| Metric | Everlaw | Relativity |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Cloud Native (SaaS) | Hybrid / On-Prem / Cloud |
| User Interface | Modern & Intuitive | Complex but Powerful |
| Speed & Processing | Blazing Fast Ingestion | Unmatched Scale |
| Pricing Model | Predictable Storage | Complex Licensing |
| Winner | Best for Most Firms | Best for AmLaw 50 |
The Strategic Choice
In the world of eDiscovery, Relativity has been the undisputed Goliath for over a decade. Relativity (specifically RelativityOne) is the platform of choice for the largest law firms and government agencies dealing with terabytes of data. Everlaw is the cloud-native challenger that has rapidly stolen market share by focusing obsessively on speed, modern design, and ease of use.
🏆 Winner: Time to Review
Everlaw. The speed at which you can drag-and-drop raw PST or ZIP files into Everlaw and begin reviewing documents is astonishing. There is almost zero processing bottleneck.
Customization & Scale
Relativity's strength lies in its ecosystem and customization. If you have a massive litigation support team that writes custom scripts, builds proprietary workflows, and needs to handle multi-jurisdictional matters with millions of documents, Relativity provides the absolute control required.
Everlaw's strength is that attorneys can actually use it without a 40-hour training course. Its Storybuilder feature, which allows lawyers to outline depositions and connect them directly to evidence within the platform, is a massive productivity multiplier.
Final Verdict
For 90% of mid-sized to large law firms, Everlaw is the better choice. It drastically reduces processing costs and empowers attorneys to manage their own evidence.
For AmLaw 50 firms handling the world's most complex, massive-scale antitrust or class-action litigation requiring bespoke technical workflows, Relativity remains the industry standard.
Expert Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool has a steeper learning curve for new users?
Typically, Everlaw requires slightly more administrative setup, whereas Relativity focuses on rapid onboarding and clean, simple user interfaces for internal teams.
What is the primary factor to consider when choosing between them?
Consider your existing software ecosystem. If you are fully embedded in Salesforce or Microsoft Word, pick the platform with the deepest native integration rather than relying on API connectors.
Do both platforms adhere to 2026 data privacy and zero-retention policies?
Yes. Both tools provide enterprise-grade security protocols including isolated tenants, encryption at rest and in transit, and zero-retention options via API usage to ensure regulatory compliance.
Jeroen
Head of Legal Research at LegalToolGuide. Providing strict, unbiased technology audits for scaling law firms.