How much does Westlaw cost in 2026? Plans, prices and what small firms actually pay
By LegiMatch Research Team · Published October 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Short answer: Thomson Reuters publishes online prices for Westlaw Advantage for firms with up to 10 attorneys: from $256.75 a month for single-circuit coverage and $399.75 a month for all states plus federal. Multi-year terms save 12% (2 years) or 18% (3 years). Larger firms, existing customers and add-ons such as CoCounsel are priced by quote.
Westlaw's published prices
| Westlaw Advantage coverage | Starting price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single circuit | $256.75 per month | Thomson Reuters plans and pricing page |
| All states and federal | $399.75 per month | Thomson Reuters plans and pricing page |
According to Thomson Reuters' plans and pricing page (checked October 2026):
- Who can buy online: law firms with up to 10 attorneys, new customers only. Larger firms and existing customers contact sales.
- Multi-year discounts: 12% off with a 2-year subscription, 18% off with a 3-year subscription.
- New features are included during the initial contract term.
Third-party sites also report lower-priced Westlaw Edge plans for small firms on three-year terms. We couldn't confirm those on an official page, so ask Thomson Reuters which plans are currently offered.
What's quoted separately
- CoCounsel (Thomson Reuters' AI assistant) - sold in plans, some bundled with Westlaw; prices by quote. Third-party estimates for bundles run to several hundred dollars per user per month.
- Practical Law and other content - separate subscriptions.
- Out-of-plan documents - content outside your plan can carry extra charges. Ask what's included before you sign.
- Firms over 10 attorneys - custom quotes.
Estimating your real annual cost
| Example | Monthly | Annual (before discounts) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, single circuit | $256.75 | $3,081 |
| Solo, all states + federal | $399.75 | $4,797 |
Confirm with Thomson Reuters whether your quote is per attorney or per firm, and what the renewal terms are. Multi-year discounts lower the monthly price but lock you in for longer.
Is Westlaw worth it for a small firm?
It depends on how you research:
- Worth it if you use KeyCite, headnotes, Key Numbers and secondary sources every day, or your practice needs the broadest coverage.
- Maybe not if most of your research is finding cases with facts like your matter, checking briefs and reading known cases. Lower-cost tools and free sources may cover that.
Compare total cost, including the attorney time each tool saves, not just the subscription price. See our comparison of LegiMatch and Westlaw and our list of Westlaw alternatives.
LegiMatch publishes its prices: $99 a month for Solo and $149 per user a month for Professional, month to month, with unlimited research and brief checks plus monthly AI credits, with annual plans that save two months. LegiMatch is independent and isn't affiliated with Thomson Reuters.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Westlaw per month for a solo lawyer?
Westlaw Advantage starts at $256.75 a month for single-circuit coverage and $399.75 a month for all states plus federal, for firms with up to 10 attorneys buying online as new customers. Multi-year terms are discounted.
Does Westlaw offer monthly contracts?
The published prices are for subscriptions with terms; 2- and 3-year subscriptions are discounted. Ask Thomson Reuters about the minimum term for your plan.
Is CoCounsel included in Westlaw?
Not automatically. CoCounsel is sold in separate plans, some bundled with Westlaw, and priced by quote.
Is there a free version of Westlaw?
No. Many law schools provide student access, and some public law libraries offer patron access. Free sources such as CourtListener and Google Scholar cover many opinions but don't have KeyCite.
Sources
- Thomson Reuters, Westlaw Advantage plans and pricing (sales.legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com), checked October 2026
This article is general information about legal research, not legal advice. Verify every authority before relying on it.
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