DocuWare is one of the most popular ECM systems out there.

However, this doesn’t mean that it is the only and perfect fit for you.

If you’re looking for DocuWare alternatives, you’ve come to the right place.

What is DocuWare

DocuWare is a document management system and workflow automation platform born in 1988.

Evidently, since its foundation it has evolved greatly and now is one of the most popular DMS and offers many features, including document capture, full-text search, version control, and audit trails.

DocuWare is particularly appreciated for its intuitive interface, automation capabilities, and emphasis on security and compliance .

Its features are categorized in 3 pillars:

• Document capture

DocuWare auto-captures documents from scanners, email, Microsoft Office, print streams, Windows folders, Outlook, Teams, and SAP.

It uses AI‑powered intelligent indexing and full‑text OCR to extract metadata automatically. You also get web‑form capture, barcode recognition, and data enrichment from external systems.
Source: DocuWare

• Workflow management

The platform features built‑in workflow automation with drag‑and‑drop design, task routing, escalation rules, deadlines, proxies, and deletion workflows for retention policies.

It supports digital editing, version control, electronic signatures, control dashboards, and iPaaS integration to connect with 1,000+ cloud systems.

• Flexible search (via metadata)

DocuWare enables flexible search via metadata and full-text, plus mobile access across iOS and Android.

Features include file-cabinet style viewing, smart sharing via links or Teams, document packages, linked-document views, and sophisticated role-based permissions.

Although DocuWare has many great features, it isn’t the only choice, nor the best choice in all cases.

With many other options out there, we have rounded up 5 of our favorites that may be a better fit for you.

5 best alternatives to DocuWare

DocuWare stands as one of the original document management systems, therefore it is a very popular choice.

However, many users find that it ends up falling short and lacks some features that you could be missing out too.

So if you’re looking for alternatives, we’ll leave you with these 5 alternatives.

Alternative	Key Advantage	Best For
Dokmee	AI indexing + rules-based routing	Mid-large orgs needing simple auto DMS
Laserfiche	Low-code workflows + pricing transparency	Regulated sectors, enterprises
SharePoint	MS ecosystem integration	Microsoft 365 environments
DocuShare	Mature AI & scanning + multiple deployments	Scanning-heavy & compliance reqs
M‑Files	Metadata-driven, duplication alerts	Volume-heavy, metadata-centric needs

Dokmee

What is Dokmee?

Dokmee is a document management system and enterprise content management system with a clean interface that is designed to help businesses capture, store, manage, and retrieve digital documents and records.

Dokmee offers many features designed to help you manage all of your business’ documents as a unit.

Some features include:

• Document capture
• File cabinets and retention
• Audit trails
• Mobile ECM
• Electronic form software

In other words, Dokmee ECM ensures that your teams work seamlessly together by offering access to current and updated documents throughout the entire enterprise, allowing for team collaboration and seamless document capture.

Dokmee caters to companies of all sizes and is used across industries such as government, manufacturing, accounting, human resources, legal, healthcare, finance, education, and real estate, among others.

Dokmee serves as a centralized repository where users can scan, upload, and index documents for easy retrieval.

This ECM supports intelligent indexing, which enables metadata tagging and full-text search capabilities, drastically reducing the time it takes to locate specific files. Its OCR feature turns scanned images into searchable and editable text.
Why is it better?

Dokmee stands out as a more agile, cost-effective, and user-friendly alternative to DocuWare, particularly for small to mid-sized businesses or teams that prioritize speed, simplicity, and customization.

Unlike DocuWare, Dokmee offers a more unified experience with ****workflow automation, audit trails, and retention management, offering a separate package for document capture and OCR so you only pay for what you need.

One of Dokmee’s most praised features is its AI-assisted indexing, which automatically tags and organizes documents based on content and user-defined rules.

This reduces manual data entry and makes document retrieval faster and more accurate.

Dokmee’s interface is clean, and intuitive, often requiring minimal IT assistance to implement or modify. In contrast, DocuWare may require dedicated administrator training or external consultants for deeper customization.

Dokmee is also known for its responsive support team and personalized customer service, with rapid turnaround on implementation help, configuration issues, or workflow adjustments.

For organizations seeking a cloud-first, secure, and scalable solution that doesn’t lock them into complex pricing models or long onboarding cycles, Dokmee delivers an ideal mix of functionality and flexibility.

Who is it for?

Ideal for mid-sized to large enterprises across IT, healthcare, construction, marketing, and more, especially those looking for an intuitive, scalable DMS with strong process automation .

Laserfiche

What is Laserfiche?

Laserfiche is an ECM and business process automation platform that uses AI to help with your document management and capture.

It offers a set of tools that include intelligent document capture, metadata indexing, electronic forms, records management, workflow automation, and secure file storage.

Available as both a cloud-based solution and an on-premise deployment, Laserfiche gives businesses flexibility in how they manage sensitive content while maintaining centralized control.

Its granular permission settings, audit trails, and compliance features make it a good choice for sectors with strict regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, FERPA, and FINRA.

Laserfiche offers a Solution Marketplace where you can access templates for workflows, similar to DocuWare, and you can also submit your own.
Why is it better?

Compared to DocuWare, Laserfiche stands out for its low-code/no-code process automation tools, which allow users to build complex workflows without deep IT expertise.

It offers a transparent pricing model to avoid hidden costs often associated with modular systems like DocuWare, providing a more predictable and scalable investment.

Laserfiche also features built-in integrations with popular platforms like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and various ERP and banking systems, allowing seamless data flow between tools.

Additionally, Laserfiche receives consistently high marks for ease of use, customer support, and implementation.

Who is it for?

Laserfiche is ideal for medium to large organizations across regulated industries that demand high levels of compliance, scalability, and process control.

Government agencies, educational institutions, financial services, healthcare organizations, and HR departments are among its primary users.

Sharepoint

What is SharePoint?

Microsoft SharePoint is an ECM and collaboration platform used to manage documents and encourage teamwork and internal communications.

The software is available through Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Online) and works as a standalone on-premise deployment (SharePoint Server), it serves as both a document repository and a dynamic intranet solution.

SharePoint supports centralized file storage, role-based access control, automated versioning, co-authoring, and powerful search capabilities, all tightly integrated with Microsoft tools like Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive.

It also offers site creation features for departments, projects, or corporate communications, enabling users to build customized, branded environments with little to no code.
Why is it better?

If you’re already using other Microsoft apps, Sharepoint offers seamless integrations with other products, as it allows you to open, edit, and collaborate on files directly within familiar interfaces.

Unlike DocuWare, which is primarily focused on document workflow and capture, SharePoint functions as a full collaboration hub, incorporating tools like discussion boards, task lists, wikis, and team sites. It also supports Microsoft Power Automate for building automated workflows, reducing the need for third-party automation tools.

In terms of extensibility, SharePoint offers an extensive API and app model, allowing businesses to integrate custom solutions or third-party add-ons for records management, metadata tagging, compliance auditing, and advanced search.

Its scalability supports everything from small teams to global enterprises managing large amounts of documents, making it highly adaptable for growing organizations.

While DocuWare may require separate modules or licenses for certain features, SharePoint’s modular architecture often includes those capabilities as part of a unified Microsoft 365 subscription.

Who is it for?

SharePoint is best suited for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem and looking to consolidate document management, communication, and collaboration into a unified platform.

It’s particularly effective for departments that need to share documents across teams, manage internal projects, or publish content via intranet portals. Industries such as legal, education, finance, and IT services leverage SharePoint for both document control and enterprise knowledge management.

While not purpose-built for every ECM use case, its extensibility and tight Microsoft integration make it a compelling DocuWare alternative for enterprises that prioritize collaboration alongside document storage.

However, if you are looking for a full ECM solution, perhaps you should look to invest in DocuWare or Dokmee.

Xerox DocuShare

What is DocuShare?

Xerox DocuShare is an ECM platform designed to simplify how organizations capture, store, manage, and retrieve documents.

It is available in both cloud-based (DocuShare Flex) and on-premise (DocuShare Enterprise) formats, it supports a wide range of features including intelligent document capture, automated classification, secure sharing, content search, records management, workflow automation, and compliance tracking.

DocuShare allows users to digitize paper processes using Xerox multifunction printers (MFPs) and mobile capture, enabling front-end scanning directly into predefined workflows.

Its metadata-driven approach to content organization and robust indexing tools make it ideal for enterprises that manage large volumes of unstructured data.
Why is it better?

DocuShare is one of the first DMS tools, and as such it benefits from decades of refinement and user feedback.

Its long development cycle has resulted in a mature, highly stable platform with deep enterprise functionality.

Unlike DocuWare, which often requires multiple modules to achieve similar outcomes, DocuShare includes built-in capabilities for AI-driven classification, version control, bulk ingestion, and rules-based automation that can trigger workflows based on document metadata or user actions.

Its ability to integrate seamlessly with Xerox MFPs also gives it a unique advantage for organizations looking to tie physical scanning into digital workflows with minimal manual input.

Additionally, DocuShare provides granular permission settings, encryption, audit trails, and compliance features that meet regulatory demands such as HIPAA, GDPR, and FINRA.

Compared to DocuWare, DocuShare’s strength lies in its deep integration with hardware, long-term ECM experience, and scalable architecture that supports both large deployments and departmental use cases.

Who is it for?

DocuShare is ideal for mid-to-large organizations in regulated industries that require scalable ECM tools with strong security, document classification, and automation features.

Its most prominent use cases include healthcare, education, financial services, and the public sector.

Whether deployed in the cloud or on-premise, it’s well-suited for institutions seeking a balance of legacy strength, automation, and compliance in a proven content management solution.

M-Files

What is M-Files?

M-Files is a modern, metadata-driven DMS and ECM system designed to help you organize, access, and automate information.

Unlike traditional folder-based systems, M-Files uses a "vault" structure that classifies documents based on what they are (e.g., invoice, contract, report) rather than where they are stored.

This unique model enables users to find content using metadata tags like project name, client, date, or document type, regardless of file location.

M-Files offers powerful features including version control, AI-assisted content recognition, workflow automation, eSignatures, and real-time collaboration.

It integrates with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Salesforce, and various CRM and ERP platforms, making it an adaptable solution for diverse business ecosystems.
Why is it better?

Compared to DocuWare, M-Files offers a more intuitive and intelligent approach to content organization.

Its metadata-centric architecture ensures that documents are never lost in nested folders, improving searchability and user efficiency. With built-in duplicate detection, automatic versioning, and audit trails, M-Files ensures users always access the most accurate and current information.

Another standout feature is its AI-powered Intelligent Metadata Layer (IML), which uses artificial intelligence to analyze, tag, and relate documents automatically.

This allows M-Files to connect and surface content stored in third-party systems like SharePoint, file shares, Google Drive, and legacy ECMs without requiring data migration.

Whereas DocuWare often requires separate modules for workflow, records management, or cloud sync, M-Files offers a more unified and modular pricing model that makes it easier to scale based on user needs.

Who is it for?

M-Files is ideal for mid-sized to large organizations that manage high volumes of documents and need strong control over versioning, compliance, and access permissions.

It’s especially well-suited for industries such as legal, financial services, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), manufacturing, and professional services.

Which is the best tool?

The best tool will depend on your specific needs. The best DMS should be a tool that makes your document management process simple and brings your whole team together.

However, if you’re looking for an advanced DMS or ECM that:

✔️ offers freedom in deployment

✔️ records every movement in audit trails

✔️ allows complete customization in roles and permissions

✔️ offers document capture and OCR

✔️ integrates seamlessly with other tools

… then you can’t go wrong with Dokmee!

If you’re ready to try Dokmee today, contact the team!