Kiteworks vs ShareFile (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Kiteworks if

• Fits if you must show auditors how sensitive files leave your company
• Works for teams that need data kept on-premises or in a private cloud

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want to see a price before talking to anyone, as none is published
• Too light for large files on Business, which stops at 2 GB a file against 16 TB on Enterprise
• Skip it if you are a DoD supplier chasing CMMC 2.0 Level 2, where the vendor itself does not recommend Business
• Watch out: bring-your-own-keys, forms and the enterprise integrations are Enterprise only, and Business is 5 to 500 users

Pick ShareFile if

• Fits if you send documents to clients and want portals and tracking
• Works for a firm of 3 or more with a compliance need on the Premium plan

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you're alone: every plan needs at least 3 users
• Skip it if you want a free plan, as there is none
• Tight if you need e-signatures or forms, which start at Premium at $26 a user
• Watch out: storage starts at 3 TB for the whole account, with more in 3 TB packs

Kiteworks

• No prices are published: the Enterprise edition is call-for-pricing and the Business edition shows only a Buy Now button.
• Business covers 5 to 500 users with a 2 GB file limit; Enterprise is unlimited with 16 TB files.
• Bring-your-own-keys, forms and the enterprise integrations are Enterprise only.
• Business is not recommended by the vendor for DoD suppliers seeking CMMC 2.0 Level 2.

ShareFile

• No free plan, and each plan needs at least 3 users.
• Plans start with 3 TB of account storage in total; more comes in 3 TB packs.
• E-signatures, forms, workflow automation and HIPAA, FINRA and SEC support start at Premium.
• The pricing page mentions desktop and mobile apps without naming operating systems, so only web is listed.

Kiteworks

Secure file sharing

Folders, version control, desktop sync and external collaboration with retention and expiration policies.

Secure email and forms

Email protection with DLP scanning, encryption enforcement, link expiration and content withdrawal, plus secure web forms.

Managed file transfer and SFTP

Scheduled workflows, an SFTP server for outside parties and air-gapped configurations are described on the site.

Policy engine and audit log

One attribute-based policy engine covers every channel, with a single audit log that can feed a SIEM.

Encryption and compliance claims

The vendor says it uses TLS 1.3 and AES-256 with FIPS 140-3 validated modules, and states FedRAMP certification.

MCP server for AI agents

A Model Context Protocol server lets AI agents reach governed data under the same access rules as employees.

ShareFile

Encrypted sharing

Files are stored encrypted and shared by link, with link expiration dates and remote lock and wipe for lost devices.

Client portal

Clients get a branded place to receive and upload files. Unlimited client users are included on every plan.

Requests, forms and e-signatures

Premium and above can collect documents, forms and signatures from clients and route them through automated workflows.

Email add-ins

Integrations for Outlook, Outlook Online and Gmail replace attachments with secure ShareFile links.

Access and security controls

Multi-factor sign-in, Active Directory single sign-on, activity reports and file-level permissions. Enterprise adds provisioning and monitoring.

Kiteworks

Pricing could not be confirmed. See kiteworks.com.

ShareFile

• Advanced$16.50

  per user / month, billed annually ($18.15 billed monthly)

  Encrypted storage and sharing, real-time co-editing, access controls and basic reporting. 3-user minimum.

• Premium$26.00

  per user / month, billed annually ($28.59 billed monthly)

  Adds e-signatures, requests, forms, workflow automation, an enhanced client portal and AI document automation. 3-user minimum.

• Enterprise$35.00

  per user / month, billed annually ($42.00 billed monthly)

  Adds automated user provisioning, data loss protection and security monitoring tools. 3-user minimum.

• Virtual Data Room$69.30

  per user / month, billed annually ($77.00 billed monthly)

  Confidential document sharing with granular access for deals and audits. 1 GB storage per license, 5-license minimum.