Locklizard vs M-Files Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Locklizard

0.0 (0 reviews)

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects your intellectual property by preventing unauthorized sharing, printing, and copying of sensitive documents without using insecure passwords.

Starting at $416/mo
Free Trial 15 days
VS

M-Files

0.0 (0 reviews)

M-Files is a metadata-driven document management platform that organizes and secures your business information based on what it is rather than where it is stored across your organization.

Starting at --
Free Trial 30 days

Quick Comparison

Feature Locklizard M-Files
Website locklizard.com m-files.com
Pricing Model Subscription Custom
Starting Price $416/month Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✓ 15 days free trial ✓ 30 days free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment saas on-premise desktop mobile saas on-premise mobile desktop
Integrations Windows macOS iOS Android Outlook SharePoint Microsoft Teams SharePoint Salesforce Google Drive Microsoft Outlook Adobe Acrobat Sign DocuSign HubSpot SAP NetSuite
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise mid-market enterprise
Target Industries education legal publishing manufacturing professional-services legal
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2004 1987
Headquarters Horsham, UK Tampere, Finland

Overview

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Locklizard

Locklizard provides specialized PDF DRM solutions designed to give you total control over your intellectual property. Instead of relying on weak passwords that are easily shared, you can encrypt your documents and link them to specific authorized devices. This ensures your sensitive training materials, reports, or ebooks stay in the right hands and cannot be leaked to unauthorized users.

You can manage your documents with granular precision by setting expiration dates, locking files to specific IP addresses, and even revoking access after a document has been downloaded. The platform is ideal for publishers, training organizations, and corporate entities that need to monetize or protect high-value information. You can choose between cloud-based management or on-premise hosting to fit your specific security requirements.

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M-Files

M-Files changes how you interact with company data by ditching traditional folder structures for a metadata-driven approach. Instead of hunting through nested folders, you find documents based on what they are—like a specific client name, project ID, or expiration date. This unique system connects to your existing storage, whether that is SharePoint, network folders, or local drives, giving you a single point of truth without moving all your files.

You can automate complex business processes like invoice approvals, contract lifecycles, and compliance audits with built-in workflow tools. The platform automatically applies security permissions and retention policies based on the document type, ensuring your sensitive data stays protected. It is particularly effective for regulated industries like manufacturing, professional services, and financial firms where document control and audit trails are non-negotiable requirements.

Overview

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Locklizard Features

  • Copy & Print Protection Prevent users from copying text or printing your documents to ensure your content remains digital and secure.
  • Dynamic Watermarking Discourage screen grabbing by overlaying permanent or dynamic watermarks that include the viewer's name and date.
  • Access Expiration Set specific dates or times for document access to expire automatically so your content stays current.
  • Device Locking Link your documents to specific authorized devices to prevent users from sharing files with unauthorized colleagues.
  • Remote Revocation Instantly terminate access to any document at any time, even if the user has already downloaded it.
  • Location Locking Restrict document viewing to specific physical locations or offices by locking access to approved IP ranges.
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M-Files Features

  • Metadata-Driven Search. Find any document instantly by searching for what it is—like a customer or date—instead of remembering where it was saved.
  • Automated Workflows. Streamline your business processes by automating document approvals, notifications, and task assignments to keep your team moving forward.
  • External Repository Connectors. Access and manage files stored in SharePoint, Google Drive, or network folders directly through one unified M-Files interface.
  • Version Control. Track every change made to a document and revert to previous versions easily, ensuring you always work on the latest draft.
  • Dynamic Permissions. Control access automatically based on metadata, so only the right people see sensitive documents without manual folder-level adjustments.
  • Offline Access. View and edit your critical documents even without an internet connection, with automatic syncing once you are back online.

Pricing Comparison

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Locklizard Pricing

Safeguard PDF DRM (Subscription)
$416
  • Protect unlimited PDF documents
  • Support for unlimited viewers
  • Cloud-based administration system
  • Standard email support
  • Free software updates
  • Annual billing at $4,995/year
M

M-Files Pricing

Pros & Cons

M

Locklizard

Pros

  • Stronger security than standard password-protected PDFs
  • Granular control over printing and screenshots
  • No passwords for users to manage
  • Reliable offline viewing capabilities for authorized users
  • Responsive technical support for setup issues

Cons

  • Requires users to download a viewer
  • Initial setup has a slight learning curve
  • Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS
  • High entry price for very small teams
A

M-Files

Pros

  • Superior search capabilities compared to traditional folder systems
  • Highly flexible metadata structure adapts to any business
  • Excellent version history and audit trail for compliance
  • Strong integration with Microsoft Office and Outlook

Cons

  • Initial setup and configuration requires significant planning
  • Steep learning curve for users used to folders
  • Mobile app interface is less intuitive than desktop
  • Pricing is high for very small businesses
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