Relativity vs. CS Disco vs. Logikcull: Which eDiscovery Platform Fits Your Firm?

Choosing the right eDiscovery platform can transform timelines, costs, and client outcomes. Relativity, CS Disco, and Logikcull are market leaders—but they differ in depth, deployment, pricing, and usability. This week’s comparison breaks down how each platform impacts legal teams’ efficiency, compliance posture, collaboration, and client service value, with practical guidance for small firms, mid-size practices, and enterprise legal departments.

• Overview of the Tools / Platforms
• Features & Capabilities Comparison
• Compliance, Security & Risk Management
• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
• User Experience & Learning Curve
• Integration with Microsoft 365 and Other Legal Tools
• Pricing & Licensing Models
• Side-by-Side Comparison Table
• Pros & Cons of Each Solution
• Best Fit Scenarios
• Decision-Support Framework
• Verdict
• Conclusion

Overview of the Tools / Platforms

Relativity

Relativity is the most feature-dense and configurable eDiscovery platform, available as RelativityOne (SaaS, hosted in the cloud) and Relativity Server (on-premises/private cloud via partners). It is favored for complex litigation, massive datasets, and organizations needing granular security, robust analytics, and customizable workflows across the EDRM lifecycle, including legal hold and collection add-ons.

CS Disco (DISCO)

DISCO is a cloud-native eDiscovery suite designed for speed, ease of use, and end-to-end workflows. It focuses on streamlined ingestion, fast search, integrated AI-assisted review, and built-in production. Firms and legal departments often select DISCO for rapid case starts, predictable performance, and intuitive reviewer experience without extensive admin overhead.

Logikcull

Logikcull is a self-serve, cloud-based platform known for simplicity, transparent pricing, and quick time-to-value. It excels in internal investigations, subpoena responses, public records/FOIA requests, and smaller to mid-size litigations. Its automation-first approach reduces admin time with drag-and-drop ingestion, automatic deduplication, issue tagging, and straightforward productions.

Features & Capabilities Comparison

Data Ingestion & Processing

• Relativity: Enterprise-grade processing with robust error handling, metadata preservation, deNISTing, near-duplicate detection, and powerful email threading. Supports large-scale, complex data sources.
• DISCO: Streamlined, fast ingestion optimized for cloud speed. Straightforward handling of common data formats and rapid indexing for immediate review.
• Logikcull: Drag-and-drop simplicity with automated enrichment, deduplication, and common connectors for cloud sources. Ideal for frequent small/mid-size matters.

Search, Analytics & AI-Assisted Review

• Relativity: Advanced analytics suite (email threading, concept clustering, near-duplicate detection) and Active Learning (continuous active learning/TAR 2.0) to prioritize review. Strong custom search syntax and saved search management.
• DISCO: Emphasizes speed and intuitive filters with DISCO AI to accelerate relevancy and privilege identification. Visualizations and intelligent tagging aid early case assessment.
• Logikcull: Powerful filters and automatic detection of sensitive data (e.g., PII). AI and automation geared toward culling and fast triage rather than complex analytics.

Production & Redaction

• Relativity: Highly configurable productions with Bates control, placeholders, slip-sheets, and support for native/image/TIFF/PDF. Advanced native redaction available via add-ons.
• DISCO: Integrated production workflows for common formats. Strong image redaction tools with quality control checks designed for rapid turnaround.
• Logikcull: Simplified production builder with intuitive redaction, including bulk actions for smaller teams and quick releases.

Scale & Customization

• Relativity: Extensive customization (fields, layouts, scripts, event handlers) and marketplace apps. Suited for multi-matter programs and enterprise governance.
• DISCO: Opinionated, streamlined configuration for speed and consistency; less admin burden, less deep customization.
• Logikcull: Minimal setup and standardized workflows; prioritizes ease of use over customization depth.

Expert perspective: If your matters regularly exceed multiple terabytes or require bespoke workflows, Relativity’s configurability becomes a strategic asset. If your bottleneck is reviewer speed and quick case starts, DISCO or Logikcull often deliver faster time-to-first-insight with less admin complexity.

Compliance, Security & Risk Management

All three vendors emphasize strong security practices common in the industry such as encryption in transit and at rest, SSO/SAML support, role-based access controls, and detailed audit logs. Typical third-party assessments include SOC 2 Type II, with additional certifications and attestations varying by vendor and region. Data residency options or regional hosting may be available depending on the deployment. Always verify current certifications, regions, and contractual commitments for your matters.

• Relativity: Enterprise-grade access controls, workspace-level permissions, field- and document-level security. Legal Hold and Collect add-ons support defensible processes.
• DISCO: Cloud-native security with administrator-friendly controls, logging, and consistent performance. Emphasis on rapid response and reliable uptime.
• Logikcull: Simple, secure-by-default collaboration with straightforward permissioning and comprehensive audit trails suited to frequent, smaller matters.

Risk reduction also depends on workflows: defensible collections, documented chain of custody, immutable audit logs, and standardized review protocols. Relativity offers the most granular controls; DISCO and Logikcull emphasize guardrails that simplify consistent, defensible usage.

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Relativity: Mature user/role management across case teams, outside counsel, and vendors. Saved searches, issue coding panels, dash-boarding, and integrated communications via legal hold modules and third-party apps.
• DISCO: Real-time, responsive review experience for distributed teams; intuitive batch assignments, comments, and tag management. Helpful for firms coordinating multiple reviewers quickly.
• Logikcull: Share links, simple permission sets, and templated workflows reduce training friction for occasional users (e.g., business stakeholders or small review pods).

User Experience & Learning Curve

• Relativity: Deep functionality requires deliberate onboarding. Power users and litigation support teams can unlock advanced workflows and automations.
• DISCO: Clean, consistent UI that reviewers learn quickly. Admin tasks are lighter than in legacy systems, with sensible defaults.
• Logikcull: The most approachable for non-technical legal teams. Minimal configuration promotes fast adoption and reduced errors.

Integration with Microsoft 365 and Other Legal Tools

Microsoft 365 is central to modern eDiscovery. Each platform supports various integration patterns:

• Collections: Cloud-to-cloud connectors or guided export/import from Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams. Relativity offers Collect for Microsoft 365. DISCO and Logikcull provide native connectors and import workflows for common sources (verify specific source coverage and region support).
• Legal Hold: Relativity’s legal hold capabilities integrate with custodian tracking and notice management. Logikcull offers a legal hold module aimed at convenience and speed. Many organizations also coordinate with Microsoft Purview eDiscovery (Standard/Premium) for custodian holds and scoping.
• Document Management: iManage and NetDocuments integration is common via connectors and export/import. API-based extensions and third-party tools can automate handoffs.
• Collaboration Tools: Slack and Google Workspace data are widely supported; confirm coverage for channels, threads, reactions, and file artifacts.

For Microsoft 365-heavy environments, evaluate native connectors, hold orchestration, Teams chat/thread fidelity, and metadata preservation. Also assess performance for large mailbox and Teams exports, and whether TAR/AI accelerates noisy Teams/Slack data.

Pricing & Licensing Models

Pricing varies by region, data volume, features, and service-level agreements. The models below reflect typical patterns—always obtain current quotes and confirm inclusions.

• Relativity: Licensing often via service providers or direct subscriptions (RelativityOne). Costs typically include user licensing, hosting per GB/month, and fees for processing, analytics, legal hold/collect, and specialized apps. Suited to high-volume programs and enterprises with predictable pipelines.
• DISCO: Subscription and/or usage-based models commonly bundle processing, analytics, and review, with options for AI features. Pricing may be per GB/month with user access included or tiered by feature set.
• Logikcull: Transparent, self-serve packages are common, including per-matter options and annual subscriptions with data caps. Many features are included by default; legal hold or advanced integrations may be add-ons.

Remember total cost of ownership: data processing, hosting duration, number of reviewers, production iterations, and project management time. Efficient culling and AI-assisted review can significantly reduce overall spend.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Category	Relativity	CS Disco (DISCO)	Logikcull
Deployment	RelativityOne (SaaS) and on-prem/private cloud via partners	Cloud-native SaaS	Cloud-native SaaS
Scale	Enterprise-scale, multi-terabyte, complex workflows	High performance at scale for most litigations	Optimized for small to mid-size matters and investigations
Analytics & AI	Active Learning (TAR), threading, near-dup, concept analysis	DISCO AI accelerates relevancy and privilege identification	AI-driven culling and sensitive data detection
Customization	Extensive (fields, layouts, scripting, marketplace apps)	Streamlined configuration; less deep customization	Minimal customization; standardized flows
Microsoft 365	Relativity Collect and Legal Hold; strong metadata handling	Native connectors and rapid indexing (verify coverage)	Simple connectors/imports; fast triage for M365 exports
Security & Compliance	Granular RBAC, extensive audit, enterprise certifications	Cloud security with strong logging and SSO support	Secure-by-default with comprehensive audit trails
Collaboration	Advanced reviewer/admin controls; cross-vendor programs	Intuitive team workflows; quick batch assignment	Easy sharing and permissions for small teams
Pricing Model	License + hosting per GB + add-ons; enterprise-oriented	Subscription/usage-based; bundles common functions	Transparent per-matter/annual packages with data caps
Best For	Enterprise legal/compliance and complex multi-matter programs	Firms/departments needing speed and reviewer productivity	Self-serve investigations, subpoenas, FOIA/public records
Notable Trade-Off	Steeper learning curve; higher admin overhead	Less granular customization vs. Relativity	Less suited for highly complex, massive matters

Pros & Cons of Each Solution

Relativity

• Pros: Unmatched configurability; advanced analytics and TAR; enterprise security controls; supports intricate productions and workflows; strong partner ecosystem.
• Cons: Higher complexity and admin requirements; cost structure can rise with data scale and add-ons; longer onboarding for new teams.

CS Disco (DISCO)

• Pros: Fast, intuitive UI; integrated AI for prioritization; efficient ingestion and search; good balance of power and simplicity; lowers admin burden.
• Cons: Less customizable than Relativity; specialized edge cases may require workarounds; pricing varies with data and features.

Logikcull

• Pros: Extremely user-friendly; transparent pricing; quick time-to-value; ideal for frequent, small-to-mid matters; strong automation.
• Cons: Not designed for the most complex or massive litigations; fewer advanced analytics and customization options.

Best Fit Scenarios

• Small firms and lean legal teams: Logikcull delivers rapid setup, predictable costs, and easy reviewer onboarding.
• Mid-size firms handling varied caseloads: DISCO balances speed, AI-powered culling, and enough depth for most matters.
• Enterprise legal departments and complex litigation: Relativity’s configurability, Active Learning, and security model support large datasets, multi-party matters, and program-wide governance.
• Internal investigations and FOIA/public records: Logikcull streamlines responsiveness with automation and quick productions.
• High-velocity review with tight timelines: DISCO’s performance and intuitive batching help teams move fast.
• Multi-matter programs with strict compliance controls: Relativity enables standardized, defensible processes at scale.

• Matter Profile: Volume (GB/TB), timelines, opposing counsel demands, expected productions.
• Data Profile: Microsoft 365/Teams/Slack intensity, mobile and cloud sources, file types, language diversity.
• Risk & Governance: Security certifications, auditability, legal hold orchestration, regional data needs, and defensibility requirements.

Decision-Support Framework

Use this checklist to structure vendor evaluations and demos:

1. Data Intake & Fidelity
   • Does the platform ingest M365/Teams/Slack with full metadata and thread fidelity?
   • How quickly can reviewers search new data after ingestion?
   • Are error handling and reporting transparent for defensibility?
2. Search, Analytics & AI
   • Is email threading, near-duplicate detection, and TAR/Active Learning included?
   • How effectively does AI prioritize likely responsive/privileged documents?
   • Can analytics meaningfully reduce review volume and cost?
3. Production Quality & Redaction
   • Are Bates, placeholders, native redaction, and QC checks robust and efficient?
   • How easy is it to re-run productions after late-stage updates?
4. Security & Compliance
   • Which certifications and audit reports are available (e.g., SOC 2 Type II)?
   • Does the platform provide granular roles, SSO/MFA, and immutable audit logs?
   • What regional hosting/data residency options are supported?
5. Microsoft 365 & Ecosystem Fit
   • Are there native connectors for M365, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams?
   • Do legal hold workflows integrate with Purview or internal policies?
   • How well does it interoperate with DMS (iManage/NetDocuments) and case management?
6. Total Cost & Scalability
   • What is the all-in cost per GB/month and per user, including add-ons?
   • How does the platform perform and price at 10 GB, 1 TB, and multi-TB scales?
   • What support, onboarding, and training are included?
7. Usability & Time-to-Value
   • How long to first reviewable documents after kickoff?
   • What training do reviewers/admins need to be productive?
   • Are standard workflows templatized to avoid reinvention?

Verdict

All three platforms are proven, but they serve different operating styles:

• Relativity: Best for enterprise programs and complex litigations needing granular controls, advanced analytics, and customizable workflows. Plan for dedicated admin expertise and a structured rollout.
• CS Disco (DISCO): Best for teams that prioritize speed, intuitive review, and AI-assisted culling across varied matters. Strong default workflows minimize admin lift while maintaining power.
• Logikcull: Best for small firms or departments handling frequent investigations, subpoenas, and FOIA/public records with limited budgets and tight timelines.

If your firm’s matters are data-heavy and governance-driven, Relativity unlocks the most long-term value. If your caseload emphasizes rapid execution and reviewer productivity, DISCO is compelling. For straightforward, self-serve eDiscovery with predictable costs, Logikcull offers the fastest on-ramp.

Conclusion

Selecting an eDiscovery platform is about aligning risk, scale, and speed with your team’s capacity and clients’ expectations. Relativity delivers depth and control, DISCO streamlines speed and AI-driven review, and Logikcull maximizes simplicity and cost transparency. Start with your matter and data profiles, validate Microsoft 365 integrations, and model total cost at your typical scales. With the right fit, your team can reduce risk and deliver measurable client value.

Want expert guidance on improving your legal practice operations with modern tools and strategies? Reach out to A.I. Solutions today for tailored support and training.