Feature comparison
| Feature | Legalcode | CoCounsel (Thomson Reuters) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free tier; Pro $39/month ($29 annual) | Enterprise pricing — requires Westlaw subscription |
| Jurisdiction coverage | 24 jurisdictions with live primary sources | Primarily US (via Westlaw); limited international |
| Works with any AI agent | Yes — MCP protocol standard | No — CoCounsel platform only |
| US legal research depth | Federal and state statutes, federal case law | Full Westlaw database integration (extensive US depth) |
| Data retention | Zero data retention | Thomson Reuters data processing terms apply |
| Open protocol / API | MCP — works with Claude, Codex, Cursor, any client | Proprietary integration, Westlaw-bound |
| Self-service setup | Yes — add to MCP config, start immediately | Enterprise procurement and Westlaw subscription required |
| Legal skills | 318+ custom-built skills | CoCounsel task set (research, drafting, review) |
Key differences
Ecosystem lock-in
AdvantageCoCounsel is a value-add layer on top of Westlaw — to use it, you need a Westlaw subscription and operate within the Thomson Reuters interface. Legalcode works with any MCP-compatible agent and does not require you to change your existing tools or subscriptions.
US research depth
Competitor advantageCoCounsel with Westlaw has exceptional US legal research depth — the full Westlaw database, KeyCite, secondary sources, and law review content. Legalcode's US coverage is strong for primary sources (federal statutes, regulations, case law) but does not match Westlaw's depth in secondary sources and editorial content.
International coverage
AdvantageLegalcode covers 24 jurisdictions with live primary source pipelines. CoCounsel's coverage is primarily US-focused; Westlaw international adds some coverage but at additional cost and with less depth outside North America.
Access model
AdvantageCoCounsel requires enterprise procurement and is bundled with Westlaw pricing. Legalcode's free tier is available immediately without a sales call or contract negotiation.
FAQ
- Should I use CoCounsel or Legalcode for US legal research?
- If you already have Westlaw and your work is primarily US-focused, CoCounsel offers deep Westlaw integration — comprehensive case coverage, KeyCite for subsequent treatment, and secondary sources. Legalcode is a stronger fit for multi-jurisdiction research, teams without Westlaw subscriptions, or lawyers who want to use primary source data inside their own AI agent (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.).
- Can Legalcode work alongside CoCounsel?
- Yes. Legalcode and CoCounsel are not mutually exclusive. A lawyer can use CoCounsel for deep US research within Westlaw while using Legalcode to bring international legal data and structured legal skills to their AI coding agent or other MCP clients.
- Does Legalcode have equivalent depth to Westlaw's US case law database?
- No. Westlaw's US case law database is one of the most comprehensive legal databases in the world, with extensive coverage going back over a century across all US courts. Legalcode's US case law coverage via CourtListener covers federal courts and a growing number of state courts. For citation checking and comprehensive US precedent research, Westlaw/CoCounsel provides greater depth.
Try Legalcode free — no enterprise contract required.
Free tier includes laws and case law across 24 jurisdictions. Pro is $39/month ($29 billed annually). Add to your MCP client in minutes.