Lexis+ AI vs Westlaw:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Westlaw had more branded searches than Lexis+ AI among legal research platforms worldwide. Westlaw had about 246,000 branded searches, while Lexis+ AI had 16,500. Westlaw made up 34.3% of all legal research platform searches we track, and Lexis+ AI accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about legal research platforms, Westlaw appeared in all five answers and Lexis+ AI in four. Westlaw was mentioned before Lexis+ AI in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Westlaw, about 15 searches for every 1 for Lexis+ AI
Who does AI mention more?
Westlaw, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Westlaw, named ahead of Lexis+ AI in every answer
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Top legal research platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Westlaw appeared in all five answers. Lexis+ AI was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Westlaw was listed before Lexis+ AI in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Westlaw1st
Bloomberg Law2nd
Lexis+ AI3rd- LexisNexis4th
Fastcase5th
CourtListener6th
vLex7th
Justia8th- Casetext9th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- LexisNexis5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Westlaw5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Bloomberg Law5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Lexis+ AI4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fastcase4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- CourtListener3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- vLex2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Justia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Casetext2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about legal research platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which legal research platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best legal research platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best legal research platform for a law firm?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“legal research platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“legal research software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Lexis+ AI or Westlaw more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Lexis+ AI and Westlaw by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine legal research platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Westlaw, Lexis+ AI. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | LexisNexis | Westlaw | vLex | CourtListener | Justia | Lexis+ AI | Bloomberg Law | Casetext | Fastcase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.8% | 41.8% | 6.9% | 1.7% | 2.5% | 2.4% | 1.7% | 0.75% | 0.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 44.3% | 36.2% | 8.9% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 2.5% | 1.8% | 0.97% | 0.43% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.7% | 36.5% | 7.4% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 2.1% | 1.8% | 0.98% | 0.53% |
| Jan 2026 | 44.7% | 36.6% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.1% | 2.2% | 0.65% | 0.43% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.1% | 31.5% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 0.84% | 0.37% |
| Mar 2026 | 48.5% | 32.4% | 8% | 2.9% | 2% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 0.47% | 0.47% |
| Apr 2026 | 47.4% | 31.6% | 9.5% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 3% | 1.6% | 0.57% | 0.46% |
| May 2026 | 47.6% | 31.8% | 9.6% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 0.46% | 0.46% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.8% | 31.3% | 11.5% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.45% | 0.37% |
| Jul 2026 | 49.8% | 27.3% | 12.2% | 3.7% | 2% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 0.31% | 0.48% |
| Aug 2026 | 49.4% | 33% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 2% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.26% | 0.59% |
| Sep 2026 | 42% | 34.3% | 12.6% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 1.7% | 0.92% | 0.5% |
How has the Lexis+ AI and Westlaw comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Westlaw was ahead of Lexis+ AI in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lexis+ AI’s share of searches among legal research platforms worldwide moved from 2.4% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 21K to 16.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Westlaw’s share of searches among legal research platforms worldwide moved from 41.8% to 34.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 246K.
How did search popularity change for legal research platforms worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Justia overtook Lexis+ AI and Bloomberg Law to rank 5th among legal research platforms worldwide, with 2.5% of the searches.
In September 2026, Westlaw gained share of searches among legal research platforms worldwide, from 33% to 34.3%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Lexis+ AI worldwide fell 21.4% over 12 measured months, from 21K to 16.5K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Lexis+ AI’s and Westlaw’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.
Other head-to-heads among legal research platforms
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