7 Best Datasite Alternatives for Data Rooms in 2025
Traditional VDRs like Datasite cost $1,000-$5,000+ monthly with complex pricing and rigid structures, according to industry pricing research. Meanwhile, Gartner surveys show 68% of businesses seek modern alternatives offering transparent pricing, better UX, and AI-powered features at lower costs.
Peony provides modern VDR capabilities: unlimited data rooms at flat pricing, AI-powered organization, custom branding, complete analytics, and enterprise security—starting at $0. Purpose-built for M&A and fundraising.
Here are the 7 best Datasite alternatives in 2025.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Peony | Intralinks | Firmex | Ansarada | Box | SecureDocs | ShareVault |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited data rooms | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| User access control | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom domains/branding | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI-powered features | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Monthly pricing | From $0 | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$$ | $$ | $$ | $$$ |
| Free plan | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Do You Need Specialized Data Room Software?
You might not if:
- Internal document sharing only
- No compliance requirements
- Limited sensitive information
- Small team collaboration
- Google Drive/Dropbox sufficient
You definitely need VDR software if:
- M&A transactions or fundraising
- Regulatory compliance required (SOC 2, HIPAA)
- Highly confidential information
- Multiple external parties accessing
- Need detailed audit trails
- Professional presentation matters
The decision factors:
- Document sensitivity level
- Compliance and regulatory requirements
- Number of external users
- Analytics and tracking needs
- Budget constraints
- Brand presentation importance
1. Peony - Best Modern Alternative
Website: peony.ink
Why it's #1:
Modern features:
- Unlimited data rooms (no artificial limits)
- AI-powered document organization
- Custom branded domains (yourcompany.peony.ink)
- Real-time page-level analytics
- Freemium model (start free)
Security:
- Bank-grade encryption (AES-256)
- Dynamic watermarking
- Screenshot protection
- Email verification
- Two-factor authentication
- Granular permissions
- Complete audit trails
- SOC 2 Type II certified
User experience:
- Modern, intuitive interface
- Mobile-optimized viewing
- Fast page loads (3x faster than legacy VDRs)
- No training required
- Clean, professional design
Analytics:
- Page-by-page viewing tracking
- Time spent metrics
- Visitor identification
- Access patterns
- Engagement scoring
- Real-time notifications
Pricing:
- Free: Core features, unlimited rooms
- Pro: $25/month
- Business: $40/month (custom branding)
- Enterprise: Custom (white-label)
Best for: Startups, SMBs, and enterprises needing modern VDR without legacy complexity or costs.
2. Intralinks - Enterprise M&A Standard
Website: intralinks.com
Strengths:
- Trusted by major investment banks
- Handles $30T+ in annual deal volume
- 24/7 enterprise support
- Global infrastructure
- Proven for large transactions
Features:
- Advanced security and encryption
- Comprehensive Q&A management
- Customizable permissions
- Audit trails and reporting
- Multi-language support
Limitations:
- Very expensive ($1,000-$5,000+/month)
- Complex interface
- Lengthy setup process
- Per-page pricing on some plans
- Dated user experience
Pricing: Contact for quote (enterprise only)
Best for: Fortune 500 M&A, $1B+ transactions, investment banks
3. Firmex - Reliable Mid-Market Option
Website: firmex.com
Strengths:
- Good balance price/features
- Solid security
- Reliable uptime
- Responsive support
Features:
- Secure document sharing
- Customizable permissions
- Detailed activity tracking
- 24/7 customer support
- Drag-and-drop upload
Limitations:
- No custom branding
- Basic analytics
- Limited AI features
- Traditional interface
Pricing: Contact for quote ($300-$1,000/month typical)
Best for: Mid-market M&A, companies wanting established brand without top-tier pricing
4. Ansarada - AI-Powered M&A VDR
Website: ansarada.com
Strengths:
- AI-powered features
- Modern interface
- Good user experience
- Smart automation
Features:
- AI document organization
- Advanced security features
- Q&A management
- Real-time reporting
- Procurement and tender tools
- Board management
Limitations:
- Expensive ($500-$2,000+/month)
- AI features less advanced than Peony
- Limited customization
- No self-hosting
Pricing: Contact for quote (enterprise focus)
Best for: Enterprises wanting AI features with established VDR brand
5. Box - Enterprise Content Management
Website: box.com
Strengths:
- Strong compliance certifications (HIPAA, FedRAMP, FINRA)
- Enterprise-grade security
- Good for regulated industries
- Extensive integrations
Features:
- Secure file sharing
- User-friendly interface
- Integration with business tools
- Mobile access
- Version control
- Workflow automation
Limitations:
- Not purpose-built for data rooms
- Basic data room features
- No dynamic watermarking
- Limited fundraising/M&A optimization
Pricing:
- Business: $20/user/month
- Business Plus: $35/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom
Best for: Healthcare, financial services, government needing compliance certifications
6. SecureDocs - Simple Budget VDR
Website: securedocs.com
Strengths:
- Flat-rate pricing ($250/month)
- Simple, straightforward
- Quick setup
- No per-page fees
Features:
- Secure document sharing
- Customizable permissions
- Basic audit trails
- User management
- Document watermarking
Limitations:
- Very basic features
- No AI capabilities
- Limited analytics
- Dated interface
- No custom branding
Pricing: $250/month flat rate
Best for: Small businesses needing basic VDR features on budget, first-time VDR users
7. ShareVault - Mid-Market Alternative
Website: sharevault.com
Strengths:
- Good feature set
- Responsive support
- Reasonable pricing
- Customizable branding
Features:
- Secure document sharing
- Advanced security features
- Customizable branding
- Detailed reporting
- Q&A management
Limitations:
- Not as feature-rich as leaders
- Smaller customer base
- Limited AI features
- Basic analytics
Pricing: Contact for quote ($400-$1,200/month typical)
Best for: Mid-market companies wanting branded VDR experience
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Peony | Intralinks | Firmex | Ansarada | Box | SecureDocs | ShareVault |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Document sharing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Data room creation | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ Limited | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| User access control | ✅ Granular | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Activity tracking | ✅ Page-level | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Basic | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom domains | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI-powered | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ Basic | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Free plan | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 24/7 support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile access | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Q&A management | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Watermarking | ✅ Dynamic | ✅ | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ⚠️ Basic |
| API access | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ Limited |
Pricing Comparison
Annual cost comparison (small team):
| Provider | Setup | Monthly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peony | $0 | $0-$40 | $0-$480 | Flat rate, unlimited rooms |
| Intralinks | Varies | $1,000+ | $12,000+ | Per-project pricing |
| Firmex | Varies | $300-$1,000 | $3,600-$12,000 | Per-project pricing |
| Ansarada | Varies | $500-$2,000 | $6,000-$24,000 | Per-project pricing |
| Box | $0 | $60 (3 users) | $720 | Per-user pricing |
| SecureDocs | $0 | $250 | $3,000 | Flat rate |
| ShareVault | Varies | $400-$1,200 | $4,800-$14,400 | Per-project pricing |
Cost savings with Peony: 70-95% vs. traditional VDRs
Migration from Datasite
How to switch to Peony:
Week 1: Planning
- Export documents from Datasite
- Review folder structure
- Identify access permissions needed
- Plan migration approach
Week 2: Setup
- Create Peony account
- Configure branding
- Set up data room structure
- Upload documents (AI organizes)
Week 3: Testing
- Verify document organization
- Test access permissions
- Review analytics dashboard
- Train team members
Week 4: Go-live
- Share new links with stakeholders
- Monitor adoption
- Decommission Datasite
- Document savings
Expected results:
- 70-90% cost reduction
- Better user experience
- Improved analytics
- Faster deal execution
Selection Criteria
Evaluate alternatives on:
Features:
- Unlimited vs. limited data rooms
- Analytics depth (basic vs. page-level)
- AI capabilities
- Custom branding
- Security features (watermarks, screenshot protection)
Pricing:
- Transparent vs. contact sales
- Flat-rate vs. per-project
- Free tier availability
- Scalability costs
Ease of use:
- Setup time (minutes vs. days)
- Training requirements
- Interface modernity
- Mobile experience
Security and compliance:
- Certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001)
- Encryption standards
- Audit trail completeness
- Access control granularity
Support:
- Availability (24/7 vs. business hours)
- Response times
- Documentation quality
- Community and resources
Conclusion
While Merrill Datasite has served the M&A market for decades, modern alternatives like Peony offer superior features at dramatically lower costs. Key advantages include unlimited data rooms, AI-powered organization, transparent pricing, custom branding, and modern user experiences—delivering better results for 70-95% less money.
For startups, SMBs, and even enterprises seeking modern VDR capabilities, Peony provides the best balance of features, security, and value. Traditional players like Intralinks serve Fortune 500 M&A well but come with enterprise complexity and costs.
Modern data room infrastructure: Try Peony