We’re going to discuss with you the best free document management software available if you need a digital repository for all of your documents but don’t want to spend a lot of money. They are not always inferior just because they are offered for free.
Best Free Document Management Software for Home Use
One of the few available open-source document management programs is OpenDocMan, which is a favorite among open-source programmers.
To categorize papers and make it simpler to search for a given document, you can add custom metadata-like tags. Additionally, it is possible to generate papers that will expire at a specific date and then be erased.
Due to its out-of-date design, the user interface would have looked better on Web 1.0. However, if you place more emphasis on utility than form, you won’t care as much about the platform’s appearance as long as it functions well.
Users have access to each and every edit made to a particular document, and file versioning is available. Decision-makers with the power to examine and approve fresh or revised documents can also be added.
OpenKM
For handling documents, the OpenKM document management system is excellent. It has automations to make living simpler. Automated file transformations (to convert Word documents to PDFs), automatic file security, and automated file movement based on the file description and metadata are only a few examples of automations.
Digital signatures, file versioning, reporting, and an integrated task management are further features. With the help of these capabilities, OpenKM becomes more of a workstation with a DMS integrated, aiding users in managing all aspects of their organization.
OnlyOffice
OnlyOffice is a free service that may be used as a DMS and workstation that was created by Ascensio System SIA. The platform is an open system, which frequently produces superior products with greater flexibility and security. Additionally, you don’t have to be concerned about a private corporation being able to look through your paperwork (we see you, OneDrive and Google.)
OnlyOffice’s built-in document maker offers the ability to produce Word documents, spreadsheets, forms, audio and video files, and more. It is rather simplistic, and personal users on the free plan are not given access to document templates like those with a paid subscription.
OnlyOffice is cost-free for private usage only. You’ll need to search elsewhere or try one of the paid options if you work in a team. The free version is a basic document management system, therefore users with particular requirements could find it insufficient.
Hightail
Hightail has less features than a premium subscription, similar to OnlyOffice. There are only 2GB of storage and 100MB file upload limits under the free Lite plan. However, its practicality and a few of its distinctive qualities appeal to us.
Hightail gives you the ability to create documents, save them in specific projects, and exchange them with other people in terms of DMS functionality. Even while the platform has more sophisticated capabilities for organizing documents, the majority of them are only included in the subscription plans, which is a drawback for the free service.
Confluence
Confluence is a document management software that provides a space for small teams to create and store documents that pertain to specific projects.
There’s a basic word processor where you can create original documents, or if you’re looking for something specific — like a performance chart — you can select from the many templates available inside the platform. There’s also a search bar that allows you to easily locate specific documents.
The free Confluence plan allows for up to 10 members, all of whom can contribute documents to the space you create. As a group you share the 2GB of cloud storage, so this service is only suitable for light use.
Confluence is free, so don’t forget that it lacks many of the clever and efficient features you’d find in a more expensive document management system.
In light of this, we think the platform has produced something with enough personality to draw in users with limited (or no) financial resources. We now have a document management system that is more than capable thanks to the addition of the app connectors.
Free Document Management Software for Windows
Alfresco
A free open source document management program for Windows is called Alfresco. It is a fantastic piece of software that makes managing numerous documents simple. It is basically a collaborative content management system that allows different departments and users to manage various categories of material.
Using the Admin Tools menu, you must first create numerous users in order to share documents with them and manage documents with them. Additionally, you may configure this software to just allow users to see and update documents for specific individuals. In addition, I appreciate its document labeling tool, which enables users to mark papers with phrases like “I am editing” and “others are editing” to let other users know how far along a project is. You can use the menus in this software to manage many parts of documents.
OpenDocMan
Another free open source document management program for Windows is called OpenDocMan. It is web-based software that needs a web browser and hosting software like Apache to function. After this software has been installed successfully, you can manage and store a huge number of documents in a variety of formats. This software supports a variety of file types, including PDF, TXT, XML, and DOC. An organization with a variety of users and departments may find this software to be quite helpful.
You must first create new users, departments, and categories of files that you want to administer using the software’s Admin menu before adding and managing documents through them. You may begin adding and managing documents collaboratively once you’ve added users and departments. This software has four primary options for managing documents: Add Document, Search, Check-in, and Home.
Feng Office
Another free open source document management program for Windows is Feng Office. It is yet another piece of online-based software that requires a web browser and hosting software like XAMPP to function. With the use of this program, you may manage projects, notes, workspaces, and more in addition to managing documents. This software makes it simple to upload, store, and manage documents in a variety of formats (RTF, DOC, TXT, CSV, etc.). This software offers two major menus, Overview and Documents, for managing documents.
LogicalDOC
The newest free open source document management program for Windows is called LogicalDOC. It is a specialized document management program that allows you to gather all of your documents in one location. As a result of centralized data, there is only one point of access, increasing the security of documents. In addition, this software makes it simple to upload, allocate, and remove documents.
This software’s user interface is simple and has choices for Administrator, Search, Documents, and Dashboard. You can quickly handle documents from these four available choices.
Openkm
Another free open source document management program for Windows is called Openkm. It is a web-based program that, like other programs of a similar nature, needs a hosting program and a web browser to function.
Multiple users can be added to this software, and they can collaborate to handle a huge number of papers. Additionally, it supports documents in a variety of formats, which gives it the versatility to work with diverse document kinds. There are numerous tools and capabilities in this program; its File and Edit menus contain the program’s primary document management features.
Free Offline Document Management Software
LibreOffice
An effective and cost-free office suite is LibreOffice. Word processing program, spreadsheet, presentations, charts, graphs, databases, and more. Linux, Mac, and Windows compatible.
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OpenKM Document Management
Electronic document and record management system (EDRMS) called OpenKM ( DMS, RMS, CMS ). With a strong and scalable multiplatform application built on open technology (Java, Tomcat, GWT, Lucene, Hibernate, Spring, and jBPM), it offers a modern and flexible architecture to suit today’s IT expectations. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Opera are all compatible with OpenKM, a Web 2.0 application. can be set up in popular DMBS, such as Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL, among others.
drawio-desktop
… on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS for offline use. Diagrams.net benefits greatly from using Nextcloud as their on-site file hosting system. In software engineering, entity relationship diagrams (ERDs) or ER models depict the relationships and organizational structure of database objects. They are heavily utilized in database modeling to design new systems and record current systems for upkeep and changes.
Yarn
Yarn serves as your code’s package manager. With other developers from across the world, it enables you to utilize and exchange code. Yarn completes this task swiftly, safely, and consistently, so you never need to worry. Yarn makes it simple for you to develop your software by allowing you to use other developers’ solutions to various issues. When a problem is resolved, you may use Yarn to keep everything current. If you encounter problems, you can report them or provide feedback.
TagSpaces
TagSpaces is a free, open source program that uses tags to manage, annotate, and organize local files. It has no vendor lock-in. It has sophisticated note-taking features as well as some to-do app features. The software can be used with Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Android. We offer a web clipper extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox that makes it simple to save internet material as local files. Management of files and folders – TagSpaces offers a practical user interface…
ExpressVPN
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FileSaver.js
… perfect for webapps that must function offline. Although it may eventually be dropped from the spec, the W3C File API provides a FileSaver interface that facilitates saving created data as simple as saveAs(data, filename). You can create whatever sort of file you want directly in the browser using FileSaver.js, which implements FileSaver in all current browsers. Document editors can also include a quick save button that doesn’t require an internet connection.
Beekeeper Studio
An effective and user-friendly SQL editor and database administration tool is Beekeeper Studio, an open source, cross-platform program. With support for connecting to SQLite, MySQL, MariaDB, Postgres, SQL Server, and Amazon Redshift databases, it enables you to query and manage your relational databases. The majority of other free source SQL editors and database managers are packed with extraneous features, whereas Beekeeper Studio only has the necessities. SQL auto is included in this.
Papermerge
An open source document management system (DMS) called Papermerge is primarily made for storing and retrieving your digital documents. You may rapidly scan your paper documents and set up your scanner to upload them directly to Papermerge DMS rather than having heaps of paper papers lying around your desk, office, or drawers. Keep scanned documents in PDF, JPEG, and TIFF formats organized and searchable. Utilize full text, tags, and metadata-based search to quickly identify pertinent information. Open and free, Papermerge…
ONLYOFFICE
A free open-source system called ONLYOFFICE Community Server was created to manage emails, projects, client interactions, and documents all in one location. Community Server is released as ONLYOFFICE Groups under the provisions of the Apache License as of version 11.0. solution that works on both Linux and Windows. document management, Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, and OwnCloud integration. Access rights management, document embedding, and file sharing. Adaptable CRM, web…
Open Source Document Management System
OpenDocMan
OpenDocMan, one of the greatest open source document management systems available, was developed to comply with ISO 17025’s document management requirements. It is straightforward to install and use. For their document management requirements, a rising number of Fortune 500 enterprises, small businesses, educational institutions, governmental organizations, and people use it. It is also offered in ten more languages.
With compatibility for numerous operating systems (including Linux, Unix, Mac Os X, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows 7) and file types, OpenManDoc is totally adaptable to your needs. It provides accessibility from any location and basic web-based backup features as a fully web-based application.
The software was developed with the workflow of each individual user and department in mind. In order for reviewers to accept or reject new documents or modified files, it contains adjustable access control for each file and an automated document review procedure. To maintain an efficient workflow, businesses can set up email notifications before and after a review.
Alfresco Community Edition
For businesses with the ability to support themselves and who desire the capability to explore and adapt developments for their own requirements, this program deconstructs the Alfresco Enterprise Edition (content and file management software). Alfresco Community Edition is flexible for developers who want to work with the most recent Alfresco features in non-critical contexts because it is free and readily accessible. The finest open source document repository for creating new elements for your company is this one.
Using mobile apps and offline access, Alfresco’s powerful user and workflow components enable on-site and remote working to be done with ease. A complete set of collaboration tools, including task lists, team sites, and version tracking, are also included.
It is simple to integrate and expand the Alfresco software for your needs thanks to a variety of open APIs and other different deployment choices.
Protection is a problem with any development functionality, but Alfresco includes information governance and enterprise-grade security to keep your business compliant with security and legal standards.
LogicalDoc Community Edition
This is the free, open source document management version of the LogicalDOC program, which is supported by developers, much like the aforementioned Alfresco software. The LogicalDoc Community Edition, which is free to use, lacks some of the features included in the paid-for commercial editions but offers the majority of the essential features required to make the most of the program.
With a multilingual desktop interface and user-friendly features like multilingual full-text indexing, full version control, task management, importing from zip files, and document searching to keep track of your documents, LogicalDoc Community Edition offers a lot for your document workflow.
Another important component of LogicalDOC is collaboration, and the Community edition offers some helpful capabilities. Users can email or download review tickets, check files in and out, and communicate with other users via an internal message system. You can manage both old and new contacts thanks to the integrated contacts address book.
The software’s SOAP and REST API interfaces and integration plugins for both WordPress and Joomla underscore the importance of integration. Users may monitor your document workflows by using simple statistics and reporting.
Kimios
As an alternative to large, complex enterprise management systems, Kimios aims to optimize working with documents. This is mostly accomplished by simplifying numerous functions for easier daily use.
The search functionality is one area where it has attained this usability. This open source document repository’s main feature is it. Each document has both content and metadata indexed, allowing for full-text or boolean search searches. Kimios develops into a potent document search engine by combining a number of search parameters.
Based on a fully Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), Kimios is completely integrated with external parties through all applications (web client, Kimios Explorer, and Kimios for Office). This architecture offers strong interoperability and can be used through various APIs in dotNet, Java, and open source dms PHP.
OpenKM Community Edition
OpenKM Community Edition is our final recommendation for the best open source document management systems to take into account for your company. Small repositories and non-critical data can perfectly be stored with this free service.
OpenKM Community Edition is adaptable to the majority of working contexts despite being free. It is accessible on a variety of operating systems and databases, including Windows Server, Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Red Hat, CentOS, and others (HSQL, H2 and MySQL).
This software offers accessible API capabilities for CMIS, SOAP, and Rest, giving developers the access they require.
The general characteristics of the software enable efficient document handling. These functions include fundamental search, antivirus integration for increased security, text extraction, and document conversion into other file types. Users can also easily and successfully transform photos into text using OCR technology.
No of the size of your firm, it is worthwhile to investigate the whole variety of open source dms software options, but the aforementioned list offers five that you should think about. Investigate your options to find the finest open source document management system for your requirements.
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Conclusion
If you need a digital repository for all of your papers but don’t want to pay a lot of money, we’re going to talk with you about the finest free document management software available. Despite being provided for free, they are not always substandard. Every service we recommend is one that we would be happy to use ourselves.