IBM DOORS vs Polarion Requirements comparison

IBM and Siemens are both solutions in the Application Requirements Management category. IBM is ranked #1 with an average rating of 7.3, while Siemens is ranked #4 with an average rating of 7.8. IBM holds a 27.6% mindshare in ARM, compared to Siemens’s 16.3% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 80% of Siemens users who would recommend it.

IBM DOORS

Read 56 IBM DOORS reviews

6,276 Views
6,276 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Polarion Requirements

Read 15 Polarion Requirements reviews

2,635 Views
2,635 Comparison Views

80% willing to recommend

IBM DOORS

Polarion Requirements

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 8, 2026

IBM DOORS and Polarion Requirements are both leading tools in requirements management. Based on feature set and flexibility, Polarion Requirements has the edge with its user-friendly cloud deployment and superior integration capabilities.

Features: IBM DOORS offers advanced customization through DXL scripting, robust traceability, and sophisticated configuration management. It excels in complex requirements modeling, impact analysis, and user-defined traceability. Polarion Requirements, however, focuses on real-time collaboration, seamless document management, and easy integration with various workflow tools, beneficial for collaborative teams.

Room for Improvement: IBM DOORS faces criticism due to its outdated user interface and steep learning curve. It requires improvements in its integration features and database interaction. Polarion Requirements needs more intuitive bulk editing and improved analytics features. Both could benefit from cost-related adjustments, though Polarion could also refine its review processes and user interface.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM DOORS primarily offers an on-premises deployment, reflecting a traditional and complex setup. Its customer service has improved but needs further enhancement for advanced feature support. Polarion Requirements stands out with flexible cloud deployment options, making it more accessible. It has a strong reputation for customer support, albeit with a need for faster response times.

Pricing and ROI: Both IBM DOORS and Polarion Requirements are costly, appealing to large organizations seeking comprehensive functionalities. IBM DOORS delivers significant ROI for projects where customization and traceability are key, while Polarion Requirements provides high ROI through real-time collaboration and seamless integration capabilities, ensuring their premium pricing is matched by robust functionalities.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM DOORS vs. Polarion Requirements Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

IBM DOORS vs. Polarion Requirements

February 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

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

Categories and Ranking

IBM DOORS

Ranking in Application Requirements Management

1st

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Polarion Requirements

Ranking in Application Requirements Management

4th

Average Rating

7.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Application Requirements Management category, the mindshare of IBM DOORS is 27.6%, down from 34.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Polarion Requirements is 16.3%, up from 15.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Requirements Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
IBM DOORS	27.6%
Polarion Requirements	16.3%
Other	56.099999999999994%

Application Requirements Management

Featured Reviews

Amol Dumbre

Software Manager at Forvia

Integrated lifecycle management has supported global A‑SPICE projects and custom reporting

I believe the toolchain currently covers all of our requirements. Even for A-SPICE and related requirements, I can add attributes and manage things effectively because the tool is highly customizable. I can continue updating things and managing different processes. The only gap I have identified is in code-level coverage reporting. I have coverage traceability from IBM DOORS through the architecture and design, but I am unable to demonstrate code-level coverage reporting. That reporting capability would be helpful. Testing is covered very well through IBM Test Manager. The traceability to code is something I feel there may be certain gaps in, though I may not be fully aware of all capabilities since my role is different and I primarily receive reports rather than being an end user. Regarding the traceability feature, I am not an end user but rather receive reports from my team, so my perspective is limited.

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reviewer2798628

Project Manager at a manufacturing company with 51-200 employees

Comprehensive traceability has supported regulated projects but review workflows still need improvement

The ability to manage requirements through the whole project life is somewhat unclear. We are not using the ability to track all requirements through the whole project life for analytics very much. We have a way to easily find all the requirements of a complex product, even if they are spread over different Polarion Requirements projects. We do not have any issues in that area, but we are not really using the analytics part of Polarion Requirements. I am satisfied with the integration capabilities for Polarion Requirements, but it depends. We encountered a lot of issues with the integration with Enterprise Architect. We were in contact with Lemon Tree company, which provides support for that integration, but we eventually decided to develop our own plugins for Polarion Requirements. That is unfortunate, but we are not really happy with their implementation. There are things that are going really well, but alongside this, there are also things that are not yet implemented, which is quite annoying for us. The main point for improvement or lack of functions that I would like to address in Polarion Requirements is really about the review process, which is a bit too limited. When we are developing complex products, we have to review big life documents or a set of work items, but there are a lot of issues with that. For example, very simple things: if you select a word and not a space in the document, you are not able to add comments, and it is not user-friendly. If you know that you have to put the cursor and not select the word, that is something people can live with, but for newcomers, it is frustrating. They will ask questions such as 'I cannot add a comment about this word' or for a selection of text. That is something annoying. You can do that in a simple Word document, but not in Polarion Requirements. Also, the ability to review a table or generated dynamic content is not possible in Polarion Requirements. For example, if you generate automatically a list of tests, you cannot click on the second one; you can only click at the beginning of the generated sections. I am somewhat satisfied with Polarion Requirements' functionality, but I feel a lack of certain functions regarding the review, which is a bit too limited. The review process is the main pain point for me, especially since we are in a highly regulated environment where reviews are crucial for us.

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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

"We have different generations of all products. It lets us select and see unique attributes for each release or generation. You can use attributes to define a selection area to see which equipments are for the old versions and which ones are for the new versions. This inbuilt view is what I like in IBM Rational DOORS. So, for a database and a set of requirements, it will select and show unique attributes for a release or a generation."

"Starting to use the solution is pretty straightforward. There isn't too much of a learning curve."

"It is a stable solution."

"When you install DOORS locally, you have the flexibility to do what you want with the solution. You can add functionality and do many things that you can't do with other tools or do well enough to satisfy your users' requirements."

"The program is very stable."

"The data logs are ver conveneint."

"The most valuable feature for me is the ability to enter data into one table, or context, and link it across modules."

"This product can help improve how your organization proceeds through solution development."

More IBM DOORS pros

"Its flexibility and APIs are the most valuable."

"The biggest improvement would be in the transparency we have now. We have very complex products. We make whole systems with difficult and diverse areas such as hardware, software, mechanical and printing, etc. To get the overview of all the requirements into a system, at that sizing, is the main advantage we have in the organization now."

"It is easier to produce documents using the platform."

"The solution is especially great for organizing folders effectively."

"Polarion Requirements' most valuable features are link tracing, book entry, and sequence training features."

"Polarion Requirements is a really great product despite the limitations I mentioned and the price which is getting more and more expensive."

"My company mainly utilizes the product for documenting internal standards, guidelines, and requirements. Currently, we're focusing on using it for internal purposes, but the vision is to expand its usage to include contract requirements and tracking functionalities. While we're not there yet, it has proven effective for managing our internal documentation needs."

"The most beneficial features of Polarion Requirements for traceability include the traceability function and also the historical and matchmaking or cross-referencing, which was very good."

More Polarion Requirements pros

Cons

"One thing that I would like to see is a lower-cost version of it that we could use for smaller projects. Sometimes, we do projects for commercial customers who would benefit from something like DOORS, but it's just so expensive. It's just a monster, so a lower-cost version would be the thing that we'd like to see."

"The software and GUI is very outdated."

"There needs to be quicker access to tech support. When I have a two minute question that takes two minutes to answer, it shouldn't take me 45 minutes and/or a few days of callbacks to get to the right technical support person. It's unnecessary and frustrating for the user."

"Enhancing security measures, particularly when handling multiple projects simultaneously, would be beneficial to prevent data loss within DOORS."

"Rational DOORS' most valuable feature is that you can write any kind of requirement you want."

"The images are not clear. We have to use them as OLE objects. And in the testing part, I'm not sure how to link it with it. This is my main concern."

"It would be helpful if Microsoft provided a more user-friendly interface for updating and querying updates. Additionally, if there was a way for users to notify developers of any changes in requirements, it would allow for faster and more efficient updates to the solution's architecture. This could be in the form of a notification system that alerts developers of any changes that need to be made. Additionally, the solution is document-driven and it should be more digital."

"The web application DOORS Web Access doesn't have the same functionality as the standard client, so it's not a real substitute. For example, web Access only provides writing requirements, but you can't do much more with it."

More IBM DOORS cons

"The one thing I would mention is the license policy is a little bit difficult. For different roles, you will need different license models. That seems a little bit difficult for us. Especially when you introduce such a complex system, you want to know the right way is to do licensing. It's not clear what that best way would be. The solution will be here for a long time, and I just think it could be more clear."

"The platform's review process for the documents could be better."

"We encountered numerous challenges, such as issues with requirements, project management, timing, and planning. The main problem with Polarion at the outset, I believe, was our limited understanding of the planning phase. During that time, we were more focused on change management related to requirements. Recognizing the importance of planning has been a key realization for us. Another mistake we made was not comprehending the need to document these requirements to manage all the work items effectively. Now, we understand the significance of this documentation. As a result of these insights, we have started to see a growing number of competitors from Polarion in this field. One potential improvement could be enabling Polarion to export work items not just to Microsoft Office but also to other office tools."

"In my opinion, the main area for improvement in Polarion Requirements is its user interface. It should be easier for engineers to understand how it works, as many features are not very easily understandable for end-users."

"The user configuration had some issues; you need to know all the details, so it's not really friendly for those who are not IT savvy."

"Its user interface could be more user friendly. In addition, a lot of features are missing for test management. It should have the test case ordering feature."

"Integration can be a little tricky if you're not aware of basic computer science or programming language."

"It is not a stable solution, as we had issues with shared licenses."

More Polarion Requirements cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IBM Rational DOORS is highly expensive."

"IBM is a bit too expensive in terms of pricing. Customers are paying a lot for the license, and the price is quite high for this kind of environment. It is quite high as compared to what we can get today with other solutions."

"The licensing costs for the product are quite high."

"I don't personally know what the numbers are. I just know that one of the reasons we've limited it to three seats is a function of cost."

"I would rate the pricing a seven out of ten, with one being very affordable and ten being quite expensive."

"I think it's expensive because you have to pay for the licenses to IBM and all that and maintain them."

"The licensing cost is too high."

"Pricing can vary depending on the size of the organization and how contracts are negotiated."

More IBM DOORS pricing and cost advice

"Polarion Requirements is a little pricey."

"I believe the cost is subjective. It seems a bit pricey, but it depends on your perspective. To provide some context, I compared the prices with GitLab and Jira. Unfortunately, I couldn't find Jira's prices. However, GitLab costs around 40 euros, and DeepLab, which I recently discovered, also falls in a similar price range. I'm not sure about DeepLab's features or interface improvements, as they might have been implementing requirements management over the past six months. In contrast, Polarion costs around 50 to 60 euros based on the 2021 prices I have. While it may seem a bit expensive, it's worth considering whether the additional investment, perhaps around 68 euros per user, is justified. It might appear costly at first glance, but it's essential to acknowledge that it can greatly streamline your work processes."

"The product's price is high."

"It is expensive but not for what it is. It is just the right price for what it is. Its price is also similar to other solutions."

"The pricing model is flexible. You don't have to pay for the full functionalities. And it's a one-time investment for the licenses. You purchase what you need and then can work with that."

"I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

25%

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Government

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

29%

Computer Software Company

Healthcare Company

Transportation Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	12
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	38

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	5

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM Rational DOORS?

The traceability matrix in DOORS improved our project outcomes. It helps ensure coverage of requirements at different levels, from user requirements to software requirements to test requirements.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Rational DOORS?

Over the years, the first version cost something around 5800 euros.

See all answers

What needs improvement with IBM Rational DOORS?

See all answers

What do you like most about Polarion Requirements?

In my opinion, Polarion Requirements' most beneficial feature is the ability to manage specifications within a work-like document that functions as a work item. Its collaboration features have work...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Polarion Requirements?

I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Polarion Requirements?

The areas of Polarion Requirements that have room for improvement include usability, and the user interface, which was a little bit poor. The user configuration had some issues; you need to know al...

See all answers

Comparisons

Jama Connect vs IBM DOORS

Compared 15% of the time

Jira vs IBM DOORS

Compared 15% of the time

IBM DOORS Next vs IBM DOORS

Compared 8% of the time

OpenText Dimensions RM vs IBM DOORS

Compared 4% of the time

PTC Integrity Requirements Connector vs IBM DOORS

Compared 4% of the time

More IBM DOORS Competitors

Jama Connect vs Polarion Requirements

Compared 11% of the time

IBM DOORS Next vs Polarion Requirements

Compared 6% of the time

Jira vs Polarion Requirements

Compared 5% of the time

Helix ALM vs Polarion Requirements

Compared 3% of the time

OpenText Dimensions RM vs Polarion Requirements

Compared 2% of the time

More Polarion Requirements Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

IBM DOORS

January 2026

Download IBM DOORS product report

Buyer's Guide

Polarion Requirements

January 2026

Download Polarion Requirements product report

Also Known As

Rational DOORS

No data available

Overview

IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS (DOORS) is a Requirements Management (RM) software designed to help organizations manage engineering project requirements throughout the development lifecycle. It provides a central location for capturing, defining, and organizing project requirements, facilitating communication and collaboration among stakeholders like engineers, system designers, and customers. Key features include requirements traceability, version control, and impact analysis, ensuring effective implementation and testing. DOORS improves efficiency, enhances communication, reduces risks, and supports better decision-making through clear visibility into requirements. Compared to its newer, web-based counterpart DOORS Next, the mature DOORS 9 offers a wider range of features with a traditional user interface but lacks web-based functionality and modern integration with IBM Engineering Lifecycle Management (ELM) tools.

IBM

Polarion REQUIREMENTS is designed from the ground for highly effective, transparent and secure collaboration, while teams have the option to work in their familiar environments.

Siemens

Sample Customers

Infosys, Chevrolet Volt

NetSuite, Ottobock, Zumtobel Group, Kªster Automotive GmbH, Sirona Dental Systems, LifeWatch, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), PHOENIX CONTACT Electronics GmbH, Metso Corporation

Buyer's Guide

IBM DOORS vs. Polarion Requirements

February 2026

Free Report: IBM DOORS vs. Polarion Requirements

Find out what your peers are saying about IBM DOORS vs. Polarion Requirements and other solutions. Updated: February 2026.

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