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.

The best choices for DMS / EDMS open source software, based on use cases and requirements

Choosing the right open source document management system (DMS) or electronic document management system (EDMS) depends on your organization’s unique needs and priorities. For large enterprises that require advanced document organization, workflow automation, and extensive customization, solutions like OpenKM and Alfresco Community Edition stand out. These platforms offer robust source document management features, making them ideal for organizations with complex requirements and the need for fine-tuned control over their document management processes.

For medium sized businesses or those seeking a more streamlined approach, options such as OpenDocMan and Paperless-ngx provide a lightweight, user-friendly experience. These systems are well-suited for businesses that want to manage documents efficiently without the overhead of a more complex management system. Paperless-ngx, for example, is particularly popular for personal use and small teams, offering easy installation and intuitive document organization tools.

Ultimately, the best open source document management software for your organization will depend on factors such as the volume and types of documents you handle, your security and compliance needs, and your available resources for support and customization. Whether you need a feature-rich community edition for enterprise-level management or a simple solution for everyday document handling, the open source ecosystem offers a wide range of source document management system options to support your business goals.

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. Documents can be accessed easily from multiple devices and platforms, ensuring users can retrieve information when needed. Most modern EDMS feature web based access, allowing users to manage documents directly through a browser. 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 evaluating document management software, organizations encounter a spectrum of licensing and deployment models, each with distinct trade-offs. Traditional proprietary software offers predictable support and maintenance from a single vendor, while open source solutions provide transparency and customization potential. However, the modern landscape includes numerous hybrid approaches that blur these traditional boundaries.

Open core models combine a free, open source foundation with commercial add-ons and enterprise support. Source-available licenses provide code transparency without full open source freedoms. Cloud-native SaaS solutions may use open source components while delivering them as managed services. These varied approaches reflect different organizational priorities around control, cost, support, and technical capabilities.

The optimal choice depends on specific organizational needs rather than any inherent superiority of one model over another. Large enterprises with dedicated IT teams might benefit from open source flexibility, while smaller organizations often prefer the predictable support and reduced complexity of managed solutions. Regulatory environments, integration requirements, and long-term strategic goals all influence which approach delivers the best value for a particular use case.

Why Open Source Software Can Be a Strong Choice for Document Management

Open source document management solutions offer distinct advantages in specific organizational contexts, though they're not universally superior to proprietary alternatives.

Flexibility and Control

Open source software provides organizations with technical capabilities the ability to modify, extend, and customize their document management systems. This includes integrating additional modules, adapting workflows to unique business requirements, and maintaining control over the codebase. However, realizing these benefits requires dedicated development resources and ongoing maintenance commitments that many organizations lack.

For organizations with specific compliance requirements or unique operational needs that commercial software doesn't address, open source solutions can provide the necessary customization options. The trade-off is assuming responsibility for updates, security patches, and feature development.

Cost Considerations

While open source software eliminates licensing fees, the total cost of ownership includes implementation, customization, maintenance, and support expenses. For organizations with existing technical teams, these solutions can provide significant cost advantages over time. However, businesses without internal development capabilities may find that professional services and support costs offset the licensing savings.

The open development model can lead to more robust core functionality, as issues are identified and addressed by a diverse community of users and contributors. This can benefit both free and commercial versions of open source products.

Security and Transparency

Open source software provides code transparency, allowing security-conscious organizations to audit and verify the software they deploy. This visibility enables faster identification of vulnerabilities by the broader community, though it also makes potential security issues visible to malicious actors.

The security of any software—open source or proprietary—ultimately depends on development practices, update frequency, and organizational implementation rather than the licensing model alone. Both approaches can achieve high security standards when properly managed.

Choosing the Right Approach

The optimal choice between open source and proprietary document management software depends on organizational factors including technical capabilities, budget constraints, compliance requirements, and long-term strategic goals. Open source solutions excel for organizations that value customization control and have the resources to manage them effectively, while proprietary solutions often provide better value for organizations prioritizing predictable support and reduced operational complexity.

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.

Document Workflows and Collaboration

How modern open source EDMS streamline processes and enable team productivity

Modern open source document management systems are designed to optimize document workflows and foster seamless collaboration across teams. With features like workflow capabilities, version control, and web based access, these systems empower organizations to manage documents more efficiently and reduce bottlenecks in daily operations.

For example, Mayan EDMS offers advanced workflow automation, allowing users to set up custom document workflows that automate repetitive tasks such as approvals, notifications, and document routing. This not only saves time but also minimizes manual errors and ensures consistency in document handling. Web based access and mobile compatibility, as seen in platforms like OpenKM and LogicalDOC, enable team members to access, review, and collaborate on documents from any location or device, supporting remote and distributed work environments.

Additional features such as internal messaging systems, document check-in/check-out, and fine-grained access control further enhance collaboration by ensuring that team members can work together securely and efficiently. By leveraging these capabilities, organizations can streamline document workflows, improve communication, and boost overall productivity within their document management systems.

Security and Access Control

Protecting sensitive documents in open source environments

Security is a top priority when it comes to managing sensitive documents within an open source document management system. Open source document management solutions provide organizations with transparency and flexibility, but they also require a proactive approach to safeguarding data and mitigating security vulnerabilities.

Many open source DMS solutions, such as OpenDocMan and Mayan EDMS, are equipped with robust access control features, including user authentication, role-based permissions, and encryption to protect documents from unauthorized access. The open source community plays a vital role in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities, ensuring that these systems remain secure and up-to-date.

Organizations can further enhance the security of their source document management systems by implementing secure data transmission protocols, conducting regular backups, and providing ongoing training for users on best practices for document management. By combining the built-in security features of open source DMS/EDMS platforms with a strong internal security strategy, businesses can confidently manage sensitive documents and maintain compliance with industry standards, all while benefiting from the flexibility and innovation of open source software.

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.