6 min read
Christina Miranda
FileBound excels in eForms and workflow automation, however, these 5 FileBound alternatives can offer broader document management without compromising automation.
Are you still looking for an ECM that can store your documents, automate your workflows and simplify data collection with electronic forms?
If so, you may have hear of FileBound. But how can you be sure it is the right fit for you?
Today we bring 5 FileBound alternatives to help you choose the perfect ECM for your business.
FileBound is an ECM by Upland designed with simplicity and for small businesses who need to automate routine processes without investing too much time figuring the tool out or money in a dedicated IT team.
Although it offers a very basic content management with limited metadata tagging, it does stand out in two areas: Workflow automation and eForms.
FileBound’s workflow automation feature provides a basic no-code workflow builder that allows you to design, edit, and deploy process automations without prior knowledge in coding or other technicalities.
It has a simple drag-and-drop interface and also offers some pre-built templates so you can customize as you see fit. However, if you need more intricate workflows with advanced triggers, it may fall short.
Another of fileBound’s strengths includes the eForms engine. With this feature you can build or convert existing forms into interactive digital documents to collect data, attachments, and electronic signatures.
The information gathered on the electronic forms will be automatically saved into relevant documents and workflows so submissions can be automatically routed based on business rules.
For example, a purchase request can move directly to a manager for approval, then on to finance for payment processing.
FileBound is best suited for small and mid-sized businesses, particularly during early stages of digitizing files and processes due to its simplicity.
It is a good option if your teams manage moderate volumes of documents and can’t afford to invest in enterprise-level systems. However, if you have a heavier document load, the file storage could fall short.
If you’re currently using basic file-sharing tools like Google Drive, FileBound provides an easy upgrade path to a centralized, automated document management platform.
Some industries that benefit most from FileBound include:
FileBound helps simplify donor management, volunteer coordination, and grant applications.
Instead of handling paper forms or scattered email threads, staff can build eForms for volunteer sign-ups, donation receipts, and funding requests.
For example, a nonprofit can automate the entire grant approval process. FileBound routes forms from the applicant to the program director, then to finance for final approval.
The built-in workflow automation guarantees swift communication, while audit trails record every movement for transparency in compliance and reporting.
FileBound is a practical solution for smaller schools and educational institutions that want to reduce paperwork and manual data entry.
Teachers, administrators, and HR staff can create online forms for student enrollment, teacher evaluations, PTO requests, and budget approvals.
Integration with Student Information Systems also means that once forms are submitted, relevant data can flow automatically into student or staff records, reducing duplication and errors.
HR departments can use FileBound to streamline recruitment, onboarding, and employee management processes.
The platform allows HR teams to design workflows for application tracking, policy acknowledgment, and compliance checks.
For instance, a new hire can complete eForms for tax and benefits information, which automatically trigger notifications to IT for account setup and to payroll for compensation configuration.
FileBound can also be used to in offboarding. If a team member leaves the team, HR can easily track down all their data and automate the exit checklist with a workflow.
We have established that FileBound is better suited for smaller businesses or businesses that don’t handle excessive amounts of documents.
Many believe that a simple online filing app like Google Drive or OneDrive might be enough, however, these tools can store and share your documents but lack the automation, compliance, and advanced features that true DMS or ECM solutions offer.
In this regard, we bring 5 tools that can be a good alternative to FileBound that include automation, eForms, and advanced document storage.
| Software | Deployment Options | Strengths | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FileBound (by Upland) | Cloud-based | eForms, workflow automation, simple DMS | SMBs, nonprofits, schools, HR teams | Limited document capture and metadata features |
| Dokmee | Cloud & On-premises | Advanced document capture (OCR), indexing, metadata tagging, modular design | SMBs & large enterprises handling high document volume | Slightly steeper setup for custom configurations |
| Laserfiche | Cloud & On-premises | Low-code automation, analytics, enterprise-grade security | Governments, universities, financial institutions | Higher cost and complexity for small teams |
| DocuWare | Cloud | Cloud-native DMS, eForms, eSignatures, AI capture | Mid-sized businesses, finance, HR | Limited offline functionality |
| M-Files | Cloud & On-premises | Metadata-driven organization, AI search, version control | Knowledge-based businesses, IT, consulting firms | Requires metadata planning and setup time |
| OnBase (by Hyland) | Cloud & On-premises | Enterprise automation, case management, regulatory compliance | Large enterprises, healthcare, finance, government | Expensive implementation and training |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating
G2 4.5/5 | Capterra 4.7/5
Overview
Dokmee is an intuitive and complete DMS and ECM system that provides both automated workflows and a separate product for eForms, but excels in actual document management.
Dokmee’s document management includes advanced security measures, indexing, metadata tagging, file retention, in-app document editing and esignatures, and many more features.
Dokmee is known for its modular design, meaning you can choose only the features you need, such as document capture, workflow automation, or eForms, without overpaying for the things you don’t need.
Dokmee offers both on-premises and cloud deployment options, making it suitable for SMBs and large enterprises alike.
Best features
When should you choose Dokmee over FileBound?
Choose Dokmee if you need a more powerful organizational system with advanced indexing, search, and capture capabilities.
While FileBound focuses on eForms and simple workflows, Dokmee offers greater flexibility for large-scale document storage, automated retention policies, and compliance management.
All this makes Dokmee perfect for businesses with a high document volume or strict regulatory needs.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating
G2 4.7/5 | Capterra 4.5/5
Overview
Laserfiche is a well-known ECM platforms that offers comprehensive document management, process automation, and analytics tools.
It combines scalability with enterprise-level security, making it suitable for government agencies, universities, and financial institutions.
Its user interface is modern and configurable, allowing both IT and non-technical users to build automated processes efficiently.
Best features
When should you choose Laserfiche over FileBound?
Laserfiche is a better choice if you need enterprise-grade automation and analytics.
Unlike FileBound, Laserfiche can handle complex, multi-departmental workflows and compliance-heavy environments, while providing detailed reporting for performance optimization.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating
G2 4.4/5 | Capterra 4.6/5
Overview
Like FileBound, DocuWare is a document management and workflow automation software hosted on the cloud.
It’s particularly popular among mid-sized businesses and is used for accounts payable, HR, and sales operations.
DocuWare’s focus on ease of use and integration makes it a good choice for teams that want to upgrade from basic file systems to full-featured ECM.
DocuWare also includes eForms. Once a user completes the information, a document is generated and stored into your files, where it is routed into the relevant workflow.
Best features
When should you choose DocuWare over FileBound?
Choose DocuWare if you need AI-enhanced document capture and intelligent indexing.
It’s a better fit than FileBound for organizations seeking automation that spans multiple departments, especially for finance or HR workflows that depend on reliable data extraction and compliance reporting.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating
G2 4.4/5 | Capterra 4.4/5
Overview
M-Files is a DMS with a unique point on view on document organization and metadata.
If you’re looking for a DMS that focuses more en document organization, you want to take a look at M-Files.
Instead of relying on traditional folder hierarchies, M-Files organizes files based on “what” they are, not “where” they are stored.
This makes locating documents across systems and devices much more efficient, although it does come with a steep learning curve and a preparation period to establish metadata tagging strategy.
It integrates easily with tools like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Salesforce, making it a smart option for growing organizations that want to enhance collaboration and governance.
Best features
When should you choose M-Files over FileBound?
If you need intelligent search and metadata automation, M-Files far outperforms FileBound.
It’s perfect for businesses that need to manage a large volume of unstructured data and want a more dynamic way to locate and control content without rigid folder systems.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating
G2 4.4/5 | Capterra 4.3/5
Overview
OnBase is an enterprise-level ECM platform developed by Hyland Software that focuses on processes.
It offers document management, case management, and process automation features.
Known for its scalability, OnBase is used by large organizations in healthcare, financial services, and government to manage sensitive records and streamline high-volume workflows.
Best features
When should you choose OnBase over FileBound?
OnBase is best suited for large enterprises or industries with strict regulatory requirements, such as healthcare or finance.
While FileBound offers simplicity, OnBase delivers advanced automation, compliance documentation, and scalability, making it a good fit if you need to handle complex data environments.
FileBound is a solid stepping stone if you’re getting started with automation in your business processes.
It offers an intuitive interface, customizable eForm builder, and a no-code workflow builder.
However, as your business scales, you may quickly find that FileBound’s limited document capture and metadata capabilities can hold you back.
Tools like Dokmee, DocuWare, or Laserfiche offer more advanced ECM solutions with AI-powered indexing, automation, and compliance management suited for larger or more regulated environments.
Ultimately, FileBound is best seen as a first step, the right fit for teams that need efficiency today, but plan to evolve into more advanced enterprise content management systems as their processes and data volumes grow.
Christina Miranda 
