Datasite Review

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Capterra:
4.7
G2:
4.5
Software Advice:
4.7

What is Datasite data room?

Datasite, formerly known as Merrill Datasite, is a leading provider of virtual data room solutions used primarily for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), fundraising, audits, and other financial transactions. It is designed to facilitate the secure sharing and management of sensitive documents during high-stakes deals and due diligence processes.

While many businesses turn to standard cloud solutions for data storage, Datasite offers an enterprise-grade, highly secure, and feature-rich virtual data room tailored specifically for corporate transactions and complex workflows.

Headquartered in the United States with a strong presence globally, including Datasite Singapore Pte Ltd, the platform supports companies throughout the deal lifecycle—from preparation to post-merger integration.

Who Owns Datasite?

Datasite is privately owned by CapVest, a European private equity firm. It was formerly part of Merrill Corporation, which divested its financial transaction business and rebranded it as Datasite in 2020.

Datasite Singapore Pte Ltd

Datasite Singapore Pte Ltd operates as the Asia-Pacific hub for Datasite’s services. Companies in Southeast Asia often choose Datasite for cross-border M&A and international fundraising activities, benefiting from localized support and APAC-specific compliance knowledge.

What Does Datasite Do?

Datasite data room enables dealmakers, legal teams, investment bankers, and corporate development professionals to manage confidential information efficiently and securely. Its primary use cases include:

  • M&A Due Diligence
  • Fundraising
  • Restructuring
  • IPO Preparation
  • Audits & Compliance
  • Strategic Partnerships

Datasite also provides analytics, project management features, and AI-powered tools that help accelerate deal completion and reduce risk.

Main features of Merrill Datasite

Merill Datasite data room stands out from the crowd of similar solutions because it may seem to be a solution tailored for big deals and collaboration only. There’s a grain of truth in it. However, the list of functions impresses:

Document Management
  • Full-text search across documents
  • Bulk upload and drag-and-drop functionality
  • Support for PDFs, Microsoft Office files, and common image formats
Workflow and Collaboration Tools
  • Task tracking and completion monitoring
  • Approval workflows and lifecycle management
  • Contract drafting and template management
User Access Control
  • Granular permissions for users and groups
  • Audit trails and activity monitoring
  • Role-based access control
Security and Compliance
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
  • Data backup and retention policies
  • Complies with global standards (but lacks some advanced security measures)

The advantages and disadvantages of  Merrill Datasite

Being a business-oriented virtual data room Datasite focuses on financial operations and content management. However, it’s not equally suitable for all businesses – it lacks some crucial options. Let’s observe its pros and cons:

ProsCons
  • Intuitive, web-based platform (no installation required).
  • Robust document handling and task tracking.
  • Granular access permissions.
  • Integrates well with MS Office and other business tools.
  • Ideal for complex M&A transactions and large-scale deals.
  • No dedicated mobile app (accessible only via browser).
  • High starting price (not ideal for small teams).
  • Lacks advanced security features like: Digital signatures, Fence view, Access expiry, Virus scanning, IP restrictions, SSAE 16 certification.
  • No built-in training or online help center.

While the platform meets the needs of many financial professionals, its security limitations and cost may lead some users to explore Datasite competitors like Firmex, iDeals, Intralinks, or Digify.

Datasite Pricing

Datasite pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the platform is known to have a higher starting cost compared to many of its competitors. Pricing is typically customized based on:

  • Number of users
  • Data storage requirements
  • Deal complexity and duration
  • Optional services (e.g., project management, translation)

If cost is a primary concern, it may be worth comparing Datasite vs Intralinks, Firmex, or other alternatives with more flexible pricing structures.

Datasite Competitors

Here are some top Datasite alternatives to consider:

  • iDeals – Strong on security and ease of use
  • Intralinks – Advanced for enterprise M&A and compliance
  • Firmex – Popular among law firms and financial advisors
  • Digify – Budget-friendly with solid document tracking
  • Box – General-purpose cloud storage with VDR add-ons
  • DocSend – Best for startups and pitch decks
iDeals Logo

ideals is a top-rated virtual data room offering ultra-secure document sharing, customizable permissions, and smart indexing for high-stakes deals.

Check price
Intralinks Logo

Intralinks is a trusted VDR for enterprise M&A and due diligence, known for its advanced security features, compliance support, and scalability.

View profile
Firmex Logo

Firmex is an enterprise-level data room designed for M&A, compliance, and litigation, offering robust access controls and real-time document tracking.

View profile

Datasite vs Intralinks

When comparing Intralinks vs Datasite, both platforms cater to enterprise-level M&A and due diligence but differ in features:

FeatureDatasiteIntralinks
Mobile AppNoYes
Granular PermissionsYesYes
Virus ScanningNoYes
Fence ViewNoYes
AI-Powered FeaturesYesLimited
Pricing TransparencyLowLow
Best forM&A, fundraisingM&A, fundraising, compliance

Final Verdict: Is Datasite Worth It?

If you’re a financial professional or enterprise organization managing high-value transactions, Datasite delivers the essentials: secure collaboration, detailed user controls, and robust workflow features.

However, if you prioritize mobile access, cutting-edge security, or affordability, you may find that Datasite falls short compared to ideals, Firmex or Intralinks. Its lack of virus scanning, fence view, and mobile apps make it less attractive in a security-first or mobile-centric environment.

FAQs

Is Datasite a cloud solution? +
Yes, Datasite is a fully web-based and cloud-hosted platform, but it does not offer a mobile application.
Does Datasite offer encryption and virus scanning? +
Encryption is used during transmission, but the platform lacks built-in virus scanning and several other advanced security features.
How much does Datasite cost? +
Datasite pricing varies based on project size and duration, but it is generally on the higher end of the spectrum.
Where is Datasite available? +
Datasite has a global presence, with regional offices including Datasite Singapore Pte Ltd serving Asia-Pacific clients.

Merrill DataSite features:

Features Merrill DataSite

Industry Solutions

Bankruptcy
Biotech Licensing
Debt Financing
Document Repository
Due Diligence
Fundraising
IPO & Exits
Litigation
M&A Buy Side
M&A Sell Side
Private Equity
Restructuring
Board Portals
Clinical Studies

Files & Folders Management

File Formats Supported: PDF, MS Office, jpg, jpeg, jpe, gif, bmp, png, tif, tiff
Automatic Numerical Indexing of Files & Folders
Archives Upload & Extraction
Document Version Control
Drag & Drop Upload of Multiple Files and Folders
Export of Data Room Index to Excel
Multilingual Documents Index

File Protection & Digital Rights Management

Granular Document Permissions
View-Only Access
Prevention of Download, Print and Copy
Remote Shredding of Documents
Customizable Document Watermarks
256-Bit SSL/TLS Encryption
Secure Fence View
Document Access Expiry

Data Hosting

99.9% Uptime Guarantee
ISO 27001 Certified
Data Backup
SOC 2 Certified

Access Security

Two-Factor Authentications
Granular User Permissions
Permission Groups
Access Expiration
Mobile Device Management
Access Limitation by IP Address

Accessibility & Ease Of Use

No Plugins
Scroll-Through Web-Based Document Viewer
Mobile Device Interface
User Interface Languages:
iOS Application
Android Application

Search, OCR & Filters

Search by Name
Search by Content (Full Text Search)
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
Filtering by Parameters

Collaboration Features

Basic Questions & Answers Module
New Document Email Notifications
Advanced Questions & Answers Module
Secure User Messaging
Files & Folders Notes

Activity Tracking & Reporting

Tracking of All User Activity
Real-Time Audit Trail
Graphic Reports
Tracking of Document Viewing Time
Scheduled Reports (Sending to Email)

Customization

Branded User Interface
Custom Login Page
Custom User Invitation Letter
Custom Agreements for Accessing Data Room
Single Sign-On Integration
Customer-Managed Encryption Keys
Integrations Through APIs

Support & Services

Business Hours Support
24/7 Email Support
24/7 Phone & Email Support
Dedicated Project Manager
Data Room Archive on DVD or USB Drive
Translation Services
Support Languages: Arabic, Chinese, German, Dutch, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish.
Online Help Center
Live Trainings

Deployment Options

Cloud (Web-Based)
On-Premise (Installed)
Multiple Datacenter Locations

Trial & Pricing

Free Trial: no
Price: Negotiable

Company Info

Established: 1967
Locations: United States, Canada, CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA, THAILAND, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, GERMANY, IRELAND, ITALY, RUSSIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, TURKEY, BRAZIL, CHILE, MEXICO, PERU, SOUTH A
Employees: 3800
Clients: no data
Assistant in choosing a virtual data room provider