Freedom251 › Enterprise Content Management Systems
M-Files
What M-Files is
M-Files is a metadata-driven document management system that connects documents with the people, projects, and work they support. Its AI classification organizes information, while search, editing, version history, co-authoring, secure sharing, tasks, and workflow automation support document work. Integrations include Microsoft 365, Salesforce, SAP, and other CRM and ERP systems through integrations and APIs. Organizations can choose cloud-based or self-hosted deployment. M-Files Cloud is hosted on Microsoft Azure; the company says stored data is encrypted with AES-256 and client-to-server communication is encrypted. Listed certifications include ISO 9001:2015, SOC 2/AICPA, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, and ISO/IEC 27018:2014. Essentials costs $65 a month, billed monthly per seat; Enterprise pricing is by custom quote. A 30-day trial requires no credit card or installation and provides a basic vault, but not all integrations. Desktop support is for 64-bit Windows; macOS and Linux users access M-Files through the web. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android.
Who it suits
M-Files is suited to organizations managing complex, regulated, document-driven work, including higher-risk environments. Teams can choose cloud or self-hosted deployment.
What it does well
- AI classification organizes information
- Cloud and self-hosted deployment options
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- 30-day trial requires no credit card or installation
What to know first
- Essentials costs $65 a month per seat
- Trial vault does not include all integrations
- Desktop support is for 64-bit Windows
Limits
The 30-day trial provides a basic vault with core functionality but excludes some integrations. Essentials costs $65 a month, billed monthly per seat; Enterprise pricing is by custom quote.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| M-Files Essentials | monthly / per seat · native Microsoft 365 experiences · built-in M-Files Aino AI · secure collaboration and lifecycle management | $65 a month |
| M-Files Enterprise | custom quote · advanced governance and compliance · process automation · expanded AI capabilities · stronger security controls | On request |
As m-files.com lists them, read 1 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the M-Files website and start the 30-day free trial.
- Use the basic vault without a credit card or software installation.
- Add colleagues to the trial vault through M-Files Manage.
- Choose cloud-based or self-hosted deployment for ongoing use.
- Select Essentials at $65 a month per seat, or request an Enterprise quote.
- Use M-Files Desktop on 64-bit Windows, M-Files Web on macOS or Linux, or the iOS and Android apps.
Verdict
M-Files combines document management with AI classification, workflows, and integration options for organizations with demanding document processes. Consider the per-seat Essentials cost, custom-quote Enterprise plan, or trial limitations when evaluating it.
Questions
How much does M-Files cost?
Essentials costs $65 a month, billed monthly per seat. Enterprise pricing is by custom quote.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan. A 30-day free trial is available without a credit card or software installation.
What does the free trial include?
The trial provides a basic vault with core functionality, but not all integrations. Trial users can add unlimited colleagues using M-Files Manage.
Which platforms does M-Files support?
Platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, as well as API, extension and self-hosted options. M-Files Desktop supports 64-bit Windows; macOS and Linux users access M-Files through M-Files Web.
Can M-Files be self-hosted?
Yes. M-Files offers cloud-based and self-hosted deployment.
Which integrations are available?
Featured integrations include Microsoft 365, Salesforce and SAP. M-Files also provides integrations and APIs for non-Microsoft CRM and ERP systems.
Facts from M-Files's own pages
- AI classification
- M-Files uses artificial intelligence to automatically classify and organize information for faster access. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Cloud hosting
- M-Files Cloud is hosted in Microsoft Azure and managed by a professional Cloud Operations team 24/7. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- M-Files offers both cloud-based and self-hosted deployment options. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Desktop support
- M-Files Desktop is supported on 64-bit Microsoft Windows, while macOS and Linux users access M-Files through M-Files Web. · userguide.m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Document work
- The platform supports document search, editing, version history, co-authoring, secure sharing, tasks, and workflow automation. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- M-Files states that it encrypts data at rest with AES-256 and encrypts client-to-server network communication. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2002 · m-files.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Tampere, Finland · m-files.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Featured integrations include Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and SAP, and M-Files also provides integrations and APIs for non-Microsoft CRM and ERP systems. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Mobile and API
- M-Files provides mobile apps for iOS and Android plus the M-Files Web Service API, M-Files API, and UI Extensibility Framework. · userguide.m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Product
- M-Files is a metadata-driven document management system that connects documents to the people, projects, and work they support. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Security certifications
- M-Files lists ISO 9001:2015, SOC 2/AICPA, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, and ISO/IEC 27018:2014 certifications. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- Essentials and Enterprise include standard product support, documentation, and learning resources; Premium Support offers 24/7 coverage and faster response times. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Target organizations
- M-Files describes its platform as serving complex, regulated, document-driven work and higher-risk environments. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The 30-day free trial requires no credit card or software installation and provides a basic vault with core functionality but not all integrations. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Trial users
- Trial users can add unlimited colleagues to the trial vault using M-Files Manage. · m-files.com, 1 Oct 2026
Where M-Files stands on Freedom251
- Enterprise Content Management Systems#9 of 26
- Document Management Software#23 of 63
- Cloud Document Management Software#11 of 27
- Document Workflow Software#17 of 32