Side by side

CM/ECF vs eLawServices

Both stand on legal e-filing software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

CM/ECF

Free plan MacWebWindows

CM/ECF supports electronic filing and related docket updates across the listed federal courts. Filing access depends on the individual court, and viewing records through PACER can incur fees.

Visit CM/ECF

eLawServices

Free plan Web

eLawServices offers Texas court filing and document services with a free plan and two listed monthly prices. Check the court coverage and plan limits to see whether they fit your filing needs.

Visit eLawServices

The facts

	CM/ECF	eLawServices
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Mac, Web, Windows	Web
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	$2.99 plan: $2.99 a month
Plans published	1	3
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	uscourts.gov	elawservices.com
On legal e-filing software	#1 of 22	#5 of 22

CM/ECF: what it does well

Covers federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.
Creates docket entries and updates docket sheets after filings.
Emails filing notices with document and docket links.
Online filing may be available 24 hours a day.
No added fee for filing documents over the internet.

What to know first

Filing access must be issued by an individual court.
Existing court filing fees still apply.
PACER charges for viewing additional case records.
Filers must redact personal identifier information.

eLawServices: what it does well

Includes free basic e-filing.
Covers Texas appellate, district, and county courts.
$2.99 a month adds word processor uploads and fax.
$3.99 a month adds monthly invoicing.
Phone support runs seven days a week.

What to know first

Free plan excludes word processor file submissions.
Free plan has no fax service.
Live chat is unavailable.
Some justice-of-the-peace courts are covered.

Alternatives to CM/ECF Alternatives to eLawServices The whole list