Virtual data rooms (VDRs) like Intralinks VDR remain a staple for M&A, fundraising, and other VDR due diligence workflows. But in 2025, new entrants—including Papermark—promise faster setup, modern UX, and powerful analytics at a fraction of the cost.
In this guide we will:
- Walk through how to set up an Intralinks VDR for due diligence
- Compare Intralinks to Papermark feature-by-feature
- Show why thousands of founders, bankers, and legal teams are switching to Papermark for critical transactions
Data room solutions comparison
| Feature | Intralinks | Papermark |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 2–3 days (requires onboarding rep) | Less than 1 hour (self-serve) |
| Pricing | Custom, starts at $25k per deal | €99/month (unlimited datarooms, 3 admins) |
| Dynamic Watermarking | Yes | Yes (viewer info, timestamp) |
| User Management | Complex permission layers | Intuitive role-based access |
| Activity Tracking | Standard reports | Real-time heatmaps & page analytics |
| Q&A Module | Yes (paid add-on) | Included |
| Custom Branding | Limited | Full white-label |
Looking for detailed pricing information? See our full Intralinks pricing guide for a breakdown of all plans and hidden costs.
How to create an Intralinks VDR
Even though Intralinks is decades old, its security certs and extensive enterprise features mean it is still the default choice for many corporates and investment banks. If you must use it, here is the high-level process.
Step 1 – Request workspace activation
- Contact an Intralinks sales rep or partner
- Sign the order form and wait for provisioning (typically 24–48h)
- Receive admin credentials via email
Tip: If your deal timeline is tight, Papermark can spin up a secure room in minutes—no sales calls required.
Step 2 – Configure roles & permissions
- Navigate to Manage → Permissions
- Define roles (Admin, Manager, View-only, Q&A, etc.)
- Map each bidder or stakeholder group to a role
- Set up watermarks and view/download restrictions
Step 3 – Upload folders & index
- Use the desktop uploader or drag-and-drop web UI
- Follow Intralinks' naming convention (
01_Financials,02_Legal…) - Verify that inherited permissions are correct per folder
- Run the built-in index checker to validate numbering
Step 4 – Invite participants
- Bulk-import emails (.csv) or add manually
- Assign them to appropriate groups
- Enable two-factor authentication (recommended)
- Send invitation message and track access receipts
Step 5 – Monitor VDR due diligence activity
- Open Reports → User Activity
- Filter by group, document, or time period
- Export CSV for advisors or board updates
- Use the Q&A module to manage bidder questions
While Intralinks covers the basics, many users find the interface dated and the per-page pricing unpredictable. That is why growing teams increasingly choose Papermark.
Want to explore other VDR options? Check our comprehensive Intralinks alternatives guide for a side-by-side comparison of 10 competing solutions.
Why Papermark is the modern alternative
Papermark is a purpose-built data-room platform created in 2024. It provides enterprise-grade security without the enterprise price tag, helping you close deals faster.
- Instant self-serve setup—create a room in under 15 minutes
- Dynamic, non-invasive watermarking that follows every page
- Real-time heatmaps showing which pages investors care about
- Granular role-based access and email-gated links
- Q&A workflows, document versioning, and audit exports
- Simple, predictable subscription (no per-page or per-MB fees)
Papermark for fundraising & investor updates
If you are raising capital, Papermark's pitch deck tracking software lets you share a teaser or deck, then seamlessly upgrade to a full VDR when due diligence begins—keeping all analytics in one place.
Setting up a Papermark data room in 4 steps
Step 1 – Sign up & create room
- Sign up for Papermark
- Click New Room → Due Diligence
- Choose security defaults (view-only, watermark, NDA)
Step 2 – Upload & organise documents
- Drag-and-drop folders or connect Google Drive
- Auto-generate numeric index (
01_,02_…) - Apply metadata (stage, confidential, owner)
Step 3 – Manage access & watermarks
- Invite bidders via email or link
- Assign roles (Investor, Advisor, Legal, etc.)
- Turn on viewer watermark with name, email, and IP
Step 4 – Track engagement & export audit
- Open Analytics → Visitors to see dwell time and drop-off
- Filter by document to identify red-flag sections
- Export full audit trail (CSV/PDF) for the data room binder
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Legacy providers like Intralinks VDR still dominate high-stake transactions, but modern alternatives such as Papermark deliver the same security with superior usability, analytics, and pricing. Whether you are preparing for VDR due diligence or simply need a secure place to share confidential documents, Papermark lets you get started in minutes.
Ready to compare more options? Visit our guides on best virtual data rooms and Intralinks pricing to find the perfect fit for your team's needs.