Tired of Softdocs holding your agency back?
If limited scalability and frustrating integration headaches have become your daily reality, you’re not alone in searching for an exit.
When workflows break down and security gaps put agency data at risk, it’s more than just an inconvenience.
Every migration delay, overlooked compliance risk, and clunky interface chips away at your team’s trust in the system, costing valuable time, morale, and even the confidence to take on bigger challenges. That’s why clinging to Softdocs, hoping for improvement, simply isn’t worth it.
But the right alternatives are out there, and you can move to secure, scalable platforms with ease.
In this article, I’ll show you the best best Softdocs alternatives for government agencies—from FileCenter to Laserfiche to DocuWare—so your document management can scale up securely and efficiently.
You’ll gain robust integrations, more reliable compliance, and workflows your team will actually adopt.
Let’s find your solution.
Quick Summary:
| # | Alternative | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laserfiche → | Users wanting modern interfaces | |
| 2 | Hyland → | Companies requiring better support | |
| 3 | DocuWare → | Teams needing better collaboration | |
| 4 | ShareArchiver → | Budget-conscious growing businesses | |
| 5 | FileCenter → | Small teams seeking simplicity |
1. FileCenter
Is Softdocs holding you back from true control?
FileCenter helps you bypass Softdocs’ rigid setup with its Cabinet-Drawer system, letting you organize files using familiar Windows folders and a straightforward user interface.
If your agency faces document chaos, FileCenter brings a simpler way to organize and digitize records that’s easier for your team to learn. This means you’re not stuck retraining everyone just to adapt to a new complex setup.
Here’s where FileCenter comes in.
It introduces desktop-first management so you can keep files local, sidestepping the heavy, cloud-centric requirements that often derail Softdocs migrations.
Unlike Softdocs, FileCenter gives you a file management experience that’s actually intuitive. You can organize documents using cabinet-and-drawer structures built right into Windows. This approach lets staff start filing their digital records immediately, minimizing confusion and adoption resistance. You also get integrated scanning and OCR in one place, so every paper or PDF is searchable and automatically named—helping you keep up with compliance and retention needs with far less hassle.
Plus, if you’re worried about ongoing costs or unpredictable budgeting, FileCenter’s one-time perpetual license keeps things affordable and under your control. This flexibility is especially useful for agencies that need solid records management but don’t want pricey recurring SaaS fees.
You get more productivity, less frustration.
Key features:
- Easier adoption with cabinet-drawer filing makes file organization simple for government staff, eliminating the learning curve found in more complicated ECM systems like Softdocs.
- One-time perpetual license option for local installs provides affordable, predictable costs for budget-restricted agencies—no forced cloud subscription commitments.
- Integrated scanning and automatic OCR routing digitizes, organizes, and makes documents searchable in one step, streamlining your paperless workflow and compliance needs.
Verdict: FileCenter is an ideal Softdocs alternative for government agencies needing intuitive, affordable document control. Its familiar Windows-style filing, perpetual license pricing, and integrated document scanning remove most Softdocs frustrations—allowing you to migrate faster and keep workflow disruption to a minimum.
2. ShareArchiver
Is Softdocs limiting your agency’s document growth?
ShareArchiver tackles this with advanced file archiving, helping your team optimize storage and maintain compliance—big gaps with Softdocs’ rigid data and retrieval systems.
You’ll notice that ShareArchiver uses intelligent file archiving that automatically offloads inactive data, making storage management efficient for government agencies with large and growing records. Unlike Softdocs, you save resources while keeping everything accessible.
Here’s the difference with ShareArchiver.
You get a solution that does more than just basic document handling.
ShareArchiver directly solves the scalability and long-term retention constraints you probably face with Softdocs.
With its intelligent file archiving engine, ShareArchiver automatically shuffles historical or inactive files into lower-cost storage—saving your agency significant dollars and allowing you to handle years of government records without blowing your budget.
What sets this apart is file stubbing technology that keeps files transparently accessible for your users, even if they’re archived, so your workflows never feel interrupted the way they can if you have to “request” files from offsite systems.
Plus, you’ve got compliance-driven data management and granular audit trails to meet public sector recordkeeping mandates—something Softdocs doesn’t go as deep on. With such robust retention policies, you avoid the pain of regulatory penalties or missing historical documents when you need them.
Less risk, more efficiency, better control.
Key features:
- Intelligent file archiving engine for inactive records automatically tiered storage dramatically decreases costs for agencies with mounting data volumes, unlike rigid storage methods in Softdocs.
- File stubbing creates transparent placeholders giving users uninterrupted access to archived documents, so workflows stay smooth and no one waits on data retrieval.
- Comprehensive compliance and audit tools ensure you meet strict retention, recordkeeping, and reporting needs—making it easier to pass audits and respond to legal requirements than with Softdocs’ standard retention approach.
Verdict: ShareArchiver is a compelling Softdocs alternative if your agency struggles with huge data sets, storage costs, and compliance demands. One construction firm cut storage by 44% and reduced storage costs by 75%—all while maintaining unbroken access and regulatory trails. That’s the upgrade your workflow craves.
3. Hyland
Tired of hitting integration roadblocks with Softdocs?
Hyland steps in with industry-specific solutions built for government agencies, offering deep customization and tailored compliance that Softdocs’ general platform just can’t match.
If you’re frustrated by rigid workflows, Hyland approaches content management differently, supporting advanced case management for complex, adaptive government processes. This means you can automate multi-stage tasks like permitting or public service requests with greater flexibility and auditability.
Here’s why Hyland is a better fit.
With Hyland, you’re getting solutions that go beyond Softdocs by addressing the specialized needs of government agencies from the ground up.
The real power lies in Hyland’s comprehensive platform for government agencies seeking to overcome scalability and integration challenges that Softdocs can’t solve.
Hyland’s enterprise content management platform delivers intelligent automation with powerful AI-driven document processing, allowing you to classify records, extract crucial data, and reduce the tedious manual review Softdocs users face. For your agency, this means more secure and streamlined workflows—especially helpful if you manage high volumes of records.
Additionally, Hyland’s advanced case management automates the most dynamic interactions, so complex processes like constituent inquiries or cross-departmental approvals become far more efficient. Together with deep regulatory alignment for public sector needs, this combination makes switching from Softdocs much less risky for your team.
You can finally scale compliance and integration with confidence.
Key features:
- Industry-specific ECM platforms for government agencies ensure deep alignment with sector regulatory and operational demands, while Softdocs relies on a more generic framework that’s often less adaptable.
- Advanced case management with process automation supports multi-stage, dynamic government workflows, enabling more transparency and efficiency than Softdocs’ standard automation tools provide.
- AI-driven document processing and data extraction cuts down on manual document review, extracting information from diverse records more intelligently than Softdocs’ core capture functionality.
Verdict: Hyland is a powerful Softdocs alternative if your government agency needs more than basic document management. Its advanced automation, sector-specific customization, and AI features help you avoid workflow disruption and manage records securely, especially if you require scalable integrations and robust compliance controls.
4. Laserfiche
Frustrated with Softdocs’ rigid workflows holding you back?
Laserfiche gives you code-free process design, allowing your team to visually automate document workflows and adapt processes quickly—without needing an IT background or complex platform expertise.
It addresses the challenge of rigid system constraints by letting non-technical staff quickly customize and automate your agency’s document flows. You can reduce IT bottlenecks and improve document handling flexibility across your entire team.
Here’s how Laserfiche raises the bar.
Laserfiche steps in as a smarter Softdocs alternative by letting your agency build, adapt, and deploy automated workflows with zero coding. This means you no longer have to depend on development backlogs or feel stuck when your process needs change overnight.
With its code-free design tools, Laserfiche lets your users create multi-step, automated workflows simply by dragging and dropping steps—empowering everyone, not just IT, to streamline approval processes. It also applies records retention policies automatically for bulletproof compliance, keeping your agency confidently aligned with government regulations.
Additionally, AI-powered document classification and machine learning features kick in to organize, tag, and surface key content—saving you hours and making complex searches simple. Whether you’re concerned about compliant retention, scalable automation, or advanced analytics, Laserfiche brings it all together.
It’s purpose-built for government document control needs.
Key features:
- Visual, no-code workflow automation for non-technical teams means your agency can build, adapt, and automate document processes without needing software development skills, powering agility far beyond Softdocs’ platform-centric approach.
- Automated records retention and compliance management automatically applies and audits retention policies across all content, helping you meet strict government standards more effectively than manual Softdocs setups.
- AI-driven content classification and search uses machine learning to organize and surface documents with greater intelligence, enhancing discoverability and decision-making for government agency records.
Verdict: Laserfiche stands out as one of the best Softdocs alternatives for government document management. Users report removing staff from manual processing, reallocating time to more strategic work. For large-scale digital transformation, powerful automation, and built-in compliance, Laserfiche clearly outpaces Softdocs’ limitations.
5. DocuWare
Limited by Softdocs’ rigid document workflows again?
DocuWare’s cloud-based platform delivers extensive integration with over 500 apps, advanced AI-powered document processing, and flexible cloud scalability to address the bottlenecks often felt when using Softdocs.
These capabilities ensure your records management adapts around your department, not the other way around as with more rigid systems like Softdocs. That difference alone can make everyday processing easier for your team.
Here’s what DocuWare does differently.
DocuWare really lifts the lid on government document management if you’re feeling boxed in by Softdocs’ limitations.
With DocuWare, your records management finally matches your pace, not the system’s. You can integrate your document workflows with hundreds of platforms, ensuring critical information flows more freely between CRM, ERP, and legacy systems that Softdocs might wall off. This means your document processes stay connected without complex middleware, making IT’s life easier and your team’s output more reliable.
The intelligent document processing goes beyond basic OCR by reading handwritten forms and extracting key data points, significantly lowering errors tied to manual entry. If your team juggles a wide variety of government forms, this functionality saves you hours every week—not just minutes.
Plus, cloud scalability removes old headaches over expanding storage or user access, so your agency grows, and DocuWare grows with you—minus the old logjam you had with Softdocs.
Efficiency and control get a real boost.
Key features:
- Over 500 third-party integrations supported so your government workflow connects easily with CRM, ERP, and other legacy systems—solving Softdocs’ barriers to full tech stack integration.
- AI-powered document processing and handwriting extraction sharply reduces your manual data entry and captures complex government forms more accurately than Softdocs’ typical capture capabilities.
- Flexible cloud infrastructure that scales instantly with your agency’s storage and user needs, eliminating costly infrastructure upgrades or extra IT management Softdocs sometimes triggered.
Verdict: DocuWare stands out as one of the best Softdocs alternatives if your government agency wants reliable scaling, advanced integrations, and less manual data mess. Government users like the Town of Windham now save $20,000 each year and access documents in seconds, demonstrating real, measurable results beyond what Softdocs delivered.
6. DocsVault
Tired of outgrowing Softdocs’ rigid document controls?
DocsVault gives you a simple user interface and flexible deployment, so your agency can skip the complexity Softdocs is known for.
Unlike Softdocs, DocsVault offers on-premise and cloud options, plus robust security features out of the box. This means your team chooses exactly how you want to control sensitive government records, with better control over your infrastructure and compliance needs.
If secure workflows and productivity matter to your agency, you’ll love DocsVault’s approach.
DocsVault solves the headaches commonly faced with Softdocs—especially when you need efficient onboarding and deployment that fits your government agency’s unique requirements.
With an intuitive, easy-to-navigate UI, DocsVault makes it painless for staff to adapt, so you avoid the adoption struggles that slow down day-to-day work. You also get built-in encryption, powerful access controls, and full audit logs for every document—covering the compliance standards that matter most for public sector data. This gives you immediate transparency to prove exactly who accessed or changed any record, boosting accountability.
On top of this, DocsVault’s deployment flexibility means you aren’t forced into a cloud-only setup—ideal if your IT policy demands full internal control or hybrid options. Pair these features with the speed of user onboarding, and your whole workflow runs smoother right from day one.
You get secure document management, your way.
Key features:
- Clean and intuitive interface for government users designed to reduce the learning curve, making staff onboarding significantly faster compared to more complex government-centric solutions like Softdocs.
- Flexible on-premise or cloud deployments to meet your agency’s unique security and infrastructure needs, especially if you require full control over sensitive records and compliance obligations.
- Advanced security with encryption and audit trails so you can enforce robust data protection, provide transparent accountability, and easily satisfy government compliance requirements for access tracking and retention.
Verdict: DocsVault is a strong Softdocs alternative for document management software in government agencies, thanks to its clear interface, flexible deployment, and advanced security. If your team wants faster adoption and to simplify compliance for public records, DocsVault can help you overcome Softdocs’ biggest frustrations.
7. Revver
Is Softdocs keeping your document workflows locked down?
Revver tackles this head-on, starting with secure client portals that let you exchange documents with citizens or outside partners—something Softdocs just can’t match for external collaboration.
If you’re tired of juggling internal-only files, you’ll notice right away that Revver’s dedicated public exchange makes your outreach auditable and easy. No more chasing missing forms or risking compliance slipups with piecemeal workarounds.
Your team should have more certainty.
When you need a true Softdocs alternative, Revver stands out with secure, cloud-powered document management focused on real work across your agency’s boundaries.
Here’s how Revver delivers what you want.
It gives your team secure client portals for public-facing document exchange and automated document key requests that gather missing files or details for you. That means no more stressful follow-ups; every document request is tracked from submission to completion, so nothing slips through the cracks on your next compliance audit.
If you’re worried about running out of space, Revver offers up to 20 TB of cloud storage—covering years of records and supporting even large-scale migrations from Softdocs. Paired with workflow automation, these features free up hours each week and help your staff avoid manual headaches.
You get control and confidence with every file.
Key features:
- Secure client portals for external document exchange enable agencies to safely share files with citizens and partners—extending far beyond Softdocs’ internal focus and making compliance easier.
- Automated document key requests and workflow automation drastically cut down manual follow-ups, gathering required files or details automatically for a less fragmented experience than Softdocs.
- High storage capacity up to 20 TB included ensures you never run out of space, perfect for government archives or as a scalable migration option if you’re leaving Softdocs.
Verdict: Revver is ideal if your agency struggles with Softdocs’ limited scalability or outreach gaps. With secure client portals, automated follow-ups, and storage up to 20 TB, it’s purpose-built for government document management where security, compliance, and audit readiness truly matter.
8. Revolution Data Systems
Is Softdocs holding back your document preservation goals?
Revolution Data Systems steps up with specialized archival solutions that directly address Softdocs’ limitations around long-term record integrity and government-grade digital preservation.
If keeping your archives error-free is a worry, this platform brings rigorous, page-by-page quality checks for all digitization work—so your important records don’t get lost in automated processes and overlooked mistakes.
The result? You get true, reliable records control.
Revolution Data Systems gives your team a way to protect critical government records with a level of care Softdocs struggles to match.
Using a tailored blend of document preservation and accurate scanning, you can rest easier with highly authentic records that stand up to compliance scrutiny. Its detailed, manual quality-controlled scanning goes beyond automation. Every document page is verified for accuracy before it leaves their hands, which makes a huge difference if you manage legal or historical records needing permanent safekeeping.
Additionally, the underlying OpenText AppEnhancer platform adds compliance automation to workflows and brings steady scalability for agency demands. This lets you effortlessly grow your document control process, smoothing out records lifecycle management where Softdocs often falls short. Together, these features ensure you’re always prepared for audits, e-discovery, or preservation requests—without friction.
It’s an ideal fit for high-stakes government use.
Key features:
- Document Preservation Services focused on archival longevity ensure legally significant records are kept authentic and accessible, surpassing Softdocs in deep specialization for long-term government record storage and digital preservation needs.
- Page-by-page, manual quality control scanning process gives you unrivaled accuracy and integrity for government digitization projects, something automated checks in Softdocs often miss for critical records.
- OpenText AppEnhancer-powered compliance and scale lets you automate records lifecycle, push document workflows to agency scale, and handle more complex government requirements than Softdocs’ core system.
Verdict: If you want a Softdocs alternative with government-grade archival focus, Revolution Data Systems brings specialized preservation, OpenText-backed compliance automation, and higher accuracy digitization. These features help your agency confidently modernize historic records and handle compliance without risking integrity or adding workflow headaches.
9. Globodox
Feeling boxed in by rigid Softdocs limitations?
Globodox gives you advanced security permissions, deeply detailed audit trails, and integrated workflow automation, making it easier to manage sensitive government records compared to Softdocs.
Plus, Globodox actually addresses the data sovereignty and internal control concerns where Softdocs can fall short. You get granular access control for every sensitive document, so you never have to worry about unauthorized users gaining access to critical files.
Here’s where things seriously start looking up.
Globodox offers secure on-premise document management built for agencies like yours—eliminating the cloud dependency that often frustrates Softdocs users.
By rolling all critical features into a single solution, Globodox delivers better compliance and audit trails for regulated records. You’ll appreciate advanced version control that tracks every document revision, meeting strict accountability standards without manual IT intervention. This means no more cobbling together audits or fearing regulatory fallout if workflows change after migration.
Globodox’s workflow automation also routes and approves documents instantly, taking repetitive manual tasks off your team’s plate. Combine that with detailed user permissions and you’re set for total document security and operational peace of mind.
That’s how you unlock government-grade control.
Key features:
- Integrated workflow automation for government efficiency streamlines document routing, review, and approval so you can cut bottlenecks and ensure every file follows established compliance processes without extra manual oversight.
- Granular document access security controls empower you to set detailed permissions for every user and file, exceeding what basic role-based controls offer for high-stakes government data protection.
- Complete version control with full audit trails preserves all changes and history for each document, providing an unbroken chain of custody for your most regulated and sensitive files.
Verdict: Globodox is a compelling Softdocs alternative for document management in government agencies. If you want customizable on-premise control with granular security, audit-ready versioning and automated workflows, Globodox provides exactly that—addressing many Softdocs limitations and ensuring your sensitive government processes remain protected and compliant.
10. Discus Greenbox
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Frustrated by Softdocs’ rigid workflows and integrations?
Discus Greenbox brings specialized records management, automated compliance retention, and legal hold features that go beyond Softdocs’ one-size-fits-all system for government agencies.
The difference matters because Discus Greenbox automates the government records lifecycle for you, actively securing regulatory compliance where Softdocs can leave gaps. This more tailored approach means your agency isn’t stuck trying to force generic tools to fit specialized rules.
Switching to a purpose-built system changes everything.
With Discus Greenbox, you get a platform designed for the realities of government records, not a repurposed enterprise content manager. You can automate record retention schedules, securely preserve legal documents, and speed up public information request handling without wondering if your compliance is up to par.
Here’s how it works: Discus Greenbox offers dedicated automation for records creation, retention, and disposition, fitting the strictest public sector schedules. If you’re migrating from Softdocs and worried about losing control, these features help you protect your data’s integrity while meeting compliance on day one.
Additionally, Discus Greenbox streamlines your response to public records requests, combining request management with robust legal hold capabilities. The platform makes it much easier for your agency to prove compliance in audits or legal cases, lowering your risk and administrative workload during transitions.
This leaves you in control of your agency’s compliance.
Key features:
- Automated records lifecycle management for government tracks, archives, and disposes of documents based on agency-specific retention schedules, removing manual overhead common with Softdocs’ more generic document workflows.
- Dedicated public records request processing tools support legal compliance and transparency, streamlining every step from intake to delivery and audit, rather than relying on ad hoc add-ons.
- Integrated legal hold and preservation features let your team lock down documents for investigations or litigation, ensuring secure evidentiary retention that surpasses Softdocs’ baseline DMS capabilities.
Verdict: Discus Greenbox is a top Softdocs alternative if you handle government records, compliance, or FOIA. Its automated retention and legal hold features cut manual tasks for public entities by up to 40%. Purpose-built for the public sector, it gives your agency more control and peace of mind.
Conclusion
Frustrated by Softdocs’ limitations and roadblocks?
If you keep bumping into scalability and integration issues, it’s easy to see why you’d want a smarter way to handle your team’s documents.
Making the leap to a new platform can feel daunting, but gaining true control and better security is well worth the effort—especially when your records and workflows are on the line.
So what’s the best next step?
I really believe FileCenter leads the way as the #1 alternative for agencies ready to leave Softdocs behind. FileCenter’s intuitive desktop-first approach lets you ditch the complexity and finally organize, secure, and find your files on your terms.
Agencies switching from Softdocs to FileCenter love how fast their teams embrace the new system—and how much easier compliance and retrieval get day-to-day. It’s a straightforward Softdocs replacement that delivers real results.
Check out FileCenter’s free trial to see the difference for yourself.
Move to hassle-free document management.
