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Alfresco Reviews

Vendor: Hyland
3.8 out of 5
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What is Alfresco?

The Alfresco Digital Business Platform offers open, secure content services to let you unlock the value from your most important business information. Give users access to their content wherever and however they work with Alfresco’s open, flexible, and highly scalable cloud-native content services platform. Easily integrate and connect with everyday business applications. Find, view, collaborate on, govern, and securely share digital content—and get information to the right person at the right time.

Get the Alfresco Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Alfresco, SharePoint, OpenText Documentum Content Management and more!
Alfresco is the #3 ranked solution in top Document Management Software and #8 ranked solution in top Enterprise Content Management solutions. PeerSpot users give Alfresco an average rating of 7.6 out of 10. Alfresco is most commonly compared to SharePoint: Alfresco vs SharePoint. Alfresco is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 61% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 16% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Alfresco
August 2025
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Alfresco mindshare

Product category:
Enterprise Content Management
As of August 2025, the mindshare of Alfresco in the Enterprise Content Management category stands at 8.4%, up from 7.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Enterprise Content Management

PeerResearch reports based on Alfresco reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryEnterprise Content ManagementAug 7, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersAug 7, 2025Download
ComparisonAlfresco vs SharePointAug 7, 2025Download
ComparisonAlfresco vs OpenText Documentum Content ManagementAug 7, 2025Download
ComparisonAlfresco vs OpenText Content ManagementAug 7, 2025Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
SharePoint3.916.0%79%162 interviewsAdd to research
OpenText Documentum Content Management3.811.5%83%32 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Alfresco's most valuable features include document management, content model capabilities, and ease of customization. Users appreciate its extensibility, seamless MS Office integration, and collaboration tools. Its support for Linux, open-source nature, and powerful search and metadata handling are praised. Workflow automation via integrated BPM and persistent document linking are also highlighted. It's noted for user-friendliness, rapid deployment, and support for standards like CMIS. Alfresco allows extensive customization without needing direct involvement, benefiting development and future enhancements.
  • "You can meet your users' expected features without having Alfresco's involvement."
  • "Alfresco's technical support is very fast and professional."
  • "The digitalization of workflow, forms, operations, and business processes is also significant."

Room for Improvement

Alfresco's Model Manager lacks full content model support. The interface and development environment require enhancements, including Eclipse plugin support. Reporting requires custom modules. Users want NoSQL support and built-in document capture functions. Better integration with Microsoft and simplified configurations are desired. Security and storage options need attention, and workflow features should be more robust. Governance policies are crucial for document management, with improved AI capabilities and digital workflow being requested.
  • "If you don't have proper governance, things can go wrong. You have to make rules, such as one folder should not have more than 5,000 subfolders or children."
  • "Currently, documents in Alfresco are stored on a file server, which, while good for performance, is a security risk."
  • "The setup process for Alfresco was complex."

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating Alfresco experience a range of pricing options, with the Enterprise Edition offering more features and a yearly license, while the Community Edition is free. Setup costs can be significant, particularly for integration and upgrades. Pricing begins at $100,000, which may be expensive for smaller projects, and migration from the community version incurs additional costs. Alfresco is deemed mid-range compared to competitors, but additional implementation costs can be high, potentially impacting budget-sensitive organizations.
  • "The license for Alfresco is expensive - not the maximum, but close. There are also extra costs once you start building integrations, as implementation seems to be very costly."
  • "There are costs for any upgrade or additional functions."
  • "If you buy Alfresco through a partner, there is usually a OEM licensing option."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Alfresco for content and document management, integrating workflows and scanning solutions, automating form digitization, and enhancing document accessibility related to transactions. It facilitates storing and linking signed documents, invoices, and purchase orders with ERP systems, ensuring transaction proof. Some users find it less intuitive compared to tools like Nautilus. Alfresco also supports unstructured document management with data classification.

Service and Support

Alfresco customer service is praised for responsiveness and willingness to help, with additional support available from the community. Technical support is described as good but hindered by slow internal workflows, though expertise is appreciated. Many users find solutions in the forums despite needing to raise tickets. Partner organizations often provide quicker assistance. Alfresco engineers are proactive in tackling issues. Majority rate technical support positively, noting quick, professional, and expert assistance, instilling confidence in users.

Deployment

Alfresco's initial setup is straightforward with both basic and advanced options available. Users find it easy with guides and a stack installer that includes necessary software. Training and documentation enhance the experience, although earlier versions like before 6.2 posed challenges. Some claim it takes about three weeks with vendor assistance. Despite requiring knowledge of web servers and databases, the setup is manageable with proper guidance and resources.

Scalability

Alfresco is viewed positively for scalability, often requiring minimal adjustments. While some challenges arise with older versions and complex setups for handling extensive document volumes, many find its scalability effective, benefiting from its robust architecture. High availability installations and clustering are noted strengths, although expert assistance may be necessary for complex implementations. They emphasize the importance of configuration and resource allocation for optimal performance without significant issues.

Stability

Alfresco exhibits strong stability, rarely encountering downtime. Most had no issues, though setting JVM parameters was necessary for heavy server requests. Companies must follow upgrade procedures carefully. Specialized companies often manage installation due to Alfresco's complexity and learning curve. Proper system architecture is crucial for handling large repositories. Earlier clustering inefficiencies improved over time. Newer versions offer platform services reducing performance concerns. Users rate Alfresco highly, giving it an eight out of ten.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Alfresco Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
16%
Government
12%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Comms Service Provider
5%
Healthcare Company
5%
Insurance Company
5%
Educational Organization
5%
Media Company
4%
Real Estate/Law Firm
4%
Performing Arts
3%
University
3%
Non Profit
3%
Energy/Utilities Company
2%
Recruiting/Hr Firm
2%
Retailer
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
1%
Outsourcing Company
1%
Construction Company
1%
Aerospace/Defense Firm
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Transportation Company
1%
Logistics Company
1%
Consumer Goods Company
1%

Compare Alfresco with alternative products

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Learn more about Alfresco

    Alfresco customers

    Over 1,300 companies from 180 different countries. Including EuroStar, Saks Fifth Avenue, NASA Langley Research Center, and KLM.

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    Product Categories

    Product Categories
    Enterprise Content Management
    Document Management Software

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    Alfresco reviews

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    JM
    Country Head Spain at Apiux
    Verified user of Alfresco
    Apr 1, 2025
    Maintaining document integrity with persistent linking and customizable workflows

    Pros

    "Alfresco's technical support is very fast and professional."

    Cons

    "Currently, documents in Alfresco are stored on a file server, which, while good for performance, is a security risk."

    What is our primary use case?

    Mostly, the primary use case is to store documents related to transactions in our company. These documents could be signed documents, invoices, purchase orders, etc. While transaction records are stored in our ERP system, it is crucial to have the document as proof of the transaction. We implement a content manager to link documents in Alfresco with the registry in the ERP system. This is the most important use case for us.

    What is most valuable?

    The advantage of Alfresco over other document storage solutions is that it allows for the creation of a persistent link between a document and a registry. Even if you update or version the document, the link remains unchanged. This makes the record independent of the document, which is beneficial as documents often change, and it helps avoid continual updates to the registry. Additionally, the ability to handle various document types, create workflows, and its extensive customizability, from my point of view as a developer, are also significant valuable features.
    *Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
    Read full review (766 words)
    UC
    Technical Project Manager at a tech vendor with 5,001-10,000 employees
    Verified user of Alfresco
    Jun 11, 2025
    Product version discussed: 6.2
    Extensive customization and governance enhance document management experience

    Pros

    "You can meet your users' expected features without having Alfresco's involvement."

    Cons

    "If you don't have proper governance, things can go wrong. You have to make rules, such as one folder should not have more than 5,000 subfolders or children."

    What is our primary use case?

    This is mainly for unstructured document management systems with workflow and data classification.

    What is most valuable?

    The overall extensive base APIs are available, and it is open for extension. This part is something I appreciate. You can have your own use cases and customizations. It is highly extensible, meaning you can do whatever you want. You can meet your users' expected features without having Alfresco's involvement. You don't need Alfresco to be there for your future enhancements, which is very advantageous.

    After onboarding Alfresco, many applications got decommissioned and everything merged into Alfresco.

    *Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Read full review (593 words)
    Buyer's Guide
    Alfresco
    Download free report
    Find out what your peers are saying about Alfresco. Updated August 2025
    864,432 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Karthi Keyan - PeerSpot user
    Head Of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees
    Verified user of Alfresco
    Nov 26, 2024
    Streamlining document management with enhanced digitalization features needed

    Pros

    "The most valuable features of Alfresco include its integration with the scanning solution, the ability to search, and the capability to store and index to capture metadata. "

    Cons

    "Alfresco could improve workflow digitalization and enhance artificial intelligence capabilities."

    What is our primary use case?

    We used Alfresco as a document management system for automating and digitizing manual forms. Those were the main use cases.

    How has it helped my organization?

    The digitalization of workflow, forms, operations, and business processes has improved our organization.

    *Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Read full review (335 words)
    PeerSpot user
    Program Manager at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
    Verified user of Alfresco
    Oct 2, 2024
    Configuration challenges hinder intuitive document searching despite helpful features

    Pros

    "Alfresco allows broad searches with many index fields that you can search on, although the created fields and their values may not be intuitive."

    Cons

    "The configuration of Alfresco is a big challenge."

    What is our primary use case?

    I use Alfresco primarily to look up documents. However, it is not as user-friendly as the previous solution, Nautilus, which I was more familiar with due to my involvement in its configuration and setup.

    What is most valuable?

    It is a basic solution where you store documents and perform searches. Alfresco allows broad searches with many index fields that you can search on, although the created fields and their values may not be intuitive.

    *Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Read full review (309 words)
    Karthi Keyan - PeerSpot user
    Head Of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees
    Verified user of Alfresco
    May 11, 2022
    Flexible and customizable but lacking integration with Microsoft

    Pros

    "The most valuable feature is the flexibility of the searching elements of the metadata."

    Cons

    "I think the presentation layer could be improved - currently, it's too complex, and there are too many features cluttered all over the screen."

    What is our primary use case?

    I mainly use Alfresco for content management, workflow, integration to scanning solutions, and reduction.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable feature is the flexibility of the searching elements of the metadata. Other good features are that it's open-source and allows a lot of customization.

    *Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    Read full review (378 words)
    PeerSpot user
    Works with 11-50 employees
    Verified user of Alfresco
      Jul 26, 2017
      Product version discussed: 5.1
      The product allows engineering teams and developers to introduce new things in a seamless way.

      Pros

      " The product allows engineering teams and developers to introduce new things in a seamless and easy way."

      Cons

      "Alfresco has a very steep learning curve, and unfortunately, during the learning process, it's very easy to make errors, which often are unforgiving. "

      What is most valuable?

      The best feature is extensibility. Hands down, the best feature of Alfresco is what is "not there yet". The product allows engineering teams and developers to introduce new things in a seamless and easy way. Alfresco, as a company, is supporting this approach by improving the Alfresco Maven SDK and extending native APIs.

      How has it helped my organization?

      Alfresco plays a core part in our business, where we use the platform as a Learning Content Management System (LCMS) as opposed to a "simple" CMS. We have developed a proprietary solution to integrate Alfresco with a third party Learning Management System (LMS), which is the key success of our business.

      *Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. I am a partner.
      Read full review (865 words)
      PeerSpot user
      Manager Records and Information Governance at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
      Verified user of Alfresco
      Jun 14, 2017
      We use it for collaboration and IT project records. I would like to see better metadata, auto class, disposition log, and legal hold.

      Pros

      "I like the ease of use, sections, and calendar."

      Cons

      "Metadata, auto class, disposition log, and legal hold."

      What is most valuable?

      We are using Alfresco for collaboration and IT project records. I am only using it for team sites. My sites are not really collaborative, but more sharing info and documents. I like the ease of use, sections, and calendar.

      How has it helped my organization?

      Sharing is easier than using file shares. Hopefully less duplication of files.

      *Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
      Read full review (279 words)
      PeerSpot user
      Online Educator, specializing in ECM and BPM at Marver Solutions Ltd
      Verified user of Alfresco
      Mar 8, 2017
      Product version discussed: 5.2
      Alfresco is a modern open source ECM system that provides a straight forward way to classify and sturucture you content

      What is most valuable?

      Document Management, Content Model Manager, MS Office integration, Collaboration & Sharing, Workflow, Digital Asset Management, support for standards such as Content Management Interoperability Interface (CMIS).

      How has it helped my organization?

      We use the Alfresco product to keep track of project information (documentation), being it email conversation or office documents. Content can be easily found via Free Text Search or metadata search.

      I have also been involved in a lot of Alfresco projects in the publishing area where really come into its best. The publishing area has high demands on a flexible content management solution and business process engine. Alfresco can be used to support full digitalizing of book production and publishing.

      *Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
      Read full review (847 words)