Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Firmex Virtual Data Room

Papermark is an open-source document sharing platform and virtual data room alternative to DocSend. It lets teams upload documents, share them via secure links, and track engagement with built-in analytics and branding controls.

Key Features

• Secure shareable document links with revocation and access controls
• Custom domains and branding for viewer experience
• Document tracking and engagement analytics (including page-by-page insights)
• Data room-style organization for sharing multiple documents
• Authentication features such as 2FA and SSO (availability depends on deployment/plan)

Use Cases

• Sales and partnerships: share decks and proposals and measure engagement
• Fundraising and investor relations: run a data room with controlled access
• Secure client document delivery with branded links and audit-friendly tracking

Limitations and Considerations

• Some analytics and integrations may rely on third-party services depending on configuration
• Requires external object/blob storage and a PostgreSQL database for typical deployments

Papermark is a strong fit for teams that want DocSend-style sharing with more control over hosting, branding, and data. It combines link-based document delivery with practical analytics for understanding how recipients engage with shared files.

Pydio Cells is a self-hosted, enterprise-grade content collaboration platform designed for organizations that need secure file sharing, collaboration, and document management without relying on SaaS services.

Key Features

• Self-hosted deployment with data control and hybrid cloud readiness
• High-performance large file transfers up to 5TB
• No-code automation via Cells Flows for complex workflows
• Granular access control, SSO, 2FA, and ACL-based permissions
• Digital Asset Management and Document Management capabilities
• Web-based collaboration with an integrated UI and REST/CLI APIs
• Private data rooms for sensitive transactions and audits

Use Cases

• Enterprises requiring on-prem data sovereignty and regulated access controls
• Organizations consolidating document workflows across departments and partners
• Private-cloud deployments replacing SaaS with centralized governance

Limitations and Considerations

• Windows support in the latest development branch is not fully mature; Linux/macOS are the recommended targets

Conclusion

Pydio Cells combines self-hosted control with scalable collaboration features, making it suitable for organizations needing secure document sharing, workflow automation, and governance.

ProjectSend is a clients-oriented file sharing web application designed for securely distributing and collecting files through a simple portal. It focuses on privacy and control, with client accounts, access restrictions, and detailed activity tracking.

Key Features

• Client accounts and client groups for targeted file delivery
• Role-based permissions with granular access controls and custom roles
• Detailed logging and statistics for user/client actions and file access
• Optional server-side file encryption at rest (AES-256-GCM)
• Upload controls such as auto-expiration, disk quotas, and download limits
• Optional client uploads to allow two-way file exchange
• External storage support including S3-compatible destinations
• Multi-language interface with extensive community translations
• Theming and customizable email templates (with editor integration)

Use Cases

• Securely sharing project deliverables and documents with external clients
• Collecting files from customers with controlled access and audit trails
• Replacing ad-hoc email attachments with an organized client portal

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires a PHP-compatible web server and a MySQL database
• Some deployment options (such as community Docker images) may be unofficial and differ from the upstream support model

ProjectSend is a practical choice for teams that need a straightforward, self-managed client file portal with strong permissioning and traceability. It fits well for small businesses and agencies that want controlled file exchange without relying on third-party file sharing services.