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Comparison

Bracton NDA vs NDASafe

Bracton offers free NDA templates for UK use. NDASafe charges £29 for a legally reviewed, scenario-specific UK template with a confirmed last-reviewed date and eight distinct variants. Here is an honest comparison.

Honest comparisonPrices & details last reviewed 31 August 2026NDASafe is a self-help template service, not a firm of solicitors
Short version

Bracton is a free template library; NDASafe is a paid UK NDA specialist with eight scenario-specific templates, a stated legal review date, and statutory provisions built in. If price is the only concern, Bracton is free. If you want a reviewed, scenario-appropriate UK template with known currency, NDASafe is £29.

BractonNDASafe (£29)
PriceFree to download; Bracton is a free legal template library£29 for one NDA template; £79 for all eight — one-time, no subscription
Legal reviewTemplates are provided as-is; review date and legal currency are not publicly statedReviewed against current England and Wales law; last-reviewed date shown on every page
UK specificityUK-oriented templates, but statutory compliance (e.g. whistleblowing carve-out) is not explicitly confirmedDrafted specifically for England and Wales; statutory requirements built in — including the PIDA 1998 whistleblowing carve-out in the Employee NDA and IR35-aware language in the Freelancer NDA
NDA variantsA small number of general NDA templates; not always differentiated by scenarioEight specific UK variants: mutual, one-way disclosing, one-way receiving, employee, freelancer, investor, NDA with IP assignment, M&A diligence
FormatWord or PDF download; varies by templateEditable Microsoft Word (.docx) with [HIGHLIGHTED FIELDS] throughout; fill in, sign, done
GuidanceMinimal guidance on which template to use or how to complete itPlain-English clause explanations on every product page; choose by scenario
AccountabilityFree resource; no money-back guarantee and no service accountability14-day money-back guarantee; Richard Wood, trading as NDASafe
UpdatesNo stated review cadence; template currency is not guaranteedTemplates reviewed and updated when UK legislation changes; date shown on every page

Why legal review currency matters

The most common failure point for generic UK NDA templates is the employee variant. UK law requires a whistleblowing carve-out in any NDA signed by an employee — preserving the right to make a protected disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. An NDA that purports to prevent protected disclosures is unenforceable and may expose the employer to regulatory risk. NDASafe's Employee NDA includes this clause as standard.

For freelancers, IR35-aware language matters. For investor conversations, a non-circumvention clause protects you from being bypassed. These are scenario-specific requirements that a generic free template is unlikely to address.

When Bracton might be enough

  • You need a very simple mutual NDA for an informal conversation and cost is your only concern.
  • You have the legal knowledge to review the template yourself and confirm it is complete.
  • You are using it as a starting point for a solicitor to adapt.

When NDASafe is the better choice

  • You need a scenario-specific template — employee, freelancer, investor — with the appropriate UK statutory provisions already drafted in.
  • You want a confirmed last-reviewed date so you know the document reflects current law.
  • You prefer an editable Word document with highlighted fields and plain-English guidance.
  • You want a 14-day money-back guarantee from a registered UK business if the template is not suitable.

Which NDA template do you need?

Eight UK NDA templates from £29

Legally reviewed, scenario-specific, editable Word documents drafted for England and Wales. One-time purchase. 14-day money-back guarantee.

Browse NDA templates & pricing

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bracton NDA template legally valid in the UK?

Bracton provides free template documents for UK use, but it does not publicly state who has reviewed them, when they were last updated, or whether they include the mandatory statutory provisions required by current UK law. For employee NDAs, UK law requires a whistleblowing carve-out under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. NDASafe templates carry a last-reviewed date and include these requirements as standard.

Why pay for an NDA template when Bracton is free?

The main difference is legal review, currency, and scenario specificity. NDASafe templates are reviewed against current England and Wales law with the review date published on every page. Each template is built for a specific NDA scenario with the appropriate UK statutory provisions built in. A free generic template may omit obligations that are legally required in your situation.

What does NDASafe include that free templates often miss?

The most common omission in generic UK NDA templates is the whistleblowing carve-out required by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 in employee NDAs. NDASafe's Employee NDA includes this as standard. The Freelancer NDA includes IR35-aware language; the Investor NDA includes a non-circumvention clause; the M&A Diligence NDA addresses data room use.

Is NDASafe a solicitor firm?

No. NDASafe is a self-help template service, a trading name of Richard Wood. We are not a firm of solicitors and our templates are not legal advice. They are legally reviewed self-help documents you adapt to your circumstances. For legal advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified solicitor.

Which NDA template do I actually need?

If both parties will share information, use the Mutual NDA. If only you are sharing, use the One-Way (disclosing party). For an employee, use the Employee NDA. For a contractor, use the Freelancer NDA. For investor conversations, use the Investor NDA. The bundle gives you all eight templates.