Astra for Law: OpenAI's Legal AI Compared With Gavel Exec

Compare OpenAI's Astra for Law and Gavel Exec on availability, Word integration and contract playbooks.

By Richard Poelderl · Last updated: September 21, 2026

OpenAI launched Astra for Law on September 17, 2026. It is built on GPT-6 Astra and aimed at law firms and in-house counsel doing legal research, analysis and writing. This comparison looks at how Astra for Law fits the contract work lawyers do every day and how it compares with Gavel Exec.

At the beginning of 2026, our founder, Dorna Moini, predicted a shift toward AI built for specific legal disciplines. Astra’s arrival raises a related question: as underlying models improve, how much value comes from the tools, context and processes built around them? For contract work, a better model helps a lawyer when it applies the lawyer’s positions to the agreement in front of them, inside the tool where they negotiate.

Our verdict: if you want contract review you can start using today, choose Gavel Exec. Exec is self-serve with 25 free queries per user and no credit card, runs in Microsoft Word and online, and applies your playbooks as suggested redlines and comments. Astra for Law is currently available to selected U.S. firms by request, OpenAI has not published Astra-specific pricing, and OpenAI has not specified native Word integration. Astra is worth evaluating if your priority is U.S. legal research or your firm wants to build a custom legal application with OpenAI.

If your organization already has access to Astra for Law in ChatGPT, run the same agreement through both tools and compare the redlines each one produces against your playbook.

Astra for Law

Astra for Law is OpenAI’s legal offering built on GPT-6 Astra, with a U.S. Legal Search Index and instructions for legal analysis and writing. Its scope includes contract work: OpenAI describes a custom firm application that uses playbooks and precedents to propose redlines and client advice.

OpenAI’s contract example is a custom application built for a specific firm, and access currently runs through OpenAI’s selection process.

Gavel Exec

Gavel Exec is AI contract review, redlining, and drafting software for legal teams. It works in Microsoft Word and online, so attorneys can review contracts inside Word or use browser-based workflows for broader contract analysis.

Gavel Exec supports playbook-based review, redlining, drafting, benchmarking, batch analysis, and multi-document comparison. Playbooks can be generated with AI, built from uploaded files, created manually, or started from built-in playbooks created by practicing attorneys. Gavel Exec publishes pricing at $160 per user per month or $1,740 per user annually, and offers 25 free queries per user with no credit card required.

Key differences between Astra for Law and Gavel Exec

1. You can start using Exec today

Exec is self-serve. Sign up, open a contract and run a review with 25 free queries per user and no credit card. Astra for Law is offered to selected U.S. firms through OpenAI’s access process, and OpenAI has not published Astra-specific pricing.

2. Exec works where you redline

Exec runs inside Microsoft Word, so proposed changes land in the agreement you send back to the other side. It also works online for batch analysis and multi-document comparison. Astra for Law runs through ChatGPT, and OpenAI has not specified native Word integration.

3. Exec ships with playbooks you can use on day one

Exec includes built-in playbooks created by practicing attorneys. You can also generate custom playbooks with AI, build them from uploaded files or write them manually. Exec turns each preferred position and fallback into suggested redlines and comments. OpenAI’s playbook example is a custom agreement analyzer built for one firm, so the setup work depends on the application OpenAI builds with you.

When evaluating the legal tech company Astra for Law,

For contract review you can start today, choose Gavel Exec. Exec is self-serve with a free trial, works in Microsoft Word and online, and applies built-in or custom playbooks as suggested redlines. Astra for Law is available to selected U.S. firms by request and is worth considering for U.S. legal research and custom legal applications.

When to choose Astra for Law vs. Gavel Exec

When to choose Astra for Law

Your priority is U.S. legal research, analysis and writing with access to legal sources.
Your firm wants to develop a custom legal application around its expertise and documents.

When to choose Gavel Exec

Choose Exec to review, redline and draft agreements in Word or online, starting today.
Choose Exec to apply built-in or custom playbooks as suggested redlines and comments.
Choose Exec if you want published pricing and a free trial you can run before talking to sales.

Astra for Law and Gavel Exec, side by side

This table compares Astra for Law with Gavel Exec. Product and access details checked September 21, 2026, against OpenAI guidance and Gavel Exec plans.

Feature	Astra for Law	Gavel Exec
Price	Contact OpenAI; Astra-specific public pricing not announced	$160/user/month or $1,740/user billed annually; 1,000 monthly queries
Billing	Confirm terms with OpenAI	Monthly or annual billing
Free Trial	Selected-firm access by request	25 free queries per user; no credit card required
AI Features	U.S. legal research, analysis and writing; custom contract applications	Contract review, redlining, drafting and market-term benchmarking
Playbooks	Shown in a custom firm agreement analyzer	Built-in and custom playbooks; suggested redlines and comments
Word Integration	Native Word integration not specified for Astra for Law	Microsoft Word and online
Support	Contact OpenAI’s account team or Sales for access and terms	Product documentation, demos and team onboarding; Gavel is part of Relativity

Reviewing a supplier agreement for the customer

A supplier sends its agreement. You represent the customer, so you need to assess the terms, decide where to push back and return a draft that advances your client’s position.

In Gavel Exec, you open the agreement in Word or online and apply your playbook. For example, if your playbook caps the supplier’s liability at 12 months of fees and the draft caps it at one month, Exec flags the clause, proposes a redline to your position and adds a comment. You accept, edit or reject each change before the draft goes back.

For matters with supporting documents and recurring instructions, Projects keep those materials together, so the context behind the contract is available during the review.

OpenAI’s custom firm example shows Astra using playbooks and precedents to propose edits as well. The practical difference today is that Exec is a finished product your team can test on its own agreement this week.

How useful is Astra for professional legal work?

Astra brings meaningful capabilities to the market: U.S. legal search, analysis and writing, plus the ability to support firm-specific applications. It also improved on the general model in OpenAI’s research evaluation.

OpenAI reports 54.0% overall correctness for Astra for Law, compared with 38.7% for GPT-6 Astra with web search, on a 200-question private validation set for legal research, with both systems using their highest reasoning effort. That is evidence of progress on the tested research tasks. It does not tell you which product will produce the best contract markup or how much review a particular matter needs. Read the evaluation.

Lawyers still need to review the work and the sources behind it. In contract work, proposed language needs your judgment about the client and the deal.

If your team also produces documents from client intake, Gavel offers a separate document automation product with its own plans.

What Gavel Exec customers say

Martin Algie uses custom playbooks to bring his firm’s approach into contract review. Read the case study.

I've found Gavel Exec really good to work with and responsive to how I negotiate, how I redline.
Martin Algie, Principal, MIA Contract Lawyers — on Gavel Exec

Try Exec on a contract you're negotiating now

Bring an agreement you need to review and the positions you want to protect. See how Gavel Exec applies your standards, proposes changes and fits the way you negotiate.

Put Gavel Exec to work on your next contract

Bring the agreement, apply your standards and review the changes. Start with 25 free queries per user, no credit card required.

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Frequently asked questions

Can Astra for Law replace Gavel Exec?

The two overlap on contract work. Exec is a contract review product that works in Word and online today. Astra for Law covers a broader range of U.S. legal research and writing, and its contract features depend on a custom application built for your firm. If you have access to both, run the same agreement through each and compare the redlines. For more on Astra’s capabilities, see OpenAI’s Astra for Law announcement.

Does Astra for Law work in Microsoft Word?

OpenAI has not specified native Word integration for Astra for Law. Gavel Exec runs as a Microsoft Word add-in and online.

Can in-house legal teams get Astra for Law?

OpenAI currently offers Astra for Law to selected U.S. firms through its access process. Check OpenAI’s availability page to see whether your team qualifies. Gavel Exec is available to in-house teams and law firms with a self-serve free trial.

How do I set up a playbook in Gavel Exec?

You can start with a built-in playbook created by practicing attorneys, generate one with AI, build one from uploaded files or write your own positions and fallbacks manually.

What can I try today?

Gavel Exec offers 25 free queries per user without a credit card. OpenAI currently offers Astra for Law to selected U.S. firms through its access process. Check Astra’s current availability.

Will a lawyer still need to review the output?

Yes. In contract work, review the proposed language against the agreement, your client’s position and the deal. For legal research, check the analysis and cited authorities. Gavel Exec presents proposed edits for your review and leaves the final negotiating decisions with you.

Methodology

This comparison uses publicly available product, pricing, and review information. Features, pricing, and access terms may change, so buyers should verify current details directly with each vendor.