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M-Files vs PandaDoc (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 13, 2024

We earn a commission from partner links on Keevee. Commissions do not affect our editor's opinions or evaluations.

Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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M-Files

M-Files offers advanced document management features with strong security measures. Its seamless integration with enterprise apps makes it a top choice for businesses with complex document needs.

  • Advanced document management features
  • Strong security measures
  • Seamless integration with enterprise apps
  • Steep learning curve
  • Higher cost for small businesses

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

Contact sales
Excellent Value For Price
4.5

0

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PandaDoc

PandaDoc provides a user-friendly interface with robust e-signature capabilities. Its wide range of integrations makes it ideal for sales teams looking to streamline their document processes.

  • User-friendly interface
  • Robust e-signature capabilities
  • Wide range of integrations
  • Limited document management features
  • Higher cost for advanced features

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$19 per month

What is M-Files?

M-Files is a dynamic document management solution that revolutionizes how businesses handle their documents. It offers a unique metadata-driven approach, allowing users to organize, manage, and track documents efficiently. With M-Files, you can easily find the right document, collaborate seamlessly, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. It integrates with various business applications, making it a versatile tool for enhancing productivity and streamlining workflows. Whether you're in finance, healthcare, or any other industry, M-Files helps you stay organized and focused on what truly matters.

What is PandaDoc?

PandaDoc is a comprehensive document automation software that simplifies the process of creating, sending, and e-signing documents. It is particularly beneficial for sales teams, as it streamlines the proposal and contract management process, reducing the time spent on paperwork. With PandaDoc, you can create professional-looking documents using customizable templates, track document status in real-time, and close deals faster with integrated e-signatures. It integrates seamlessly with CRM systems, making it an invaluable tool for businesses looking to enhance their document workflows and improve customer interactions.

Pros and Cons of M-Files vs PandaDoc

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Pros & Cons of M-Files

Advanced document management features
  • M-Files offers a comprehensive suite of document management features, including version control, metadata-driven organization, and compliance tracking. These features make it an ideal choice for industries with strict compliance requirements.
Strong security measures
  • M-Files places a strong emphasis on security, offering features like encryption, access controls, and audit trails to ensure document safety. This focus makes it an excellent choice for industries with strict compliance requirements.
Seamless integration with enterprise apps
  • M-Files integrates seamlessly with a wide range of enterprise applications, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows. This flexibility is a significant advantage for businesses looking to streamline their document processes.
Steep learning curve
  • M-Files has a steeper learning curve due to its advanced features and customization options. However, once mastered, it offers unparalleled control over document management.
Higher cost for small businesses
  • M-Files is slightly more expensive, which may be a consideration for small businesses with limited budgets. However, its robust document management capabilities justify its cost.
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Pros & Cons of PandaDoc

User-friendly interface
  • PandaDoc is renowned for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to create, send, and track documents with minimal training. Its intuitive design ensures that even those with limited technical skills can navigate the platform effortlessly.
Robust e-signature capabilities
  • PandaDoc stands out with its robust e-signature capabilities, making it easy for users to send, sign, and track documents. This feature is a game-changer for sales teams looking to close deals faster.
Wide range of integrations
  • PandaDoc offers a wide range of integrations with popular CRM and business applications, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows. This flexibility is a significant advantage for businesses looking to streamline their document processes.
Limited document management features
  • While PandaDoc offers document management capabilities, its primary focus is on document automation and e-signatures. If advanced document management is a priority, M-Files may be a better choice.
Higher cost for advanced features
  • PandaDoc's advanced features come at a higher cost, which may be a consideration for businesses with limited budgets. However, its robust e-signature capabilities justify its cost.

M-Files vs PandaDoc: At A Glance

Decision FactorM-FilesPandaDoc
Value to Price
Good4.2
Excellent4.6
Ease of Use
Good4.0
Excellent4.7
Functionality
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.4
Scalability
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.3
Integrations
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.5
Customer Support
Good4.1
Excellent4.6
Security
Excellent4.6
Good4.2
Overall Rating
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.5

Value to Price

When it comes to value for money, PandaDoc slightly edges out M-Files. PandaDoc offers a comprehensive suite of features at a competitive price, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to streamline their document processes without breaking the bank. M-Files, while slightly more expensive, provides robust document management capabilities that justify its cost, especially for industries with stringent compliance requirements. If you're looking for a cost-effective solution with a wide range of features, PandaDoc might be the better choice.

Ease of Use

PandaDoc is renowned for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to create, send, and track documents with minimal training. Its intuitive design ensures that even those with limited technical skills can navigate the platform effortlessly. M-Files, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve due to its advanced features and customization options. However, once mastered, it offers unparalleled control over document management. If ease of use is a priority, PandaDoc is the clear winner.

Functionality

Both M-Files and PandaDoc offer a rich set of functionalities, but they cater to different needs. M-Files excels in document management, providing features like version control, metadata-driven organization, and compliance tracking. PandaDoc, while also offering document management features, shines in document automation and e-signature capabilities, making it ideal for sales teams. If your primary need is advanced document management, M-Files is the better option. For document automation, PandaDoc takes the lead.

Scalability

M-Files and PandaDoc both offer scalable solutions, but they cater to different types of growth. M-Files is designed to handle large volumes of documents and complex workflows, making it suitable for growing enterprises with evolving document management needs. PandaDoc, with its focus on document automation, is ideal for businesses looking to scale their sales operations. If your business is expanding and requires robust document management, M-Files is the way to go. For scaling sales processes, PandaDoc is more suitable.

Integrations

PandaDoc offers a wide range of integrations with popular CRM and business applications, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows. This flexibility is a significant advantage for businesses looking to streamline their document processes. M-Files also provides integrations, but its focus is more on document management systems and enterprise applications. If seamless integration with CRM systems is crucial for your business, PandaDoc is the better choice. For enterprise-level document management, M-Files excels.

Customer Support

PandaDoc is praised for its responsive customer support, offering various channels for assistance, including live chat and email. This level of support ensures that users can quickly resolve any issues they encounter. M-Files also provides customer support, but some users have noted longer response times. If having prompt and reliable customer support is essential for your business, PandaDoc is the preferred option. For those who prioritize document management features, M-Files remains a strong contender.

Security

M-Files places a strong emphasis on security, offering features like encryption, access controls, and audit trails to ensure document safety. This focus makes it an excellent choice for industries with strict compliance requirements. PandaDoc also provides security features, but its primary focus is on document automation and e-signatures. If security is a top priority for your business, M-Files is the better option. For those who need a balance between security and document automation, PandaDoc is a viable choice.

Overall Rating

Both M-Files and PandaDoc are highly rated solutions, each excelling in different areas. M-Files is a robust document management system, ideal for businesses with complex document needs and compliance requirements. PandaDoc, on the other hand, is a versatile document automation tool, perfect for sales teams looking to streamline their processes. Depending on your specific needs, either tool could be the right fit for your business.

M-Files vs PandaDoc: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesM-FilesPandaDoc
Document Management
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.3
E-Signature
Good4.2
Excellent4.8
Workflow Automation
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.6
Template Customization
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.7
Collaboration Tools
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.5
Mobile Access
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.4

Document Management

M-Files excels in document management with its metadata-driven approach, allowing users to organize and retrieve documents efficiently. This feature is particularly beneficial for industries with strict compliance requirements. PandaDoc, while offering document management capabilities, focuses more on document automation and e-signatures. If your primary need is advanced document management, M-Files is the better choice. For document automation, PandaDoc takes the lead.

E-Signature

PandaDoc stands out with its robust e-signature capabilities, making it easy for users to send, sign, and track documents. This feature is a game-changer for sales teams looking to close deals faster. M-Files also offers e-signature functionality, but its primary focus is on document management. If e-signatures are a critical part of your workflow, PandaDoc is the superior option. For comprehensive document management, M-Files remains a strong contender.

Workflow Automation

Both M-Files and PandaDoc offer workflow automation features, but they cater to different needs. M-Files provides advanced workflow automation for document management, ensuring compliance and efficiency. PandaDoc, on the other hand, focuses on automating the document creation and approval process, making it ideal for sales teams. If your primary need is document management automation, M-Files is the better choice. For sales process automation, PandaDoc excels.

Template Customization

PandaDoc offers extensive template customization options, allowing users to create professional-looking documents tailored to their brand. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to maintain a consistent brand image. M-Files also provides template customization, but its focus is more on document management. If template customization is a priority, PandaDoc is the preferred option. For advanced document management, M-Files remains a strong contender.

Collaboration Tools

Both M-Files and PandaDoc offer collaboration tools, but they cater to different needs. M-Files provides collaboration features for document management, allowing teams to work together efficiently. PandaDoc, on the other hand, focuses on collaboration for document creation and approval, making it ideal for sales teams. If your primary need is document management collaboration, M-Files is the better choice. For sales process collaboration, PandaDoc excels.

Mobile Access

M-Files offers robust mobile access, allowing users to manage documents on the go. This feature is particularly beneficial for industries with remote or field-based teams. PandaDoc also provides mobile access, but its primary focus is on document automation and e-signatures. If mobile access is a priority, M-Files is the superior option. For document automation, PandaDoc remains a strong contender.

Pricing Comparison of M-Files and PandaDoc

We’ve compiled the pricing tables and highlighted the key features of both M-Files and PandaDoc to aid in your decision-making process. Let’s explore what each platform has to offer.

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M-Files Pricing Plans

M-Files Base
For Small Businesses
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
M-Files Base includes:
  • Comprehensive search capabilities across desktop, mobile, and web.
  • Automated workflows to streamline business processes.
  • Version control to manage document revisions effectively.
  • Microsoft integrations for seamless collaboration and productivity.
M-Files Team
For Medium Enterprises
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes M-Files Base, plus:
  • Importing tools to easily bring in external data.
  • DocuSign integration for secure electronic signatures.
  • Reporting module for detailed insights and analytics.
  • Standard support for reliable assistance and troubleshooting.
M-Files Business
For Large Enterprises
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes M-Files Team, plus:
  • Enhanced support for self-hosted deployments.
  • Artificial intelligence tools for smarter data management.
  • Comprehensive security features for data protection.
  • Scalable architecture to grow with your business needs.
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PandaDoc Pricing Plans

Starter
For Small Businesses
$19

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Starter includes:
  • Rich media drag and drop document editor for easy customization.
  • Real-time tracking and notifications to stay updated.
  • 24/7 email and chat support for continuous assistance.
  • Create professional, error-free documents with ease.
Business
For Medium Enterprises
$49

per month

Try For Freeright_arrow
Includes Starter, plus:
  • CRM integrations for seamless data management.
  • Custom branding and content library for brand consistency.
  • Deal rooms for collaborative sales processes.
  • Approval workflows to streamline document approvals.
Enterprise
For Large Enterprises
Contact sales
Request Pricingright_arrow
Includes Business, plus:
  • Workflow automation for efficient document processes.
  • Smart content for intelligent document creation.
  • Single sign-on (SSO) for secure access.
  • Team workspaces for collaborative work environments.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly test each document management and automation tool, evaluating key features like ease of use, functionality, and scalability. We also analyze user reviews to ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you avoid poor-quality tools and make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

M-Files or PandaDoc: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose M-Files If You Need ...

  • Advanced document management

    If you are a business with complex document management needs and require advanced features like version control and compliance tracking, M-Files is the ideal choice. Its robust capabilities ensure efficient document handling and organization.

  • Strong security measures

    If your business operates in an industry with strict compliance requirements and needs strong security measures, M-Files is the better option. Its encryption, access controls, and audit trails ensure document safety and compliance.

Choose PandaDoc If You Need ...

  • User-friendly interface

    If you are looking for a document automation tool with a user-friendly interface and robust e-signature capabilities, PandaDoc is the superior choice. Its intuitive design ensures easy navigation and quick adoption.

  • Wide range of integrations

    If your business relies on CRM systems and requires seamless integration with other applications, PandaDoc is the preferred option. Its wide range of integrations ensures smooth workflow and improved efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.