ShareFile vs SmartVault

ShareFile9.2Visit SmartVault8.6Visit

Higher score ShareFile #1 in Client Portal Software 9.2/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit ShareFile

vs

SmartVault #4 in Client Portal Software 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SmartVault

• ShareFile fits best

  Organizations needing secure file-based client portals

• SmartVault fits best

  Accounting firms needing secure document portals

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Side by side

Feature	ShareFile 9.2/10 Visit ↗	SmartVault 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Client Portal Software	#4 in Client Portal Software
Best for	Organizations needing secure file-based client portals	Accounting firms needing secure document portals
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$16.50/user/mo	—
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS
Support	Live chat, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, 2FA
Integrations	4,000+ integrations	11 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features ShareFile 0/4 · SmartVault 0/4
E-signatures	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Custom branding	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Invoicing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Workflow automation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Client limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Team users included	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
File storage	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines client portals, document requests, e-signatures, and workflow automation Granular access controls, audit trails, and file versioning support governance Works across web, desktop, and mobile with major business app integrations	Unlimited storage with search, version history, and file restoration Accounting and tax integrations, including Lacerte, ProConnect, and UltraTax CS Audit trails, custom permissions, eSignatures, and Compliance Vault
Cons	No free plan; paid plans start at $16.50 per user per month with annual billing Client portals and e-signatures start with the Premium plan Accounting-specific workflows and data-room controls require higher-tier plans	No separate mobile app; mobile access uses the web portal and SmartScan Accounting and tax focus may not suit general-purpose professional firms Paid plans only, with no free plan
Our verdict	ShareFile is a cloud document collaboration platform for businesses and professional-service teams that need to exchange files with clients and manage document-heavy work. Its feature set covers secure storage and sharing, client portals,… Read the review →	SmartVault is a cloud document-management and client-portal platform for accounting, tax, and other professional-service firms. It centralizes client file exchange, unlimited cloud storage, folder templates, full-text search, version… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ShareFile — where it wins

  • Combines client portals, document requests, e-signatures, and workflow automation
  • Granular access controls, audit trails, and file versioning support governance
  • Works across web, desktop, and mobile with major business app integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; paid plans start at $16.50 per user per month with annual billing
  • Client portals and e-signatures start with the Premium plan
  • Accounting-specific workflows and data-room controls require higher-tier plans

• SmartVault — where it wins

  • Unlimited storage with search, version history, and file restoration
  • Accounting and tax integrations, including Lacerte, ProConnect, and UltraTax CS
  • Audit trails, custom permissions, eSignatures, and Compliance Vault

  Where it doesn't

  • No separate mobile app; mobile access uses the web portal and SmartScan
  • Accounting and tax focus may not suit general-purpose professional firms
  • Paid plans only, with no free plan

• ShareFile9.2/10 · 14-day trial

  Secure client portals and document workflows, with paid tiers for different needs.

  Visit ShareFileFull verdict →
• SmartVault8.6/10 · Paid

  A mature accounting-focused portal with deep document controls and tax-software integrations.

  Visit SmartVaultFull verdict →