Document Management Software: A Comparison of the 10 Best Solutions in 2026

September 13, 2026
Outmind interface: AI search in SharePoint, servers and emails

An EDM (Electronic Document Management) system allows a company to centralize, organize, secure, and retrieve its documents.

Depending on the solution, it may also include version management, access rights, approval workflows, scanning, archiving, and the automation of certain document-related processes.

However, not all document management solutions meet the same needs. Some are particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses and administrative workflows. Others can handle more complex environments, large volumes of documents, or information systems that are already spread across multiple tools.

Here is our selection of 10 EDM software programs and document management solutions to explore in 2026.

The 10 Best EDM and Document Management Solutions in 2026

Outmind

Enterprise search engine

Outmind takes a different approach from traditional document management systems: rather than requiring all documents to be moved to a new repository, the solution connects to the tools and document repositories already in use within the company.

Outmind can thus be used to search for information stored in various sources, such as SharePoint, file servers, emails, Microsoft 365, archives, or other document management tools.

The search engine combines precise document search with artificial intelligence capabilities, allowing users, among other things, to query sets of documents and obtain answers linked to their sources.

This approach is particularly relevant for companies that already have a large volume of documents and do not necessarily want to launch a new migration project.

Strengths:

This is the best option if: your main challenge is to more effectively find and make use of information that is already scattered across multiple tools or document repositories.

Go to Outmind

Microsoft SharePoint by Alma

Microsoft SharePoint for Document Management and Enterprise Document Management

Microsoft SharePoint is a widely used platform for organizing and sharing documents in companies that use Microsoft 365.

It allows you to create document libraries, manage access rights, metadata, document versions, and collaborative workspaces.

As part of an EDM project, SharePoint can be configured to organize the company's documents and processes.

However, the quality of the results depends heavily on how the environment is designed: site architecture, libraries, metadata, governance rules, and user support.

This is precisely the type of project Alma, a specialist in Microsoft SharePoint integration, works on.

Strengths:

Best suited if: your organization already relies heavily on Microsoft 365 and wants to build its document management system around SharePoint.

Discover the Alma offer

Welyb

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Welyb is a French SaaS collaboration platform designed specifically for accounting firms and their clients.

The solution combines a collaborative portal with electronic document management features to centralize files, communications, and various document-related processes.

Its business-focused approach is one of its key strengths: the solution is designed with the specific needs of accounting firms and their client relationships in mind.

In particular, it helps limit the scattering of documents across different channels and provides a shared space for communication.

Strengths:

Ideal for: accounting firms looking for a document management solution designed around their business processes.

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Deltic

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Deltic supports companies in their digitization and electronic document management projects.

In particular, the solution allows you to manage, store, organize, and automate the processing of various documents, such as invoices and contracts.

The benefit of this type of approach is that it does not view EDM solely as a storage space: documents can also be integrated into administrative and financial processes.

Strengths:

This is the best choice if: you're looking to combine an EDM project with the digitization and automation of business processes.

Zeendoc

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Zeendoc is an electronic document management software solution that is particularly popular among small and medium-sized businesses.

The solution allows you to scan, organize, store, and retrieve documents in a centralized environment.

Zeendoc is used, in particular, for administrative digitization, invoice management, and document archiving.

Given its positioning, it is a solution worth considering for companies that wish to gradually replace paper-based processes or loosely structured document management systems.

Strengths:

Best suited if: your priority is to easily centralize and digitize your administrative documents.

Go to Zeendoc

DocuWare

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DocuWare is a document management solution that enables organizations to centralize, secure, and retrieve their documents.

The platform also allows documents to be integrated into various processes and workflows, making it useful for applications such as approval, invoice processing, or certain administrative processes.

DocuWare can be used both in the office and remotely, and is designed to reduce the circulation of paper documents and manual processing.

Strengths:

A good choice if: you want to combine EDM with document process automation.

Go to DocuWare

Open Bee

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Open Bee offers an electronic document management solution that centralizes and organizes company information.

In particular, the platform allows users to manage documents, control access to them, and handle various document-related processes.

It can be used in projects involving digitization, document sharing, and automation.

Strengths:

A good choice if: you're looking for a general-purpose EDM solution that combines document management and automation.

Go to OpenBee

M-Files

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M-Files is a document management solution that stands out in particular for its metadata-driven organization.

Rather than relying solely on a traditional folder tree structure, users can find documents based on their context: client, project, contract, document type, or other criteria.

This approach can help simplify the search and avoid certain difficulties associated with the proliferation of folders and subfolders.

Strengths:

Best used if: you want to organize your documents based more on their business context than on their physical location in a folder hierarchy.

Go to M-Files

Avanteam

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Avanteam offers a document management solution that centralizes and secures company information.

The platform also aims to facilitate collaboration and the automation of certain business processes.

Its positioning makes it possible to combine document management with the digitization of internal processes.

Strengths:

This is the best option if: you want to integrate your EDM project with the automation of internal processes.

Go to Avanteam

Dokmee

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Dokmee is document management software that enables companies to store, organize, and secure their digital documents.

In particular, it offers features for searching, version control, and automating certain document workflows.

The solution is designed to provide a centralized environment that makes it easier for users to find and manage the organization's documents.

Strengths:

A good choice if: you're looking for a general-purpose document management system that lets you organize and centralize your documents.

Go to Dokmee

How to Choose the Right Document Management Software?

The best document management software depends less on a universal ranking than on the document-related problem you're trying to solve.

Before comparing several providers, here are the key criteria to consider.

Documentary Volumetry

A company that handles a few thousand documents and an organization with several million files do not face the same constraints.

Take into account not only the current volume but also the growth of the document collection.

The current location of the documents

Are your documents already centralized?

Or are they distributed among:

If your data is already scattered across multiple systems, the question isn't necessarily just about which new document management system to move the files to.

It may also be worthwhile to seek a solution that allows them to be used right where they are.

Research Capabilities

Research becomes particularly important as the volume of documentation increases.

In particular, try searching for:

Security and Access Rights

An EDM system often contains sensitive information.

It is therefore essential to check:

Workflows

Not all companies have the same needs.

If your main goal is to have invoices, contracts, or other documents approved according to a specific process, workflow features will be essential.

Conversely, if your main challenge is finding information within an existing collection, the search process may be more important than the workflow.

Integrations

A new EDM system should not become yet another silo.

Be sure to check whether it can integrate with the tools your company already uses: Microsoft 365, SharePoint, ERP, CRM, line-of-business tools, or file servers.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is playing an increasingly important role in document management software.

In particular, it can help:

For professional use, however, please make sure that the answers are properly cited and that the rules for accessing the documents are followed.

Which EDM system should you choose based on your needs?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for all companies.

For an organization that has already built its environment around Microsoft 365, SharePoint—with the support of an integrator like Alma—can be a natural choice.

For document or administrative digitization needs, solutions such as Zeendoc, DocuWare, Open Bee, Deltic, or Dokmee can be considered depending on the scope of the project.

For an organization that wants to organize its information strictly based on metadata, M-Files takes a particularly interesting approach.

For certain industries, a specialized solution like Welyb can offer a more relevant solution than a general-purpose document management system.

Finally, when documents are already spread across multiple systems and the main challenge is to find and use the information without migrating everything, an approach like Outmind can address a different need.

How to Choose an EDM Solution Provider?

Search Console shows that searches related to "EDM provider" are particularly high.

Before selecting an EDM solution provider, don't just compare the software demos.

Also ask:

Software that is very powerful but difficult to deploy or get users to adopt may have a lower ROI than a simpler solution that is better suited to real-world use cases.

How much does document management software cost?

The price of EDM software varies significantly depending on:

Some solutions operate on a SaaS subscription basis, sometimes billed per user. Others offer customized packages based on a quote.

To properly compare several EDM systems, you must therefore consider the total cost of the project, not just the license fee.

Is it really necessary to migrate all your documents to a new document management system?

Not necessarily.

Companies often already have several document repositories that have been built up over time.

A new generation of tools now makes it possible to add search and artificial intelligence capabilities to existing systems, rather than requiring a mandatory migration.

This is, in particular, the approach proposed by Outmind.

Outmind can connect to various enterprise data sources to enable users to find information and search their documents using AI, while maintaining existing systems and access rights.

EDM and Enterprise Search Engines: Complementary Solutions

This means that an EDM system and an enterprise search engine can be complementary rather than competitive.

An EDM system primarily addresses the following needs:

An enterprise search engine is better suited to the needs of:

A company can therefore easily retain its EDM system while adding a broader search layer on top of its information system.

Document Management Systems and Document Research for Engineering Firms

Design firms and engineering companies often have a particularly large volume of documentation.

Information may be distributed across file servers, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, project archives, and various business tools.

In this context, it is not always necessary to migrate all of these documents to a new document management system.

It may also involve enabling engineers to locate a past deliverable, study, contract, report, or reference from a previous project, regardless of where it is located.

It is particularly for this type of problem that Outmind is used in engineering environments.

👉 Discover Outmind for engineering firms

👉 Learn about the Setec case

Frequently Asked Questions About Document Management Software

What is EDM software?

EDM software, or electronic document management software, allows an organization to store, organize, retrieve, share, and secure its digital documents.

What is the best document management software?

There is no single best EDM system for all companies. The choice depends on the organization's size, its processes, the volume of documents, its information system, and its search and workflow needs.

How to Choose an EDM System?

Start by identifying your use cases: filing, archiving, workflows, search, collaboration, digitization, or access to multiple sources. Then compare solutions based on their ability to specifically address these use cases.

Can SharePoint be used as a document management system?

SharePoint can handle many of the traditional functions of a document management system, including the management of document libraries, permissions, versions, and metadata.

What is the difference between GED and DMS?

GED is the French term for “electronic document management.” DMS stands for “Document Management System” in English and generally refers to the same category of software.

Can AI be used with an EDM system?

Yes. Artificial intelligence features can be directly integrated into the EDM system or provided by a complementary solution capable of leveraging documents from multiple sources.