Side by side
A2J Author vs Docassemble
Both stand on legal forms software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Self-hostedWeb
A2J Author is designed for organizations building guided interviews and related documents for self-represented litigants. Its free hosting and self-hosting options come with eligibility and HotDocs constraints.
Visit A2J Author
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3
Docassemble offers extensive control over interview logic and document workflows, with no software usage charge. Plan for hosting and review its storage and server-security cautions before deployment.
Visit DocassembleThe facts
| A2J Author | Docassemble | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | a2jauthor.org | docassemble.org |
| On legal forms software | #3 of 29 | #1 of 29 |
A2J Author: what it does well
- Graphical flowchart supports branching interview design.
- CALI offers free hosting for interviews and templates.
- Organizations can self-host the Viewer, DAT, and interviews.
- Accessibility guidance covers Section 508 and WCAG2.
What to know first
- Free use requires a qualifying organization and non-commercial purpose.
- A registered, authenticated account is required.
- HotDocs templates cannot be published on A2J.org.
- Self-hosted HotDocs document generation needs another service or server.
Docassemble: what it does well
- Free, open-source software with no usage fees.
- Interviews can generate PDF, RTF, and DOCX documents.
- Question logic can adapt to information still needed.
- Python and API support extend interview workflows.
- Supports multilingual interviews and multiple communication features.
What to know first
- Internet-hosted servers typically cost $10–$40 per month or more.
- Uploaded and assembled documents are stored without encryption.
- Developer accounts can run arbitrary code on the server.
Alternatives to A2J Author Alternatives to Docassemble The whole list