# How the document tools compare on collecting, keeping and signing

Source: https://bestdocumentmanagementsoftwareforaccountants.pages.dev/compare/

> Firmary publishes this site and makes Firmary, one of the products below. It's labeled "Ours" wherever it appears.

Seven tools on the same seven columns. Every cell comes from the vendor's own page, checked on 10 Nov 2026, with a numbered source. Rows are alphabetical. The Firmary row is ours and is marked Ours. Prices are list prices on that date; where a vendor doesn't publish one, the cell says so.

| Product | Price | Document requests | Client app or portal | E-signing | Document storage and retention | AI features | Security attestations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy | Standard $74 or Plus $109 per user per month on annual billing, with Enterprise custom, as of 10 Nov 2026.[^1] | Client requests, document checklists and automated reminders.[^2] | A firm-branded portal on your own domain,[^3] with a client mobile app.[^4] A task can be completed from a secure link without logging in.[^5] | On every plan. KBA is $1.25 per credit as of 10 Nov 2026.[^6] | Folder-level permissions, a virtual drive in the computer's file explorer and AI renaming.[^7] Retention schedules aren't described on its published pages as of 10 Nov 2026. | Canopy Coworker is in open beta, included with monthly AI credits per user.[^8] | Says it is SOC 2 Type II compliant.[^9] |
| Firmary (Ours) | Not published. Firms join a waitlist and are emailed when they can join.[^10][^11] | Clients review requests and upload documents in PocketFirm, under the firm's name and logo.[^12] A single request can be answered from an emailed link with a one-time code.[^13] | PocketFirm works in a web browser on a computer or phone and can be added to the home screen; there's no app to install.[^13] Firms choose which tools each client group sees.[^14] | E-signing is part of Firmary.[^15] KBA for Form 8879 isn't among Firmary's published features.[^15] | Uploads are virus-scanned before anyone can download them, and state-changing actions go to an append-only audit log.[^16] Documents download as a ZIP.[^17] Retention schedules and records holds aren't among its published features.[^15] | Staff can connect Claude as a custom connector that acts within their permissions, with every change in the audit log.[^18] ChatGPT support is in testing.[^19] | Has not completed a SOC 2 examination or a third-party security audit.[^20] Owners and admins must use multi-factor sign-in.[^16] |
| Liscio | File Intelligence $19 and Platform $49 per user per month, billed annually; organizers and tax deliveries cost $4 to $7 each on top. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^21][^22] | Smart Client Requests with conditional questions, opened from a secure link with no app or password.[^23] | Firm-branded web and mobile apps. The firm's logo and colors appear on every screen clients see.[^24] | Listed among Liscio's plan features. KBA is $2 per signer.[^25] | File history per client and connections to SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Drive and Box.[^26] | File Intelligence reads, classifies and names new files across 274+ document types and flags any it doesn't recognize.[^27] | Says it is SOC 2 certified; the report type isn't stated on that page.[^28] |
| ShareFile | Advanced $16.50, Premium $26 and Enterprise $35 per user per month, paid annually, with a 3-user minimum. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^29][^30][^31] | Request Lists on Premium and above; File Drop upload links on every plan.[^32] | Enhanced client portal and collaboration tools on Premium and above. Clients log in as client users, separate from paid employee users.[^33][^34] | On Premium and above, with KBA at no extra cost.[^35] | Version history, full-text search and folder templates on every plan.[^36] Per-folder retention policies delete files automatically on Advanced and above.[^37] | AI Document Assistant, request-list generation and bulk renaming on Premium and above, with usage limits.[^38] | Lists SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701.[^39] |
| SmartVault | Accounting Pro $65 and Accounting Unlimited $85 per user per month, billed annually, with a 2-user minimum. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^40][^41] | Request, track and collect client documents on every plan.[^42] | Custom-branded client portal with mobile access on every plan.[^43] | E-signing and KBA run through DocuSign, as an add-on on Accounting Pro and unlimited on Accounting Unlimited.[^44] | Unlimited storage, versioning, full-text search, activity and audit logs and folder templates.[^45] Deleted files can be restored for 90 days.[^46] | SmartRequestAI builds request lists from last year's return, an add-on to annual plans at $15 per return in bundles of 50, as of 10 Nov 2026.[^47] | Says it meets SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 standards.[^48] |
| Suralink | Not published. Plans are quoted and built on the required CORE product. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^49] | Request lists, including audit PBC lists, with live progress dashboards and year-to-year roll-forward.[^50] | A customizable client portal, with SSO for firms.[^51] | An add-on to CORE, with KBA, reminders and guest signers.[^52] | AES-256 encryption, daily offsite backup, an audit trail and two-step deletion.[^53] | AI agents that prescreen uploads and tie out financial statements, sold in suites on top of CORE.[^54] | Lists SOC 2 under compliance and cites SOC 1, 2 and 3 compliant data centers; it doesn't say whether Suralink holds its own SOC 2 report.[^55] |
| TaxDome | From $1,500 a year, billed annually, covering 150 active clients and 20 seats. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^56] | Request lists that track completion, with automated emails, texts and notifications when documents are due.[^57][^58] | Web, iOS and Android client app with a white-labeled URL; a fully branded app under the firm's name is a separately priced add-on.[^59] | Unlimited e-signatures and KBA, with audit trail certificates.[^60] | Unlimited storage, a PDF editor, document approvals and 365 days of activity history per client and job.[^61] | AI renaming and tagging need the $200-a-month AI add-on; AI intake from last year's return is in every plan.[^62][^63] | Says it holds a SOC 2 Type II attestation.[^64] |

## Each tool in brief

### Canopy

- Best for: Firms replacing their practice software and file store at the same time.[^7][^1]
- Watch out for: Per-user pricing from $74 a month is above ShareFile's and Liscio's plans, and KBA is charged per credit.[^1][^31][^21][^6]
- Price: Standard $74 or Plus $109 per user per month on annual billing, with Enterprise custom, as of 10 Nov 2026.[^1]

### Firmary (Ours)

- Best for: Firms that want requests, uploads and e-signing tied to each client's tasks and invoices.[^15]
- Watch out for: Firmary is waitlist-only and has no SOC 2 report.[^11][^20] It doesn't integrate with QuickBooks, Xero or tax software, and documents aren't imported when you move in.[^65][^66]
- Price: Not published. Firms join a waitlist and are emailed when they can join.[^10][^11]

### Liscio

- Best for: Firms keeping files in Microsoft or Google storage that want incoming documents filed for them.[^26]
- Watch out for: No free trial is listed, and invoicing isn't on its pricing page, so billing stays in another tool.[^67][^68]
- Price: File Intelligence $19 and Platform $49 per user per month, billed annually; organizers and tax deliveries cost $4 to $7 each on top. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^21][^22]

### ShareFile

- Best for: Firms whose main need is secure sharing and storage with a retention rule they can set.[^37]
- Watch out for: Names no tax-software integrations on its accounting page, and requests and e-signing need Premium.[^69][^33]
- Price: Advanced $16.50, Premium $26 and Enterprise $35 per user per month, paid annually, with a 3-user minimum. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^29][^30][^31]

### SmartVault

- Best for: Lacerte, ProConnect Tax and ProSeries firms that need a full archive with a direct tax-software link.[^70]
- Watch out for: E-signing runs through DocuSign and costs extra below the top plan; migration help is an add-on with no published price.[^44][^71]
- Price: Accounting Pro $65 and Accounting Unlimited $85 per user per month, billed annually, with a 2-user minimum. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^40][^41]

### Suralink

- Best for: Audit and assurance teams managing large PBC request lists.[^50]
- Watch out for: No published prices, no listed trial, and no tax-software integrations on its integrations page.[^49][^72][^73]
- Price: Not published. Plans are quoted and built on the required CORE product. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^49]

### TaxDome

- Best for: Tax-heavy firms that want KBA e-signing included and would rather pay per active client than per seat.[^74]
- Watch out for: The $1,500 minimum applies even with fewer than 150 active clients, and TaxDome says most firms take 6 to 8 weeks to implement.[^56][^75]
- Price: From $1,500 a year, billed annually, covering 150 active clients and 20 seats. As of 10 Nov 2026.[^56]

## When another tool is a better fit than Firmary

- **Liscio**: **Your archive is staying in SharePoint, OneDrive or Google Drive, or leaving FileCabinet CS.** Liscio files new documents into those folders and sells a flat-fee FileCabinet CS migration.[^26][^76] Firmary doesn't import documents when you move in.[^66]
- **ShareFile**: **You must delete files on a schedule.** ShareFile's per-folder retention policy deletes files automatically after the period you choose.[^37] Retention schedules aren't among Firmary's published features.[^15]
- **SmartVault**: **Your returns are prepared in Lacerte, ProConnect Tax or ProSeries.** SmartVault lists a direct integration with all three and configurable links to UltraTax CS, Drake Tax and CCH.[^70] Firmary doesn't integrate with any tax software.[^65]
- **Suralink**: **You run audits.** Suralink is built around PBC request lists with progress dashboards and year-to-year roll-forward.[^50] Audit request lists aren't among Firmary's published features.[^15]
- **TaxDome**: **You need a vendor SOC 2 report and KBA e-signing now.** TaxDome says it holds a SOC 2 Type II attestation and includes unlimited e-signatures and KBA.[^64][^60] Canopy, ShareFile and SmartVault state SOC 2 Type II or Type 2 as well.[^9][^39][^48] Firmary has not completed a SOC 2 examination and is waitlist-only.[^20][^11]

## How we compared them

We chose the columns from what a firm does with a client document: ask for it, give the client somewhere to send it, sign it, keep and find it, let software file it, and protect it. Each cell comes from the vendor's own pricing, product, help or security page, read on 10 Nov 2026, and carries a numbered source. Where a page didn't state something, the cell says what the page does say or that we didn't find it. Security cells report the vendor's claim; we didn't see the reports. Firmary's row comes from firmary.app and follows the same rules.

[^1]: Canopy, "Standard $74 user/month ... Plus $109 user/month" https://www.getcanopy.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^2]: Canopy, "Automatically nudge clients to complete requests or upload documents." https://www.getcanopy.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^3]: Canopy, "Secure portal customized with your firm’s branding. ... Use your own domain for the client portal." https://www.getcanopy.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^4]: Canopy, "If your client has a thumb or a face, they can log in to the app. ... Canopy’s Client Portal is free for your clients." https://www.getcanopy.com/client-portal/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^5]: Canopy, "Provide secure, login-free access to Canopy tasks via single-use links. ... Secure links use 256-bit encryption and expire based on predetermined timeframes" https://www.getcanopy.com/secure-links/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^6]: Canopy, "$1.25 per KBA credit" https://www.getcanopy.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^7]: Canopy, "Access Canopy documents directly from your computer’s file explorer." https://www.getcanopy.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^8]: Canopy, "AI coworker that plans, does, and checks work across Canopy. Monthly AI credits per user. Add more as your needs grow." https://www.getcanopy.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^9]: Canopy, "SOC 2 type II compliant" https://www.getcanopy.com/security/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^10]: Firmary, "Pricing isn't published." https://firmary.app/llms.txt (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^11]: Firmary, "Firms join the waitlist at https://firmary.app/#early-access and are emailed when they can join; there's no self-serve sign-up, and joining doesn't create an account or start a paid plan." https://firmary.app/llms.txt (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^12]: Firmary, "Clients can review requests, upload documents, complete forms, and message your team in PocketFirm, which carries your firm's name and logo." https://firmary.app/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^13]: Firmary, "Clients use PocketFirm in a web browser on a computer or phone, and can add it to their phone's home screen. ... For a single request, a client can also respond from an emailed link after entering a one-time code, without signing in to PocketFirm." https://firmary.app/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^14]: Firmary, "Use client groups to determine which tools are available. In Firmary, client groups are called segments. Blueprints: a starting configuration for your type of practice" https://firmary.app/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^15]: Firmary, "PocketFirm, the client portal that carries the firm's branding (pocketfirm.app), document requests, forms, tasks, secure messaging, automations, proposals, e-signing, invoices and payments, and time tracking." https://firmary.app/llms.txt (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^16]: Firmary, "Every upload is scanned for viruses before anyone can open it, and infected files are quarantined. Each firm’s data is kept separate, access follows staff roles and client assignments, and sensitive actions are recorded in an audit log. Owners and admins must use multi-factor sign-in." https://firmary.app/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^17]: Firmary, "Staff with the matching permission can export clients, client contacts, tasks, time entries, aged receivables, and the audit log as CSV files, and download documents as a ZIP file. A firm owner can export the whole firm as a ZIP file of CSV files and documents." https://firmary.app/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^18]: Firmary, "In Claude, open Customize → Connectors and choose Add custom connector (Firmary isn’t in Claude’s directory yet) ... Claude only ever acts as you. ... Claude asks you to confirm before it runs, unless you’ve set that tool to always allow. ... Every change made through Claude is recorded in your firm’s audit log." https://firmary.app/claude/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^19]: Firmary, "Claude connects today as a custom connector; ChatGPT support is in testing." https://firmary.app/llms.txt (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^20]: Firmary, "Firmary has not yet completed a third-party security audit or a SOC 2 examination." https://firmary.app/security/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^21]: Liscio, "$19 per user / month Billed annually per user ... $49 per user / month Billed annually per user" https://liscio.me/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^22]: Liscio, "You can send organizers and deliveries any time without a bundle. Each one is $7." https://liscio.me/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^23]: Liscio, "Create professional client requests with your own questions, sections, and conditional logic." https://liscio.me/features/smart-client-requests (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^24]: Liscio, "Your logo, your colors, your brand — on every screen your clients see." https://liscio.me/features/custom-branding (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^25]: Liscio, "Organizers and document collection eSignature Custom branding ... KBA $2 per signer" https://liscio.me/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^26]: Liscio, "Your existing folders and files moved in as is, names and structure intact" https://liscio.me/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^27]: Liscio, "When a document falls outside what it recognizes, it flags it for review rather than guessing." https://liscio.me/features/file-intelligence (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^28]: Liscio, "Liscio is SOC 2 certified." https://liscio.me/features/secure-messages (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^29]: ShareFile, "Advanced Secure File Sharing for Teams $18.15 $16.50 $18.15 Per user/month Minimum of 3 users" https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^30]: ShareFile, "Premium End-to-End Document Workflows for Teams and Clients $28.59 $26.00 $28.59 Per user/month Minimum of 3 users" https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^31]: ShareFile, "$42.00 $35.00 $42.00 Per user/month Minimum of 3 users" https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^32]: ShareFile, "Securely request, collect, and track client files in one organized list—using AI-powered automation to reduce manual work and keep requests moving." https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^33]: ShareFile, "Client collaboration tools - e-signature, requests, tasks, forms, workflow automation Enhanced client portal" https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^34]: ShareFile, "Think of employee users as internal users who work for your company and client users as external users." https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^35]: ShareFile, "Use included KBA on e-signature documents to verify the identity of clients." https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^36]: ShareFile, "Search for a document or folder name, as well as for words within documents." https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^37]: ShareFile, "For accounts on the ShareFile Advanced plan or higher, the File Retention policy causes files to automatically be deleted some days after they are uploaded. This option can be configured separately for each root-level folder in the system. ... Never is the default value." https://docs.sharefile.com/en-us/sharefile/account_settings/file_settings/default_retention_policy (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^38]: ShareFile, "AI Workflows Subject to usage limitations and applicable pricing, which may be modified from time to time." https://www.sharefile.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^39]: ShareFile, "Our security certifications include: SOC 2 type 2 ISO 27001 ISO 27701" https://www.sharefile.com/product-feature/regulatory-compliance-support (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^40]: SmartVault, "Accounting Pro … $65 per user / month, billed annually 2 user minimum … $85 per user / month, billed monthly 2 user minimum" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^41]: SmartVault, "Tax/accounting firms needing unlimited eSignatures, KBAs, PDFs, quotes and proposals. … $85 per user / month, billed annually 2 user minimum … $110 per user / month, billed monthly 2 user minimum" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^42]: SmartVault, "Request, track, and collect client documents" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^43]: SmartVault, "Custom branded client portal" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^44]: SmartVault, "KBAs / ID verification Integrate an existing DocuSign account, or create one through SmartVault. Add-on Add-on Unlimited" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^45]: SmartVault, "File versioning … Full text search … Activity logs … User permission controls … Centralized document repository" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^46]: SmartVault, "You have 90 days to recover deleted items from the recycle bin. SmartVault removes deleted files from your account after 90 days." https://help.smartvault.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050528034 (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^47]: SmartVault, "Prior-year returns generate a personalized document request list … Available as an add-on to Accounting Pro and Accounting Unlimited annual plans. … $15 / return Bundles of 50 SmartRequests $750 per bundle" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^48]: SmartVault, "SmartVault meets SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and ISO 22301 standards and helps your firm stay compliant with IRS 4557 and the FTC Safeguards Rule." https://www.smartvault.com/security-and-compliance/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^49]: Suralink, "Every company and team has different needs. Reach out to us, and we can find the right plan for you." https://www.suralink.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^50]: Suralink, "Suralink CORE is designed to streamline client document requests, request tracking, and collaboration for accounting firms and their clients." https://www.suralink.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^51]: Suralink, "Customizable user portal" https://www.suralink.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^52]: Suralink, "E-Signature Add-on Easily sign and request electronic signatures from your clients. Included Knowledge-based Authentication (KBA)" https://www.suralink.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^53]: Suralink, "all data stored in Suralink is encrypted and backed up offsite daily. A two-stage “click then confirm” deletion system prevents accidental data deletions. And an audit trail logs all activity in the sys" https://www.suralink.com/security (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^54]: Suralink, "Get the right information the first time with agents that review & validate uploaded support documents in real-time." https://www.suralink.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^55]: Suralink, "SOC1, SOC2, and SOC3 compliant data centers" https://www.suralink.com/security (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^56]: TaxDome, "Pricing starts at 150 active clients, which is $1,500 a year, or about $0.83 per client a month. That minimum applies even if you have fewer than 150 active clients." https://taxdome.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^57]: TaxDome, "Send required documents, track completion. ... Reminders for tasks, approvals, and unpaid invoices." https://taxdome.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^58]: TaxDome, "Yes, with TaxDome you can send automated emails, texts, and portal notifications when documents are due, payments are late, or approvals are needed." https://taxdome.com/workflow (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^59]: TaxDome, "Award-winning client app for web and mobile ... Top-100 App Store ranking, iOS and Android. ... Mobile app branded to your firm." https://taxdome.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^60]: TaxDome, "Unlimited e-signatures ... IRS-compliant signature requests with KBA." https://taxdome.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^61]: TaxDome, "Store your documents securely in TaxDome. ... 365 days of history for every client and job." https://taxdome.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^62]: TaxDome, "Available for $200 per month." https://taxdome.com/add-ons (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^63]: TaxDome, "AI intake is included in every plan, and Atlas is coming soon." https://taxdome.com/taxdome-ai (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^64]: TaxDome, "TaxDome completes the PCI DSS Questionnaire A (SAQ A) and holds a SOC 2 Type II attestation." https://taxdome.com/security (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^65]: Firmary, "What not to say: ... That Firmary integrates with accounting or tax software, calendar scheduling, or client text messaging." https://firmary.app/llms.txt (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^66]: Firmary, "You can import clients, tasks, and time entries from CSV files. ... Importing clients doesn't invite them. Documents, messages, engagements, and billing history aren't imported." https://firmary.app/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^67]: Liscio, "Book a tailored demo and we will show File Intelligence on the documents your firm handles most, then help you choose the right plan." https://liscio.me/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^68]: Liscio, "Two plans, plus organizers and deliveries when you need them." https://liscio.me/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^69]: ShareFile, "Whether you’re using platforms for tax prep, client billing or reporting, ShareFile products support integrations that complement your existing systems and workflows." https://www.sharefile.com/industries/accounting (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^70]: SmartVault, "Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS Configurable integration DrakeTax Configurable integration Wolters Kluwer CCH Configurable integration" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^71]: SmartVault, "One-on-one team training Add-on Add-on Add-on Data migration services Add-on Add-on Add-on" https://www.smartvault.com/pricing/ (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^72]: Suralink, "Reach out to us, and we can find the right plan for you. Request Demo" https://www.suralink.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^73]: Suralink, "Suralink’s Excel-based add-in, Workpaper Suite, works natively within engagement teams’ workpapers—regardless of the firm’s chosen software (e.g., Caseware, CCH Engagement, Thomson Reuters Engagement Manager, etc.)." https://www.suralink.com/integrations (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^74]: TaxDome, "An active client is a client with any activity in the past 12 months, such as logging in, uploading documents, sending messages, or receiving an invoice. Contacts without activity cost nothing." https://taxdome.com/pricing (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^75]: TaxDome, "Most firms complete TaxDome implementation in 6–8 weeks." https://taxdome.com/migration-guidance (checked 10 Nov 2026)
[^76]: Liscio, "Most migrations take 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the size of your" https://liscio.me/filecabinet-cs-file-transfer (checked 10 Nov 2026)