Non-Compete Analyzer — Find Out If Your Clause Is Even Enforceable
How much of your career are you signing away?
Non-competes vary wildly by state and many are unenforceable. Find out what's actually binding before you commit.
- State enforceability check
- Geographic & time-scope analysis
- Industry-specific risk scoring
- Suggests negotiation points
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How Non-Compete Analyzer works
Non-compete clauses are some of the most consequential — and most misunderstood — language in any employment or contractor agreement. They can determine where you can work next, who you can work for, and for how long after you leave. Non-Compete Analyzer reads your specific clause and tells you, in plain English, what it actually does and whether your state will even enforce it.
Enforceability is the first thing the analyzer checks. California, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Minnesota largely refuse to enforce employee non-competes. Other states require restrictions to be 'reasonable' in duration (typically 6–12 months), geography (where you actually worked, not nationwide), and scope (specific competitors or roles, not 'any business that competes'). The federal landscape is also shifting, with the FTC rule on non-competes facing ongoing legal challenges.
The analyzer extracts the three numbers that determine whether your non-compete will hold up in court: how long the restriction lasts, how broad the geography is, and how the prohibited activities are defined. If any of those is unusually broad — for example, a 24-month nationwide restriction on 'any competing business' — Non-Compete Analyzer flags it and suggests both a stronger negotiation position and the likely outcome if you challenge it.
Non-Compete Analyzer also looks at related clauses that often hide non-compete-style restrictions in disguise: non-solicitation (can you contact former clients or coworkers?), garden-leave (does your employer have to pay you during the restricted period?), and 'no-hire' agreements between companies. These can be just as restrictive as a traditional non-compete and are sometimes more enforceable.
Whether you're considering a new job, leaving your current one, or starting a competing business, this analyzer gives you the specific facts you need: what the clause actually says, what it actually means, and what your realistic options are. As always, edge cases warrant a quick check with an attorney in your jurisdiction.
Sample input
Paste a clause that looks like this — legaldecoder reads the whole document, but here's a typical chunk users analyze.
For a period of 24 months following termination of employment, Employee shall not directly or indirectly engage in any business that competes with Company anywhere in the United States. Employee shall further refrain from soliciting any current or former customer of Company for the same period.
Sample output
Non-Compete Analyzer returns a Verdict, the three key dimensions (duration, geography, scope), and red flags tied to your state's enforcement standards.
Key terms
- Duration: 24 months
- Geography: nationwide (US)
- Scope: 'any business that competes' (undefined)
- Includes non-solicitation
Red flags
- Duration exceeds enforceable norm (6–12 months in most states)
- Nationwide scope likely unenforceable
- Vague 'any competing business' language
- No carve-out for termination without cause
Frequently asked questions
Related clause explainers
Free plain-English breakdowns of the clauses Non-Compete Analyzer looks for.
Related tools
Not legal advice. For informational purposes only.