AI legal platform · ChatGPT · classic referral platforms.
We are not competing with lawyers — we get you to them faster, cheaper and better prepared.
Start for free
Anyone with a legal question today usually picks between three routes: a general AI chat, a matching portal, or a law firm directly. All three are legitimate — but they differ sharply in what you actually end up holding.
The overview below puts those routes side by side. We are not competing with lawyers: our goal is to get you to them faster, cheaper and better prepared — and to tell you honestly when going straight to a firm is the right call.
| Criterion | ChatGPT & general AI | Classic referral platforms | Traditional lawyer | Smart Legal Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price | €0–20/month | Inquiries free, mandate priced separately | From ~€250 initial consultation | From €0 (triage), credits from cents |
| Binding effect | None — disclaimer only | Lawyer mandate binding; platform only refers | Fully binding (mandate, liability) | Clear labelling: AI help; lawyer handover binding |
| Privacy / hosting | US/global, may train on data | Platform terms vary, often EU | Client privilege, professional secrecy | EU hosting, no AI training, per-user RLS |
| Depth of German law | Shallow, hallucination-prone | Depends on referred lawyer | High — by specialisation | Contract-type playbooks by country (DE/AT/CH) |
| Time to result | Minutes — non-binding | Hours to days | Days to weeks | Minutes (analysis) + one-click lawyer handover |
| Escalation to lawyer | Not possible | Core model, but no prep work | — | Seamless: matter + analyses + versions handed over |
| Traceability | Black box, no sources | Lawyer-dependent | Lawyer-written, reasoned | Redline diff, audit log, signed compliance ZIP |
| Whole matter, not a single document | One chat window, nothing that lasts | Only once a mandate is accepted | Full case file, full depth | Full review: timeline, evidence, report |
| Your own letter before sending | Drafts, but checks nothing for gaps | No review channel without a mandate | Review and sign-off | Pre-send review, checklist per document type |
| Voice call | Voice input, no case knowledge | No AI voice channel | Phone appointment by arrangement | AI voice call, knows your matter |
| Where the sources come from | Training data, no verifiable source | Depends on the lawyer assigned | Commentary literature, databases, own experience | Own citation network of statutes and decisions |
Example
What AI-assisted pre-check looks like
- highCease-and-desist declaration too broad“…undertakes to refrain from any comparable statements…”§ 339 BGB · certainty requirement
- mediumFlat contractual penalty EUR 5,100“…contractual penalty of EUR 5,100.00 for each breach…”§ 343 BGB · reduction possible
- lowVery tight deadline“…no later than 5 business days after receipt of this letter…”Receipt § 130 BGB
- Limitation defence applies from 31 Dec.
- Cease-and-desist declaration too broad (§ 339 BGB)
- Active standing not evidenced
- Other side's evidence complete
- Dispute value favours quick settlement
Scenarios
Real-world scenarios compared
What each route actually costs and delivers when something concrete happens.
Scenario 1 — Fine notice (EUR 150)
Generic text, wrong deadline, no calibration sheet referenced.
Marketplace request, callback in 1–3 days, ad-hoc fee EUR 80–150.
Triage in 60s, objection draft from … (… credits), deadline tracked automatically.
Scenario 2 — NDA for a freelance project
Boilerplate, English-law clauses, no Sie-form, no DSGVO clause.
Lawyer drafts from zero, EUR 250–600.
DE-vetted template, identity-aware letterhead, from … (30 credits), lawyer handover optional.
Scenario 3 — Payment order (Mahnbescheid)
Risk of formal errors, missing case number, no court address logic.
Cost: full mandate, often >EUR 500 even if you only need a first orientation.
Structured draft + objection letter, deadline reminder, handover prepared.
Scenario 4 — You're sued, or you sue yourself
No knowledge of court filing form, no deadline tracking, no defence drafting.
Cost: full mandate for the whole case, even where self-representation would be possible.
Claim check, defence drafted court-ready with citation checks, a deadline calendar, and a moot-court pass against the other side's arguments.
All prices incl. VAT where applicable. See terms and cancellation policy.
Decision guide
When do you really need a lawyer?
Our triage is upfront — sometimes the direct route is cheaper.
Self-service with SmartLegalPro
Routine NDAs, standard objections, fine notices below EUR 500, deadline tracking, document storage.
AI + lawyer review
Custom contracts, supplier agreements, IT contracts, anything that affects multi-year obligations.
Direct to lawyer
Criminal matters, deadlines under 5 days, disputes above EUR 5,000, urgent injunctions, driving ban risk.
FAQ
What sets us apart
Try the triage now — free
Structured workflows instead of a generic chat
No credit card required · GDPR-compliant · Start for free
Compare with ChatGPT in detail