Quick Overview
- 1#1: Zapproved - Purpose-built platform for automating legal hold notices, reminders, tracking, and defensible preservation of data.
- 2#2: Exterro Legal Hold - Comprehensive legal hold management with automated notifications, custodian tracking, and integration into full eDiscovery workflows.
- 3#3: RelativityOne - Industry-leading eDiscovery platform with advanced legal hold capabilities for data preservation across massive datasets.
- 4#4: Everlaw - Cloud-native eDiscovery tool featuring seamless legal holds, automated collections, and predictive coding for litigation.
- 5#5: Logikcull - User-friendly eDiscovery solution with simple legal hold implementation, data upload, and review for faster case resolution.
- 6#6: DISCO - AI-powered eDiscovery platform that automates legal holds, data mapping, and defensible preservation at scale.
- 7#7: Reveal - Data management and eDiscovery software with integrated legal hold workflows for complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.
- 8#8: Smarsh - Enterprise archiving solution with legal hold features for capturing and preserving communications across channels.
- 9#9: Global Relay - Compliance archiving platform supporting legal holds for email, chats, and social media in regulated industries.
- 10#10: Mimecast - Email security and archiving tool with legal hold capabilities for preserving in-place email data for litigation.
These tools were rigorously evaluated based on comprehensive features (automation, tracking, integration), user experience (ease of implementation and scalability), and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of legal teams and organizations.
Comparison Table
Litigation hold software is critical for managing legal holds, ensuring data preservation, and maintaining compliance during disputes. This comparison table features tools like Zapproved, Exterro Legal Hold, RelativityOne, Everlaw, Logikcull, and more, examining their key features, integration abilities, and suitability for varied organizational needs. Readers will discover insights to select the right solution that aligns with their litigation hold workflows and resource requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zapproved Purpose-built platform for automating legal hold notices, reminders, tracking, and defensible preservation of data. | specialized | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Exterro Legal Hold Comprehensive legal hold management with automated notifications, custodian tracking, and integration into full eDiscovery workflows. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | RelativityOne Industry-leading eDiscovery platform with advanced legal hold capabilities for data preservation across massive datasets. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Everlaw Cloud-native eDiscovery tool featuring seamless legal holds, automated collections, and predictive coding for litigation. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Logikcull User-friendly eDiscovery solution with simple legal hold implementation, data upload, and review for faster case resolution. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | DISCO AI-powered eDiscovery platform that automates legal holds, data mapping, and defensible preservation at scale. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Reveal Data management and eDiscovery software with integrated legal hold workflows for complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Smarsh Enterprise archiving solution with legal hold features for capturing and preserving communications across channels. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Global Relay Compliance archiving platform supporting legal holds for email, chats, and social media in regulated industries. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Mimecast Email security and archiving tool with legal hold capabilities for preserving in-place email data for litigation. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.8/10 |
Purpose-built platform for automating legal hold notices, reminders, tracking, and defensible preservation of data.
Comprehensive legal hold management with automated notifications, custodian tracking, and integration into full eDiscovery workflows.
Industry-leading eDiscovery platform with advanced legal hold capabilities for data preservation across massive datasets.
Cloud-native eDiscovery tool featuring seamless legal holds, automated collections, and predictive coding for litigation.
User-friendly eDiscovery solution with simple legal hold implementation, data upload, and review for faster case resolution.
AI-powered eDiscovery platform that automates legal holds, data mapping, and defensible preservation at scale.
Data management and eDiscovery software with integrated legal hold workflows for complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.
Enterprise archiving solution with legal hold features for capturing and preserving communications across channels.
Compliance archiving platform supporting legal holds for email, chats, and social media in regulated industries.
Email security and archiving tool with legal hold capabilities for preserving in-place email data for litigation.
Zapproved
specializedPurpose-built platform for automating legal hold notices, reminders, tracking, and defensible preservation of data.
Persistent escalation engine that guarantees custodian acknowledgments through multi-channel reminders and supervisor escalations
Zapproved's Legal Hold Pro is a top-tier SaaS platform specializing in litigation hold management, automating the preservation of data across organizations during legal matters. It streamlines custodian notifications, tracks acknowledgments and responses with automated reminders and escalations, and maintains comprehensive audit trails for defensible compliance. The software integrates seamlessly with eDiscovery workflows, reducing risk of spoliation and ensuring regulatory adherence for in-house counsel and law firms.
Pros
- Fully automated workflows for holds, reminders, and releases with near-100% custodian response rates
- Robust reporting and audit trails that support defensible legal strategies
- Intuitive interface with mobile access and strong customer support
Cons
- Pricing can be premium for smaller organizations
- Advanced customizations may require professional services
- Limited out-of-the-box integrations with some niche eDiscovery tools
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises and law firms managing high-volume, complex litigation holds with distributed custodians.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $10,000 annually, based on users, matters, and custodians; quote-based.
Exterro Legal Hold
specializedComprehensive legal hold management with automated notifications, custodian tracking, and integration into full eDiscovery workflows.
Custodian Self-Service Portal with mobile-friendly interfaces for real-time acknowledgments and data preservation status updates
Exterro Legal Hold is a comprehensive litigation hold management platform that automates the issuance, tracking, and remediation of legal holds across enterprise data sources. It streamlines custodian communications through self-service portals, automated reminders, and acknowledgment tracking while ensuring defensible compliance. Integrated within Exterro's broader e-discovery suite, it supports scalable workflows for complex litigation and investigations.
Pros
- Advanced automation for hold notices, reminders, and escalations reducing manual effort
- Robust integration with data sources and e-discovery tools for end-to-end workflows
- Detailed audit trails, reporting, and analytics for compliance and defensibility
Cons
- Steep learning curve for initial setup and advanced features
- Enterprise pricing may be prohibitive for small to mid-sized firms
- Requires IT expertise for full data source connectivity
Best For
Large enterprises and corporate legal teams managing high-volume, multi-jurisdictional litigation with complex data environments.
Pricing
Quote-based SaaS pricing, typically starting at $10,000+ annually for mid-tier deployments, scaled by users, data volume, and features.
RelativityOne
enterpriseIndustry-leading eDiscovery platform with advanced legal hold capabilities for data preservation across massive datasets.
Custodian self-service portal for streamlined acknowledgment, interviews, and collections without IT dependency
RelativityOne is a comprehensive eDiscovery platform that includes robust litigation hold capabilities, enabling organizations to issue, track, and manage legal holds across vast data sources with automated notifications and custodian portals. It streamlines the preservation process by integrating hold management directly with data processing, review, and production workflows. Designed for high-volume, complex litigation, it ensures defensible compliance while leveraging AI-driven analytics for matter management.
Pros
- Seamless integration of legal holds with full eDiscovery workflow
- Advanced custodian self-service portals and automated reminders for high compliance
- Scalable for enterprise-level data volumes with AI-powered analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training
- High cost may not suit small firms or simple hold needs
- Overly complex for basic litigation hold scenarios
Best For
Large law firms and corporations managing complex, high-stakes litigation with massive data sets.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, often $100+/GB processed annually plus user licenses, with minimum commitments starting at $50,000+.
Everlaw
enterpriseCloud-native eDiscovery tool featuring seamless legal holds, automated collections, and predictive coding for litigation.
Custodian self-service portal for one-click hold acknowledgments and real-time compliance tracking
Everlaw is a cloud-native eDiscovery platform with integrated litigation hold functionality, enabling users to issue automated legal hold notices, manage custodians, and track preservation compliance across diverse data sources. It streamlines the entire eDiscovery process from data collection and processing to review and production, reducing manual efforts. The platform leverages AI for predictive coding and analytics, making it suitable for complex litigation matters.
Pros
- Seamless integration of legal holds with full eDiscovery workflow
- Intuitive custodian management and automated notice delivery with reminders
- Powerful AI-driven search and analytics for hold data review
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for organizations needing only hold features
- Cloud-only model may raise data sovereignty concerns
- Advanced features require training for optimal use
Best For
Mid-sized to large law firms and corporate legal teams managing high-volume, complex litigation with integrated eDiscovery needs.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $5,000+ per month depending on data volume, users, and storage; no public tiered plans.
Logikcull
enterpriseUser-friendly eDiscovery solution with simple legal hold implementation, data upload, and review for faster case resolution.
Custodian self-service portal for easy acknowledgments, data submission, and real-time status updates
Logikcull is a cloud-based eDiscovery platform with integrated litigation hold capabilities, allowing legal teams to issue hold notices, manage custodians, and track compliance effortlessly. It features automated reminders, acknowledgment tracking, and audit-ready reporting to ensure defensible preservation processes. The tool seamlessly connects holds to data collection, processing, review, and production, streamlining the entire litigation workflow. Its intuitive design minimizes training needs for non-technical users.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface for quick hold notice deployment and custodian management
- Automated workflows for reminders, acknowledgments, and compliance reporting
- Seamless integration with full eDiscovery pipeline from hold to production
Cons
- Pricing scales with data volume, which can be costly for high-volume matters
- Fewer advanced customization options for complex, enterprise-scale hold policies
- Reporting lacks depth compared to dedicated litigation hold specialists
Best For
Mid-sized law firms and corporate legal teams needing user-friendly litigation hold management integrated with eDiscovery review.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at $395/month for Automate plan (5 users, unlimited projects), plus pay-per-GB for data processing; enterprise custom pricing available.
DISCO
enterpriseAI-powered eDiscovery platform that automates legal holds, data mapping, and defensible preservation at scale.
Conversational AI assistant 'Casey' for natural language processing of holds, queries, and analytics across custodians and data.
DISCO (csdisco.com) is a cloud-native eDiscovery platform with integrated litigation hold management, enabling legal teams to issue holds, manage custodians, send automated reminders, and track compliance efficiently. It combines hold functionality with data processing, AI-powered review, and production in a single workflow, reducing silos in litigation processes. Designed for scalability, it supports everything from small matters to enterprise-class litigation, with strong emphasis on user-friendly interfaces and security compliance.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface that minimizes training time
- Seamless integration of holds with full eDiscovery workflow
- Robust AI tools for custodian identification and compliance tracking
Cons
- Pricing is opaque and quote-based, often higher for smaller firms
- Overkill for organizations needing only basic hold management
- Advanced features require familiarity with the broader platform
Best For
Mid-sized to large law firms and corporate legal departments handling complex, high-volume litigation requiring end-to-end eDiscovery with holds.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote; subscription-based on data volume, users, and matters, typically starting in the mid-five figures annually.
Reveal
enterpriseData management and eDiscovery software with integrated legal hold workflows for complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.
AI-powered Hold Manager that automates custodian identification and multi-source data preservation with real-time compliance dashboards
Reveal is a comprehensive eDiscovery platform with integrated litigation hold management, automating custodian notifications, data preservation, and compliance tracking. It streamlines legal holds by combining them with processing, review, and production workflows in a single interface. Designed for enterprise-scale matters, it leverages AI for custodian identification and risk assessment to minimize compliance gaps.
Pros
- Automated legal hold notices with reminders and questionnaires
- Seamless integration with full eDiscovery suite for end-to-end workflows
- AI-driven custodian mapping and data preservation across sources
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Pricing can be prohibitive for small firms or simple holds
- Overkill for organizations needing only basic hold functionality
Best For
Large law firms and corporations managing high-volume, complex litigation with integrated eDiscovery needs.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing upon request; typically subscription-based starting at $50-$100/user/month or per GB processed.
Smarsh
enterpriseEnterprise archiving solution with legal hold features for capturing and preserving communications across channels.
Universal Capture technology that archives and applies holds across 80+ communication channels in a defensible manner
Smarsh is a leading enterprise communications archiving platform that captures, preserves, and supervises data from email, social media, instant messaging, voice, and collaboration tools. For litigation holds, it enables rapid placement of legal holds on custodian data, automated preservation notices, and defensible retention to prevent spoliation. The platform integrates robust search, review workflows, and export capabilities for e-discovery, making it suitable for compliance-heavy organizations facing regulatory and legal matters.
Pros
- Multi-channel capture including modern apps like Teams and WhatsApp for comprehensive preservation
- Scalable for large enterprises with billions of records
- Strong integration with e-discovery tools and automated hold workflows
Cons
- Complex setup and steep learning curve for non-technical users
- High cost unsuitable for SMBs
- Primarily archiving-focused, less intuitive for pure litigation hold compared to dedicated e-discovery platforms
Best For
Large financial services firms and regulated enterprises needing integrated compliance archiving with litigation hold capabilities.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on data volume and users; typically starts at $10,000+ per month for mid-sized deployments.
Global Relay
enterpriseCompliance archiving platform supporting legal holds for email, chats, and social media in regulated industries.
Unified preservation across 15+ communication channels with automated holds and tamper-proof audit trails
Global Relay is a leading compliance and archiving platform specializing in preserving electronic communications for legal holds and e-discovery. It captures, preserves, and manages data from email, chat, voice, social media, and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams. The software enables automated holds, advanced search, review workflows, and secure exports to support litigation and regulatory investigations.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-channel archiving including emerging platforms like Teams and Slack
- Automated legal hold notices and defensible preservation processes
- Powerful AI-driven search and analytics for efficient review
Cons
- Complex interface with a steep learning curve for non-experts
- High cost unsuitable for small firms or infrequent users
- Primarily focused on communications, less robust for full enterprise-wide data sources
Best For
Large regulated enterprises in finance or healthcare requiring robust preservation of communications data for frequent litigation holds.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $15-30 per user/month for enterprise plans with archiving and legal hold features.
Mimecast
enterpriseEmail security and archiving tool with legal hold capabilities for preserving in-place email data for litigation.
One-click legal holds on entire mailboxes with automated preservation and tamper-proof archiving
Mimecast is a comprehensive email security and archiving platform that includes litigation hold capabilities through its Mimecast Archive module. It enables organizations to place legal holds on entire mailboxes or targeted content, preventing deletion and ensuring compliance during litigation. The solution supports powerful search, review, and export tools for eDiscovery, primarily focused on email and attachments from Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace environments.
Pros
- Robust email archiving with unlimited retention and fast search capabilities
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for automated holds
- Strong compliance and security features built-in for enterprise environments
Cons
- Limited to email and attachments, lacking support for broader data sources like Slack or file shares
- Complex pricing structure with add-ons that can increase costs significantly
- Steep learning curve for non-IT legal teams using advanced eDiscovery tools
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with heavy email usage seeking integrated email security and basic litigation hold functionality.
Pricing
Subscription-based, typically $8-15 per user per month for archiving and legal hold modules (bundled; custom enterprise quotes required).
Conclusion
Zapproved secures the top spot, leading with its purpose-built automation for legal hold notices, reminders, and defensible data preservation. Exterro Legal Hold excels with comprehensive management and seamless eDiscovery integration, while RelativityOne stands out for scaling capabilities across large datasets. Each tool addresses unique needs, but Zapproved defines excellence in streamlined legal hold operations.
Don’t miss out—start with Zapproved to leverage its automated, defensible workflows and set a new standard for efficient case preparation.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison