor for small firms or teams
- Limited customization options
- Advanced features may require a learning curve
CrashPlan is a data protection software that focuses on providing continuous backup and recovery solutions for businesses. It ensures that your data is securely stored and easily accessible, making it a reliable choice for legal hold scenarios.
Why I Picked CrashPlan: I picked CrashPlan as a strong candidate for legal hold software because of its ability to automatically retain data. This feature ensures that all necessary files are preserved without manual intervention, which is crucial during legal proceedings. By maintaining continuous backups, CrashPlan helps your team avoid data loss and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
Another reason for choosing CrashPlan is its secure data storage capabilities. With security measures in place, you can be confident that your data remains protected from unauthorized access. This ensures that sensitive information is kept safe, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of legal holds and safeguarding your organization's interests.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include secure data storage, which ensures that your files are protected from unauthorized access. Automated data retention allows you to maintain necessary files without manual intervention, providing a hands-off approach to data management. Easy retrieval of information means that when you need to access data for legal purposes, it's readily available, saving you time and effort.
Integrations include Axonius, ITBoost, Liongard, Zapproved ZDiscovery, Exterro, BackupAssist, Acronis Cyber Protect, Agility Recovery, CloudAlly, Catalogic DPX, Amazon Drive, and Google Cloud.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Dedicated “Legal Hold” interface: matters, custodians, policies.
- Continuous endpoint backup preserves data automatically.
- Captures metadata, versions, deleted files to support chain‑of‑custody.
Cons:
- Primarily an endpoint backup tool—not a full eDiscovery platform.
- For very complex legal workflows (e.g., deep eDiscovery review, analytics) might need supplementing tools.
OpenText is a powerhouse tool designed to simplify the legal hold process. It offers an array of functionalities to manage holds with accuracy, ensuring you never miss a beat. OpenText excels in handling intricate case management scenarios, providing a robust tracking system that suits complex legal environments.
Why I Picked OpenText: In my quest to find the perfect legal hold software, OpenText was a clear standout. I picked it for its impressive handling of complex case management scenarios, a feature I found to be unrivaled in its class.
This feature makes OpenText perfect for law departments and corporations dealing with multiple intricate cases simultaneously. The robust tracking capabilities make it easier to keep track of holds, ensuring compliance and reducing potential legal risks.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features go beyond basic hold notifications or messaging, offering advanced tools like hold reminders, escalations, surveys, and status reports. The software also boasts an intuitive interface that's easy to navigate.
Integrations include the broader OpenText eDiscovery applications, ensuring a smooth transition of information from one process to another.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
- Excellent for complex case management
- Robust tracking capabilities
Cons:
- Learning curve for non-technical users
- Higher cost compared to some alternatives
- Might be overkill for smaller firms
Kiteworks is a platform designed to help you manage secure and compliant data exchanges. It offers tools that make handling sensitive information straightforward and secure, especially in fields like legal, healthcare, and finance.
Why I Picked Kiteworks: I picked Kiteworks for legal hold because it offers email monitoring and secure file sharing, which are crucial for managing sensitive legal information. These features ensure your team can handle data securely, meeting compliance standards like eDiscovery. The platform’s web forms also help manage sensitive data, making it an excellent choice for legal hold processes.
Another reason Kiteworks stands out is its managed file transfer capabilities, providing a secure way to exchange data across communication channels. This centralizes data exchange, helping your organization manage compliance risks. Additionally, Kiteworks’ customizable secure web forms enhance data governance, reducing the time and resources needed for managing disparate logs.
Standout Features & Integrations
Features include least-privilege access, zero-trust policy management, and double encryption, which enhance your data security posture. The platform also employs AI-enabled anomaly detection to identify and mitigate potential threats. These features collectively ensure your data is well-protected and compliant with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR.
Integrations include iManage Plugin, Salesforce Plugin, Integration Suite, MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), Antivirus, DLP (Data Loss Prevention), ATP (Advanced Threat Protection), CDR (Content Disarm and Reconstruction), SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response).
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective integration with security tools like ATP, SIEM, and DLP.
- Offers compliance with various regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR.
- Provides visibility and control over third-party communications.
Cons:
- Limited features compared to some competitors.
- Customer support is reported to be fair but not exceptional.
Casepoint is an eDiscovery platform that provides comprehensive features for legal hold management. Its powerful features make it an effective tool for legal teams that need to manage and preserve electronically stored information (ESI) for potential litigation.
Why I Picked Casepoint: I selected Casepoint because of its strong emphasis on legal hold management, a crucial aspect of litigation. It not only provides robust functionality for this purpose but also adds a layer of intelligence that differentiates it from many other tools.
Considering its unique set of features tailored for legal hold scenarios, I judged it as the best for legal hold management.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include customizable legal hold notices, automatic reminders, and a user-friendly dashboard for easy tracking.
Integrations include a variety of data sources to manage holds effectively across diverse sets of data.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Able to integrate with multiple data sources for more effective holds
- User-friendly dashboard for easy tracking of legal holds
- Comprehensive set of features designed for legal hold management
Cons:
- Interface may not be as modern as some alternatives
- May have a learning curve for those unfamiliar with eDiscovery software
- Pricing information not readily available
Nuix
Best for efficient eDiscovery and forensic internal investigations
NUIX serves as a comprehensive eDiscovery platform with dedicated legal hold capabilities. It is specifically designed to simplify the process of identifying, preserving, and analyzing data in legal cases.
Why I Picked NUIX: When it came to selecting NUIX, the tool's eDiscovery-centric focus made it stand out from the crowd. This specificity is what leads me to believe that it's best for firms seeking a legal hold solution tied tightly with eDiscovery solution.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include advanced search, analytics, document review, and metadata reporting capabilities, all support the intricate process of eDiscovery.
Integrations include various data sources, which allows it to capture and preserve data relevant for legal hold.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Wide range of data source integrations
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Specialized in eDiscovery
Cons:
- Potential overcomplexity for smaller organizations
- May not be suitable for firms not engaged heavily in eDiscovery
- Pricing information is not transparent
OpenText EnCase Information Assurance is a powerful tool designed to help businesses manage and secure their data effectively. It is a comprehensive data governance solution, making it an excellent choice for organizations seeking a wide-ranging approach to data control and security.
Why I Picked OpenText EnCase Information Assurance: I selected OpenText EnCase Information Assurance because of its comprehensive nature and its deep capabilities in the realm of data governance. This tool presents an effective blend of data search, classification, and security features, making it different from other legal hold tools.
That's why I believe it is best suited for comprehensive data governance.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include extensive search capabilities, sophisticated classification of data, and robust security features, including data loss prevention.
Integrations include a variety of other data systems and platforms, enabling organizations to manage data across multiple sources.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Robust data loss prevention features
- Offers extensive search and classification capabilities
- Comprehensive data governance solution
Cons:
- Setup and deployment may be complex compared to simpler tools
- The extensive suite of features may be overwhelming for small teams
- Pricing information is not readily available
Drata is a tool designed to automate and streamline the process of maintaining and proving compliance. It's a one-stop shop for all compliance needs, making it ideal for organizations looking to save time and reduce manual work in their compliance management efforts.
Why I Picked Drata: I chose Drata for this list due to its unique emphasis on automation, which sets it apart from many other tools. Its ability to simplify and streamline compliance processes is what makes it stand out. With this in mind, I determined it to be the best tool for automated compliance management.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include automated control monitoring, evidence collection, and continuous compliance checks.
Integrations include a variety of platforms, such as cloud providers, identity providers, and project management tools, allowing businesses to monitor their entire tech stack in one place.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Continuous compliance checks ensure ongoing compliance
- Extensive list of integrations, covering a wide range of platforms
- Strong focus on automation to streamline compliance
Cons:
- Setup may require some technical know-how
- May be more complex than needed for businesses with less stringent compliance needs
- Pricing information is not readily accessible
Other Legal Hold Software Tools
Below is a list of additional legal hold software I shortlisted but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.
- Acuity
For process visibility with its comprehensive dashboards
- Pagefreezer
For web content archiving and preservation
- Relativity
For advanced AI in e-discovery
- OnitX
For streamlining legal operations through automation
- Concourse
For ensuring regulatory compliance with strong governance
- DISCO Hold
For litigation holds and data retention
- ZDiscovery
For litigation response with its pre-built hold templates
- Legal Hold Pro
For automated legal hold notifications
- Thread
For Microsoft 365 integration
- Mitratech TAP Workflow Automation
For custom legal hold workflows
- Exterro
Good for managing complex e-discovery processes
- Alt Legal
Good for intellectual property professionals seeking legal hold capabilities
- Consilio
Good for cross-border legal hold scenarios
- IPRO
Good for efficient data streamlining
- Venio Systems
Good for automating legal hold notification process
- Jarvis Legal
Good for solo lawyers and small firms looking for legal hold features
- ZyLAB
Good for multi-language legal hold management
- Knovos
Good for a comprehensive approach to legal hold management
- HaystackID
Good for risk mitigation and compliance management
Selection Criteria For Legal Hold Software
When choosing legal hold software, there are several key considerations to take into account. I've evaluated numerous legal hold tools, but in this case, I was particularly interested in how these tools handled data management, ease of use, and robustness of features.
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage legal holds
- Track compliance status
- Automate notifications
- Preserve data securely
- Generate audit trails
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-powered data analysis
- Customizable reporting
- Multi-language support
- Integration with e-discovery tools
- Cloud-based accessibility
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Responsive design
- Customizable dashboard
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to webinars
- Comprehensive templates
- Supportive chatbots
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Live chat support
- Responsive email assistance
- Knowledge base access
- Dedicated account managers
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Transparent cost structure
- No hidden fees
- Flexible subscription plans
- Free trial availability
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- User-friendliness feedback
- Support responsiveness
- Feature satisfaction
- Cost vs. benefit perception
- Overall reliability ratings
How to Choose Legal Hold Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Can the software grow with your needs? Consider user limits and data volume. |
| Integrations | Does it work with your existing tools? Look for API support and compatibility. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to fit your workflows? Check for flexible settings and options. |
| Ease of Use | Is it user-friendly? Ensure minimal training is needed for your team. |
| Implementation and Onboarding | How smooth is the transition? Evaluate training resources and support. |
| Cost | Does it fit your budget? Compare pricing plans and watch for hidden fees. |
| Security Safeguards | How does it protect your data? Look for encryption and compliance certifications. |
| Compliance Requirements | Does it meet legal standards? Verify adherence to relevant regulations. |
What is Legal Hold Software?
Legal hold software is a tool that automates the preservation of electronically stored information for litigation or investigation.
It’s used by legal teams, compliance officers, and HR professionals to manage legal holds efficiently, eliminating manual tracking, reducing risk of spoliation, and ensuring defensible processes.
Features
When selecting legal hold software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Automated notifications: Alerts users about legal holds and deadlines, ensuring timely compliance.
- Data preservation: Safeguards electronic data to prevent loss during legal proceedings.
- Audit trails: Tracks all actions within the system, providing a clear record for accountability.
- Integration capabilities: Connects with existing tools and systems for seamless data management.
- Customizable dashboards: Allows users to tailor views and reports to fit specific needs.
- Compliance tracking: Monitors adherence to legal requirements, reducing risk of non-compliance.
- User-friendly interface: Ensures ease of use, minimizing the learning curve for legal teams.
- Scalability: Grows with your organization's needs, accommodating increasing data volumes.
- Security safeguards: Protects sensitive information with encryption and other security measures.
- Training resources: Provides support through videos, webinars, and guides for effective onboarding.
Benefits
Implementing legal hold software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved compliance: Automated notifications and compliance tracking help ensure adherence to legal requirements.
- Data security: Security safeguards protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
- Efficiency boost: Automated processes and user-friendly interfaces reduce time spent on manual tasks.
- Enhanced accountability: Audit trails provide a clear record of actions, improving transparency.
- Scalability: The software grows with your organization, accommodating increased data needs.
- Customizable insights: Customizable dashboards allow tailored views and reports for better decision-making.
- Seamless integration: Integration capabilities ensure compatibility with existing tools, enhancing workflow continuity.
Costs and Pricing
Selecting legal hold software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in legal hold software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Legal Hold Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic data preservation, limited notifications, and basic support. |
| Personal Plan | $10-$30/user/month | Automated notifications, compliance tracking, and customizable dashboards. |
| Business Plan | $30-$60/user/month | Integration capabilities, audit trails, and enhanced security safeguards. |
| Enterprise Plan | $60-$100/user/month | Advanced analytics, priority support, and full customization options. |
Legal Hold Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about legal hold software:
What is the main purpose of legal hold software?
The main purpose of legal hold software is to manage and automate the preservation of electronic data for legal cases. It ensures that data is securely stored and easily retrievable during legal proceedings. This helps your team comply with legal requirements and reduces the risk of data loss.
Can legal hold software integrate with existing systems?
Yes, most legal hold software can integrate with existing systems. These integrations often include email platforms, document management systems, and other legal tools. Check for API support to ensure compatibility with your current setup, which can enhance workflow and data management.
How do I know if legal hold software meets compliance standards?
You can verify if legal hold software meets compliance standards by checking for certifications and compliance with relevant regulations. Look for features like audit trails and data encryption. It’s important to ensure the software aligns with the legal requirements applicable to your industry or region.
Is training required to use legal hold software?
Yes, training is often needed to use legal hold software effectively. Many providers offer resources like training videos, webinars, and product tours to help users get started. Investing time in training can help your team maximize the software’s potential and ensure compliance with legal holds.
How long does it take to implement legal hold software?
Implementation timelines vary, but cloud-based solutions can typically be deployed in a few days, depending on data volume, integrations, and internal approval processes.
Are there any free options for legal hold software?
As of my last review, there were no free legal hold software options available. Most providers offer a paid service due to the specialized nature of the tools and the high level of customer support often required.
What Next?
If you're in the process of researching legal hold software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.