# Legalcode vs. vLex
> Source: https://legalcode.md/compare/legalcode-vs-vlex | [HTML version](https://legalcode.md/compare/legalcode-vs-vlex)

vLex is an international legal research database offering access to case law, legislation, and secondary sources across many jurisdictions through a proprietary web interface. Legalcode delivers primary legal data as an MCP tool layer that any AI agent can query directly, without a separate browser tab or proprietary interface.

## Feature Comparison

| Feature | Legalcode | vLex |
|---------|-----------|------|
| Access model | MCP protocol — call from any AI agent | Proprietary web interface and search tools |
| Starting price | Free tier; Pro $39/month ($29 annual) | Subscription required; enterprise pricing tiers |
| AI agent integration | Native — designed for AI agent consumption | Vincent AI assistant (proprietary, vLex platform only) |
| Legal database breadth | 24 jurisdictions, primary sources | Broad international database including secondary sources |
| Secondary sources | Primary sources only (statutes, case law, guidance) | Includes law reviews, treatises, secondary analysis |
| Works with Claude, Cursor, Codex | Yes — MCP standard | No — vLex platform / Vincent AI only |
| Data retention | Zero data retention | vLex platform data handling terms apply |
| Open protocol | MCP — open standard | Proprietary API with access restrictions |

## Key Differences

### Interface model

vLex is a database product — you search it via a web interface or Vincent AI inside the vLex platform. Legalcode is a protocol layer — your existing AI agent calls Legalcode as an MCP tool, so legal data flows directly into the context of whatever you are working on. No tab-switching, no separate session.

### Database depth and secondary sources

vLex has built an extensive multi-jurisdiction database over many years, including law reviews, treatises, and secondary analysis in addition to primary sources. Legalcode covers primary sources only — statutes, case law, and official guidance. For research that needs secondary analysis and editorial content, vLex has greater depth.

### AI agent compatibility

vLex's AI capability is Vincent AI, which runs inside the vLex platform. Legalcode is designed from the ground up to be consumed by AI agents — it is an MCP server, not a database with an AI bolt-on. Any MCP client (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Copilot) can call Legalcode's legal data tools directly.

### Price

vLex subscription costs vary but are typically enterprise-priced. Legalcode's free tier provides laws and case law across 24 jurisdictions (no guidance or agreements); Pro is $39/month ($29 billed annually). For smaller teams and individuals, Legalcode's pricing model is significantly more accessible.

## FAQ

### Does Legalcode replace a vLex subscription for international research?

For primary source research — legislation, case law, and regulatory guidance — Legalcode covers 24 jurisdictions and can be called from any AI agent without a separate subscription. For researchers who also need secondary sources (law reviews, treatises, editorial analysis), vLex provides depth that Legalcode does not currently cover. The two can be used complementarily.

### How does Legalcode compare to vLex for civil law jurisdiction research?

Legalcode covers a number of civil law jurisdictions including France, Germany, Brazil, the Netherlands, and others. Coverage focuses on primary sources from official government publishers. vLex has historically had strong civil law coverage through partnerships with local publishers, including secondary source content in local languages. For deep civil law research, vLex may offer more editorial content; for AI-native queries in English, Legalcode is more accessible.

### Can I use Legalcode and vLex together?

Yes. Legalcode and vLex are complementary for teams that need both AI-native MCP-accessible primary data and a full legal research database with secondary sources. Many lawyers use Legalcode for AI agent tasks and a traditional legal database for deep research.

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*Legalcode -- legalcode.md*