5 Open Source and Free Virtual Data Rooms (VDR) in 2024
Looking for open source and free data room software options? In 2024, open source solutions are gaining popularity for businesses and organizations looking to securely manage and share sensitive information and have it self hosdted on their own servers.
Quick recap of open source and free data room software
- Papermark: The only available on the market Open Source virtual data room provider
- Box: A cloud content management and file sharing service for businesses, focusing on collaboration and security
- DropBox: A document hosting and sharing platform available
- Notion: An integrated workspace tool for note-taking, databases, and project management
- GoogleDocs: A file sharing and collaboration software with drag and drop editor
| Feature | Papermark | Box | Dropbox | Notion | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Source | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Free Plan | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Self-Hosting | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Unlimited Documents | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Collaboration Tools | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Custom Branding | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Secure Document Sharing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Drag and Drop Functionality | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Advanced Analytics | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| AI-Powered Tools | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Many companies state they have the free data room, in reality they are all just include free trial period, typically 7-14 days. But you still can create simple data room solution provided by the existing players of documents sharing market, like Box, DropBox, Google Docs and Notion.
Or self host your advance data room on Papermark.
Self Host yourself from GitHub
What is Open Source Data Room?
An Open Source Data Room is a digital repository or platform that uses open source software to facilitate secure online document sharing and management of confidential business documents. This type of data room is particularly favored for ability to get files and infrasturcture on your own servers. It allows businesses to customize the software according to their specific needs without the constraints of proprietary software licenses.
This allow you to create fully customizable easy to self-host data room
Why select Open Source Virtual Data Room?
Selecting an Open Source Virtual Data Room (VDR) offers several advantages for customization, cost-efficiency, and control over their data management systems. Here are some key reasons why an Open Source VDR might be the right choice:
- Cost Efficiency: Open source software can significantly reduce costs because it's usually free to use. Organizations save on licensing fees associated with proprietary VDR solutions.
- Transparency and Security: Open source software is considered more secure and reliable over time, as its code is continuously reviewed by a global community of developers. This transparency allows for the early detection and rectification of vulnerabilities.
- Customization and White-labelling: Open source VDRs offer full customization opportunities. Because the source code is accessible. Also Open Source companies support you in self-hosting.
- Control and Independence: Using an open source VDR gives companies full control over software environment.
- Community Support: Open source projects often have active communities. Users benefit from a wide range of shared knowledge, tools, and extensions, enhancing the functionality of the VDR without additional cost. Like for example Papermark community on GitHub
- Long-Term Viability: With open source software, there's less risk of discontinuation or abrupt changes in product strategy that can happen with proprietary solutions. Even if the original developers stop working on the project, the community or other companies can pick it up, ensuring its longevity.
In summary, an Open Source Virtual Data Room Software can be a smart choice for businesses looking for a cost-effective, flexible, and secure solution for managing confidential documents and facilitating secure data rooms for complex transactions like mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, legal document sharing, and more.
Papermark- Open Source and Free Data Room
Website: papermark.io
Papermark, an only open-source virtual data room software.
There is available self-hosted document sharing platform and virtual data room using Papermark technology.
Papermark Features
- Open Source and Self-hosted Data Room
- Unlimited folders
- Built-in page by page analytics on each document
- Full customisation and white labelling
- Drag and Drop Data Room creation
- Bulk uploads
- Secure document sharing
- Unlimited space
Papermark Pricing for SaaS option
- Free plan available
- $29 for document sharing (3 seats included)
- $59 for secure data room
- $149 for unlimited data rooms
- Available fully self hosted version
Paperamark on Github
⭐️ 3500+ stars
🧑💻 30+ contributors
🔗 350+ forks
To GitHub: https://github.com/mfts/papermark
Papermark Ratings and Reviews
Papermark is highly rated and preferred over other data room solutions. These stats speaking for itself:
Highly rated and supported by over 10000 companies. 22 developers - contributors taking part in the development of the product.
Box - Free Data Room
Website: box.com
The platform offered by Box, Inc., a cloud-based content management company, helps individuals and teams collaborate securely on important content from any location and device.
Company has a free plan and can be used as a data room.
In addition to e-signatures, automated workflows, and AI-powered content management, the platform offers customization options through open APIs and developer tools. With user-friendly admin controls, organizations can monitor and report on content sharing and access.
Founded in 2005, Box shifted its focus from consumer to business users, securing substantial funding before going public in 2015.
Box Features
- Secure collaboration
- 1,500+ app integrations
- Content migration
- Admin controls
Box Limitations
- Lack of advanced sharing
- Lack of advanced analytics
- Initially focused on consumers
- Lack of special features for data room
- No self hosting option
Box Pricing
- Free for individuals up to 10 GB storage
- Business Plus: $20 (per user, min 3 users)
- Business: US$33 (per user, min 3 users)
- Business: US$33 (per user, min 3 users)
- Enterprise: US$47 (per user, min 3 users)
- Enterprise plus: Custom
Box Ratings and Reviews
- G2: 3.8/5 (10+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4/5 (1+ reviews)
Dropbox - Free Data Room
Website: dropbox.com
Dropbox is a cloud storage service used by millions worldwide, offering features like file recovery, password protection, and collaboration tools. With trackable links and viewer history, users can easily protect and share important files. It can be used as a free simplified data room.
Dropbox Features
- Host content
- Share content
- Collaboration tools
- AI-powered search tool
- Cloud backup
Dropbox Limitations
- No possibility to self-host
- Limited free storage options
- Lack of custom links setting for data room
- Limited security options
- May not be suitable for businesses looking for data room features
Dropbox Pricing
- Free: 1 user: 2 TB of storage, large file delivery up to 2 GB, 30 days to restore deleted files, family folder for photos and files, secure and share passwords
Dropbox Ratings and Reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (23037+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (21542+ reviews)
- Trustpilot: 1.4/5 (1109+ reviews)
Notion - Data Room
Website: notion.so
Notion is mainly created for collaboration and creating documents. But more and more startups are creating memo and sharing documents with it so it can be used as a free virtual data room software.
So, it can be used as a light version of Data Room.
Notion Features
- Knowledge creation and management
- Manage complex projects
- Visualize, filter, & sort
- Share file link
- Drag and drop functionality
Notion Limitations
- Lack of Data Room Features
- Lack of secure sharing
- Lack of customization and branding
- No possibility to self host
Notion Pricing
- Free
- Plus: $10/month (per user)
- Business: $18/month
- Enterprise: Custom
Notion Ratings and Reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (5210+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (2122+ reviews)
- Trustpilot: 3.2/5 (174+ reviews)
Google Drive - Free Data Room
Website: drive.google.com
Google Drive is increasingly utilized by startups and small businesses for document collaboration and sharing. While primarily a cloud storage service, its capabilities for real-time collaboration, file sharing, and document creation allow it to serve as a basic Data Room for those not requiring advanced features.
Google Drive Features
- Real-time collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Generous storage capacity with easy file and folder management.
- Integration with Google Workspace apps for enhanced productivity.
- Link sharing for files and folders with adjustable permission settings.
Google Drive Limitations
- Limited Data Room functionalities compared to specialized software.
- Basic security features; may not be suitable for highly confidential documents.
- Customization and branding options are minimal.
Google Drive Pricing
- Free: 15GB of storage across all Google services.
- Google One plans start at approximately $1.99/month for 100GB of additional storage.
Google Drive Ratings and Reviews
- G2: Typically high ratings for ease of use and integration capabilities.
- Capterra: High marks for functionality and cloud storage management.
- Trustpilot: Reviews often highlight user experience and accessibility.
For more detailed ratings and reviews, visiting platforms like G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot will provide current user feedback and scores.
FAQ - Everyhting you need to know about open source virtual data rooms
Conclusion: Open Source and Free Virtual Data Rooms in 2024
There are not many reliable and secure data rooms which are not gonna cost a lot of money.
Currently the trustworthy, with a lot of contributors and users only Open Source Virtual Data Room powered by Papermark.
The free options are limited, and most providers who write there data room is free, it is not and it just have a free trial. Virtual data room costs can vary significantly between providers.