Top 8 small business document management software for 2023 (industry best picks)
Mariam Ispiryan • June 13, 2022 • 14 min read
| Softr | eFileCabinet | |
|---|---|---|
| Customizable | Softr is highly customizable which makes it easier for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individual creators to avoid clutter. | eFileCabinet customizes solutions according to your needs, so some degree of flexibility does exist but not as much as Softr. |
| User Interface | Softr’s UI is intuitive and easy to navigate. | eFileCabinet’s UI is a little complex and may take time to get used to. |
| Features | Softr is a comparatively newer tool that doesn’t specialize in DMS. But compared to traditional DMS, Softr has fewer features. | eFileCabinet’s features are listed above. Their features are similar to what any traditional DMS would offer. |
| Complexity | Softr is an easy-to-use, no-code tool specifically designed to keep things simple and efficient. | eFileCabinet can get complex at times given its design. |
| Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) | Best for independent creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with basic needs. | Best for small, medium, and large enterprises with complex needs. |
| Pricing | Softr’s starter package costs $24/mo, the professional costs $65/mo and the business package costs $165/mo. They also follow a freemium pricing strategy. | According to general consensus, eFileCabinet’s pricing is on the higher end compared to Softr and other tools on the list. |
| Free trial | Yes, offers a 30-day free trial. | No free trial, further confirmation through demo call. |
| Training + learning curve | Each client gets assigned a marketing team member who helps them throughout the project. | Pre-recorded material is available on their website but the learning curve may be steep. |
| Customer Support | The customer support team is helpful and quick to respond. | The customer support team is helpful but can be slow to respond. |
Frequently asked questions about document management systems
A small business has to deal with multiple types of documents like invoices, contracts, summaries, expense sheets, receipts, and client information. Some small businesses use paper to store all these documents while some use Excel Sheets or Airtable to store, manage and retrieve them. Ideally, every small business should use a document management system to stay organized and maximize efficiency.
Small businesses save documents in physical files and cabinets. If they use digital forms to store documents, they usually use Excel or Google Sheets. Some businesses also store documents on the drive. Ideally, every small business should use a document management system to stay organized and maximize efficiency. A DMS essentially helps you replace paper files and Google Drive.
Although you can create, store, edit, and share documents (and possibly even create a client portal with Google Drive) it cannot double as a document management system (DMS). Modern-day document management systems allow users to do much more than just save, edit and share files. What does a DMS have that Google Drive doesn’t? For starters, all the things listed below: - Reporting tools - Collaboration tools - Multiple workflow options - Advanced permission control - Metadata management Also, Google Drive isn’t the most secure option to store your documents.
The best document management software for your business depends on your needs and requirements, but the top 8 best document management systems are 1. Softr (not a typical DMS, but the best platform for building internal tools) 2. DocuWare 3. Microsoft SharePoint 4. M-Files 5. Templafy 6. Ascensio System OnlyOffice 7. eFileCabinet 8. VIENNA Advantage
Cloud storage is a virtual space available on servers that can be used through the internet. When you upload a document to the cloud, your data is stored remotely and can be accessed on your command. This can be done because your data is being stored on large computer servers remotely.
