eCourtsIndia vs Indian Kanoon: which should you use? (2026)
Published by: ecourtsindia on Oct 25, 2026
Written by the eCourtsIndia team. eCourtsIndia is our product, so we have put it first; we have tried to describe every other product fairly, using only what each company says on its own website (checked 24 October 2026). Features and prices change, so check each site before you decide. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will fix it.
People often ask whether eCourtsIndia or Indian Kanoon is the better choice. The honest answer is that they are built for different jobs, and many people end up using both. This guide sets out what each one does, where each is stronger, and how to pick for your situation.
The short answer
- Choose eCourtsIndia if you need tracking live cases, cause lists and hearing dates across courts in one place.
- Choose Indian Kanoon if your priority is free full-text reading of judgments and statutes.
- If you do both kinds of work, use them side by side: they complement each other more than they compete.
What eCourtsIndia is
eCourtsIndia is a single index of Indian court records: search any case by CNR number, party, advocate or judge across the Supreme Court, 25 High Courts, district and taluka courts and tribunals such as NCLT, ITAT, DRT, NGT and consumer commissions. It shows daily cause lists, gives every order its own page, keeps a free directory of advocates verified against Bar Council enrolment, and offers an AI Clerk for hearing alerts and order summaries. Search is free to start, and there is an API and MCP server.
Useful starting points:
What Indian Kanoon is
Indian Kanoon (https://indiankanoon.org) is a free search engine for Indian law covering publicly available judgments (as described on its Agami member page). It has built a strong reputation for free full-text reading of judgments and statutes, and for that job it is a sensible first stop. We do not have access to its internal data, so for coverage numbers, pricing and terms, please read Indian Kanoon's own pages rather than relying on our summary.
Side-by-side comparison
| eCourtsIndia | Indian Kanoon | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Track cases, cause lists and orders across courts | Free search and reading of judgments and laws |
| Case status by CNR | Yes | Focus is judgments, not live case status |
| Daily cause lists | Yes, by state, district and court | Not its focus |
| Advocate directory | Free, verified against Bar Council enrolment | No |
| Alerts and summaries | AI Clerk hearing alerts and order summaries | Not offered as a practice tool |
| Price | Free to start | Free |
The Indian Kanoon column describes the product as presented on its own website. If anything here is out of date, let us know.
Where Indian Kanoon is the better fit
We would point you to Indian Kanoon when free full-text reading of judgments and statutes is the core of the task. It is an established product, it is widely used, and its approach suits people whose work is centred on that job. If your team already relies on it, there is little reason to switch just to try something new.
Where eCourtsIndia is the better fit
eCourtsIndia is designed for tracking live cases, cause lists and hearing dates across courts in one place. The difference shows up in day-to-day use: instead of jumping between several sources, you get one page that brings the relevant facts together and tells you where each fact came from. That makes it easier to check the original yourself, which matters whenever money, a deal or a deadline depends on the answer.
What we deliberately built in:
- Sources on the page. Facts are shown with where they came from, so you can verify them.
- A free way to start. You can use the core of the product without paying first.
- Access for software and AI assistants. An API or MCP server lets tools and assistants use the same data a person sees.
Common situations
"I need a quick answer before I act." Start with eCourtsIndia, then follow the source link if the decision is important.
"I need free full-text reading of judgments and statutes." Start with Indian Kanoon; that is its strength.
"I am building a product or workflow." Look at the developer access on each side and compare current terms for programmatic use.
"I am still not sure." Try the same query in both. Ten minutes of side-by-side testing on your own real cases will tell you more than any comparison article, including this one.
How to decide
Ask yourself three questions:
- What exactly do I need to know or do? Match the job to the tool built for it.
- How much does the source matter? If you must show where a fact came from, prefer the option that cites sources on the page.
- What will it cost over a year? Check both sites' current pricing pages; free tiers and paid plans change.
FAQ
Is eCourtsIndia a government site?
No. It is a private platform that organises public court records. Official records remain on court and eCourts services websites.
Can I find a case by CNR number?
Yes, search by CNR number, party, advocate or judge.
Does it cover tribunals?
Yes, including NCLT, ITAT, DRT, NGT and consumer commissions.
Is eCourtsIndia a replacement for Indian Kanoon?
Not always. For free full-text reading of judgments and statutes, Indian Kanoon remains a good choice. eCourtsIndia is stronger for tracking live cases, cause lists and hearing dates across courts in one place. Many users keep both.
Who wrote this comparison?
The eCourtsIndia team. We have a clear interest in eCourtsIndia, which is why we cite each product's own website and invite corrections.
Bottom line
Indian Kanoon and eCourtsIndia solve different problems well. If your need is tracking live cases, cause lists and hearing dates across courts in one place, eCourtsIndia is built for it, and you can start here. If your need is free full-text reading of judgments and statutes, Indian Kanoon is a strong option. Either way, check the original sources before you rely on any result.