Introduction
Legal Hold Software plays a critical role in modern litigation readiness and corporate compliance. At its core, legal hold software helps organizations identify, preserve, track, and manage electronically stored information (ESI) when litigation, audits, or regulatory investigations are anticipated or ongoing. Without a proper legal hold process, organizations risk data spoliation—accidental or intentional deletion of evidence—which can lead to severe legal penalties, sanctions, or loss of credibility in court.
In today’s digital-first workplaces, data lives everywhere: email systems, cloud storage, collaboration platforms, mobile devices, and enterprise applications. Legal hold software automates what was once a manual, error-prone process by issuing holds, tracking custodian acknowledgments, monitoring compliance, and generating defensible audit trails. It ensures that relevant data remains intact and discoverable when needed.
Key use cases include litigation management, internal investigations, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and responding to subpoenas or data subject access requests. When evaluating legal hold tools, buyers should look for automation, ease of use, integration with existing systems, strong security controls, and clear reporting that stands up to legal scrutiny.
Best for:
Legal Hold Software is ideal for in-house legal teams, law firms, compliance officers, IT teams, and regulated organizations across industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, government, and manufacturing—especially those handling large volumes of digital data.
Not ideal for:
Very small businesses with minimal digital data exposure or organizations with no litigation or regulatory risk may not need a dedicated legal hold tool and could rely on basic IT retention policies instead.
Top 10 Legal Hold Software Tools
1 — Exterro Legal Hold
Short description:
A comprehensive enterprise-grade legal hold solution designed for large organizations managing complex litigation and investigations.
Key features:
- Automated legal hold issuance and tracking
- Custodian acknowledgment workflows
- Integrated eDiscovery and data mapping
- Preservation across email, cloud, and endpoints
- Detailed audit trails and reporting
- Policy-based retention controls
Pros:
- Highly scalable for enterprise use
- Strong defensibility in court
Cons:
- Complex setup for smaller teams
- Premium pricing
Security & compliance:
SOC 2, GDPR support, encryption, SSO, detailed audit logs
Support & community:
Enterprise onboarding, dedicated support, extensive documentation
2 — Relativity Legal Hold
Short description:
A well-known legal technology platform offering integrated legal hold within a broader eDiscovery ecosystem.
Key features:
- Legal hold issuance and reminders
- Custodian questionnaires
- Integration with RelativityOne
- Preservation tracking
- Reporting and analytics
Pros:
- Seamless integration with eDiscovery workflows
- Trusted by global law firms
Cons:
- Requires Relativity ecosystem for full value
- Steep learning curve
Security & compliance:
SOC 2, ISO standards, GDPR-ready, encryption
Support & community:
Large user community, training programs, enterprise support
3 — Microsoft Purview eDiscovery (Legal Hold)
Short description:
A native legal hold and eDiscovery solution built into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Key features:
- In-place holds for Microsoft data
- Custodian management
- Advanced eDiscovery workflows
- Compliance Manager integration
- Search and export tools
Pros:
- Excellent for Microsoft-centric organizations
- No additional infrastructure required
Cons:
- Limited outside Microsoft environment
- Advanced features require higher licenses
Security & compliance:
GDPR, ISO, SOC, encryption, Microsoft security framework
Support & community:
Extensive documentation, enterprise support, global user base
4 — ZyLAB Legal Hold
Short description:
A flexible legal hold and eDiscovery platform focused on usability and rapid deployment.
Key features:
- Legal hold automation
- Custodian tracking
- Cloud-based deployment
- Multilingual support
- Integrated review tools
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Faster implementation
Cons:
- Smaller ecosystem
- Limited advanced analytics
Security & compliance:
ISO-certified, GDPR-ready, encryption
Support & community:
Responsive support team, guided onboarding
5 — Logikcull Legal Hold
Short description:
A modern, cloud-native legal hold tool designed for speed and simplicity.
Key features:
- Self-service legal hold workflows
- Automated reminders
- Cloud data preservation
- Reporting dashboards
- Secure sharing
Pros:
- Intuitive and fast to use
- Transparent pricing
Cons:
- Less customization for enterprises
- Limited offline data handling
Security & compliance:
SOC 2, encryption, GDPR support
Support & community:
Strong customer success focus, clear documentation
6 — OpenText Legal Hold
Short description:
An enterprise information governance platform with robust legal hold capabilities.
Key features:
- Centralized legal hold management
- Records and retention integration
- Cross-platform preservation
- Advanced reporting
- Enterprise scalability
Pros:
- Powerful governance capabilities
- Suitable for regulated industries
Cons:
- Heavy implementation effort
- Higher total cost of ownership
Security & compliance:
ISO, SOC, GDPR, HIPAA support
Support & community:
Enterprise-grade support, extensive training
7 — Proofpoint Enterprise Legal Hold
Short description:
A security-first legal hold solution focused on email and communication data.
Key features:
- Email and messaging preservation
- Automated legal hold workflows
- Advanced search and export
- Threat-aware data handling
- Compliance reporting
Pros:
- Excellent email data handling
- Strong security posture
Cons:
- Narrower data source coverage
- Best paired with Proofpoint ecosystem
Security & compliance:
SOC 2, GDPR, encryption, secure access controls
Support & community:
Enterprise support, security-focused documentation
8 — Everlaw Legal Hold
Short description:
A cloud-based litigation platform offering legal hold as part of a broader review solution.
Key features:
- Custodian management
- Legal hold notices and tracking
- Integrated review and analytics
- Collaboration tools
- Reporting dashboards
Pros:
- Strong analytics and visualization
- Modern user experience
Cons:
- Premium pricing
- Best for litigation-heavy teams
Security & compliance:
SOC 2, encryption, GDPR support
Support & community:
Hands-on onboarding, responsive support
9 — Casepoint Legal Hold
Short description:
An end-to-end eDiscovery platform with built-in legal hold functionality.
Key features:
- Automated legal hold workflows
- Preservation and collection
- Review and analytics
- Role-based access
- Reporting tools
Pros:
- Unified eDiscovery lifecycle
- Competitive pricing
Cons:
- Interface can feel dense
- Learning curve for new users
Security & compliance:
SOC 2, ISO, GDPR-ready
Support & community:
24/7 enterprise support, training resources
10 — Onna Legal Hold
Short description:
A modern data preservation platform focused on collaboration and SaaS data sources.
Key features:
- SaaS and collaboration data capture
- Legal hold automation
- Centralized data repository
- Search and export
- API integrations
Pros:
- Excellent SaaS coverage
- Developer-friendly integrations
Cons:
- Not a full eDiscovery suite
- Pricing varies by data volume
Security & compliance:
SOC 2, GDPR, encryption
Support & community:
Good documentation, responsive support team
Comparison Table
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform(s) Supported | Standout Feature | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterro | Large enterprises | Cloud / On-prem | End-to-end legal hold & eDiscovery | N/A |
| Relativity Legal Hold | Law firms & enterprises | Cloud | Deep eDiscovery integration | N/A |
| Microsoft Purview | Microsoft-centric orgs | Cloud | Native M365 integration | N/A |
| ZyLAB | Mid-market teams | Cloud | Fast deployment | N/A |
| Logikcull | SMB to mid-market | Cloud | Ease of use | N/A |
| OpenText | Regulated enterprises | Hybrid | Governance depth | N/A |
| Proofpoint | Email-heavy orgs | Cloud | Security-first approach | N/A |
| Everlaw | Litigation teams | Cloud | Advanced analytics | N/A |
| Casepoint | Unified eDiscovery | Cloud | All-in-one lifecycle | N/A |
| Onna | SaaS-focused teams | Cloud | Collaboration data capture | N/A |
Evaluation & Scoring of Legal Hold Software
| Criteria | Weight | Evaluation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core features | 25% | Automation, custodian tracking, preservation |
| Ease of use | 15% | UI clarity, learning curve |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 15% | Email, SaaS, cloud storage |
| Security & compliance | 10% | Certifications, encryption |
| Performance & reliability | 10% | Stability under load |
| Support & community | 10% | Onboarding, responsiveness |
| Price / value | 15% | ROI vs features |
Which Legal Hold Software Tool Is Right for You?
- Solo users & SMBs: Choose lightweight, cloud-native tools with fast setup and simple workflows.
- Mid-market teams: Look for balance—automation, integrations, and reasonable pricing.
- Enterprises: Prioritize scalability, compliance certifications, audit defensibility, and vendor support.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Focus on core legal hold features without bundled eDiscovery.
- Premium needs: Invest in platforms offering analytics, governance, and enterprise security.
- Security-driven orgs: Ensure encryption, SSO, role-based access, and compliance coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is a legal hold?
A legal hold is a process to preserve relevant data when litigation or investigations are anticipated. - Why is legal hold software important?
It prevents accidental deletion of evidence and ensures legal defensibility. - Can legal hold be managed manually?
Yes, but manual processes are risky, inconsistent, and hard to audit. - Does legal hold software replace eDiscovery tools?
No, it complements eDiscovery by preserving data before collection and review. - Is legal hold required by law?
Courts expect reasonable preservation efforts once litigation is foreseeable. - How long does implementation take?
Cloud tools may take days; enterprise platforms can take weeks or months. - Is legal hold software secure?
Most leading tools offer encryption, access controls, and compliance certifications. - Can it handle cloud collaboration tools?
Modern tools increasingly support SaaS and collaboration platforms. - What’s a common mistake organizations make?
Failing to track custodian acknowledgments and release holds properly. - Are there alternatives to legal hold software?
Basic retention policies exist, but they lack defensibility and automation.
Conclusion
Legal Hold Software is no longer optional for organizations operating in data-rich, regulated environments. The right tool ensures defensible preservation, operational efficiency, and reduced legal risk. While enterprise platforms offer unmatched depth and compliance, lighter tools provide speed and simplicity for smaller teams.
Ultimately, the “best” legal hold solution depends on your organization’s size, data landscape, risk profile, and budget. By focusing on core features, usability, integrations, and security, decision-makers can select a tool that not only meets today’s needs—but scales confidently into the future.
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