Alternatives
Spellbook alternative: contracts for people who don't do law
Spellbook is a legal AI suite for law firms and in-house teams, built around a Microsoft Word add‑in. Contracts.io is for freelancers and small businesses: Lex drafts it, both sides negotiate one shared link, then e‑sign.
Spellbook
Spellbook describes a Word add‑in with Review, Draft, Ask, Benchmarks and Playbooks, plus Associate, a multi‑document agent, offered to law firms and in‑house legal teams.
Source: Spellbook home; Spellbook pricing. We only repeat what they publish about themselves.
Contracts.io
Contracts.io is a two-sided contract drafter. You describe the deal in one sentence; Lex drafts the contract in plain English beside the legal wording. You send one share link. The other side reads, redlineA redline is a proposed edit on a draft contract — words added, struck out or rewritten — not a signed change.More in the glossary, and Accepts, Counters or Declines, with their own private Lex. Both sides then e-signatureAn e-signature is any electronic way of showing agreement to a document, such as a typed name, a drawn signature or a click.More in the glossary. The other side never pays and never needs an account.
Where the jobs overlap
- Both use AI to help with contract drafting and review.
- Both keep work in the browser or editor instead of emailing back and forth.
- Both aim to make redlines clearer and faster.
Where they differ
- Spellbook is built for legal professionals in Microsoft Word. Contracts.io is a two‑sided room in the browser for you and the other side.
- On Contracts.io the other side opens one link, redlines, and has a private Lex — with no account and no fee.
- Contracts.io includes e‑signature on one frozen version. Spellbook’s public pages we checked do not state e‑signature.
| Contracts.io | Spellbook | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (checked 28 Oct 2026) | Free £0 (3 active contracts); Plus £15/mo; Pro £29/mo; Team £119/mo (5 seats); Enterprise from £750 | Custom, per seat; book a demo. 7‑day free trial |
| Who it is for | Freelancers, studios and small businesses agreeing a contract with the other side | Law firms and in‑house legal teams |
| Two‑sided negotiation | Yes: one link; Accept, Counter, Decline on each change | Tracked changes and suggestions in Word, from your side |
| Does the other side need an account? | No — they open the link free | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| E‑signature | Yes — on one frozen version | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| AI drafting | Lex drafts from one sentence, with Plain English beside the legal wording | Review, Draft, Ask, Benchmarks, Playbooks; Associate agent |
| Jurisdiction focus | England and Wales first; pages for Scotland, New York and California | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| Free plan | Yes — £0 for 3 active contracts | No free plan; 7‑day trial; free for academic institutions |
When to choose which
Contracts.io
- You are not a lawyer and need the other side to edit the same link.
- You want Plain English beside the legal wording, with a private Lex on each side.
- You want signatures attached to one frozen version, with every version kept.
Spellbook
- You are a law firm or in‑house legal team whose work lives in Word.
- You want benchmarks, playbooks and a Word‑native assistant inside your drafting tool.
- You need a legal AI suite designed for professional review work.
The legal wording governs. See pricing and features.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free version of Spellbook?
Spellbook offers a 7-day free trial for lawyers and legal teams, and free access for academic institutions. Its pricing page doesn't list a free plan. Contracts.io has a free plan at £0 with 3 active contracts.
Does Spellbook work outside Microsoft Word?
Spellbook's pricing page describes its suite as a Word add‑in plus Associate, a multi‑document agent. Contracts.io runs in the browser: you send one link and the other side opens it free.
Is Contracts.io an AI lawyer?
No. Lex drafts and explains contracts, but it isn't a lawyer and doesn't give legal advice. It never sends or signs anything for you.
Does the other side need an account on Contracts.io?
No. You send one share link. The other side opens it, reads the Plain English beside each clause, proposes changes and signs, without making an account or paying. They also get their own private Lex.
Is this legal advice?
No. Plain English explains each clause, and the legal wording governs.