FormKiQ Core: Free Forever, Open Source Document Management System, Endlessly Extendable

Our core product, an open-source document management platform that deploys directly to your AWS account, free for both personal and commercial use

Our FormKiQ Core document management system is designed to be quick, simple, and worry-free

FormKiQ Core installs with a simple, one-click installation into your AWS Cloud account (with one additional configuration command). It runs as serverless infrastructure, meaning that you pay only for at-rest storage and when the system is used, and that for most personal and small business usage, you might be able to function entirely within the AWS Free Tier.

While FormKiQ Core can stand on its own as a Document Management System, the real power of this DMS is its flexibility and customization. Documents can be accessed from anywhere, on any device, providing remote and flexible access. Not only do you have full access to the original source code, including the Document API and Document Console, but you can integrate directly with FormKiQ’s created AWS resources, such as the Staging Document Bucket in Amazon S3 and the Document Metadata stored in Amazon DynamoDB.

The Document Console features web based access, enabling users to manage documents directly through a browser. FormKiQ Core also supports access from mobile devices, allowing users to manage documents on smartphones and tablets.

For example, you can use AWS AppSync to add a GraphQL API to interface with FormKiQ's DynamoDB NoSQL Database table.

But for most customization, you can use the FormKiQ Document API or the FormKiQ JavaScript Client SDK.

At A Glance:

  • Zero Cost, Unlimited Value: FormKiQ Core is completely free forever for personal and commercial use, with most small businesses operating entirely within AWS Free Tier limits—giving you enterprise-grade document management without licensing fees.
  • Complete Transparency & Control: As an open source document management system, you get full access to source code, complete data sovereignty in your own AWS account, and the freedom to customize without vendor restrictions.
  • Instant Deployment, Immediate Results: One-click installation gets you a fully functional document management system in minutes, eliminating paper documents and streamlining digital workflows from day one.
  • Work Anywhere, Access Everything: Modern web-based interface with mobile compatibility lets your team manage documents securely from any device, anywhere—perfect for remote teams and flexible work environments.
  • Built to Scale with You: Whether you're a startup or growing enterprise, FormKiQ Core handles any document volume and user count while maintaining performance through serverless AWS architecture.
  • Developer-Friendly Foundation: Comprehensive APIs and JavaScript SDK enable seamless integration with existing systems, while detailed documentation ensures quick onboarding and smooth customization.
  • Enterprise Features Without Enterprise Costs: Automated workflows, department-specific access controls, and modern interface capabilities typically found in expensive commercial solutions—all included free.

FormKiQ Core includes all of the following via its API, as well as features web-based access to:

Document Collection and Storage

  • Scaleable Document Storage
  • Bulk Document Upload Functionality
  • FormKiQ JavaScript Client SDK, for HTML Web Forms and other front-end applications
  • Inbound Webhooks for Document Creation
  • AWS Command Line Interface

Document Organization and Classification

  • Add, Edit, and Remove Tags and Document Metadata using API, Console, or Client SDK
  • Create Parent and Child Document Structures to create Nested Documents
  • Create Sub-Organizations or Teams for Multi-Team and Multi-Tenant Document Management

Document Processing and Transformation

NOTE: some processing and transformation with FormKiQ Core requires programming knowledge, particularly within the AWS ecosystem
  • Trigger Document Events
  • Build Custom Application and Administration Functionality to meet Customer and Compliance Needs
  • Convert Scanned Paperwork into Digitized Records, Contracts, and Forms
  • Integrate Import and Export Flows

Document Discovery, Presentation, and Integration

NOTE: most integration with FormKiQ Core requires programming knowledge, particularly within the AWS ecosystem
  • Document Search using Tag, Date, or Document ID
  • Basic Fulltext Search
  • Data Import and Export with webhooks and services like Zapier, Automate.io, and Microsoft Power Automate
  • Document Import and Export with services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive
  • Content Integration with services like Notion, Confluence, Trello, and Jira
  • CRM Integration with services like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho
  • Integration with Custom Applications using the FormKiQ Document API or GraphQL using AWS AppSync
  • Industry-specific Integrations, such as Case Management, Health Records Management, or Financial Software Packages
  • Easy access to 200+ services within AWS

FormKiQ's Super Powers: the Document API & the Document Console

  • FormKiQ Document API
  • FormKiQ Document Console

The Power of Open Core

By providing both an Open Core and and Commercially-Licensed product offerings, FormKiQ is able to maintain its free product while operating sustainably through the additional value provided to our enterprise customers. As our Open Core product, FormKiQ Core is the free version, available for download and internal use. This free version is fully customizable but does not include official support, making it ideal for organizations wanting to evaluate or adapt the system before considering a more robust DMS or ECM solution such as FormKiQ Enterprise.

Security and Transparency: Trusting Your Document Management

In today’s digital landscape, ensuring the security and transparency of your document management system is more important than ever. Organizations rely on document management software not only to store documents and manage digital documents, but also to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance. Open source document management solutions, such as Alfresco Community Edition, Mayan EDMS, and LogicalDOC Community Edition, stand out by offering full access to their source code, allowing businesses to review, audit, and customize their systems for maximum security and transparency.

A robust document management system should provide fine-grained control over user permissions, enabling administrators to manage documents and restrict access based on roles or departments. Features like automated install and update processes, full-text search, and a user-friendly web based interface ensure that users can efficiently find and manage documents while maintaining high security standards. With mobile access and multilingual support, users can securely access and manage files from anywhere in the world, on any device.

Open source DMS solutions benefit from active developer communities that continuously review and enhance the software, quickly addressing any security vulnerabilities that may arise. This collaborative approach not only improves the reliability of the system but also ensures that new features and workflow capabilities are regularly introduced. Administrative tools, internal messaging systems, and meta data management further streamline document workflows and help organizations track and organize multiple file types with ease.

For small businesses and medium-sized businesses, choosing a free document management software with a strong focus on security and transparency can lead to significant cost savings while providing enterprise-grade features. Open source software like OpenDocMan offers a compelling alternative to proprietary solutions, giving organizations the flexibility to adapt their document management system to their unique needs.

Ultimately, selecting a free document management system that prioritizes security, transparency, and community-driven development empowers businesses to manage their digital documents confidently and efficiently. By leveraging open source DMS solutions, organizations can ensure the integrity of their data, support compliance, and foster a more productive, paperless workplace.