SmartVault

smartvault.com
Document Management
Few Days

Document Management & Secure File Sharing Software

How to Replace SmartVault

Overview

SmartVault is a cloud-based document management system and secure client portal built for accounting firms, financial services, legal practices, and healthcare providers. It enables users to store, manage, share, and collaborate on documents with bank-level security while automating workflows and maintaining compliance with IRS, FTC, and SOC 2 Type 2 standards.

Features

61 features across 9 categories

Client Collaboration(3)

Client Portal

Branded portal for document sharing, requests, and client collaboration

Email Capture

Upload attachments or entire emails, request files from clients

Email Templates

Pre-built email templates for common communications

Also in: CCH Axcess

Core Document Management(9)

Centralized Document Repository

Unified location for all documents

Connected Desktop App

Get lightning-fast access to your documents in the cloud with the speed and performance of a desktop app

Document Management (DMS)

Cloud-based storage with organized workflows built for accounting firms

Full Text Search

Search across all documents with full-text indexing

Mapped Drive Access

Mount SmartVault directly to your file system

Mobile-Enabled Access

Access files from mobile devices

PDF Editing

Edit PDF documents within SmartVault

PDF Printer

Print to PDF functionality

Unlimited Cloud Storage

Access and manage files from any device, anytime, with built-in compliance controls

Integrations(2)

Developer API

SmartVault's Developer API provides web, mobile, and on-premises applications the ability to easily access SmartVault's document management capabilities

Software Integrations

Sync instantly with Lacerte, ProSeries, ProConnect, UltraTax, Drake, and more

Also in: ReadMe, Hugging Face, Setmore

Onboarding & Support(5)

Client Onboarding

Send engagement letters, collect documents, and onboard clients seamlessly

Data Migration & Setup

Seamless, secure migration from legacy systems with expert support

On-Demand Learning

Self-paced learning to master SmartVault on your schedule

Support & Customer Success

U.S.-based support and success coaching to keep your firm on track

Training & Onboarding

Expert-led training to help your firm get up and running fast

Pricing & Proposal Management(3)

Seasonal Licenses

Seasonal licenses from December 15 - April 30 (extended to Oct 15 for 2025)

Send Quotes & Proposals

Create, manage, approve, and record business proposals, sales documents, or pricing quotes via Quoters

SmartPath: Intelligent Pricing

Offer services with clarity and consistency using a customizable pricing model built for accountants

Security & Compliance(13)

Activity Logs

Track every user interaction for compliance and peace of mind

Automatic File Lock

Automatically lock files after a certain period

Certified Vault

Create authoritative, immutable copies of critical documents

Compliance & Audit

Track, secure, and retain documents to meet IRS, SOC 2 Type 2, and FTC compliance

Compliance Vault

Simplifying compliance for accounting firms with templated WISP documents to ensure compliance with the FTC Safeguard Rule

Custom Permission Groups

Create custom permission groups for different user types

Encrypted Communication

Encrypted messaging and file transfer

File Sharing & Access Controls

Encrypted document exchange with customizable permissions

Password-Protected File Sharing

Secure file sharing with password protection

Password-Protected PDFs

Protect PDF documents with passwords

Security & Compliance

Trusted, audit-ready security to meet IRS, FTC, and SOC 2 Type 2 standards

Two-Factor Authentication

Enhanced security with two-factor authentication

User Permission Controls

Set roles and permissions to safeguard sensitive files

Also in: Ivanti, Acuity Scheduling, Bitwarden

Tax Prep Workflow(6)

Bulk File Sending

Deliver files across multiple clients with just a few clicks

Bulk Print Organizers & Returns

Bulk print organizers and returns

Connected Tax Prep Workflow

Streamline your end-to-end tax prep workflow with SmartVault's secure, automated solution

SmartRouting

SmartRouting reads metadata from your tax software to identify the client, tax year, and document type; saving hours and reducing the risk of filing errors

SmartScan

Snap photos of documents from your phone or tablet, which upload to SmartVault as clean, cropped PDF files

Tax Specific Templates

Templates designed for tax preparation workflows

Workflow Efficiency & Automation(12)

Client Archival

Ability to archive clients

Custom Folder Templates

Standardize folder structures across clients and staff

Customized Folder Templates

Client interactions based on industry: Engagements, Projects, Matters, and Loans

Document Collection & Requests

Request, track, and receive documents in one workspace

Email Notifications

Automated email notifications for document actions

File Versioning

Track and manage document versions

Linked Clients

Linked Clients lets you quickly connect and access related client files. Access files faster and simplify complex client management with an instant interconnected clients view

PDF Form Filler

Templates, automation workflows, and collaboration tools make it easy to create, manage, and share forms, invoices, contracts, and other fillable PDFs with your clients

Print Driver / Autofiler

Print and automatically route documents to SmartVault

SmartRequestAIAI

AI-powered document requests that ask the right questions at the right time

Unlimited PDF Form Filler

Easily create professional, branded PDF files for your customers to fill directly in SmartVault via Docdown

Workflow Automation & Efficiency

Streamline document collection, approvals, and tax prep

eSignatures & Payments(8)

eSignature & Form Approvals

Collect signatures on tax documents, engagement letters, and approvals

eSignatures

Secure signatures via DocuSign, including KBA, with audit-ready workflows

Form Approvals & Fillable PDFs

Use structured PDFs for engagement letters and payment authorizations

Pin Code Authentication

Pin code authentication for digital signature

Reusable Templates for Forms & Documents

Create and reuse templates for forms and documents

Secure Payment Processing

Payment processing requires integration with DocuSign

Sign on Mobile Devices

Sign documents on mobile devices

Unlimited KBAs / ID Verification

Integrate an existing DocuSign account for knowledge-based authentication and ID verification

Pricing

Business Pro

$50/user/month (annual) or $70/user/month (monthly)
  • Unlimited cloud-based storage
  • Custom branded client portal
  • Unlimited clients, external collaborators, and users
  • Request, track, and collect client documents
  • Customized industry folder templates
  • Reporting & Activity logs
  • U.S. based phone/email/chat support

Accounting Pro

Popular
$55/user/month (annual) or $75/user/month (monthly)
  • All Business Pro features
  • Integrations with your accounting tech stack
  • Advanced Security & Compliance
  • Customized accounting & tax specific folder templates
  • Bulk print organizers & returns
  • Complementary Pricing Audit

Accounting Unlimited

Popular
$75/user/month (annual) or $100/user/month (monthly)
  • All Accounting Pro features
  • Request & send unlimited eSignatures
  • Unlimited KBAs / ID verification
  • Unlimited PDF form fillers
  • Send unlimited quotes & proposals
  • Compliance Vault (WISP templates)

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying SmartVault

Monthly$70/mo
Yearly$840/yr
5-Year Total$4.2k

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~7 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyEasy

Total Cost Comparison

1 YearSave $600
SaaS
$840
DIY
$240
3 YearsSave $1.8k
SaaS
$2.5k
DIY
$720
5 YearsSave $3k
SaaS
$4.2k
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 61 features at easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a SmartVault alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 61 features.

Buy SmartVault

Better Value
Monthly cost$700/mo
3-year total$25,200
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$48,000
Maintenance$720/mo
3-year total$73,920
Dev time~4 months

Buying SmartVault saves ~$48,720 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 61 features and a BuildScore of 4/5. Actual costs vary.

Integrations

15 known integrations

CanonDocuSignDrake TaxHubDocIntuit LacerteIntuit ProConnectIntuit ProSeriesIntuit QuickBooks DesktopIntuit QuickBooks OnlineMicrosoftRightworksSalesforceTaxCalcThomson Reuters UltraTax CSWolters Kluwer CCH