iManage vs. SharePoint: Competitive analysis
The Digital Dilemma: iManage or SharePoint?
Efficient document management is crucial for businesses handling sensitive information. Legal teams, corporate departments, and regulated industries often evaluate whether to use SharePoint or iManage to manage documents securely and efficiently. While both platforms offer strong document management capabilities, they are built for different use cases and organizational needs.
Understanding the Basics
SharePoint
A versatile collaboration platform designed for general document management, team workflows, and enterprise-wide content storage. SharePoint integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 tools, making it an adaptable choice for organizations that need customizable document management.
SharePoint allows businesses to configure workflows, permissions, and integrations with a variety of applications. This solution however requires users to customize settings or use third-party add-ons to meet regulatory requirements for legal and compliance teams.
iManage
A specialized document management platform built for legal, financial, and compliance-driven industries. iManage offers matter-centric organization, advanced search capabilities, and built-in compliance features, making it a strong fit for organizations that require structured workflows and robust security controls.
iManage is designed to manage sensitive data securely, with audit trails, version control, and permission-based access to ensure compliance. To maximize its specialized features, iManage does however require training and structured implementation.
Key Differences Between iManage & SharePoint
Document Organization & Retrieval
iManage: Uses a matter-based filing structure, which allows users to group all case-related documents in one location. Advanced metadata tagging enhances search accuracy and retrieval.
SharePoint: Uses a folder-based hierarchy, requiring manual organization or custom metadata setup to achieve structured document filing.
Security & Compliance
iManage: Built-in compliance tools include document-level access controls, ethical walls, audit trails, and version tracking to help meet legal and regulatory requirements.
SharePoint: Security settings must be manually configured, requiring IT oversight to establish role-based permissions and compliance workflows.
Version Control & Document History
iManage: provides comprehensive version tracking, ensuring every document change is captured and easily accessible. Users are notified of newer versions and can revert to previous edits if needed.
SharePoint: Offers version history but requires additional settings to enable detailed tracking and user alerts for document updates.
Collaboration & Integration
Whether using iManage or SharePoint, teams benefit from Microsoft 365 compatibility for smooth collaboration. iManage is built for legal professionals needing secure external access, while SharePoint is ideal for cross-department collaboration with real-time document editing.
iManage vs. SharePoint: Pros and Cons
SharePoint
Pros:
- Familiar interface for Microsoft 365 users
- Customizable workflows and integrations
- Strong enterprise-wide collaboration capabilities
Cons:
- Requires IT resources to configure legal workflows and security settings
- Scaling complexity—as document volume grows, performance may be impacted
- Customization needed for legal-specific compliance requirements
iManage
Pros:
- Matter-centric document management tailored for legal and compliance professionals
- Built-in regulatory compliance tools including audit logs, retention policies, and security controls
- Advanced search & metadata features for quick document retrieval
Cons:
- Requires training for new users unfamiliar with matter-based organization
- Implementation planning is essential to fully leverage its capabilities
Case Scenarios: Choosing the Right Solution
When to Choose SharePoint
Basic Document Management: Suitable for businesses needing structured file storage but not legal-specific workflows.
General Collaboration Needs: Works well for team-based projects, document sharing, and communication across departments.
Highly Customizable: Organizations with IT support can configure SharePoint to support specific workflows.
Best for: Companies already using Microsoft 365 that need a broad collaboration platform rather than a legal-focused DMS.
When to Choose iManage
Legal & Compliance-Heavy Workflows: Ideal for law firms, Corporate legal and compliance teams, finance teams, and organizations handling regulated data.
Advanced Security & Audit Controls: Offers built-in security features, ethical walls, and granular access management.
Optimized for Legal Productivity: Integrates with Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Power Platform, and popular legal management systems.
Best for: Organizations requiring strict document governance, legal case management, and automated compliance tracking.
Comparing Key Features
| Feature | SharePoint | iManage |
| Document Organization | Folder-based with manual metadata | Matter-based with structured tagging |
| Version Control | Standard version history, requires setup | Built-in, powerful version tracking |
| Security & Compliance | Configurable based on company policies | Pre-built compliance features for regulated industries |
| Collaboration | Microsoft 365 integration, team-based sharing | Microsoft 365 & legal tool integration, controlled external sharing |
| Search Capabilities | Standard Microsoft search | Advanced AI-driven search for legal & compliance teams |
Why iManage is the Best Choice for Legal and Compliance-Driven Teams
While SharePoint offers versatility and collaboration features, iManage is purpose-built for industries where security, compliance, and efficiency are paramount. By choosing iManage, organizations benefit from a structured, legal-focused document management system that enhances productivity, security, and compliance—without the need for complex customization.
How iManage Transforms Your Document Management:
Efficiency & Productivity – Automate workflows, streamline document retrieval, and eliminate time-consuming manual processes, allowing teams to focus on high-value work.
Advanced Security & Compliance – Built-in audit trails, encryption, and ethical walls ensure that sensitive data remains protected and organizations stay compliant with industry regulations.
Integration with Legal Tools – Deep integration with Microsoft 365, Outlook, and Teams, along with legal-specific tools, provides a centralized, efficient workspace for case management and document collaboration.
Intelligent Search & Version Control – Find documents instantly with advanced metadata tagging and track every version with automated journaling, ensuring that teams always have access to the most accurate information.
Scalability for Legal & Compliance Teams – Unlike SharePoint, which requires manual configuration for security and compliance, iManage provides out-of-the-box solutions tailored for law firms, financial institutions, and regulated industries.
For organizations that handle complex legal documents, sensitive client data, and regulatory requirements, iManage offers a specialized, future-ready solution that goes beyond basic document storage.
Take the Next Step Toward Smarter Document Management
Choosing the right document management system is about more than just storage—it’s about enhancing efficiency, maintaining compliance, and securing critical business data.
Discover how iManage can revolutionize how you work. Contact Co-Operative Computing today to explore tailored solutions and expert guidance.
Schedule a Free Demo and see why leading legal and compliance teams trust iManage to simplify, secure, and optimize their document management.
