Datasite Pricing Review

Datasite Diligence Virtual Data Room (formerly Merrill DataSite) is a heavyweight virtual data room built for high-stakes M&A deals. Its functionality is impressive, but Datasite pricing is still calculated on a legacy per-page basis, meaning the total Datasite cost can climb into six figures even for modest projects. As a result, the platform is rarely the best fit for startups, small businesses, or any finance team that needs predictable spend.

In this guide we explain how Datasite pricing works, where hidden fees appear, and which modern alternatives like Papermark deliver the same enterprise-grade security at a fraction of the cost.

This comprehensive guide breaks down Datasite's pricing structure, features, and how it compares to modern alternatives like Papermark.

Datasite pricing overview

Unlike many modern VDR providers, Datasite follows a traditional page-based pricing model. This means the total cost of your virtual data room will depend on various factors including document volume, user count, and project duration.

Note: Datasite operates on a quote-based pricing model, and exact costs are only available through their sales team. The pricing information in this article is based on aggregated user reviews from G2, Software Advice, and Capterra. While we strive for accuracy, actual prices may vary. For precise pricing tailored to your needs, we recommend contacting Datasite's sales team directly.

Understanding Datasite costs

Datasite's pricing structure is based on several key factors:

• Per-page upload costs (approximately $0.60 per page)
• Storage volume requirements
• Number of users and access levels
• Project duration
• Special file type handling (Excel, media files, etc.)
• Additional features and services

For example, a typical 10 GB implementation with Datasite can cost up to $720,000 annually. This makes it one of the more expensive options in the virtual data room market, especially for smaller deals that face proportionally higher costs due to the pricing structure.

Datasite cost calculator (estimates)

Datasite pricing plans

While Datasite doesn't publicly disclose their exact pricing plans, here's what we know about their cost structure:

Basic VDR Implementation

• Page-based pricing starting at $0.60 per page
• Limited storage allocation
• Basic security features
• Standard support
• Core VDR functionality

Enterprise Implementation

• Custom pricing based on volume
• Expanded storage options
• Advanced security features
• Premium support
• Full feature access including:
  • AI-powered categorization
  • Automatic content translation
  • Smart redaction features
  • Advanced analytics

Key features included in Datasite cost

When evaluating Datasite pricing, consider these included features:

Document Management

• Drag-and-drop file upload
• Bulk import functionality
• Built-in templates
• Email-to-project upload
• Folder structure preservation

AI Capabilities

• AI-powered categorization
• Automatic content translation
• Smart redaction
• OCR technology
• Machine learning document classification

Security Features

• End-to-end encryption
• Custom watermarking
• Granular permissions
• Detailed audit trails
• Advanced access controls

Analytics and Reporting

• Real-time activity monitoring
• Document-level tracking
• Team activity analysis
• Custom reporting dashboards
• Scheduled reports

Hidden costs in Datasite pricing

When considering Datasite's cost structure, be aware of potential hidden expenses that users report on review platforms. According to user reviews, many customers encounter unexpected charges for Excel file handling and special media processing beyond the standard per-page rate. Projects that extend beyond their initial timeline often incur duration-based surcharges, while adding new team members typically results in additional user access fees.

Users also report significant costs for training sessions and implementation support, which are usually not included in initial quotes. Furthermore, upgrading to higher support tiers or activating certain advanced features can lead to substantial additional expenses that weren't initially anticipated in the base pricing.

Is there a Datasite free trial?

Datasite typically offers custom demos rather than a standard free trial. To get pricing specific to your needs, you'll need to contact their sales team directly.

More affordable Datasite alternative

For finance teams that want enterprise-grade security without the enterprise-level invoice, Papermark is a modern virtual data room that delivers the same AI-powered indexing, granular permissions, and page-level analytics as Datasite, yet charges a predictable flat fee.

Customers typically cut their data-room spend by 80-90 percent after switching, spin up new projects in under five minutes, and never worry about per-page overage surprises.

Papermark pricing highlights:

• Flat fee of €99 per month
• Unlimited data rooms
• Unlimited storage
• Unlimited guest access
• No per-page fees
• No hidden costs

Learn more about Data Room features

Feature comparison

Conclusion

While Datasite offers a robust virtual data room solution with advanced features, its complex, page-based pricing model can lead to significant costs, especially for smaller organizations or longer-term projects. The lack of transparent pricing and potential for hidden fees makes it challenging to budget effectively for Datasite implementation.

For organizations seeking a modern alternative with predictable pricing, Papermark offers a comprehensive virtual data room solution at a fraction of Datasite's cost, while maintaining enterprise-grade security and features.

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