Virtual data rooms (VDRs) have become essential for businesses handling sensitive information during mergers, acquisitions, fundraising, and other critical transactions.
In this guide, we'll walk you through how to set up a data room using SharePoint, and then show you why Papermark's dedicated VDR solution might be a better alternative for your needs.
Feature | SharePoint | Papermark |
---|---|---|
Setup Time | 1–2 days (IT configuration) | <30 minutes (no-code) |
Security Level | Microsoft 365 baseline (TLS, MFA) | Enterprise-grade encryption, SOC2 in process & GDPR-ready |
Self hosting | No | Self hosting and hosting in your own region |
User Management | Azure AD groups required | Simple role-based + SSO/SCIM sync |
Activity Tracking | File-level only | Page-level analytics + real-time alerts |
Dynamic Watermarking | Not native (PowerShell workaround) | Automatic, viewer-specific |
Custom Branding | Logo & theme colour | Full white-label (logo, colours, custom domain) |
Q&A Module | Not built-in | Integrated buyer / investor Q&A |
AI Search | Keyword search | AI-powered data rooms, and chats with your documents |
Audit Trail | Basic logs | Exportable, per-user & per-page |
Cost | $25/month (Microsoft 365 Business Standard) | €99/month (unlimited rooms & viewers) |
Note: External sharing is turned on by default in SharePoint. For sensitive information, it's recommended to store it in a site with external sharing turned off. You can create additional sites specifically for external sharing to better manage security risks.
While SharePoint can be configured as a basic data room, Papermark offers a specialized solution designed specifically for secure document sharing and due diligence processes. Our platform combines enterprise-grade security with an intuitive interface, making it the ideal choice for businesses handling sensitive information.
Papermark stands out with its comprehensive feature set that addresses the specific needs of virtual data rooms:
While SharePoint can be configured as a basic data room, Papermark provides a specialized solution that offers superior security, ease of use, and features specifically designed for virtual data rooms. For businesses handling sensitive information during critical transactions, Papermark's dedicated VDR solution provides the security, control, and efficiency needed for successful due diligence processes.