File-storing and sharing apps are priceless for the numerous benefits they allow users to enjoy. Such as keeping things paperless, affording high privacy, and having files at your fingertips anytime, anywhere.

And when people are fishing for large storage spaces on almost every device, open-source document management systems only make sense. With the Open Source Document Management System, users get to enjoy the fruits of customization.

Here are some benefits of an online open-source document management system:

1. Go paperless; less physical space required 
2. Modify & develop as you like
3. Large storage space 
4. Enhanced security
5. Share and collaborate with others 
6. Easy retrieval 
7. Improved regulatory compliance
8. Backup and disaster recovery

10 Free open-source document management systems

We’ve selected a handful of the best document management tools outlined here.

1. Kimios
2. WPERP Document Manager
3. OpenDocMan
4. Sentrifugo
5. MayanEDMS
6. Alfresco
7. OpenKM
8. SeedDMS
9. LogicalDoc
10. Krystal DMS

1. Kimios

This is free and efficient software that can be used for storing, editing, creating, tracking, and managing documents. Kimios offers smart digital workflow solutions and document control. It’s both web-based and mobile.

Moreover, the website says, “Kimios was designed to help companies and departments with a large document flow: Human Resources, Financial Departments, Quality Service, etc.”

Apart from that, one of the unique things about Kimios software is that it offers direct integration with Microsoft Office, but only under a commercial license. Based on a full service-oriented architecture, or SOA, this software functions on a client-server model.

Key features:

• It makes it easy to create, update, or delete documents
• It comes with a customizable search engine
• Has a check-in and check-out feature
• Offers information systems integration
• Create update, or delete documents
• Version control to restore the documents
• Connect third-party applications to provide meta-values and index
• Customizable search engine
• Bookmarks documents
• Create advanced search requests and bookmarks
• Checkin / Checkout feature
• User rights management
• Standards for authentication and security system
• Information system integration

Pricing:

You can download the source code of the open-source document management system version of Kimios from GitHub. You can also download the bundle version from their website.

2. WP ERP Document Manager

WP ERP Document Manager is a complete WordPress document management system.

If you’re using WordPress to manage your business or online venture, you might be interested in WP ERP Document Manager. This plugin runs on the core WP ERP, which is a complete online small business manager on WordPress with HR and CRM modules.

This comprehensive document manager stores all sorts of files on this self-hosted HR and CRM manager. WP ERP Document Manager lets you upload, view, and manage any type of document and file on the backend of your WordPress.

Both managers and staff can attach files to employee profiles, like CVs, certifications, and performance evaluations. Moreover, you can also upload files to your customer profiles, such as order history, complaints, client details, and a lot more.

WP ERP Document Manager is perfect for enterprises and businesses of all sizes.

And if you’re using something as amazing as HR Frontend, your employees would be able to quickly upload files directly from your sites on their profiles, without accessing the admin dashboard.

Also, you can upload pictures, PDFs, word files, ZIP files, spreadsheets, and more in any format with this extension. The plugin also has detailed documentation and excellent technical support.

Key features:

• Keep everything organized on your server
• Integration with WordPress HR and CRM
• Define user roles and access
• Instant search in the dashboard
• Every file format supported
• Global access is restricted only to owners and managers
• Restrict file sizes or keep it unlimited 
• Create folders and sub-folders in any numbers
• Upload CSV, audio, and videos
• List & grid view
• Multiple simultaneous file upload are supported.
• Display logos according to file type
• View from the WP dashboard
• Purchase for single, 3, 10, or even 50 sites

Pricing:

WP ERP has a dynamic pricing plan designed for the user’s needs. However, you can avail of this extension only for 2/month. Or, you can enjoy a 16% discount on the annual pricing plan.

Check out the pricing plan of WP ERP Document Manager

3. OpenDocMan

OpenDocMan is an open-source document management system written in PHP and can run inside any PHP5-enabled web server, such as Apache 2. It supports MySQL 5 as a database and can be used on any type of operating system using the browser.

However, it is a 100% web-based document management system and features an automatic installer and update.

Key features:

1. Support almost every type of files
2. Metadata fields  and categorization support
3. Revision history
4. Create custom document properties to match your company’s needs
5. Automated document review and  file expiration process
6. File expiration, Search, Indexing, Security and Workflow
7. Fine-grained user access control
8. Departmental access control for each file
9. Multiple Language Support

Pricing:

OpenDocMan has two plans: Basic USD 14 (monthly) and Standard USD 28 (monthly). A free trial: is available.

4. Sentrifugo 

This solution right here is both a full-fledged HRMS and a completely free and open-source document management software. Moreover, Sentrifugo provides a one-stop file management system for individuals and businesses.

Sentrifugo also provides users with an intuitive UI with exceptional HR resource modules.

Key features:

• Human resource management
• Talent acquisition
• Performance appraisal
• Employee self-service
• Analytics
• Background checks
• Leave management
• Service requests
• Interview schedule
• Time management
• Feedforward
• Expenses
• Asset management 
• Disciplinary
• Employee exit/separation 

Pricing:

Sentrifugo is free to use. 

5. Mayan EDMS

Mayan EDMS is a free, open source electronic document management system written in Python. It uses the Django web application framework and provides an electronic vault or repository for electronic documents.

However, it offers a central electronic document storage repository for quick and precise storage, retrieval, and management of important files and documents.

Key features:

• API Documentation
• Central electronic repository
• Supports All File Formats
• User and Group Management
• Efficient Dashboard
• Advanced search
• Categorization capabilities
• Access management options
• Workflow states
• Role management
• Activity logs
• Reporting

Pricing:

Mayan EDMS offers two plans: professional and community. The professional edition provides users with dedicated support and additional features.

6. Alfresco

Alfresco is an open-source Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system that manages all the content within an enterprise and provides the services and controls that manage this content.

The foundation of the Alfresco system is a repository that has a server supporting content, metadata, associations, and full-text indexes. 

Programming interfaces support multiple languages and protocols to help developers create custom applications and solutions.

More importantly, out-of-the-box applications provide standard solutions such as document management, records management, and web content management.

Key features:

• Multi-language support
• jBPM workflow
• Support for automatically generated XForms with AJAX
• Lucene search

Pricing:

The prices of Alfresco are available upon request.

7. OpenKM

This is a Java-based document management system that offers clients a web UI for managing nonspecific digital files.

OpenKM allows users to set different rules and logic to automate the process of documentation. Furthermore, this document management system is compatible with all the common file types, like text, Office, Open Office, XMS, PDF, HTML, JPEG, and several others.

Key features:

• Content repo
• jBPM workflow
• Lucene indexing
• Records management
• Task automation and tracking system
• Integrations
• Collects information from digital sources
• Watermarks and digital signatures
• Workflow engine
• Cryptography to encrypt as well as decrypt documents

Pricing:

The OpenKM DMS software comes in three different versions: professional, cloud, and community. The community plan is free. The other two plans are paid versions whose prices can be obtained on a quote basis.

Moreover, the community version can be modified as the user wants. However, it lacks a few important features compared to the paid plans, such as a detailed knowledge base and extensive support.

8. SeedDMS

SeedDMS is an easy-to-use cross-platform web-based document management system written in PHP and MySQL/Sqlite 3.

It comes with a multi-level content directory that allows users to store more than 32,000 documents.

Key features:

• Supports all common file types and metadata
• Offers preview images for attachments
• Comes with WebDAV access
• Efficient workflow for reviewing documents and approval
• External authentication
• Access control lists
• Users and group management

Pricing:

SeedDMS is free to download and use.

9. LogicalDOC

LogicalDOC Community Edition speeds up information storage and retrieval, user administration, team collaboration, and reporting.

Key features:

• It offers a multilingual desktop and web interface
• Allows you to import from ZIP archives
• Has an internal messaging system
• Comes with excellent security policies
• Dropbox integration
• Integration with WordPress and Joomla Explorers
• Support for HTTPS, CMIS, and WebDAV protocols
• Reporting
• Events log
• Users and groups
• Document password protection
• Collaborative options

Pricing:

The community version is free to use, but it does not have the support that the professional version offers. The price of the professional version is quotation-dependent.

10. Krystal DMS

Krystal DMS offers advanced features like indexing, detailed audits, and multilingual support that help you manage your documents without any trouble.

Key features:

• Offers proper email management
• Advanced auditing
• Allows you to control access.
• Provides you with the OCR feature.
• It comes with a proper workflow management feature.

Pricing:

The software comes in four basic editions. The community edition is free to use. The enterprise, standard, and premium editions are paid versions, and quotations are dependent.

Final Considerations

Documents are an asset to any business. Therefore, storing, accessing, and managing them should be easy. Document management software should be able to put all your documents to work more efficiently.

Document managers are essential tools for storing, sharing, and managing files. Open Source document managers are available for free or at a low cost compared to other types of DMS. They are highly customizable to meet your specific requirements.

With the help of an Open Source DMS, files can be accessed from anywhere, even on the go. In addition, workflows can be automated, making it more efficient to manage and share files. The software is user-friendly, making it easy to share files and collaborate with others.

If you’ve any suggestions and names of open source document management systems that you consider one of the best, feel free to drop them in the comments!