The Ten Best Open Source Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) in 2025

UPDATE: We've expanded our previous list to include emerging solutions and recent developments in the document management space, now featuring 10 comprehensive options. We've removed I, Librarian as it focuses solely on PDF management rather than comprehensive document management.

Open Source continues to evolve in the electronic document management systems space

Keeping track of all documents and data in the business world is crucial. Businesses can store documents in various ways, but one of the most popular methods is electronic document management systems (known as EDMS or DMS). EDMS are software programs that allow businesses to store, manage, and track their documents, wherever they reside throughout their network and associated cloud services, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft's OneDrive. But which are the Best Open Source Document Management Systems?

Many document management software options exist, both open source and proprietary. Open source EDMS has become increasingly popular because they offer many benefits over proprietary systems.

This article explores ten of the best open-source document management systems currently available. We will discuss the features and benefits of each system, as well as how they compare to proprietary systems. But before we list our favorite Electronic Document Management Systems, let's briefly examine what open-source means and why you might want to use an open-source EDMS.

Open-Source Software vs. Proprietary software

When it comes to document management software, there are two main models, either an open source document management system or a proprietary option. Proprietary software is created and owned by a single company, with no access to the code provided to users or the community at large, while a community of contributors is able to view and contribute to the codebase of open source software. Both approaches have pros and cons, but open source software is generally seen as more beneficial for businesses.

Here's why:

1. Open-source software is more flexible

   Proprietary document management software is designed to meet the specific needs or visions of the company that creates it, which can be good for businesses that closely align with the design, but it also means that if your business needs were to change, you're stuck with the software you have. With open source software, on the other hand, there are opportunities to request or even contribute modifications, combine additional modules from other open source projects, or even fork the codebase into your own version of the product, and make wholesale changes as you see fit.

   And ultimately, if the company that created a proprietary product goes bankrupt or winds down, you may end up with a stagnant system that cannot be update, or in the worst-case scenario with Software-as-a-Service or even a self-hosted product, the application itself may just stop functioning completely with little-to-no warning. In open source, you can retain a copy of the codebase through forks or a mirrored clone, and in almost all cases, even defunct open source projects are available to view and download.

2. Open-source software is more affordable

   Proprietary software typically requires you to pay a license fee to use it. This can be a significant expense, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). On the other hand, open source software is usually free for individuals and small businesses, while enterprise versions include onboarding and other organizational benefits for a cost that is often lower than their proprietary counterparts.

   Also, since there is a large pool of users who can access, evaluate, and even contribute to the free version of the software, all without having to pay a license fee, an open source application is more likely to have had issues and feature requests found and documented openly. This can be of benefit even in the case of open source software that uses an “open core” model, where some of the enterprise-level functionality may not be publicly available, as the basic, core components will have that increased coverage.

   This increased coverage and development-in-the-open model is one good reason why open source products often have competitive enterprise products compared to proprietary software competitors.

3. Open-source software is more secure

   Proprietary software is often considered a greater security risk than open source software. That may seem counterintuitive at first, since the code is openly available to people other than the core development team, but it's the openness of open source software that provides it with more protection from security issues.

   This is because the software code for proprietary software is closed off, meaning that only the company that creates that code has access to it. This can make it challenging to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. With open source software, on the other hand, the code is available for anyone to examine and experiment with, providing more coverage (as mentioned in the section about affordability). This means that security vulnerabilities can be found and fixed more quickly, and almost as importantly, security vulnerabilities that have not yet been reported can be reported by anyone, and anyone can contribute a remediation of that vulnerability to be reviewed and included into the codebase.

   For an open source project, a critical vulnerability would need to be addressed due to high visibility in the code, whereas a developer of proprietary software does not have the same incentive to prioritize addressing vulnerabilities; that increases the software user’s risk footprint, as they are unable to verify which vulnerabilities exist in the proprietary codebase, and they will have little-to-no visibility as to if and when vulnerabilities are being resolved.

   Additionally, open-source software features simple license management, no vendor lock-in, and support from active communities, providing less operational risk to organizations that rely on that software.

Determining Your EDMS Needs

Now that we've discussed the benefits of open source document management systems, we'll look at ten of the best. As each open-source EDMS software product has different strengths, you will probably find one or two that are better-suited for what you are looking to do. Some are self-hosted only, while others offer a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) version of their product. Some products, like FormKiQ, install into your cloud account, which might be considered a new "flavor" of self-hosting.

All of these products have a version you can run for low cost, often with a free license plus your hosting costs. They all also offer a commercial version, often with additional features and support. And all have a codebase that you can review.

What's New in 2025?

Several key trends have emerged in the EDMS space:

1. AI-powered document processing

   Modern EDMS solutions now incorporate advanced AI capabilities for automated document classification, data extraction, and intelligent search functionality. This has dramatically improved the efficiency of document processing and organization.

2. Enhanced cloud-native architectures

   The shift toward cloud-native architectures has enabled better scalability, reliability, and integration capabilities. Many solutions now offer seamless cloud deployment options while maintaining data sovereignty.

3. Improved security features

   With increasing cybersecurity concerns, EDMS solutions have strengthened their security capabilities, including enhanced encryption, access controls, and compliance features.

The Top 10 Open Source EDMS

1. For personal document management with AI-powered scanning and digitization:
   Paperless-ngx https://docs.paperless-ngx.com/

   

   Paperless-ngx has evolved into a sophisticated solution for personal document management, now featuring AI-powered document classification and improved OCR capabilities.

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: Python/Django
   • Frontend: TypeScript/Angular
   • Database: PostgreSQL
   • Search: OpenSearch
   • OCR: Tesseract

   Key Features

   • Enhanced machine learning document matching
   • Improved mobile device support
   • Advanced tagging system
   • Real-time document processing
   • Integration with cloud storage providers

   

   Paperless-ngx - Offerings and Pricing

   Self-Hosted

   FREE

   Can run on local computer or a server, installable using Docker or through a well-defined manual definition.

   Cloud-Hosted Options

   While there's no official cloud offering, several providers offer managed Paperless-NGX hosting:

   • Elestio - Fully managed hosting with multiple cloud provider options.
   • Cloudron - Run Paperless-NGX on your server with automated updates and security.
   • MadebyAgents - Professional setup and ongoing support for cloud or self-hosted environments.

   Note: These are third-party providers not officially affiliated with the Paperless-NGX project.

2. For cloud-native document management with extensive API capabilities:
   FormKiQ Disclaimer: We're FormKiQ! https://github.com/formkiq/formkiq-core

   

   FormKiQ has expanded its offerings with enhanced AI integration and improved cloud-native features. It provides a flexible solution that installs directly in your AWS account, offering both headless and traditional document management capabilities.

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: Java/AWS Lambda
   • Frontend: TypeScript/React
   • Database: Amazon DynamoDB
   • Storage: Amazon S3
   • Search: Typesense

   FormKiQ Core Features (Free)

   • RESTful API for all document operations
   • Serverless deployment on AWS
   • Document storage in S3
   • Document OCR with Tesseract
   • Document metadata, tagging, and classification
   • Full-text search with Typesense
   • Multiple authentication methods (JWT, IAM, API Key)
   • OpenAI-powered document processing (intelligent tagging and classification)
   • Community support

   FormKiQ Explore and Commercial Offerings Add:

   • Advanced OCR and intelligent document processing (content and metadata extraction, classification)
   • Enhanced security features (document encryption, anti-virus scanning)
   • Advanced workflow automation (approval processes, document routing)
   • Advanced full-text search using OpenSearch
   • Advanced audit logging
   • Document versioning
   • Enterprise support and SLAs

   

   FormKiQ - Offerings and Pricing

   FormKiQ Core: Open source and self-hosted on AWS

   FREE (+ AWS charges)

   Deploys to your AWS cloud account with a one-click install

   FormKiQ Explore: for demos, prototypes, and early-stage exploration

   FREE (hosted by FormKiQ)

   Instantly available for use, with no setup required

   FormKiQ Essentials, Advanced, and Enterprise

   Starts at $1250/month (+ AWS charges)

   Includes additional features and enterprise support

3. For team collaboration and document organization:
   Teedy https://github.com/sismics/docs

   

   Teedy has undergone significant updates with improved collaboration features and modern interface design. It offers a comprehensive solution for team-based document management.

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: Java/Spring Boot
   • Frontend: JavaScript/Vue.js
   • Database: H2 or PostgreSQL
   • Search: Lucene
   • Storage: File system

   Key Features

   • Integrated file sharing and synchronization
   • Real-time collaboration tools
   • Mobile access and offline support
   • Version control and file recovery
   • Built-in office document editing
   • Advanced permission management

   

   Teedy - Offerings and Pricing

   Self-Hosted

   FREE

   Available via Docker or manual installation

   Cloud-Hosted (SaaS)

   • Starter: €19/user/month
   • Pro: €39/user/month
   • Enterprise: Custom pricing
4. For enterprise-grade document management:
   OpenKM Community Edition https://github.com/openkm/document-management-system

   OpenKM provides enterprise-level document management capabilities with a focus on workflow automation and integration capabilities.

   

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: Java/GWT
   • Frontend: GWT
   • Database: MySQL/PostgreSQL/Oracle
   • Search: Lucene
   • Storage: File system or cloud storage

   Key Features

   • Advanced workflow management system
   • Document versioning and audit trails
   • Full-text indexing and search capabilities
   • Comprehensive metadata management
   • Role-based access control and security
   • Document automation and rules engine
   • Microsoft Office integration
   • Email archive and management
   • Multi-platform support (Windows, Linux, Mac)
   • Mobile access and responsive interface
   • Digital signature support
   • Calendar and task management

   

   OpenKM - Offerings and Pricing

   Community Edition

   FREE

   Professional & Cloud

   • Professional: From €1,150/year
   • Cloud: From €15/user/month
5. For large-scale document repositories:
   LogicalDOC Community https://sourceforge.net/projects/logicaldoc/

   LogicalDOC offers robust features for managing large document collections with advanced metadata handling and workflow capabilities. It's particularly well-suited for organizations dealing with high volumes of documents that require sophisticated organization and retrieval.

   

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: Java/Spring
   • Frontend: JavaScript/React
   • Database: PostgreSQL/MySQL
   • Search: Lucene
   • Storage: File system or cloud storage

   Key Features

   • Advanced document versioning with branching support
   • Comprehensive metadata management and custom attributes
   • Full-text search with OCR capabilities
   • Document workflow automation
   • Granular access control and security policies
   • Document conversion and preview
   • WebDAV and CMIS support
   • Built-in ZIP archive handling
   • Document templating system
   • Barcode recognition
   • Multi-language support
   • Document retention policies

   

   LogicalDOC - Offerings and Pricing

   Community Edition

   FREE

   Basic features with community support

   Enterprise & Cloud

   • Enterprise: From $1,200/year
   • Cloud: From $15/user/month
   • Full feature set with professional support
6. For simple document management needs:
   OpenDocMan https://github.com/opendocman/opendocman

   

   If you're looking for an open-source web-based EDMS that is easy to use, OpenDocMan is a good option. This system is user-friendly, offers multilingual support, and boasts a simple interface that makes storing and retrieving documents easy. The interface is basic, but you get an EDMS that is incredibly easy to deploy in multiple languages.

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: PHP
   • Frontend: JavaScript/jQuery
   • Database: MySQL/MariaDB
   • Storage: File system

   

   Key Features

   • Multilingual support (including English, Chinese, Spanish, and German)
   • Role-based access control
   • Supports extensive range of file types
   • Revision history and version control
   • Direct email attachment import
   • Web interface for cloud version

   OpenDocMan - Offerings and Pricing

   Self-Hosted

   FREE

   Available via Docker or manual installation

   Cloud-Hosted (SaaS)

   • Basic: $24.95/month (5GB storage)
   • Standard: $44.95/month (10GB storage)
   • Professional: $69.95/month (20GB storage)
7. For small to medium business document management:
   SeedDMS https://sourceforge.net/projects/seeddms/

   SeedDMS provides a comprehensive solution for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a balance of features and ease of use. It includes robust document workflow capabilities and access control systems.

   

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: PHP
   • Frontend: JavaScript/Bootstrap
   • Database: MySQL/MariaDB
   • Search: Built-in
   • Storage: File system

   Key Features

   • Document workflow management
   • Advanced access control
   • Full-text search capabilities
   • Document versioning
   • Email notifications
   • Calendar integration

   

   SeedDMS - Offerings and Pricing

   Self-Hosted

   FREE

   Available as Docker container or source installation

   Support

   Professional support contracts available through partners

8. For complex document workflows:
   Mayan EDMS https://github.com/mayan-edms/Mayan-EDMS

   Mayan EDMS excels in handling complex document workflows and provides extensive automation capabilities. It's particularly well-suited for organizations with sophisticated document processing needs.

   

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: Python/Django
   • Frontend: JavaScript/Bootstrap
   • Database: PostgreSQL
   • Search: Elasticsearch
   • Storage: File system or cloud storage

   Key Features

   • Advanced workflow engine
   • Document type system
   • OCR capabilities
   • REST API
   • Extensive metadata support
   • Document conversion and preview

   

   Mayan EDMS - Offerings and Pricing

   Community Edition

   FREE

   Premium & Cloud

   • Premium Support: From $5,000/year
   • Cloud: From $20/user/month
9. For traditional enterprise document management:
   Alfresco Community Edition https://github.com/Alfresco/alfresco-content-services

   Alfresco Community Edition offers a traditional approach to document management, with a mature platform that has been in the enterprise space for many years. While the Community Edition provides basic document management capabilities, most enterprise features are reserved for the paid Enterprise Edition.

   Community Edition Features

   • Basic document management and version control
   • Simple workflow capabilities
   • Standard search functionality
   • Basic user management
   • Community support only

   Enterprise Edition Adds

   • Advanced workflow engine
   • Records management
   • Enhanced security features
   • Integration with Microsoft Office
   • Enterprise support and SLAs

   Technology Stack

   • Backend: Java/Spring
   • Frontend: JavaScript/Angular
   • Database: PostgreSQL
   • Search: Solr
   • Storage: File system or cloud storage

   Alfresco - Offerings and Pricing

   Community Edition

   FREE

   Self-hosted with community support

   Limited feature set suitable for basic document management needs

   Enterprise & Cloud

   • Enterprise: Custom pricing
   • Cloud: From $25/user/month
   • Full feature set with enterprise support
10. For digitally imaging and managing paper documents:
    Papermerge DMS https://github.com/papermerge/papermerge-core

    

    Papermerge is a specialized document management system focused on digitizing and organizing paper documents. It excels at importing and processing scanned documents, with strong OCR capabilities and metadata extraction. The system is particularly strong at handling documents that start as paper and need to be searchable digital assets.

    Technology Stack

    • Backend: Python/Django
    • Frontend: JavaScript
    • Database: PostgreSQL
    • OCR: Tesseract
    • Storage: File system

    

    Key Features

    • Multi-user permissions and access control
    • Advanced OCR with metadata extraction
    • Document versioning and audit trails
    • Automated document classification
    • Built-in document viewer with annotation support
    • Full-text search capabilities
    • Document tagging and organization
    • Direct email document import

    Papermerge - Offerings and Pricing

    Self-Hosted

    FREE

    Available via Docker or source installation

    Support

    Professional support and custom hosting options available through partners

Technology Stack & Deployment Comparison

* Through partners

Feature Comparison Matrix

† Some features may be limited to commercial/enterprise offerings

Selection Criteria

Future Trends

Conclusion

For some organizations, a small and lightweight EDMS will do the job. For others, having a more robust enterprise offering is essential. And for all organizations, there will be some features that you will absolutely require, while other features won’t be needed at all.

One of the reasons we see such a wide range of EDMS products is due to such a wide range of customer needs. Ultimately, as with proprietary systems, it’s important to determine exactly what is most important to you, but with open source, you have much better visibility into what each product will be able to do for you.

With the right system in place, you can easily manage your organization's digital and physical documents while knowing that your operational, budget and security needs can all be met.