Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

eDiscovery Pricing Overview – Summer 2023

Editor’s Note: ComplexDiscovery regularly conducts non-scientific surveys to gain insight into the business of eDiscovery. These surveys include the quarterly eDiscovery Business Confidence Survey, focused on gaining insight into the current confidence of eDiscovery-ecosystem professionals regarding economic factors impacting the creation, delivery, and consumption of eDiscovery products and services. One of these surveys is the semi-annual eDiscovery Pricing Survey. Initiated in the winter of 2019 and conducted ten times with 761 individual responses, this survey provides a mechanism for cyber, data, and legal discovery professionals to share and consider current pricing for selected eDiscovery-centric collection, processing, and review tasks. Today ComplexDiscovery shares the results of the most recent pricing survey.


The Summer 2023 eDiscovery Pricing* Survey #

Survey Overview #

The eDiscovery Pricing Survey is a non-scientific survey designed to provide insight into the general insight into eDiscovery pricing as shared by individuals working in the eDiscovery ecosystem. 

The pricing survey is important to cybersecurity, information governance, and legal discovery professionals because it provides insight into the baseline pricing expectations for specific eDiscovery offerings. This information can help these professionals understand and compare pricing against value when making decisions within the eDiscovery ecosystem. The survey was developed through a combination of research, reports, and discussions with industry experts, and it covers a range of pricing models, from volume-based to subscription-based. By providing a snapshot of pricing expectations, the survey can help professionals make more informed decisions and ensure they get the best value for their eDiscovery needs.

The core survey consisted of 24 multiple-choice questions focused on pricing in the areas of collection, processing, and review. Additionally, the survey had three general information background questions to provide context for survey results. The survey also has one optional question for respondent comments and considerations. 

Survey Questions #

Collection

  • What is the per hour cost for an onsite collection by a forensic examiner?
  • What is the per hour cost for a remote collection by a forensic examiner?
  • What is the per device cost for a desktop or laptop computer collection by a forensic examiner?
  • What is the per device cost for a mobile device collection by a forensic examiner?
  • What is the per hour cost for investigation, analysis, and report generation by a forensic examiner?
  • What is the per hour cost for expert witness testimony (in-person and written) support by a forensic examiner?

Processing

  • What is the per GB cost to process ESI based on volume at ingestion for 250 GB or less?
  • What is the per GB cost to process ESI based on volume at ingestion for 251GB or more?
  • What is the per GB cost to process ESI based on volume at completion of processing for 250 GB or less?
  • What is the per GB cost to process ESI based on volume at completion of processing for 251GB or more?
  • What is the per GB per month cost to host ESI without analytics for 250 GB or less?
  • What is the per GB per month cost to host ESI without analytics for 251 GB or more?
  • What is the per GB per month cost to host ESI with analytics for 250 GB or less?
  • What is the per GB per month cost to host ESI with analytics for 251 GB or more?
  • What is the user license fee per month for access to hosted data for 250 users or less?
  • What is the user license fee per month for access to hosted data for 251 users or more?
  • What is the per hour cost of basic project management support for eDiscovery?
  • What is the per hour cost of advanced project management support for eDiscovery?

Review

  • What is the per GB cost to conduct predictive coding as part of a technology-assisted review for 250 GB or less?
  • What is the per GB cost to conduct predictive coding as part of a technology-assisted review for 251 GB or more?
  • What is the cost per hour for document review attorneys to review documents for an onsite managed review?
  • What is the cost per hour for document review attorneys to review documents for a remote managed review?
  • What is the cost per document for document review attorneys to review documents for an onsite managed review?
  • What is the cost per document for document review attorneys to review documents for a remote managed review?

Background

  • In which geographical region do you primarily conduct eDiscovery-related business?
  • Which business segment best describes your business in eDiscovery?
  • What area best describes your primary function in the conduct of your organization’s eDiscovery-related business?

Survey Results #

The summer 2023 survey response period was initiated on May 6, 2023, and continued until May 26, 2023. This was the tenth semi-annual eDiscovery pricing survey conducted by ComplexDiscovery. The survey was highlighted and promoted primarily by direct email from ComplexDiscovery and the EDRM to industry cybersecurity, information governance, and legal discovery professionals operating in the eDiscovery landscape. The survey experienced a strong reply rate, with 60 industry professionals responding.**

While individual respondent answers to the pricing survey are confidential, the anonymized aggregate results for the 24 core pricing questions of the multiple-choice survey and the general information question results are published without commentary.


eDiscovery Pricing Survey Responses  #

n=60 Respondents 

Collection Pricing #

1a. What is the per hour cost for an onsite collection by a forensic examiner?

  • Less than $250 per hour. 15.0%
  • Between $250 and $350 per hour. 53.3%
  • Greater than $350 per hour. 15.0%
  • Do not know. 13.3%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 3.3%
Collection Pricing – Per Hour Cost for an Onsite Collection by a Forensic Examiner – Summer 2023

1b. What is the per hour cost for a remote collection by a forensic examiner?

  • Less than $250 per hour. 28.3%
  • Between $250 and $350 per hour. 43.3% 
  • Greater than $350 per hour. 11.7%
  • Do not know. 11.7%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 5.0%
Collection Pricing – Per Hour Cost for a Remote Collection by a Forensic Examiner – Summer 2023

2a. What is the per device cost for a desktop or laptop computer collection by a forensic examiner?

  • Less than $250 per device. 6.7%
  • Between $250 and $350 per device. 25.0%
  • Greater than $350 per device. 38.3%
  • Do not know. 20.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per device costs. 10.0%
Collection Pricing – Per Device Cost for a Desktop – Laptop Computer Collection by a Forensic Examiner – Summer 2023

2b. What is the per device cost for a mobile device collection by a forensic examiner?

  • Less than $250 per device. 3.3%
  • Between $250 and $350 per device. 26.7%
  • Greater than $350 per device. 36.7%
  • Do not know. 20.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per device costs. 13.3%
Collection Pricing – Per Device Cost for a Mobile Device Collection by a Forensic Examiner – Summer 2023

3a. What is the per hour cost for investigation, analysis, and report generation by a forensic examiner?

  • Less than $350 per hour. 38.3%
  • Between $350 and $550 per hour. 43.3%
  • Greater than $550 per hour. 5.0%
  • Do not know. 11.7%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 1.7% 
Collection Pricing – Per Hour Cost for Investigation, Analysis and Report Generation by an FE – Summer 2023

3b. What is the per hour cost for expert witness testimony (in-person and written) by a forensic examiner?

  • Less than $350 per hour. 6.7%
  • Between $350 and $550 per hour. 55.0%
  • Greater than $550 per hour. 23.3%
  • Do not know. 15.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 0.0%
Collection Pricing – Per Hour Cost for Expert Witness Testimony (In-Person and Written) by an FE – Summer 2023

Processing Pricing #

4a. What is the per GB cost to process electronically stored information based on volume at ingestion for 250 GB or less?

  • Less than $25 per GB. 25.0%
  • Between $25 and $75 per GB. 45.0%
  • Greater than $75 per GB. 11.7%
  • Do not know. 10.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 8.3%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost to Process ESI Based on Volume at Ingestion for 250 GB or Less – Summer 2023

4b. What is the per GB cost to process electronically stored information based on volume at ingestion for 251 GB or more?

  • Less than $25 per GB. 35.0%
  • Between $25 and $75 per GB. 38.3%
  • Greater than $75 per GB. 6.7%
  • Do not know. 13.3%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 6.7%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost to Process ESI Based on Volume at Ingestion for 251 GB or More – Summer 2023

5a. What is the per GB cost to process electronically stored information based on volume at completion of processing for 250 GB or less?

  • Less than $100 per GB. 43.3%
  • Between $100 and $150 per GB. 23.3%
  • Greater than $150 per GB. 8.3%
  • Do not know. 13.3%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 11.7%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost to Process ESI Based on Volume at Completion for 250 GB or Less – Summer 2023

5b. What is the per GB cost to process electronically stored information based on volume at completion of processing for 251 GB or more?

  • Less than $100 per GB. 48.3%
  • Between $100 and $150 per GB. 18.3%
  • Greater than $150 per GB. 3.3%
  • Do not know. 18.3%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 11.7%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost to Process ESI Based on Volume at Completion for 251 GB or More – Summer 2023

6a. What is the per GB per month cost to host electronically stored information without analytics for 250 GB or less?

  • Less than $10 per GB per month. 28.3%
  • Between $10 and $20 per GB per month. 41.7%
  • Greater than $20 per GB per month. 8.3% 
  • Do not know. 11.7%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 10.0%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost Per Month to Host ESI without Analytics for 250 GB or Less – Summer 2023

6b. What is the per GB per month cost to host electronically stored information without analytics for 251 GB or more?

  • Less than $10 per GB per month. 45.0%
  • Between $10 and $20 per GB per month. 28.3%
  • Greater than $20 per GB per month. 5.0%
  • Do not know. 10.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 11.7%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost Per Month to Host ESI without Analytics for 251 GB or More – Summer 2023

7a. What is the per GB per month cost to host electronically stored information with analytics for 250 GB or less?

  • Less than $15 per GB per month. 31.7%
  • Between $15 and $25 per GB per month. 35.0%
  • Greater than $25 per GB per month. 8.3%
  • Do not know. 11.7%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 13.3%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost Per Month to Host ESI with Analytics for 250 GB or Less – Summer 2023

7b. What is the per GB per month cost to host electronically stored information with analytics for 251 GB or more?

  • Less than $15 per GB per month. 41.7%
  • Between $15 and $25 per GB per month. 30.0%
  • Greater than $25 per GB per month. 3.3%
  • Do not know. 13.3%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 11.7%
Processing Pricing – Per GB Cost Per Month to Host ESI with Analytics for 251 GB or More – Summer 2023

8a. What is the user license fee per month for access to hosted data for 250 users or less?

  • Less than $50 per user per month. 16.7%
  • Between $50 and $100 per user per month. 41.7%
  • Greater than $100 per user per month. 15.0%
  • Do not know. 13.3%
  • Alternative pricing model for user license costs. 13.3%
Processing Pricing – User License Fee Per Month for Access to Hosted Data for 250 Users or Less – Summer 2023

8b. What is the user license fee per month for access to hosted data for 251 users or more?

  • Less than $50 per user per month. 20.0%
  • Between $50 and $100 per user per month. 33.3%
  • Greater than $100 per user per month. 10.0%
  • Do not know. 20.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for user license costs. 16.7%
Processing Pricing – User License Fee Per Month for Access to Hosted Data for 251 Users or More – Summer 2023

9a. What is the per hour cost of basic project management support for eDiscovery?

  • Less than $100 per hour. 3.3%
  • Between $100 and $200 per hour. 61.7%
  • Greater than $200 per hour. 23.3%
  • Do not know. 5.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 6.7%
Processing Pricing – Per Hour Cost of Basic Project Management Support for eDiscovery – Summer 2023

9b. What is the per hour cost of advanced project management support for eDiscovery?

  • Less than $100 per hour. 3.3%
  • Between $100 and $200 per hour. 23.3%
  • Greater than $200 per hour. 61.7%
  • Do not know. 5.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 6.7%
Processing Pricing – Per Hour Cost of Advanced Project Management Support for eDiscovery – Summer 2023

Review Pricing #

10a. What is the per GB cost to conduct predictive coding as part of a technology-assisted review for 250 GB or less?

  • Less than $75 per GB. 25.0%
  • Between $75 and $150 per GB. 8.3%
  • Greater than $150 per GB. 3.3%
  • Do not know. 25.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 38.3%
Review Pricing – Per GB Cost for Predictive Coding in a Technology-Assisted Review for 250 GB or Less – Summer 2023

10b. What is the per GB cost to conduct predictive coding as part of a technology-assisted review for 251 GB or more?

  • Less than $75 per GB. 25.0%
  • Between $75 and $150 per GB. 10.0%
  • Greater than $150 per GB. 1.7%
  • Do not know. 25.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per GB costs. 38.3%
Review Pricing – Per GB Cost for Predictive Coding in a Technology-Assisted Review for 251 GB or More – Summer 2023

11a. What is the cost per hour for document review attorneys to review documents for an onsite managed review?

  • Less than $25 per hour. 1.7%
  • Between $25 and $40 per hour. 28.3%
  • Greater than $40 per hour. 43.3%
  • Do not know. 21.7%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 5.0%
Review Pricing – Per Hour Cost for Document Review Attorneys to Review Documents Onsite – Summer 2023

11b. What is the cost per hour for document review attorneys to review documents for a remote managed review?

  • Less than $25 per hour. 1.7%
  • Between $25 and $40 per hour. 43.3%
  • Greater than $40 per hour. 33.3%
  • Do not know. 16.7%
  • Alternative pricing model for per hour costs. 5.0%
Review Pricing – Per Hour Cost for Document Review Attorneys to Review Documents Remote – Summer 2023

12a. What is the cost per document for document review attorneys to review documents for an onsite managed review?

  • Less than $0.50 per document. 0.0%
  • Between $0.50 and $1.00 per document. 28.3%
  • Greater than $1.00 per document. 26.7%
  • Do not know. 33.3%
  • Alternative pricing model for per document costs. 11.7%
Review Pricing – Per Document Cost for Document Review Attorneys to Review Documents Onsite – Summer 2023

12b. What is the cost per document for document review attorneys to review documents for a remote managed review?

  • Less than $0.50 per document. 0.0%
  • Between $0.50 and $1.00 per document. 33.3%
  • Greater than $1.00 per document. 25.0%
  • Do not know. 30.0%
  • Alternative pricing model for per document costs. 11.7%
Review Pricing – Per Document Cost for Document Review Attorneys to Review Documents Remote – Summer 2023

Background Information #

13. In which geographical region do you primarily conduct eDiscovery-related business?

  • North America – United States. 91.7%
  • North America – Canada. 3.3%
  • Asia/Asia Pacific. 1.7%
  • Europe – United Kingdom.  1.7%
  • Europe – Non-UK. 1.7%
  • Middle East/Africa. 0.0%
  • Central/South America. 0.0%
Survey Respondents by Geographic Region – Pricing – Summer 2023

14. Which of the following segments best describes your business in eDiscovery?

  • Law Firm. 46.7%
  • Software and/or Services Provider. 28.3%
  • Consultancy. 10.0%
  • Corporation. 10.0%
  • Media/Research Organization/Educational Association. 5.0%
  • Government Entity. 0.0%
Survey Respondents by Organizational Segment – Pricing – Summer 2023

15. What area best describes your primary function in the conduct of your organization’s eDiscovery business?

  • Legal/Litigation Support. 81.7%
  • Business/Business Support (All Other Business Functions). 15.0%
  • IT/Product Development. 3.3%
Survey Respondents by Primary Function – Pricing – Summer 2023

Background: eDiscovery Pricing Survey Respondents by Survey

Survey Respondents (Individual and Aggregate Overview) – Summer 2023

*For the purpose of this ongoing industry survey, price and cost are used interchangeably and represent the amount a customer is willing to pay for the service. However, from a financial and accounting perspective, pricing is the amount a customer is willing to pay. The cost is typically the expense incurred for creating and delivering the service.

**Survey methodology focused on achieving at least 50 responses with the least number of emails sent to the ComplexDiscovery and EDRM industry professional databases. This approach sought to minimize the number of requests for survey participation while ensuring a solid number of responses from which to generally assess market sentiment in survey areas of interest.

Assisted by GAI and LLM Technologies

Additional Reading

Source: ComplexDiscovery

 


Complete Presentation: Market Kinetics – eDiscovery Pricing Overview – Summer 2023 (PDF) – Mouseover to Scroll

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