Alfresco vs Hyland OnBase vs OpenText Content Management comparison

Alfresco and Hyland OnBase are both solutions in the Enterprise Content Management category. Alfresco is ranked #8 with an average rating of 6.8, while Hyland OnBase is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.7. Alfresco holds a 8.4% mindshare in ECM, compared to Hyland OnBase’s 6.4% mindshare. Additionally, 78% of Alfresco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Hyland OnBase users who would recommend it.

Alfresco

Read 14 Alfresco reviews

2,661 Views
2,209 Comparison Views

78% willing to recommend

Hyland OnBase

Read 13 Hyland OnBase reviews

3,322 Views
2,093 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

OpenText Content Management

Read 21 OpenText Content Management reviews

3,326 Views
2,960 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Alfresco

Hyland OnBase

OpenText Content Management

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Alfresco, Hyland OnBase, and OpenText Content Management based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, OpenText, IBM and others in Enterprise Content Management.

To learn more, read our detailed Enterprise Content Management Report (Updated: August 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Content Management

August 2025

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Helped 865,164 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Enterprise Content Management category, the mindshare of Alfresco is 8.4%, up from 7.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Hyland OnBase is 6.4%, up from 6.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of OpenText Content Management is 10.8%, up from 10.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Content Management

Featured Reviews

Karthi Keyan

Head Of Information Technology at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

Streamlining document management with enhanced digitalization features needed

We used Alfresco as a document management system for automating and digitizing manual forms. Those were the main use cases The digitalization of workflow, forms, operations, and business processes has improved our organization. The most valuable features of Alfresco include its integration with…

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Srinivas Rao Kagitha

Senior Onbase Developer & Administrator at HTC Global Services (INDIA) Private

Offers good dashboards and reports but fails to offer better migration features

The migration is a bit difficult in the tool. Whenever we make certain changes to workflow or other stuff, migrating the code from one environment to another is a bit tedious. The tool has an option for export and import, which is not robust. Most of the time, we need to do things stuff manually. For example, if we make any changes in the existing life cycle or any queues, we have to move those changes manually. There is no robust way to migrate code from one environment to a lower environment, like prod. When it comes to the product's technical support, the turnaround time is a bit longer than expected. The issue may be because there are a number of issues or a large number of customers who are reaching out to the support team for help. I believe that the solution's technical team can provide a solution more quickly.

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Jaideep MS

Practice Director at a outsourcing company with 51-200 employees

Enables effective document control yet requires better affordability and clarity

I use extended ECM for procurement, sales, engineering documents, and sometimes invoices and accounts payable or receivable The version controls and the business workspace part integrate well with SAP and OpenText, providing granular level control over who accesses the workspace. The seamless…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Document repository."

"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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Alfresco pros

"The product's initial setup phase is not difficult."

"The solution is very developed and we are not taking full advantage of its functionalities."

"The retention module is one of the most valuable features. Whatever we scan onto the system can be identified and we are notified when the records are due to be disposed."

"The most valuable features are that it's very secure and provides audit trails for our documents."

"OnBase is a remarkable tool. It is a well-done product. Hyland has a lot of experience in building it and looking for new things for clients in terms of functionalities. It has amazing stability, and it can grow horizontally and vertically. It is built for growth. Their technical support is also quite good and available throughout the year."

"Integrating Hyland OnBase with our systems enabled us to automate document designs and templates, which was extremely helpful in the finance and banking industry."

"Its most valuable aspect is its flexibility"

"We found the setup process to be okay since they do offer a troubleshooting guide."

More Hyland OnBase pros

"Scalability is great. We can extend areas horizontally and vertically."

"WebReports has a lot of capabilities that offer good opportunities to customize the applications the way we want to."

"The engineering document management system is one of the most valuable features."

"Being able to tag metadata on documents and being able to have different workspaces in there for our documents is valuable. We do loan documents, and different types of documents have different types of retentions. We are able to categorize based on that, and we are able to do tag searching to find what we are looking for."

"The seamless integration between SAP and OpenText offers a 360-degree view of documents, facilitating a full-text search capability."

"Smart Viewing videos are most valuable for the end users. The end users like the look and feel of Smart View. It's similar to SharePoint, with the latest HTML5 features, filters, and everything. It's like online shopping."

"OpenText Extended ECM's most valuable features include permissions and security models. I also like the tool's ability to add metadata and use it to categorize information."

"The solution's automatic document numbering, state management, and process flow are very useful features to go through the full cycle of the document."

Cons

"The setup process for Alfresco was complex."

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

"The configuration of Alfresco is a big challenge."

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

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

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

"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."

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

More Alfresco cons

"An area for improvement would be the training - getting our people up to speed on how to use it required more training than we expected due to the complexity of the solution."

"Software malfunctioning usually occurs when we receive documents from external sources."

"We are struggling with duplicates and would like to have OCR functionality when using this solution."

"The dashboards do have some room for improvement as compared to the other vendors which are there in the market."

"For user experience, they would have to do more with the interface. It is not easy to work with and is a little messy. It is getting better, but it is not yet good enough. Other products are comparatively doing better in terms of the user interface. I have been hearing about Box, which is very easy to use and learn for the users. OnBase has to work on this aspect. It should have BPM capabilities. We compete with tools that provide the BPM feature and support those standards. They can do better in terms of the pricing model. It is a really expensive tool in Latin America. They should have different prices for different regions."

"I find OnBase's monolithic architecture to be expensive, and adopting microservices could be beneficial."

"The look and feel could be better. The integration with the user could be better. It could also be more user-friendly."

"We found the size of images to be a restriction, though this may have been due to the API used rather than the Hyland application."

More Hyland OnBase cons

"More out-of-the-box automation features should be added to OpenText Extended ECM."

"The annotation tool needs improvement. In other tools, such as Hyland OnBase, you can easily do annotation. You can easily merge documents. You can easily compare documents, whereas with OpenText, it seems to be a challenge."

"OpenText Extended ECM's user interface could be improved."

"The response time is not effective, and the staff lacks adequate knowledge."

"A dashboard with information would be nice to see."

"Initially there can be stability issues due to unknown factors such as usage of the system, quantity of documents ingested, load during peak hours."

"The cost of the product could be improved."

"The solution should work better with partners and be more developer-friendly."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"If you buy Alfresco through a partner, there is usually a OEM licensing option."

"It is cheaper compared to head-to-head competitors."

"There are costs for any upgrade or additional functions."

"They can do better in terms of the pricing model. It is a really expensive tool in Latin America. They should have different prices for different regions."

"The solution costs around $6,000 per month."

"OnBase is reasonably priced."

"There are a number of different types of licenses. There are concurrent licenses, individual licenses and imaging licenses."

"The tool's price is high."

"The licensing is not that complex for the core products, but it becomes more complicated for some additional modules."

"It is a little more expensive than our previous solution, but because of the fact that it has become a rallying point for different groups to come under, it might end up paying off better in the long run by not having seven siloed solutions. Even though this one solution is a little pricey, it might eliminate other ones."

"The solution is expensive."

"The tool's pricing is confusing to the end customer."

"The total cost of the product will vary on the capabilities required"

"OpenText Extended ECM's pricing and licensing are aggressive and confusing for the end customer."

"OpenText Extended ECM is an expensive solution."

"The product is pricey."

More OpenText Content Management pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

16%

Government

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

14%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

Insurance Company

Government

14%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Alfresco?

The pricing of Alfresco starts at $100,000, which can be expensive for small projects. There is often a transition fr...

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What needs improvement with Alfresco?

Currently, the challenge is the general availability to users. Initially, they had poor documentation, but over the y...

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What is your primary use case for Alfresco?

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

See all answers

What do you like most about Hyland OnBase?

The solution is very developed and we are not taking full advantage of its functionalities.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Hyland OnBase?

I find pricing to be on the higher side due to its monolithic architecture. I would rate it six out of ten. Transitio...

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What needs improvement with Hyland OnBase?

I believe the reporting features need improvement, as other competitors in the market provide better analytics. Hylan...

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What do you like most about OpenText Content Suite Platform?

We also have a module on top of the Content Server called WebReports that has been one of the things that helped us f...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for OpenText Content Suite Platform?

The cost is a significant factor that may deter medium-sized businesses from using OpenText extended ECM.

See all answers

What needs improvement with OpenText Content Suite Platform?

The cost of the product could be improved. Currently, there are certain snags in document viewing, and communication ...

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenText Documentum Content Management vs Alfresco

Compared 14% of the time

SharePoint vs Alfresco

Compared 9% of the time

IBM FileNet vs Alfresco

Compared 8% of the time

Nuxeo vs Alfresco

Compared 7% of the time

DocuWare vs Alfresco

Compared 5% of the time

More Alfresco Competitors

OpenText Documentum Content Management vs Hyland OnBase

Compared 11% of the time

SharePoint vs Hyland OnBase

Compared 10% of the time

IBM FileNet vs Hyland OnBase

Compared 8% of the time

Microsoft Power Apps vs Hyland OnBase

Compared 5% of the time

Nuxeo vs Hyland OnBase

Compared 4% of the time

More Hyland OnBase Competitors

SharePoint vs OpenText Content Management

Compared 16% of the time

OpenText Documentum Content Management vs OpenText Content Management

Compared 14% of the time

IBM FileNet vs OpenText Content Management

Compared 12% of the time

OpenText Content Manager vs OpenText Content Management

Compared 5% of the time

Adobe Experience Manager vs OpenText Content Management

Compared 5% of the time

More OpenText Content Management Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Alfresco

August 2025

Download Alfresco product report

Buyer's Guide

Hyland OnBase

August 2025

Download Hyland OnBase product report

Buyer's Guide

OpenText Content Management

August 2025

Download OpenText Content Management product report

Also Known As

No data available

OnBase

OpenText Content Suite Platform, OpenText Core Share

Overview

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.

Hyland

Hyland OnBase is acclaimed for its robust document management, automating workflows, and improving organizational efficiency across various industries. Praised for its ability to manage records compliantly, especially in regulated sectors like healthcare and finance, the tool also integrates smoothly with other enterprise systems. Users benefit significantly from streamlined processes, reduced manual tasks, and enhanced data accuracy, boosting productivity and customer satisfaction.

Hyland

OpenText Content Management offers seamless document storage and advanced search features. Ideal for organizations needing integration with SAP and other applications, it enhances workflows while ensuring security and compliance across multiple platforms.

OpenText Content Management stands out with its advanced integration capabilities, allowing seamless connectivity with SAP and other applications. Its enhanced security and permission systems safeguard information, vital for industries like banking, utilities, and oil & gas. Metadata categorization and customizable workflows aid in managing complex document lifecycles. Although improvements in visibility and integration with external tools are needed, the platform provides powerful collaboration tools, enhancing productivity. Users leverage document retention and WebReports features to ensure compliance. Challenges with support, performance during peak times, and architecture complexity are noted. Automation features and analytics require enhancement, alongside more user-friendly SmartUI and record management functionalities.

What key features define OpenText Content Management?

Powerful Search Functionality: Delivers rapid, accurate search results across content repositories.
Extensive Integration: Seamlessly integrates with SAP and other applications for enhanced workflow management.
Enhanced Security Systems: Advanced security measures and permission systems protect sensitive data.
Metadata for Document Categorization: Organizes documents efficiently with metadata tagging.
Customizable Workflows: Adaptable workflow options cater to diverse organizational needs.
Collaboration Tools: Boosts team productivity through efficient document management and tagging capabilities.
WebReports and Retention: Offers robust reporting and records retention to maintain compliance.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Improved Productivity: Streamlined collaboration tools enhance team efficiency.
Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive retention management ensures adherence to policies.
Enhanced Security: Advanced protective measures secure critical information.
Seamless Integration: Consolidates data flow and operational processes.
Efficient Document Management: Lifecycle management improves organization and retrieval time.

OpenText Content Management is widely utilized in sectors such as banking, utilities, and oil & gas. It is implemented to manage software development projects, engineering documents, and workflow automation. Organizations leverage OpenText Extended ECM for document lifecycle management, post-project archiving, and records retention. Integration with platforms like ServiceNow allows efficient handling of document management across global operations, supporting information governance, tax return compilation, and capital projects.

OpenText

Sample Customers

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

Honda France Industries, Hill County Texas, Hylant Group, ING Lease France, State of South Carolina, Syracuse University, Swindon College, Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Rochester Institute of Technology, Moen, Odense University Hospital

ATCO Australia, MSIG Asia, Orica, Salt River Project

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Content Management

August 2025

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