Docassemble vs Gavel

Docassemble is a free, open-source platform for guided interviews and document assembly. An interview can produce downloadable or emailed PDF, RTF or DOCX files, submit applications, interact with APIs or provide information. Authors build interviews with YAML, Markdown and Python logic, and can make questions depend on what information is still needed. Templates can use DOCX or PDF files, with a Word add-in for DOCX workflows. Other listed capabilities include touchscreen signatures, chat, screen sharing, remote screen control, AI, SMS, email, fax, OCR, multilingual interviews and multiuser applications. Developers can extend interviews with Python and connect third-party applications through the API. Deployment options include Docker, Docker Compose, Helm and installation without Docker; the maker recommends Docker. The software has no usage fees, but an internet-hosted server typically costs $10–$40 per month or more. Interview answers are encrypted in the SQL database unless multi_user is True; uploaded and assembled documents are not encrypted.

Gavel offers two legal software products: Gavel Exec for AI contract review and drafting, and Gavel Workflows for automating legal documents. Exec works in Microsoft Word and online, where it can review, redline or draft contracts, apply playbooks, compare terms with market data and explain changes. Workflows converts client intake answers and templates into Word documents and PDFs using structured workflows. Listed integrations include Clio, Zapier, DocuSign and Stripe; API access is available on higher tiers. Gavel says its products are designed for transactional attorneys, law firms and legal teams. Exec is SOC 2 Type II certified. Gavel also says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, undergoes regular third-party security testing, and that Exec has zero-retention commitments with AI providers. Workflows plans have tier-specific workflow and usage limits. Lite costs $83 a month, while Scale costs $417 a year. Exec has a free trial with 25 queries per user; its paid plan costs $160 a month or $1740 per user billed annually.