ClearTerm

ClearTerm is a web service for software freelancers who need a focused review of English-language MSAs and services agreements. It suits contractors who want both a risk summary and wording they can send to a client. The main attraction is its freelancer-specific checks and comparison mode; the main constraints are text-only processing, tight file limits, and reliance on a third-party AI provider.

Overview

ClearTerm examines agreements from the contractor’s perspective, concentrating on work-for-hire and broad intellectual-property assignment, extended payment terms, and uncapped indemnity. Google Gemini performs the analysis. The results are a practical first-pass aid, not legal representation: ClearTerm is not a law firm and says a lawyer should handle high-stakes matters.

Key features

Shield and Diff modes

Shield Mode reviews one contract and supplies a 0–100 safety score, severity classifications, and plain-English explanations. The score offers a quick triage signal, while the category breakdown shows why a document may need attention. Diff Mode compares two versions, says whether edits increase or reduce risk, and counts as one scan. That is useful when a client returns a revised agreement, because the comparison does not consume a separate scan for each file.

Negotiation assistance

Every identified risk includes a ready-to-copy negotiation snippet, including on the free plan. The 20-scan pack adds a composed negotiation email with tone control, so users who want a complete message rather than individual clause responses get a more finished starting point.

Document handling

Users can upload PDFs or paste text. A PDF must be no larger than 4 MB, no longer than 40 pages, contain selectable text, and remain within roughly 100,000 extracted characters. Scanned or photographed pages fail because there is no OCR. Clause extraction, risk identification, and term comparison are supported, but the product is cloud-deployed and web-only.

Privacy and security

ClearTerm says uploaded PDFs and extracted text are processed in memory and not retained in its own storage. Contract content is sent to Gemini, where handling follows Google’s current API terms and project settings. Requests to ClearTerm and its Google API connection are encrypted in transit, and ClearTerm says contracts are not reused to train its own models. Freelancers with strict client-confidentiality requirements should assess that external processing before uploading an agreement.

Pricing

Free account

The free plan costs 0.00 USD and includes five contract scans per month, Shield Mode, Diff Mode, a safety score with category breakdown, plain-English explanations, and copy-ready negotiation snippets. The first scan each month can be run without an account. Unused free scans do not carry over, and there is no free trial. This is a sensible level for occasional freelancers, but frequent contract review will hit the monthly ceiling.

20-scan pack

The 20-scan pack costs 9.00 USD as a one-time Stripe payment. It adds an archive and composed negotiation emails with tone control. Pack credits are used before the monthly free allowance and remain valid for about a year from purchase. It fits freelancers handling bursts of client work who want storage and fuller email drafting without a recurring subscription; the allowance is finite rather than an unlimited workflow.

Platforms

ClearTerm runs on the web and supports PDF input or pasted text. There is no OCR for image-based documents, so paper scans and photographed contracts require conversion to selectable text elsewhere.

Who it's for

Choose ClearTerm if you are a software freelancer reviewing English client MSAs or services agreements and want contractor-focused risk flags plus language for negotiation. It is less appropriate for multilingual agreements, scanned PDFs, broad corporate legal work, or decisions that require a lawyer’s advice.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Checks issues that directly affect freelancers, including IP ownership, payment timing, and indemnity exposure.
• Pros: Diff Mode evaluates revisions in a single scan, making client redrafts easier to assess.
• Pros: Negotiation snippets are included on every plan, while the paid pack adds tone-controlled email drafts.
• Pros: A no-account first monthly scan and five scans per month on the free account support occasional use.
• Cons: PDFs must be selectable text and stay within 4 MB, 40 pages, and about 100,000 extracted characters; there is no OCR.
• Cons: Gemini receives contract content, so users must weigh Google’s API handling and project settings against confidentiality obligations.
• Cons: The tool is limited to English-language freelancer agreements and is explicitly not a replacement for legal counsel.

Alternatives

For a broader contract-analysis directory, browse Contract Analysis Software. PactSage is the better choice when Android or API access, multiple seats, storage, questions, and drafting quotas matter. ClauseShield suits web users who want three free contracts per month with exports and redline suggestions. ClauseShift is worth considering for Android or Windows access and a free tier with three reviews monthly plus daily questions. Draft Ally offers Word uploads and a five-contract monthly solo tier, with a free trial. Pactly targets paid teams needing templates and recurring AI review quotas. Tiro is a paid web or extension alternative. Gavel is aimed at workflow and workspace use, with a free query trial. Robin AI is a paid extension and web option with a free plan and trial.

Verdict

ClearTerm is a good fit for software freelancers who need an inexpensive, focused first pass on English client agreements and ready-to-use negotiation language. Pick it for its contractor-specific checks, Diff Mode, and generous occasional-use entry point. Look elsewhere if your contracts are scanned, exceed its limits, require languages beyond English, or call for professional legal advice and broader workflow coverage.