Side by side
GovInfo vs HeinOnline
Both stand on legal research software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIWeb
Choose GovInfo for free access to official federal publications, legal search and programmatic access to content and metadata. Readers seeking full text for documents outside its collection will need another source.
Visit GovInfo
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
HeinOnline combines a large searchable document collection with research tools, subject browsing and integrations. A free Social Justice Suite is available after registration to interested organizations and institutions; annual package pricing is tailored and not listed.
Visit HeinOnlineThe facts
| GovInfo | HeinOnline | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | API, Web | Android, iPhone, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | govinfo.gov | heinonline.com |
| On legal research software | #11 of 31 | #7 of 31 |
GovInfo: what it does well
- Free access to official publications from all three federal branches.
- Browse by A to Z, category, date, committee and author.
- PDFs include digital signatures and a visible authenticity seal.
- API and selected machine-readable bulk collections are available.
- Responsive web access works on mobile without a separate app.
What to know first
- Full text covers only publications stored on GovInfo.
- GPO generally does not revise submitted publications to apply accessibility standards.
HeinOnline: what it does well
- More than 251 million pages of research material
- Search across 1,500 subjects
- Free MyHein research account
- Integrates with Zotero, Dropbox and other tools
What to know first
- Annual subscription pricing is on request
- Packages depend on institutional type, size and scope
Alternatives to GovInfo Alternatives to HeinOnline The whole list