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Head-to-head · Cloud Document Management Software

Box vs M-Files

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Box #1 in Cloud Document Management Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 7 features Visit Box
M-Files #8 in Cloud Document Management Software 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 7 features Visit M-Files

Box leads on 1 check, M-Files on 0, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBox · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Box

Box scores higher on our rubric for cloud document management software: 9.4 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Box offers free plan; M-Files doesn't.

Box is the better fit for teams wanting broad cloud file management. M-Files is the better fit for metadata-driven enterprise document management.

  • Box fits best

    Teams wanting broad cloud file management

  • M-Files fits best

    Metadata-driven enterprise document management

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Box 9.4/10 Visit ↗ M-Files 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in Cloud Document Management Software #8 in Cloud Document Management Software
Best for Teams wanting broad cloud file management Metadata-driven enterprise document management
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, 2FA
Integrations 1,500+ integrations 100+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Box 0/7 · M-Files 0/7
Document versioning Not checked yet Not checked yet
Workflow automation Not checked yet Not checked yet
OCR-powered search Not checked yet Not checked yet
Retention policies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Audit trail Not checked yet Not checked yet
Electronic signatures Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free Individual plan with 10 GB storage
  • Desktop, mobile, web, and API access
  • Versioning, workflows, e-signatures, AI, and admin controls
  • Metadata connects documents with people, projects, and processes
  • Granular permissions, version rollback, OCR, workflows, and audit trails
  • Broad Microsoft, business-app, mobile, API, and deployment support
Cons
  • Individual limits uploads to 250 MB
  • Individual includes only 1 file version
  • Advanced capabilities are concentrated in business plans
  • Essentials starts at $65 per seat per month
  • Advanced Enterprise capabilities are separated into a higher tier
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple file storage
Our verdict

Box is a cloud content management and file-storage service for individuals, teams, and enterprises. It combines cloud storage and sharing with collaboration tools, shared folders and links, desktop access through Box Drive, mobile…

Read the review →

M-Files is a document management platform for organizations that need to organize, find, secure, and govern business information. Its metadata-driven approach connects documents with people, projects, and processes instead of relying…

Read the review →
  1. BoxCloud Document Management Software 9.4Free plan
  2. M-FilesCloud Document Management Software 8.5Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Box — where it wins

    • Free Individual plan with 10 GB storage
    • Desktop, mobile, web, and API access
    • Versioning, workflows, e-signatures, AI, and admin controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Individual limits uploads to 250 MB
    • Individual includes only 1 file version
    • Advanced capabilities are concentrated in business plans

  • M-Files — where it wins

    • Metadata connects documents with people, projects, and processes
    • Granular permissions, version rollback, OCR, workflows, and audit trails
    • Broad Microsoft, business-app, mobile, API, and deployment support

    Where it doesn't

    • Essentials starts at $65 per seat per month
    • Advanced Enterprise capabilities are separated into a higher tier
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple file storage
  • Box9.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad cloud file platform spanning storage, collaboration, workflows, and administration.

    Visit BoxFull verdict →
  • M-Files8.5/10 · Paid

    A governance-focused document platform for teams that need context, control, and auditability.

    Visit M-FilesFull verdict →

More comparisons

All cloud document management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update