What are the best NDA templates?

Best NDA templates: Y Combinator's mutual NDA (free, simple), Cooley GO startup NDAs (free, lawyer-vetted), iContract's AI-generated NDAs (customized by industry/state, free), and SHRM templates for HR. Avoid generic Google templates that miss state-specific requirements.

Top NDA template sources, ranked:

1. iContract (free) — AI-generated, customized to your state, industry, and use case. Choose unilateral or mutual, set duration, add specific confidential info categories.

2. Cooley GO (free) — Cooley LLP's startup-focused NDAs. Lawyer-vetted, modern language.

3. Y Combinator (free) — simple 1-page mutual NDA used by thousands of YC startups.

4. SHRM — HR-specific NDAs for employees and contractors (members only).

5. Bonsai (paid) — freelancer-focused NDAs.

6. Rocket Lawyer / LegalZoom (subscription) — basic NDA templates.

  • Generic templates from random Google searches (often outdated, wrong jurisdiction).
  • Templates that lack a clear definition of 'confidential information.'
  • 'Forever' NDAs (unenforceable).
  • California NDAs that violate SB 331 (can't restrict harassment discussion).

Types of NDAs:

  • Unilateral / One-Way — one party shares confidential info. Used for: contractors, employees, vendors, investor pitches.
  • Mutual / Bilateral / Two-Way — both parties share. Used for: partnerships, JVs, M&A discussions.
  • Multilateral — three+ parties. Used for: complex partnerships.
  • Investor NDA — usually NOT used (most VCs refuse to sign).
  • Employee NDA — combined with IP assignment.
  • Contractor NDA — protects company info shared with vendor.
  • Acquisition NDA — mutual, robust, enforceable.
  • Beta tester NDA — limited duration, focused on product details.
  • Manufacturing NDA — protects product specs from contract manufacturers.

Standard duration: 2-5 years. Trade secrets can be perpetual.

  • Definition of confidential information.
  • Purpose of disclosure.
  • Permitted disclosures (attorneys, by court order).
  • Return/destruction obligation.
  • Remedies (injunction, damages, attorney's fees).
  • Governing law.

Generate a free, customized NDA in 2 minutes at icontract.pro/nda-generator.

Create your own contract in 2 minutes

iContract drafts a custom, legally sound agreement for free. Start drafting →