How to Choose the Best AI Contract Review Software

Law firms and in-house legal teams are constantly seeking ways to enhance their operations and navigate the complexities of contract review more efficiently. The emergence of AI has revolutionized this aspect of contract management.

By leveraging natural language processing and data extraction capabilities, AI can quickly analyze large volumes of legal documents, extract relevant information, and provide valuable insights to speed up the contract review process. 

However, the selection of AI contract review tools can make or break your case. 

Let’s see how you can find the best AI contract review software and unlock its full potential.

When do you need AI contract review software?

AI contract review software is useful to achieve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in your contract review process. Here are some situations where you may need AI contract review software:

#1 When there is a high volume of contracts

When dealing with a large number of contracts, manually reviewing each document can be time-consuming and prone to human errors. AI contract review software can quickly analyze and extract relevant information from multiple contracts, saving valuable time and ensuring consistency.

#2 When the contracts are complex

“Most contracts require you to flip around a lot, especially when you’re dealing with lots of defined terms. So, step one is to print out a hard copy of the contract. Then make a separate copy of the defined terms and use it as a glossary. Trust me, this is much easier than trying to read the contract on a computer screen or continually flipping back to the definitions page.”

~ Sterling Miller, CEO and Senior Counsel, Hilgers Graben PLLC
Ten Things: How to Read a Contract

Contracts often contain intricate legal language and complex provisions that require thorough analysis. AI contract review software can assist in identifying key clauses, flagging potential risks, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

#4 When the contracts are time-sensitive 

When faced with time constraints, such as tight deadlines or urgent contract negotiations, AI contract review software can expedite the review process. It accelerates the identification of critical information and assists in making informed decisions promptly.

#5 When you want to save money 

Hiring additional staff or outsourcing contract review can be costly. AI contract review software offers a cost-effective solution by automating repetitive tasks, reducing the need for extensive manual review, and minimizing the risk of human error.

#6 When you want to mitigate legal risks

AI contract review software helps identify potential risks and inconsistencies within contracts, reducing the likelihood of errors or omissions that may lead to legal disputes or financial implications.

Also read: How to Resolve Contract Disputes

Benefits of AI contract review software

AI contract review software streamlines and enhances the contract review process by automating manual tasks and leveraging advanced algorithms.

1. Better accuracy: Leveraging advanced algorithms and natural language processing, AI contract review software ensures precise and consistent reviews, minimizing the risk of human errors and oversights commonly associated with manual contract analysis.
2. Risk mitigation: By detecting and flagging potential issues, discrepancies, or non-compliance within contracts, AI contract review software helps organizations identify and address risks proactively, reducing legal and financial liabilities.
3. Enhanced compliance: AI contract review software assists in maintaining compliance with internal policies, industry regulations, and legal frameworks. It can compare contract clauses against predefined templates or regulatory guidelines, ensuring adherence to the required standards.
4. Cost-effective solution: By automating labor-intensive contract review tasks, AI software reduces the need for extensive human resources, resulting in significant cost savings. This allows organizations to allocate their personnel to more strategic and value-added activities.
5. Improved due diligence: AI contract review software thoroughly analyzes contracts, extracting and highlighting critical information such as key dates, obligations, and responsibilities. This enables organizations to make informed decisions based on accurate data, minimizing oversights and incomplete analysis.
6. Enhanced productivity and scalability: AI contract review software can efficiently handle large volumes of contracts simultaneously, providing scalability for organizations dealing with high contract frequencies. It streamlines workflows, enhances productivity, and empowers legal teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
7. Collaborative and organized: AI contract review software often offers collaboration features, allowing multiple stakeholders to review, comment, and communicate on contract-related matters within a centralized platform. This promotes efficient collaboration, improves communication, and streamlines decision-making processes.

Also read: How does AI speed up contract management?

Also read: Generative AI for Contract Management: Best Practices to Ensure Safety

Understanding your contract review needs

Before deploying AI contract review software, you need to define your goals and evaluate your prerequisites.

#1 Define your objectives and goals

• Identify the pain points in your current contract review process and identify areas where errors or delays commonly occur

• Determine the specific areas where AI can bring the most value. For example, identifying risks, extracting key information, or ensuring compliance

#2 Assess your contract volume and complexity

• Evaluate the number of contracts your organization handles to understand the scalability requirements of the AI contract review software

• Consider the complexity of contracts in terms of length, language, and industry-specific terms to determine the level of sophistication needed in the AI software to accurately analyze and review the contracts

#3 Determine key features and functionalities

• List the essential features you need, such as contract analysis, risk assessment, clause extraction, or compliance checks. Prioritize features based on your specific requirements.

• Identify any specific functionalities needed for your industry or unique requirements and see if the software aligns with your organization's specific needs

Also read: How AI Contract Review Tools are Transforming Legal Workflows

6 Steps to choosing the best AI contract review software

Selecting the best AI contract review software is crucial to streamline your contract management processes and enhance efficiency. 

#1 Research and shortlist potential vendors

When conducting your research on AI contract review software, explore reputable vendors. These vendors have a proven track record and are known for their expertise in contract management solutions. 

Look for vendors that have received positive customer testimonials, as they serve as evidence of their ability to deliver effective and reliable AI contract review software. 

By considering vendors with a strong track record and positive customer testimonials you can increase the likelihood of selecting a reputable provider that has consistently demonstrated their commitment to customer satisfaction and delivering high-quality AI contract review solutions.

For instance, SpotDraft has proven to be a reliable contract management software and is recommended by many in-house legal professionals.

“SpotDraft has helped cut our contract review and extraction time in half. SpotDraft provides a legal summary of each deal for our clients in any easily digestible format and helps keep us and our client deals organized.”

~ Aurora P., Founder and President
Review hosted on G2

Also read: How to Choose the Right Contract Negotiation Software?

#2 Assess the software's accuracy and reliability

Evaluating the precision and dependability of AI contract review software encompasses various aspects that should be taken into account. 

Initially, it is important to scrutinize the training process of the software, ensuring that it has been trained on a wide range of contracts and diverse data. To gauge accuracy, it is beneficial to examine performance metrics such as precision, recall, and F1 score. 

Then, validate the software through comparison with human reviewers and check for independent audits or certifications. 

Finally, evaluate the software's error-handling capabilities and level of transparency, particularly in terms of its ability to explain decisions. 

SpotDraft's Clause Identification and Extraction feature can greatly streamline the contract review process by swiftly highlighting relevant information. Lastly, consulting independent reviews and conducting hands-on testing or trials are recommended approaches to assess the accuracy and reliability of the software.

Also read: The Complete List Of Standard Clauses To Check Before Signing a Contract

#3 Evaluate integration capabilities

Assessing how well the software can integrate with your existing contract management systems and support common file formats and collaboration tools is essential for ensuring an efficient workflow within your organization.

Look for specific features that enable smooth data transfer and synchronization between platforms, streamlining the contract review process.

Check if the software supports a wide range of common file formats, such as DOCX and PDF, which are commonly used for contracts. This ensures easy import and export of documents without compatibility issues. 

Finally, since you need smooth collaboration and effective communication across teams during the contract review process, evaluate the software's compatibility with popular collaboration tools used in your organization. 

SpotDraft is one of the best AI contract review software because it seamlessly integrates with existing contract management systems and supports common file formats. It allows for efficient collaboration and communication among team members, enabling a streamlined contract review workflow.

Also read: 6 Must-Have CLM Integrations with Business Tools

#4 Consider customization and scalability

You want to ensure that the software can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of your organization. As your business expands and the volume of contracts increases, the software should be able to handle larger workloads without compromising its performance or efficiency.

Also, since each organization has unique contract review processes and legal requirements, the software should have the ability to customize certain aspects. This customization may include configuring review workflows, defining specific criteria for contract analysis, and incorporating industry-specific terminology or regulations.

“SpotDraft makes contract lifecycle management a breeze! As a contracts manager, I enjoy how SpotDraft makes it easy for our users to generate and customize contracts, send contracts for signatures, and revisit them when needed.”

~ Charlene N., Senior Contracts Manager 
Review hosted on G2

#5 Review security and data privacy measures

When looking for the best AI contract review software, it is crucial to review the security and data privacy measures implemented by the provider. First, ensure that the software employs robust security measures to protect sensitive contract data. This includes features such as data encryption, secure storage, and access controls to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.

Secondly, verify that the software complies with relevant data privacy regulations, such as GDPR. This ensures that the software provider handles personal and sensitive data in accordance with legal requirements, including obtaining appropriate consent and providing necessary transparency in data processing.

SpotDraft is a leading AI contract review software that prioritizes security and data privacy. With our advanced security measures and compliance with data privacy regulations, we ensure the protection of your sensitive information and minimize the risk of data breaches.

‍Also read: Contract Security: Hacks and tips for safeguarding your contracts

#6 Evaluate customer support and training options

Assess the level of customer support available, including responsiveness and availability. Look for a vendor with a reputation for addressing inquiries and issues promptly and efficiently. Additionally, check if they offer multiple channels for support, such as email, phone, or live chat.

Determine if the vendor provides comprehensive training resources or on-site training sessions. Look for documentation, tutorials, user guides, or knowledge bases that can help users understand and make the most of the software's features. 

When it comes to training, SpotDraft provides comprehensive resources such as documentation, tutorials, user guides, and knowledge bases.

“[SpotDraft’s] system is straightforward, intuitive, and easy to use, both for administrators and users, who have adapted to it very quickly. Their after-sales support is fantastic, with a team led by [SpotDraft member] who is always keen and happy to help with any queries and deliver training. They are a pleasure to deal with.”

~ Mercedes C., Legal Advisor
Review hosted on G2

‍Also read: Why Choose SpotDraft?

Unlocking the power of AI contract review software for streamlined operations

Choosing the best AI contract review software can significantly improve efficiency and mitigate contract risks.

To ensure the best fit for your organization, consider your specific contract review needs. Define your objectives, assess your contract volume and complexity, and determine the key features and functionalities required. 

By following these steps and selecting a reliable AI contract review software (think SpotDraft ;)), you can streamline your contract management processes, optimize efficiency, and empower your legal team to focus on strategic initiatives. To see how SpotDraft AI contract review software can help you get to other tasks faster, request a demo!