Papermark vs DocSend: Which document sharing tool is better in 2026?

You're comparing Papermark and DocSend because both let you share documents securely and track who views them. DocSend has been the standard for years, while Papermark emerged as an open-source alternative promising similar features at lower cost.

This comparison covers features, pricing, analytics depth, security, integrations, and when each tool makes sense. We'll also introduce Ellty as a third option that might fit if neither Papermark nor DocSend matches your needs.

What this comparison covers:

• Side-by-side feature comparison
• Pricing analysis across team sizes
• Analytics capabilities and tracking depth
• When to choose each tool
• Ellty as a simpler, more affordable alternative

Quick overview

DocSend

What it is: DocSend is a document tracking and analytics platform owned by Dropbox since 2021. It's been around since 2013 and became the standard for tracking pitch decks and sales documents.

• Founded 2013, acquired by Dropbox 2021
• Core focus: Document analytics for sales and fundraising
• Best for: Teams needing detailed engagement analytics
• Starting price: $50/user/month (Advanced plan)
• Key strength: Deep page-by-page analytics and investor tracking

Papermark

What it is: Papermark is an open-source document sharing platform launched in 2023 as a DocSend alternative with transparent pricing and self-hosting options.

• Founded 2023, independently owned
• Core focus: Open-source document sharing with analytics
• Best for: Teams wanting affordable tracking or self-hosting
• Starting price: Free (limited), $29/month Pro
• Key strength: Open source with self-hosting option

Quick comparison table:

Looking for document tracking software?

You need to track documents. See who's reading. Know when to follow up.

DocSend charges from day one. Papermark requires technical setup for self-hosting.

Ellty gives you professional tracking immediately. Free tier with 50 documents. Set up in minutes. No technical knowledge needed.

Plus features neither competitor offers: investor email finder, team collaboration tools, simpler interface.

The key difference: DocSend offers enterprise-grade analytics with deep integrations, while Papermark provides core tracking features at lower cost with open-source flexibility.

Key differences between Papermark and DocSend

Here are the most important distinctions that'll drive your decision.

Difference #1: Pricing model and cost structure

DocSend: DocSend charges per user starting at $50/month for the Advanced plan. You'll pay $600/year minimum for one user. Teams of 5 users pay $250/month ($3,000/year). Enterprise pricing requires sales contact. No free tier exists, just a 14-day trial.

Papermark: Papermark offers a free tier with basic features. Pro plan is $29/month flat rate (not per user), meaning unlimited team members. Business plan is $99/month flat. You can self-host for free if you have technical resources.

What this means for you: If you're a solo founder or small team, Papermark costs 80-95% less than DocSend. For teams of 5+, the savings become massive. DocSend makes sense when you need enterprise features and have budget. Papermark makes sense when cost matters and core tracking is sufficient.

Difference #2: Analytics depth and tracking capabilities

DocSend: DocSend provides page-by-page engagement tracking, time spent per page, forwarding detection, visitor identification, engagement scores, heatmaps showing exactly where readers spend time, and analytics on document performance over time. You'll see which sections get skipped, who downloaded vs just viewed, and detailed visitor behavior patterns.

Papermark: Papermark tracks document views, total time spent, which pages were viewed, visitor location and device, and sends real-time notifications when someone opens your document. It covers the essentials but doesn't offer heatmaps, engagement scoring, or the granular behavior analysis DocSend provides.

What this means for you: DocSend wins if you need deep insights into document engagement, like understanding which pitch deck slides investors linger on. Papermark wins if you just need to know who viewed your document and for how long.

Difference #3: Ownership and data control

DocSend: DocSend is owned by Dropbox, a public company. Your documents live on their servers. You're dependent on their pricing, feature decisions, and roadmap. If Dropbox changes strategy or pricing, you adapt.

Papermark: Papermark is open source and independently owned. You can self-host on your own infrastructure, giving you complete data control. The code is transparent on GitHub. You can fork it, modify it, or contribute features.

What this means for you: If data sovereignty matters or you want to avoid vendor lock-in, Papermark's open-source model gives you options. If you prefer a stable, well-funded platform with guaranteed uptime and support, DocSend's corporate backing matters.

Difference #4: Integration ecosystem

DocSend: DocSend integrates deeply with Salesforce, HubSpot, Gmail, Slack, Zoom, and dozens of sales tools. These are native, well-maintained integrations built over years. You can sync document engagement data directly into your CRM and trigger workflows based on document views.

Papermark: Papermark offers basic integrations through webhooks and API access. It connects to Notion, Slack for notifications, and custom tools via API. The integration ecosystem is much smaller and newer. Many connections require custom development.

What this means for you: DocSend wins if your workflow depends on CRM integration and automated data syncing. Papermark works if you're comfortable with basic integrations or willing to build custom connections via API.

Difference #5: Feature maturity and edge cases

DocSend: DocSend has been refined over 10+ years. Edge cases are handled, workflows are polished, and the platform rarely breaks. Features like NDA gates, granular permission controls, white-labeling, and custom domains work reliably at scale.

Papermark: Papermark launched in 2023. It handles core use cases well but lacks polish in edge cases. Some features are in beta. The platform is improving rapidly but hasn't faced the scale and variety of use cases DocSend has.

What this means for you: DocSend is battle-tested. Papermark works well for standard use cases but might have rough edges. Choose based on whether you need proven reliability or can accept some growing pains for cost savings.

Difference #6: Support and documentation

DocSend: DocSend offers email support, live chat, phone support on higher plans, comprehensive documentation, video tutorials, and dedicated account managers for enterprise. Response times are fast and support quality is high.

Papermark: Papermark provides email support, community Discord server, GitHub issues for bugs, and growing documentation. Support is responsive but smaller team means slower responses during high-volume periods.

What this means for you: DocSend wins if you need guaranteed response times and hand-holding. Papermark works if you're comfortable with community-based support and documentation.

Difference #7: Branding and white-labeling

DocSend: DocSend offers custom branding on Advanced plans and full white-labeling on enterprise plans. You can remove DocSend branding, use custom domains, customize email notifications, and make documents look like they come directly from your company.

Papermark: Papermark includes custom branding on Pro plan ($29/month). White-labeling is available without jumping to enterprise pricing. For the cost, you get more branding control than DocSend's entry tiers.

What this means for you: Both offer branding, but Papermark includes it at lower price points. DocSend requires higher-tier plans for full white-labeling.

Summary of key differences:

In short:

• DocSend = Enterprise-grade analytics, deep integrations, proven platform, higher cost, per-user pricing
• Papermark = Core tracking features, open source, flat-rate pricing, newer platform, self-hosting option

Your needs determine the right choice.

Detailed feature comparison

Here's how Papermark and DocSend compare across every relevant feature category.

Pricing structure

DocSend pricing:

• Personal: $15/user/month
• Standard: $65/user/month
• Advanced: $250/month (minimum 3 users)
• No free tier

Papermark pricing:

• Free: 50 documents/month
• Pro: $29/user/month
• Team: $49/user/month
• Self-hosted: Free (your infrastructure)

For a 5-person team, annual costs:

• DocSend Standard: $3,900
• Papermark Pro: $1,740
• Difference: $2,160

Feature comparison summary:

Where DocSend wins:

• Much deeper analytics with heatmaps and engagement scoring
• Native CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive)
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Enterprise security certifications (SOC 2, HIPAA)
• Dedicated phone support and account managers
• Longer track record and more polished features
• Better version control and document management
• Dynamic watermarking and forwarding detection

Where Papermark wins:

• Significantly lower pricing (80-95% cheaper)
• Flat-rate pricing instead of per-user
• Open-source with self-hosting option
• Custom branding at lower price points
• API access on all plans, not just enterprise
• Free tier for testing and light use
• No vendor lock-in
• Transparent development and roadmap

Where they're similar:

• Both handle basic document sharing and tracking
• Both offer password protection and email verification
• Both provide real-time notifications
• Both support data rooms for multi-document sharing
• Both offer link expiration and download controls
• Both provide analytics on views and time spent
• Both allow NDA requirements before viewing

When to choose DocSend

DocSend makes sense in these specific scenarios.

You're fundraising and need detailed investor insights

Investors review dozens of decks. DocSend shows you exactly which sections they spent time on, which pages they skipped, and whether they forwarded your deck. This intelligence helps you follow up strategically and understand what resonates. Worth paying for during active fundraising.

You need CRM integration for sales workflows

Your sales team uses Salesforce or HubSpot and needs document engagement data syncing automatically. DocSend's native integrations push view data, engagement scores, and document activity directly into your CRM. This triggers automated workflows and helps sales reps prioritize hot leads.

You're sharing documents with enterprise clients who expect security certifications

Your clients require SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA compliance, or other enterprise security standards. DocSend has these certifications and can provide documentation. Papermark doesn't yet have these credentials.

You need white-label document sharing at scale

You're sending hundreds of documents monthly under your own brand with zero indication they came from a third-party tool. DocSend's enterprise white-labeling removes all traces of the platform and lets you use custom domains throughout.

Analytics depth directly impacts your strategy

You're A/B testing document versions, analyzing drop-off points, and using engagement data to refine your content. DocSend's heatmaps and engagement scoring provide actionable insights beyond basic view tracking. This level of analysis improves your documents over time.

You need guaranteed support response times

You're running time-sensitive deals where document access issues can't wait 24 hours. DocSend's phone support and dedicated account managers (on enterprise plans) provide immediate help when problems occur.

You're managing complex permission structures

Multiple team members need different access levels, approval workflows exist before documents go out, and you need granular control over who can share, edit, or view analytics. DocSend handles complex permission hierarchies better than Papermark.

When to choose Papermark

Papermark makes sense in these specific scenarios.

Budget is a primary constraint

You need document tracking but can't justify $600+/year per user. Papermark's $29/month flat rate gives you core features for 95% less than DocSend. For bootstrapped startups or small teams, this difference matters.

You have a larger team and don't need per-user pricing

Your team has 10+ people who need access. DocSend would cost $500+/month minimum. Papermark costs $29/month regardless of team size. The savings become massive at scale.

You want to self-host for data control

You handle sensitive documents and want them on your own infrastructure. Papermark's open-source code lets you self-host completely. DocSend doesn't offer this option at any price.

Basic tracking is sufficient

You need to know who viewed your document, when, and for how long. You don't need heatmaps, engagement scoring, or complex analytics. Papermark covers these basics well.

You prefer open-source tools and transparent development

You want to see the code, contribute features, or customize functionality. Papermark's GitHub repository is public. You can fork it, suggest improvements, or build custom features.

You're testing document tracking for the first time

You've never used document analytics before and want to try it without financial commitment. Papermark's free tier lets you test the concept before paying. DocSend requires payment after 14 days.

You need custom branding without enterprise pricing

You want your logo and colors on shared documents but can't pay enterprise rates. Papermark includes custom branding at $29/month. DocSend requires $50+/user/month minimum.

You're comfortable with community-based support

You can work through issues using documentation, GitHub, and Discord. You don't need phone support or dedicated account managers. Papermark's community is responsive and helpful.

You want to avoid vendor lock-in

You're wary of depending on a Dropbox-owned platform where pricing and features might change. Papermark's open-source model means you always have an exit option through self-hosting.

When to choose Ellty (a third option)

Neither DocSend nor Papermark might be the right fit. Ellty sits between them, offering core tracking features with pitch deck-specific capabilities at a price point below DocSend.

What Ellty offers:

Ellty provides:

• Secure document sharing with trackable links
• Engagement analytics (views, time spent, page tracking)
• Access controls (password protection, email verification, NDA gates)
• Virtual data rooms for organized multi-document sharing
• Real-time notifications when documents are viewed
• Simple, fast setup with no learning curve
• Flat-rate pricing starting at $24/month
• Focus on pitch decks and fundraising documents

Pricing: $24/month for Pro plan (flat rate for up to 5 users), $50/month for Business (unlimited users)

What Ellty doesn't try to do:

• Not as detailed analytics as DocSend (no heatmaps or engagement scoring)
• Not as feature-rich as either competitor (fewer integrations)
• Doesn't offer self-hosting like Papermark
• Focuses on securely pitch deck sharing specifically, not general document analytics
• No mobile apps (web-responsive only)
• Limited CRM integrations

Scenarios where Ellty makes sense:

You're a founder sharing pitch decks during fundraising

You need to track which investors viewed your deck and get notified when they open it. Ellty pitch deck focus gives you relevant analytics without overwhelming complexity. You'll see view counts, time spent, and page tracking - enough to understand engagement.

You want something simpler than DocSend but more focused than Papermark

DocSend feels like overkill with features you won't use. Papermark is very technical. Ellty sits in the middle with straightforward document sharing and essential tracking.

Budget matters but you need more than free tools

You can't justify $600+/year for DocSend but want more reliability than Papermark's free tier. Ellty's $24-50/month range provides professional features affordably.

You're sharing documents that need organized data rooms

You're running due diligence with multiple documents organized in folders. Ellty's data room feature handles this cleanly. Investors get structured access to everything without email attachments.

You need email verification and NDA gates

You want to know who's viewing your documents (not just anonymous visitors) and require NDA acceptance before viewing. Ellty includes these access controls at every price tier.

Setup speed matters more than feature depth

You need to share a tracked document in the next hour, not after watching tutorials. Ellty interface is simpler than DocSend and less technical than Papermark. Upload, share, done.

You're solo or a small team (under 10 people)

You don't need complex permission structures or enterprise features. Flat-rate pricing means you don't pay per user as your team grows.

You value real-time notifications

You want to know the moment someone opens your pitch deck so you can follow up while you're top of mind. Ellty sends instant notifications to Slack, email, or mobile.

You're sharing with investors who expect professional presentation

Your links need to look professional with custom branding, not like generic file-sharing services. Ellty provides clean, branded document viewing.

You don't need CRM integration

Your workflow doesn't depend on syncing document data into Salesforce or HubSpot. You're comfortable checking analytics in Ellty dashboard or receiving notifications.

Comparison to both competitors:

When Ellty isn't the right choice:

Don't choose Ellty if you need:

• Deep analytics with heatmaps and engagement scoring (choose DocSend)
• Self-hosting or open-source platform (choose Papermark)
• Native CRM integrations (choose DocSend)
• Enterprise security certifications like SOC 2 or HIPAA (choose DocSend)
• Phone support or dedicated account managers (choose DocSend)
• To share general sales documents beyond pitch decks (choose DocSend or Papermark)

Try Ellty if:

• You're fundraising and need affordable pitch deck tracking
• You want essential features without complexity
• You want password and screenshot protection
• Budget is important but reliability matters
• You need data rooms for due diligence
• Real-time notifications and access controls are must-haves
• You value setup speed and simplicity

Which one is right for you?

Your choice depends on budget, feature needs, and workflow preferences. Here's how to decide.

Start with your primary need:

"I need deep document engagement insights" → DocSend

• Page-by-page heatmaps drive your strategy
• Understanding reader behavior is critical for fundraising or sales
• You analyze document performance to improve conversion
• Worth paying premium for data depth and proven reliability

"I need affordable tracking with self-hosting option" → Papermark

• Budget is constrained (under $100/month)
• Basic tracking (views, time, pages) is sufficient
• You value open source and want data sovereignty
• You're comfortable with newer platform and community support

"I need essential pitch deck tracking affordably" → Ellty

• Focused specifically on fundraising and pitch decks
• Need more than free tools but can't justify $600+/year
• Want simplicity and fast setup
• Real-time notifications and data rooms matter

Consider your budget:

Budget: Under $100/month

• Papermark ($29/month flat) or Ellty ($24/month flat)
• DocSend doesn't have options in this range
• Papermark free tier works for very light use
• Ellty if fundraising-focused, Papermark if general document sharing

Budget: $100-500/month (small team)

• Papermark ($29-99/month) for teams under 10
• Ellty ($24-50/month) for pitch deck focus
• DocSend ($50+/user/month) if you have 1-3 users and need enterprise features
• Calculate per-user vs flat-rate based on team size

Budget: $500-2000/month (growing team)

• DocSend makes sense if you need deep analytics and integrations
• Papermark or Ellty still cheaper but evaluate if features suffice
• Consider whether advanced analytics justify 5-10x cost difference

Budget: $2000+/month (enterprise)

• DocSend with enterprise features and dedicated support
• Security certifications and compliance matter at this level
• Papermark self-hosted if data sovereignty is critical
• Ellty won't scale to enterprise needs

Consider your team size:

Solo or 2-3 people:

• DocSend costs $150-300/month minimum
• Papermark or Ellty cost $24-50/month regardless of users
• Savings are massive unless you need enterprise-specific features

4-10 people:

• DocSend costs $200-500/month
• Papermark or Ellty still $24-50vanced features justify 5-10x cost

11-25 people:

• DocSend costs $550-1250/month
• Papermark or Ellty remain flat-rate
• Flat-rate pricing becomes extremely attractive at this scale

25+ people:

• DocSend requires enterprise pricing (custom)
• Papermark or Ellty scale affordably with flat rates
• Evaluate support needs - enterprise teams might need DocSend's dedicated support

Consider your use case:

Fundraising (pitch decks to investors):

• Ellty is purpose-built for startups
• DocSend if you need maximum investor intelligence
• Papermark works but less fundraising-focused

B2B sales (proposals, one-pagers):

• DocSend if CRM integration matters
• Papermark for basic tracking without integration
• Ellty less ideal (pitch deck focused)

Due diligence (data rooms):

• All three handle data rooms
• DocSend for enterprise compliance needs
• Papermark or Ellty for cost-effective data rooms
• Ellty particularly good for organized investor data rooms

Marketing content distribution:

• Papermark for general document sharing
• DocSend if you need detailed content analytics
• Ellty not ideal (pitch deck focused)

Internal document sharing:

• Papermark self-hosted for complete control
• DocSend overkill for internal use
• Ellty not designed for internal sharing

Ask yourself:

About features:

• Do I need heatmaps and engagement scoring? (DocSend)
• Is basic view tracking sufficient? (Papermark or Ellty)
• Do I need CRM integration? (DocSend)
• Do I need self-hosting? (Papermark only)

About workflow:

• Am I comfortable with technical setup? (Papermark can self-host)
• Do I need immediate phone support? (DocSend)
• Is community-based support acceptable? (Papermark or Ellty)

About budget:

• Can I justify $600+/year per user? (DocSend)
• Is cost my primary constraint? (Papermark or Ellty)
• Does my team size make per-user pricing impractical? (Flat-rate tools)

About complexity:

• Do I want maximum features? (DocSend)
• Do I prefer simplicity? (Ellty)
• Am I technical enough for open source? (Papermark)

Quick decision tree:

Need enterprise security certifications (SOC 2, HIPAA)? ├─ Yes → DocSend └─ No ↓

Need CRM integration? ├─ Yes → DocSend └─ No ↓

Need self-hosting option? ├─ Yes → Papermark └─ No ↓

Sharing pitch decks specifically? ├─ Yes → Ellty or DocSend └─ No → Papermark ↓

Budget over $500/month? ├─ Yes → DocSend (if you need advanced features) └─ No → Papermark or Ellty

Choose based on:

• Feature depth vs cost tradeoff
• Team size and pricing model
• Specific use case (fundraising vs general sharing)
• Support needs and technical comfort

Can't decide? Try multiple:

Most tools offer free trials:

1. Test DocSend's analytics depth (14-day trial)
2. Test Papermark's free tier or self-hosting
3. Test Ellty's simplicity (14-day trial)

Use your actual documents with real workflows. See which feels natural and provides value. The right tool is obvious once you test with your content.

Conclusion

DocSend and Papermark serve different needs at different price points. DocSend provides enterprise-grade analytics, deep integrations, and proven reliability at premium pricing. Papermark offers core tracking features affordably with open-source flexibility.

Both are solid choices. DocSend excels when analytics depth justifies cost and you need CRM integration. Papermark excels when budget matters and basic tracking suffices.

Ellty sits between them for teams specifically sharing pitch decks. It provides essential tracking and data rooms without DocSend's complexity or cost.

Choose based on your specific situation:

• Deep analytics and enterprise features → DocSend
• Affordable tracking or self-hosting → Papermark
• Pitch deck tracking with simplicity → Ellty

Evaluate based on actual use case, budget constraints, and team structure. The right tool fits your needs, not the one with most features or biggest brand name.

Try whichever tool matches your needs best:

• Start DocSend 14-day trial
• Try Papermark free
• Try Ellty free

Test with your real documents and workflows to see what fits.

Frequently asked questions

Is Papermark really a good DocSend alternative?

Yes, for basic tracking needs. Papermark provides view tracking, page analytics, notifications, and access controls at much lower cost. It won't match DocSend's heatmaps or engagement scoring, but core features work well. Best for budget-conscious teams who don't need enterprise analytics depth.

Can I self-host Papermark?

Yes. Papermark is open source and can be self-hosted on your infrastructure. This gives you complete data control and eliminates ongoing subscription costs. Requires technical resources to set up and maintain. DocSend doesn't offer self-hosting at any price.

Does DocSend integrate with my CRM?

Likely yes. DocSend has native integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics, and Pipedrive. Document engagement data syncs automatically into your CRM. Papermark has limited CRM integration - mainly through API and webhooks requiring custom development.

Which tool is better for fundraising?

Depends on budget and needs. DocSend provides deeper investor intelligence with heatmaps showing exactly which slides investors spent time on. Worth it if you're actively fundraising and can afford $50+/month. Papermark works if you need basic tracking affordably. Ellty is purpose-built for pitch decks at lower cost than DocSend.

How much does DocSend cost for a team of 5?

$250/month minimum on Advanced plan ($50/user × 5 users). Annual commitment reduces this by 20%. Papermark costs $29-99/month flat regardless of team size. Ellty costs $24-99/month flat. The difference is significant for small teams.

Can I try both before deciding?

Yes. DocSend offers 14-day trial. Papermark has a free tier with limited features. Ellty offers 14-day trial. Test both with your actual documents and see which workflow feels natural. Most people know within a few days which tool fits better.

Does Papermark have mobile apps?

No. Papermark is web-responsive but doesn't have dedicated iOS or Android apps. DocSend has native mobile apps for both platforms. If you need to track documents or check analytics on mobile frequently, DocSend wins here.

Which tool has better security?

DocSend has more security certifications (SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA compliance). Papermark has standard security (AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.2+) but is working toward certifications. For enterprise clients requiring documented compliance, DocSend is safer choice. For general security, both are adequate.

Can I white-label documents?

Both offer white-labeling but at different price points. Papermark includes custom branding at $29/month and white-labeling at $99/month. DocSend requires Advanced plan minimum ($50/user/month) for branding and Enterprise for full white-labeling. Papermark is more accessible for small budgets.

What happens to my documents if I stop paying?

DocSend: You lose access after subscription ends. Export data before canceling. Papermark: On hosted version, same as DocSend. On self-hosted version, you control everything permanently. This is a key advantage of open source.

Does either tool offer e-signature?

No. Neither DocSend nor Papermark includes e-signature features. They're document tracking platforms, not signature platforms. Use PandaDoc or DocuSign if signatures are required. You can track signature documents through DocSend or Papermark, but signing happens elsewhere.

Which analytics are most useful?

Most founders care about: who viewed the document, when they viewed it, how long they spent, and whether they returned. Both tools provide this. DocSend's additional heatmaps and engagement scoring are useful for optimizing documents over time but not essential for most use cases.

Can I use Papermark commercially?

Yes. The open-source license (MIT) allows commercial use, modification, and distribution. You can use Papermark for business purposes without restriction. You can also build features on top of it or offer it as part of your product.

Which tool is easier to set up?

Ellty is fastest (10-15 minutes). Papermark hosted version is quick (30 minutes). DocSend takes longer (1-2 hours) due to more features and settings. Self-hosting Papermark requires technical setup time. Choose based on urgency and technical comfort.

Do I need to pay for each team member?

DocSend charges per user starting at $50/month each. Team of 5 = $250/month. Papermark charges flat rate regardless of team members. Ellty also flat rate. For larger teams, flat-rate pricing saves significantly.