Contract Express vs Gavel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Contract Express had more branded searches than Gavel among legal document automation software worldwide. Contract Express had about 2,400 branded searches, while Gavel had 890. Contract Express made up 4.1% of all legal document automation software searches we track, and Gavel accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about legal document automation software, Gavel appeared in four of the five answers and Contract Express in two. Gavel was mentioned before Contract Express in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Contract Express, about 3 searches for every 1 for Gavel
Who does AI mention more?
Gavel, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Contract Express in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Gavel, named ahead of Contract Express in 4 of 4 answers
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Top legal document automation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gavel was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Contract Express was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Gavel was listed before Contract Express in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Gavel1st
Clio Draft2nd
HotDocs3rd
Spellbook4th
Ironclad5th
Contract Express6th
Juro7th
Documate8th
Lawyaw9th
Docassemble–- +1 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
HotDocs4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Gavel4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Spellbook3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Clio Draft3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ironclad3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Juro3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Contract Express2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Documate1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lawyaw1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Docassemble0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about legal document automation software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which legal document automation software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best legal document automation software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best legal document automation software for contract drafting?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“legal document automation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“contract automation software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Contract Express or Gavel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Contract Express and Gavel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 legal document automation software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Contract Express, Gavel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Spellbook | HotDocs | Documate | Clio Draft | Contract Express | Ironclad | Gavel | Docassemble | Lawyaw | Juro | Afterpattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 39.3% | 32% | 4.2% | 11.7% | 4.2% | 1.8% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 2.8% | 0.25% | 0.57% |
| Nov 2025 | 37% | 37% | 3.3% | 11% | 3.9% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 2% | 0.23% | 0.35% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.1% | 35.1% | 3.1% | 10.5% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 7% | 1.9% | 0.21% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.6% | 32.3% | 3.4% | 11.8% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 2.9% | 2.3% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| Feb 2026 | 39.8% | 32.5% | 3.4% | 9.7% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 1.8% | 4.3% | 1.8% | 0.16% | 0.25% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.4% | 32.3% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.31% | 0.31% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.8% | 41.3% | 6.7% | 8.2% | 2.9% | 2% | 1.4% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.26% | 0.17% |
| May 2026 | 36.6% | 36.6% | 7.2% | 8.9% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 0.23% | 0.18% |
| Jun 2026 | 35% | 35% | 5.6% | 10.5% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 0.33% | 0.17% |
| Jul 2026 | 38% | 31.1% | 6.1% | 11.3% | 4% | 4% | 1.3% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Aug 2026 | 33.6% | 33.6% | 10% | 10% | 4.5% | 3.5% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.2% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.7% | 30.8% | 11.2% | 9.2% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.19% | 0.12% |
How has the Contract Express and Gavel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Contract Express was ahead of Gavel in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Contract Express’ share of searches among legal document automation software worldwide moved from 4.2% to 4.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gavel’s share of searches among legal document automation software worldwide moved from 1.6% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 890.
How did search popularity change for legal document automation software worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Contract Express nor Gavel moved beyond provider rounding among legal document automation software in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Contract Express’ and Gavel’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Contract Express
1 branded search term
- contract express
Gavel
2 branded search terms
- gavel automation
- gavel legal
Other head-to-heads among legal document automation software

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