Australia has emerged as a global leader in online Will-making, driven by clear state-based legislation, high digital adoption, and a growing legal-technology ecosystem. Choosing the right platform depends on your personal circumstances, the complexity of your estate, and the level of guidance you want throughout the process.
What began as simple online templates has evolved into sophisticated platforms offering guided drafting, professional review, and — increasingly — AI-assisted support. Today, several reputable online Will services operate nationally, giving Australians a genuine alternative to traditional in-person appointments.
Below, we compare some of the best-known online Will services in Australia for 2026. In practice, the main differences between online Will services relate to pricing, level of guidance, support for complex situations, and whether drafting is truly self-serve online.
Who this comparison is for (and who it’s not)
This page is for Australians with simple to moderately complex estates who are considering an online Will service. It is not a substitute for bespoke legal advice in highly complex cases — such as significant business interests, overseas assets, or complex trust structures — where a solicitor or specialist advisor may be more appropriate. The later section on limitations of online Will services goes into more detail.
What makes a good online Will service?
A high-quality online Will platform should:
- Be compliant with state-based Wills legislation
- Clearly explain legal concepts in plain English
- Support both simple and moderately complex situations
- Provide safeguards to reduce common mistakes
- Make it easy to update your Will as life changes
Cost matters — but so does confidence.
What do we mean by “simple” and “more complex” wills?
- Simple wills typically involve straightforward asset distribution with no unusual family or financial arrangements. They usually include provisions for executors and backups, guardians for minors, care for pets, the residual estate, specific gifts, and funeral wishes—the kinds of sections covered in the Simple Will Provisions table below.
- More complex Wills go beyond what simple online tools offer. You can add backup executors, guardians, percentage gifts, and asset-specific gifts in any simple Will product. A more complex Will caters to blended families or complex tree structures for inheritance, conditional gifts, and provisions such as excluding people from your Will, instructions to sell assets or give life use of an asset, debt forgiveness, and the like. These are things you would typically need to see a lawyer for.
Not all online platforms support these scenarios equally. We use these definitions in the comparison tables below.
How we compared these platforms
This comparison looks at:
- Legal compliance — Across Australian states and territories
- Suitability — For simple vs more complex Wills (as defined above)
- Guidance and safeguards — Level of support during drafting
- Professional review and updates — Whether review is included and how long you can make changes
- Pricing — Transparency and typical advertised costs
- User experience — Ease of self-service online use
We have not received payment from any provider for inclusion in this comparison. Features, pricing, and services vary and may change; see the comparison note at the end of the page.
At-a-glance comparison of leading online Will services
| Online Will Offering | Will Hero | Willed | Safewill | State Trustees (VIC only)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical advertised price | $99 Individual + $59 Partner | $159 Individual + $79.50 Partner | $160 Individual + $80 Partner | $69 Individual |
| When payment required | Before Review | Before Download | Before Review | Payment Upfront (Before drafting) |
| User experience | Visual Diagrams | Smart Forms | Smart Forms | Smart Forms |
| Handles simple Wills | Included. Easy to use | Included. Easy to use | Included. Easy to use | Included. Easy to use |
| Handles more complex estates online Include blended families, unequal distributions, contingent gifts, hold in trust provisions, asset-specific instructions, or multiple layers of backup beneficiaries and executors. Go To Feature Comparison | Included. | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ❌Not included. |
| State-specific compliance | Included | Included | Included | ⚠️ Victoria-based service |
| Professional review | Included. 1-2 days | ❌Not included. | Included. 1-3 days | ❌Not included. |
| Updates included | Included. 12 months | Included. 12 months | Included. 12 months | Included. 90 days |
| Download and Print (at home) | Included. | Included. | Included. | Included. |
| Free Print + Postage | Included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Money-back guarantee | Included. 30 days | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
*State Trustees Victoria currently offers a self-serve online Will drafting service for Australians (e.g. $69 Online Will). Other state/territory public trustee or Trustee & Guardian bodies provide Will preparation services by appointment or consultation, not through a standalone online Will platform.
As at January 2026. Prices and features may have changed since this comparison was prepared.
State and territory trustee Will services (by appointment, not online)
The comparison column above refers only to State Trustees Victoria, which offers a self-serve online Will. Other state and territory public trustees offer Will preparation by appointment or consultation; pricing and availability vary by jurisdiction:
- Victoria (State Trustees Victoria) — Self-serve online Will for around $69, plus optional in-person or video appointment services.
- NSW (NSW Trustee & Guardian) — Will services by appointment; establishment fee around $550.
- Queensland (Public Trustee QLD) — Will preparation by appointment; contact the office to book and for current fees.
- Northern Territory (NT Public Trustee) — Simple Will $149; complex Will $373 (appointment-based).
- Tasmania (Public Trustee TAS) — Appointment-based; around $140 single Will / $210 couple.
- South Australia (Public Trustee SA) — Appointment-based; fees vary and may be free in some circumstances (conditions apply).
- ACT (Public Trustee & Guardian) — Will services by appointment; contact for pricing.
- Western Australia (Public Trustee WA) — Appointment-based; fees available on request.
Feature depth & experience comparison
This comparison focuses on what each provider supports within its self-serve online Will drafting experience, without requiring paid legal appointments or bespoke drafting.
| Online Features | Will Hero | Willed | Safewill | State Trustees (VIC only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Will Provisions | ||||
| Executors | Included. Unlimited Executors.Unlimited Backups.Unlimited Backup Layers. | Included. Up to 3 executors.Up to 3 backups. | Included. Up to 3 executors.Up to 3 backups. | Included. Up to 2 executors.Up to 2 backups. |
| Guardians for Minors | Included. Unlimited Guardians.Unlimited Backups.Unlimited Backup Layers. | Included. Up to 2 Guardians. | Included. Up to 2 Guardians. | Included. 1 Guardian only.1 Backup only. |
| Care for Pets | Included. Unlimited Pet Carers per Pet.Unlimited Backups.Unlimited Backup Layers. | Included. 1 Pet Carer per Pet. | Included. 1 Pet Carer per Pet. | Included. 1 Pet Carer for all Pets. |
| Residual Estate | Included. Unlimited Beneficiaries.Backups Per Beneficiary.Unlimited Backup Layers.Equal shares or % splits. | Included. Multiple Beneficiaries.Single Backup per Beneficiary.Percentage Shares Only. | Included. Multiple Beneficiaries.Single Backup per Beneficiary.Equal shares or % splits. | Included. Multiple Beneficiaries.Single Backup per Beneficiary.Equal shares or % splits. |
| Specific Gifts | Included. Unlimited Beneficiaries per Gift.Backups Per Beneficiary.Unlimited Backup Layers.Equal shares or % splits. | Included. 1 Beneficiary per Gift.No backup (falls to Residual Estate) | Included. 1 Beneficiary per Gift.No backup (falls to Residual Estate) | Included. 1 Beneficiary per Gift.Same backup as Residual. |
| Funeral Wishes | Included. | Included. | Included. | Included. |
| Advanced Will Provisions | ||||
| Exclude People | Included. Specific Provision. | ❌Not included. Omit only. | ❌Not included. Omit only. | ❌Not included. Omit only. |
| Blended Families | Included. Complex Family Branches. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Contingency Backup Layers | Included. Received only if previous layer all deceased. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Hold Assets in Trust until a Specified Age | Included. Select age to hold in Trust.e.g. 18, 21, 25, etc | ❌Not included. | Included. Default to 18.(not configurable) | Included. Select age to hold in Trust.e.g. 18, 21, 25, etc |
| Conditional Gifts | Included. Educational Related.Behaviour Related.Relationship Related. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Life interest / life use of an Asset | Included. Specific Provision. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| No Contest clause | Included. Specific Provision. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Debt Forgiveness | Included. Specific Provision. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Instructions to Sell | Included. Specific Provision. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Will Review & Validation | ||||
| Scenario Testing | Included. See what happens if people pass away before you. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| AI Will Review | Included. Checks for missing information and ambiguities. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Free AI Will Summary | Included. Your Will explained in simple terms. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Professional Review (human) | Included. | ❌Not included. | Included. | ❌Not included. |
| Print and Sign Will | ||||
| Download and Print Will | Included. | Included. | Included. | Included. |
| Print and Deliver (registered mail) | Included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Support & Guidance | ||||
| AI Assistance | Included. Chat about Wills, Estate Planning, Local Laws, and How To Use Will Hero. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. | ❌Not included. |
| Live Chat | Included. | Included. | Included. | ❌Not included. |
| Phone Support | Included. | Included. | Included. | Included. |
As at January 2026.
A brief look at each provider
Will Hero
Will Hero supports both simple and more involved situations through visual tools, scenario testing, and AI-assisted guidance, with professional review included. A print-and-post option is available for those who prefer a handled experience. As with any guided platform, users should ensure the final document reflects their intentions before signing. Create your Will online →
Willed
Willed is a well-known platform with strong brand recognition, offering a clean, guided process for creating straightforward Wills online. Its simplicity appeals to users with simple estates who are comfortable managing printing and signing themselves.
Safewill
Safewill is an established provider with a broad product ecosystem beyond Wills (including other estate-planning products). Its online Will service is suitable for simpler arrangements and includes professional review, with a largely form-driven drafting experience.
State Trustees (VIC only)
State Trustees Victoria offers a self-serve online Will service (e.g. $69 Online Will); it is the only state/territory trustee body in this comparison that provides a standalone online Will platform. Other state and territory public trustees (NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT) offer Will preparation by appointment or consultation rather than self-serve online. Services and fees vary by jurisdiction.
Common misconceptions about online Wills
- “Online Wills aren’t legal.” — They are. When properly executed and witnessed according to your state or territory’s requirements, online Wills are legally valid in Australia. See our guide on whether online Wills are legal in Australia.
- “All online Will services are the same.” — They are not. Platforms differ in guidance, review, support for complex situations, and tools such as visual drafting or scenario testing.
- “The cheapest option is always best.” — Price is one factor. Safeguards (e.g. professional review, plain-English guidance, update periods) also matter for validity and peace of mind.
- “The most expensive option is always the best.” — Higher price can mean more features or support, but it doesn’t guarantee a better fit. Some people need simplicity and clarity; others need more flexibility or professional review. Match the platform to your estate and preferences, not to the price tag.
Limitations of online Will services
Online Wills are not suitable for every situation. Consider the following before relying on an online Will service alone:
-
Complex estate planning needs: If you need testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, business succession planning, or highly customised provisions beyond standard options, you will likely need professional legal advice.
-
International assets: If you have significant assets located overseas, consider seeking professional legal advice; international estate laws can be complex.
-
Custom conditions or provisions: Different online Will platforms offer various conditions and provisional clauses. If you need something highly customised outside the available options, you may need personalised legal help.
-
Legal or financial advice: Online Will services do not provide personalised legal advice, financial planning, or tax minimisation strategies as part of their online offering. If you need guidance on these matters, you should consult qualified professionals.
No online platform in this comparison offers testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, any customised trust structures, business succession plans, complex arrangements for business ownership transfer, or letters of intent as part of their self-serve online Will experience or flow. If you need any of these, you will need professional legal advice (for example via a personalised consultation, which some providers offer separately). Some platforms offer Power of Attorney documents as part of their service; that is not covered in this comparison.
Some providers offer additional legal services or appointments for complex estates; these services are outside the scope of this online comparison.
For most straightforward Wills with standard gifts, beneficiaries, guardians, and executors, the platforms in this comparison will get the job done. If your situation is more complex, choose a platform that caters to your requirements. If it is particularly complex, it is worth getting professional advice alongside or instead of using an online platform.
Regardless of the platform used, all Wills must be correctly executed and safely stored to be legally effective. Learn more about signing and witnessing your Will correctly.
How Will Hero addresses common online-Will challenges
Will Hero focuses on reducing uncertainty by:
- Making your Will easier to understand through visual drafting tools
- Showing how different choices affect outcomes, including common “what if” scenarios
- Highlighting potential gaps, inconsistencies, or missing information during drafting
- Supporting more scenarios online than traditional Will kits, without requiring bespoke legal appointments
This approach helps users understand their Will — not just complete it.
Which online Will service is right for you?
There is no single “best” online Will service for everyone. All of the platforms listed above are reputable and legitimate options. The best choice depends on:
- The complexity of your circumstances
- How much guidance you want
- Whether you value visual understanding and scenario testing
For Australians who want a more guided, confidence-driven experience, Will Hero offers a modern alternative to traditional form-based online Wills — with transparent pricing and a money-back guarantee.
Comparison note
This comparison focuses on publicly available features and hands-on testing of each platform’s online drafting flow. Features, pricing, and services vary between providers and may change over time. This comparison is based on publicly available information and typical offerings as at January 2026 and is provided for general information only. We recommend checking each provider’s website for current prices and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
John Ryan
Co-Founder & Estate Planning Advocate at Will Hero
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