Document Management

10 Best Document Management Systems in 2026 for Enterprise and Mid-Market Teams

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A document management system (DMS) is a platform that helps organizations capture, store, control, create, organize and centralize electronic documents. Organizations use these systems to reduce the time they spend manually managing documents. With a DMS, they can retrieve documents faster, manage version control and create audit trails to simplify compliance. But the best document management software for one organization could be the wrong choice for another.

Integrating a DMS into your organization isn’t without its drawbacks. A new system takes time and expertise to implement, previously isolated repositories must be connected, legacy files migrated and staff trained to make sure they’re using the system correctly.


You’re looking for a DMS that’ll save your organization time and money, but there is no such thing as a single “best” system. Finding a DMS that works depends on several factors:

  • Scale: How many documents your organization handles, and how quickly that figure is likely to rise.

  • Workflow: How documents move from creation and approval to delivery and archiving.

  • Compliance: The regulations your documents must meet, such as GDPR or retention rules.

  • Collaboration: Who needs to edit, access and approve documents and from where.

  • Integration: The systems your documents connect to, such as your ERP, core banking platform, sales software or industry-specific platforms.
document challenges part 2

We explore the 10 best document management software platforms for enterprise and mid-market teams:

Lasernet: best for Dynamics 365, SAP, Infor or IFS environments where documents are generated from operational ERP data and must be created, distributed, archived and governed as part of business workflows.

Microsoft SharePoint: best for Microsoft-centric organizations needing document libraries, permissions, versioning, governance and broad collaboration.

M-Files: best for organizations that want documents organized and retrieved by metadata and context rather than folder location.

DocuWare: best for document capture, indexing and workflow automation across finance and operational processes.

OpenText: best for large enterprises with complex content lifecycle, governance and records-management requirements.

Laserfiche: best for organizations combining document management with workflow and process automation.

Box: best for secure cloud file sharing, collaboration and external content access in distributed organizations.

Egnyte: best for organizations prioritizing cloud collaboration with stronger governance, security and compliance controls.

Revver: best for client-facing and document-heavy teams that need structured filing, sharing, approvals and workflow automation.

Google Workspace/Drive: best for organizations already using Google Workspace that prioritize real-time collaboration and file sharing.

TLDR: Best document management software solutions

Platform

Best for

Category

Deployment

Main strength

Lasernet

ERP or core banking environments generating business documents

ERP-integrated document lifecycle, output and archiving

SaaS, private cloud, on-premises or hybrid

Turns ERP data into finished documents

Microsoft SharePoint

Microsoft-centric organizations needing content libraries and permissions

Enterprise content

Cloud or on-premises

Native Microsoft 365 integration

M-Files

Organizing and retrieving documents by metadata and context

Metadata-driven DMS

Cloud, on-premises or hybrid

AI agents with traceable reasoning

DocuWare

Capture and workflow automation ideal for finance and operations processes

Document capture and workflow automation

Cloud, on-premises or hybrid

AI-powered OCR and HTR scanning

OpenText

Large enterprises with complex governance and records management requirements

Enterprise content and records management

On-premises, private or public cloud

Longstanding SAP integration

Laserfiche

Combining document management with process automation

Enterprise DMS and process automation

Cloud or self-hosted

Strong records management and US DoD certification

Box

Secure file sharing and external access for distributed organizations

Cloud content collaboration

Cloud

Secure external collaboration

Egnyte

Cloud collaboration with strong governance controls

Cloud content governance

Pure cloud, hybrid and local caching

Large-file sharing

Revver

Client-facing, document-heavy teams needing workflow automation

Document-centric workflow

Cloud

No-code workflows and in-built eSignature capabilities

Google Drive

Google Workspace users prioritizing real-time collaboration

Collaboration-first cloud file management

Cloud

Easy file storage, sharing and co-editing

How we selected the systems

We selected document management software platforms that recur in current DMS research, represent distinct use cases and are relevant to mid-market and enterprise teams. Between them, they cover the main types of DMS: collaboration-first cloud storage, purpose-built DMS tools, enterprise content and records management platforms and ERP-integrated document management.

To make the document management comparison as useful as possible, we’ve looked at every platform through the following lens.

  • Best-fit use case: The specific problems each platform is designed to solve.
  • Document generation and output: Whether the platform can create and distribute documents, such as statements, e-invoices and labels, where that’s relevant to the platform.
  • ERP and business systems integration: How the platform connects to your ERP, core banking and other business systems, and how well it fits into existing document workflows.
  • Capture, search and retrieval: How documents are captured, classified with metadata and retrieved when you need them.
  • Workflow and lifecycle control: How the platform handles approvals and automation, and how it manages documents from creation all the way to disposal.
  • Security and compliance: How platforms manage permissions, audit trails, retention and records management.
  • Collaboration and sharing: How platforms support version control, co-editing and sharing.
  • Deployment and administration: The deployment options available, and how easy the platform is to set up, manage and scale.

Best document management systems

There is no single “best” document management system. The platforms we’ve included in this list solve different problems, so choosing the right document management software starts with knowing exactly what you’re looking for:

 

ERP-integrated document management platforms generate documents from ERP data. They then distribute, archive and govern those documents.

 

Enterprise content management (ECM) systems govern content across the whole organization, with a core focus on records management and lifecycle control features.

Purpose-built DMS platforms focus on capturing, organizing and automating documents. They’re often used for specific processes, such as accounts payable or HR.

Collaboration-first cloud platforms simplify document storage, sharing and co-editing. Their governance capabilities vary by platform, and they aren’t designed to generate documents from ERP data.

How do the leading document management systems compare?

Best for Dynamics 365, SAP, Infor or IFS environments where documents are generated from operational ERP data and must be created, distributed, archived and governed as part of business workflows.

Lasernet is an end-to-end document management platform that allows users to generate, design, distribute, archive and retrieve documents and customer communications.

Unlike collaboration or ECM platforms, which manage documents once they’ve been created, Lasernet turns ERP data into finished documents. It connects directly to ERP systems including Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Infor and IFS, as well as core banking platforms such as Temenos, Thought Machine, Mambu, SaaScada and Tuum. Lasernet can be deployed via private cloud, on-premises, hybrid or as a SaaS solution using Lasernet cloud.

Lasernet produces documents from ERP data, including invoices, statements, purchase orders and shipping labels. Documents can be delivered by print, email and XML, and Lasernet supports e-invoicing formats such as PEPPOL BIS, UBL, XRechnung and more. With its intuitive, low-code drag-and-drop interface, Lasernet allows non-technical users to design, manage and distribute documents easily.

However, Lasernet is designed around documents generated from ERP and core banking systems. If your main requirement is collaborative editing of documents, you may want to consider a cloud content collaboration tool instead.

Best for Microsoft-centric organizations needing document libraries, permissions, versioning, governance and broad collaboration.

Microsoft SharePoint is a cloud-based document management and collaboration platform built into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Depending on how it's set up, it sits somewhere between collaboration-first tools and full ECM, combining structured document libraries with strong collaboration capabilities. SharePoint can be deployed in the cloud or on-premises.

The platform works natively with Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and OneDrive. Teams can co-edit files, track versions and manage document access from the tools they already use in the Microsoft product suite. It also offers enterprise-grade security in the form of granular permission controls, encryption and multi-factor authentication.

However, SharePoint relies on Microsoft Purview for advanced lifecycle controls, such as retention labels and records management. Highly regulated organizations should plan to set up and manage Purview alongside SharePoint.

Best for organizations that want documents organized and retrieved by metadata and context rather than folder location.

M-Files is an AI-driven, metadata-centric intelligent information and document management software platform that organizes documents by what they are rather than where they’re stored. As a purpose-built DMS, it adds structure and lifecycle control that general file storage platforms typically don’t provide. It runs inside Microsoft 365 and integrates with Salesforce, SAP, Google Workspace and Adobe Acrobat Sign. M-Files can be deployed in the cloud, on-premises or as a hybrid solution.

Because documents are classified by metadata, the same file can be found through any client, project or process it relates to. Its AI agents automate document tasks such as metadata tagging, routing, contract review and quality records. Each agent logs the reasoning behind changes for traceability. Security, permissions, retention and audit controls are built in and applied throughout the document lifecycle.

However, organizing by metadata is a different way of working for teams used to folders. As a result, organizations should plan plenty of time for setup and user adoption.

Best for document capture, indexing and workflow automation across finance and operational processes.

DocuWare is a document management and workflow automation platform that helps teams digitize and automate processes such as invoice approvals and employee onboarding. Its focus is on documents coming into the business and the approval workflows around them. The platform is available in the cloud, on-premises or as a hybrid setup, and connects to popular business systems such as Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Sage and QuickBooks.

DocuWare is ideal for organizations that need to capture and process documents quickly. Automatic indexing, workflow management and electronic forms are included in DocuWare Cloud, meaning teams can start automating approvals and routing straight away. For more complex document capture, DocuWare Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) uses AI-powered OCR and handwritten text recognition (HTR) to automatically read printed and handwritten text, including low-quality scans.

However, DocuWare is designed to capture and process documents – it isn’t a document generation platform. Organizations that also need to generate high volumes of outgoing documents using ERP data may be better suited to an ERP-integrated platform.

Best for large enterprises with complex content lifecycle, governance and records-management requirements.

OpenText is an enterprise content management provider whose platforms embed documents into the business applications used by teams, including SAP, Salesforce and Microsoft 365. As a full ECM suite, it offers more capabilities than document collaboration platforms or purpose-built DMS tools. OpenText Content Management can be deployed on-premises, in a private cloud or as a managed service, and Core Content Management is available for public cloud.

OpenText has a close partnership with SAP and is the ERP provider’s largest Solution Extension (SOLEX) partner. Its integrations embed content directly into SAP business processes, within the SAP user interface. This covers SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP ERP and SAP SuccessFactors. Beyond SAP, the platforms are built for high volumes and strict governance, with records lifecycle control and retention policies.

However, OpenText offers a portfolio of enterprise content and document management platforms, each designed for different deployment and scale requirements. As a result, organizations should define their requirements in detail before selecting a platform.

Best for organizations combining document management with workflow and process automation.

Laserfiche is an intelligent content management and business process automation platform. It pairs the records management capabilities of an ECM platform with the automation tools of a workflow automation platform, making it a good fit for organizations requiring high levels of document control and process efficiency. The platform is available as a cloud service or a self-hosted deployment, and it integrates with business software such as Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Docusign and Esri.

Laserfiche has strong records management capabilities, and the platform’s self-hosted record controls are certified to the US Department of Defense’s records management standard (DoD 5015.2). Teams can set automated retention schedules, manage granular access controls and support timely disposition.

Laserfiche’s records management features need to be carefully configured, and organizations should allow ample time to map their file plan and retention rules during the implementation process.

Best for secure cloud file sharing, collaboration and external content access in distributed organizations.

Box is an AI-powered cloud content management platform that allows organizations to store, share and edit files in a centralized location. Box has added governance, records management and document generation features to its platform, so it now overlaps with ECM in some areas. The platform integrates with business systems such as Microsoft 365, Oracle NetSuite, Salesforce and Slack.

Box’s main strength is secure collaboration. Teams can share and work on files with colleagues, clients and partners while classification-based threat detection, retention policies and encryption protect sensitive content.

Box AI and AI agents extract insights and structured data from documents, while Box Automate, Forms, Doc Gen and Box Sign allow teams to build workflows, generate documents and collect signatures inside the platform.

However, Box is cloud-only. Organizations with strict data residency requirements should confirm whether Box Zones, which offers content storage in various regions, covers the locations they require.

Best for organizations prioritizing cloud collaboration with stronger governance, security and compliance controls.

Egnyte is a cloud-based content collaboration, security and governance platform. It belongs to the collaboration-first category, but places more emphasis on governance and compliance than many other file-sharing tools. The platform integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce and industry-specific platforms like Autodesk Forma for architecture and engineering, Orion for financial services, and ChemAxon for life sciences. Egnyte offers three deployment options: pure cloud, hybrid and local caching.

Egnyte helps teams share and co-edit documents, automate workflows and work with complex and very large files even from low-bandwidth areas. Its AI assistant and search capabilities allow users to find content quickly, get document summaries and build workflow templates.

However, Egnyte’s main focus is file collaboration and governance. Organizations looking to automate complex, ERP-driven document workflows may need to use it alongside a dedicated document generation and workflow tool.

Best for client-facing and document-heavy teams that need structured filing, sharing, approvals and workflow automation.

Revver is a cloud-based document management system and workflow automation platform. It sits within the purpose-built DMS category and connects to business software, including Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Docusign and Salesforce, through pre-built connectors and an open API.

Revver’s main capabilities include AI and intelligent document processing (IDP) to identify and extract metadata from incoming documents to make them easily searchable. The platform’s no-code workflow builder routes documents, updates metadata and sets deadlines, and integrated eSignature means documents can be signed off without relying on external integrations.

However, Revver is primarily designed for managing and automating documents. Organizations that need to generate high-volume documents from ERP data, such as invoices, statements or e-invoices, may decide to opt for an ERP-integrated platform with document generation capabilities.

Best for organizations already using Google Workspace that prioritize real-time collaboration and file sharing.

Google Drive is the cloud storage and file-sharing service built into Google Workspace, which includes Gmail, Meet, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides and more. Many organizations use it as their main document store, but as a collaboration-first tool, it works very differently from a dedicated DMS. Drive is cloud-based and admins can allow third-party apps to connect to Drive files.

Drive is designed for teams that work on documents together. Real-time co-editing allows multiple people to work on the same document at once, and shared drives give teams a location where files are owned by teams rather than one individual. Enterprise editions give admins enhanced security with data loss prevention (DLP) and granular access controls based on user attributes.

However, Google Drive’s governance capabilities are more limited than those of a dedicated DMS or ECM platform.

How to choose a document management system 

The best document management system for your organization depends on where your documents are created, which systems they need to connect to and the regulations they are subject to. Use the questions below to work out which capabilities your organization needs in a DMS:

Use case and organization size

  • Is the platform built for organizations of your size and in your industry? 

  • Does it solve the specific problems you’re facing, such as document generation from ERP data, remote team document collaboration or records compliance?

ERP and business system integration

  • Which systems create or rely on your documents (ERPs or core banking systems)?
  • Does the DMS connect to them directly, and can it trigger, store and retrieve documents from these systems easily?

Document generation, output and distribution

  • Do you need to produce invoices, statements, labels or other business documents from your chosen DMS by connecting with other source systems?
  • Can the platform distribute these documents across various channels, including print, email and EDI, and does it support the e-invoicing formats you’re legally required to use?

Workflow automation and lifecycle control

  • Which processes do you need to automate (contract reviews, accounts payable/receivable, records management or approval workflows)? 

  • Can the platform handle the entire document management process from end to end (generation, design, distribution, archiving and retrieval)? 

  • Can non-technical teams update document workflows without raising an IT ticket? 

Capture, search and retrieval 

  • How will documents get into the system, and can the platform read them with OCR and classify them with metadata?

  • Can users find what they need by customer, project or invoice number, not just by a specific file name?

Security, governance and records management 

  • Which regulations and standards apply to your documents (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, ISO 15489, ISO 9001, ISO 30300, ISO/IEC 27001)?

  • Does the platform offer granular permissions, version control and automated document retention as standard? 

What is EInvoicing Hero

Collaboration and external sharing 

  • How important is real-time document co-editing?

  • Can you share documents securely with customers, suppliers and partners while keeping strict control over access? 

Deployment, administration and scalability

  • Do you need a cloud, on-premises or hybrid deployment? 

  • How complex will the implementation process be?

  • How much IT resource will ongoing administration require? Does your IT team have the bandwidth for that level of support indefinitely, or will you need external support?

  • Will the platform be able to support high document volumes as your business grows?


If your priority is sharing and co-editing manually created files, and your compliance obligations are light, a cloud storage and collaboration tool might be enough. If you manage high volumes of regulated documents that need automated retention, audit trails and approval workflows, choose a dedicated DMS or ECM platform. If your documents need to be generated from ERP and core banking data, an ERP-integrated platform is likely the best fit.

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Choosing the right document management software for your team

If your document processes are closely tied to ERP data and you need a DMS with output, distribution and archiving capabilities, Lasernet is designed for you. The DMS manages the full document lifecycle, allowing you to generate, design, distribute, archive and retrieve documents, without needing technical expertise. 

See for yourself how Lasernet simplifies document management for your team. Book a tailored conversation to see the software in action. 

“Lasernet is key to our use of Dynamics 365. Its capabilities are fundamental and provide business critical functionality.”
Head of IT, Cross Manufacturing

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Frequently asked questions

The best document management for software depends on your needs. For example, Lasernet is best for ERP-generated document generation, distribution, archiving and retrieval, SharePoint for Microsoft-centric collaboration, OpenText for complex enterprise records management. Choose which best for you based on your ERP integration, workflow, governance and deployment requirements. 

 A document management system (DMS) helps organizations create, store, control, organize and centralize electronic documents, while enterprise content management (ECM) is the capture, storage, governance and delivery of business documents and unstructured content across the full lifecycle in a single framework.

 Start with how well the DMS connects to your ERP (Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, etc.) and other business systems (Salesforce, Google Workspace, Slack, etc.), since that’s where the data behind most enterprise documents is located. Then assess workflow automation, search and retrieval, and governance features. Finally, decide on the best deployment model for your IT environment.

 SharePoint can be used as a DMS, and it works well for collaboration and simple document storage. However, as processes get more complex, organizations often opt for custom development or best-of-breed tools to manage aspects of the document lifecycle, including document generation, governance and compliance.

Google Drive is a cloud storage and file-sharing platform, not a purpose-built DMS. The platform is designed for sharing files across teams, but it doesn’t include the document generation, lifecycle management and compliance features of a dedicated DMS. Google Vault provides access to retention rules and legal hold capabilities, but highly regulated organizations tend to rely on DMS platforms instead.

 SharePoint can be used as a DMS, and it works well for collaboration and simple document storage. However, as processes get more complex, organizations often opt for custom development or best-of-breed tools to manage aspects of the document lifecycle, including document generation, governance and compliance.