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FileOpen

Enterprise digital rights management for secure document sharing and control

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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Reviews

FileOpen Overview

  • Updated February 11, 2026

FileOpen is an enterprise-grade digital rights management (DRM) and document security platform designed to protect PDFs, Microsoft Office, and web-based files. It enables organizations to encrypt documents, enforce granular access controls, and revoke access at any time without passwords or end-user software installation.

FileOpen is widely used by publishers, enterprises, libraries, and public-sector organizations requiring scalable, policy-driven document protection.

Key Features

  • Document Encryption: Encrypt PDFs, Microsoft Office, and web files using enterprise-grade DRM.
  • Granular Access Controls: Define policies for viewing, printing, copying, and expiration.
  • Password-Free Authentication: Authenticate users via email, SSO, SAML, device, or domain.
  • Dynamic Watermarking: Apply user-specific watermarks to deter unauthorized sharing.
  • Access Revocation: Instantly revoke document access even after files are distributed.
  • BrowserUX Viewer: View protected documents directly in modern browsers without plugins.
  • Secure Annotations: Enable controlled review and markup on protected documents.
  • Controlled Digital Lending: Support library CDL use cases with metering and expiration.

Price

Plan Price Featured
Basic Custom Quote (Annual License) Cloud encryption, In-browser PDF viewer, Expiration and revocation controls
Pro Custom Quote (Annual License) Custom policy sets, Advanced authentication options, Secure annotations and watermarking
Enterprise Custom Quote (Annual License) On-premise deployment, SSO/SAML integration, Unlimited end-users and multiple admins

Price details: https://www.fileopen.com/subscription-plans

Pros

Competitor

Pros
Adobe LiveCycle Rights Management Compared to Adobe LiveCycle, FileOpen is generally more cost-efficient and lighter to deploy. It avoids heavy infrastructure requirements while still supporting native PDF viewers and advanced DRM policies, making it easier for organizations that need secure distribution without committing to a large Adobe ecosystem.
Locklizard FileOpen offers broader compatibility with standard PDF and Office formats, whereas Locklizard relies more heavily on proprietary viewers. This reduces friction for end-users and simplifies external sharing scenarios where recipients use different devices and operating systems.
Digify While Digify focuses on simple virtual data room use cases, FileOpen provides deeper DRM controls such as dynamic watermarking, offline access rules, and controlled digital lending, making it more suitable for publishers and regulated industries.
Vitrium Security FileOpen has a longer track record in large-scale publishing and library environments. Its flexible authentication methods and support for both cloud and on-premise deployments give enterprises more architectural freedom.
Seclore Compared to Seclore, FileOpen is often simpler to roll out and manage, particularly for external document sharing. It emphasizes minimal end-user friction and does not require heavy client-side software installations.

Cons

Competitor

Cons
Adobe LiveCycle Rights Management Compared to Adobe LiveCycle, FileOpen has fewer native integrations with the broader Adobe enterprise stack. Organizations already deeply invested in Adobe tools may find tighter workflows and reporting options within Adobe’s ecosystem.
Locklizard Locklizard can offer very strict control through its proprietary viewer, while FileOpen prioritizes usability. This means FileOpen may be perceived as slightly less restrictive for organizations seeking maximum lockdown at the expense of user convenience.
Digify Digify provides more transparent, self-serve pricing and a faster onboarding experience. FileOpen’s custom-quote model and enterprise focus can slow down purchasing decisions for small teams.
Vitrium Security Vitrium offers more built-in analytics dashboards for content usage. FileOpen’s usage monitoring is powerful but may require more configuration and consultation to extract detailed insights.
Seclore Seclore provides broader information rights management across emails and data files. FileOpen is more document-centric, which can be limiting for organizations seeking unified data protection beyond documents.

Verified Customer Reviews

  • Capterra Review (Rating: 5/5): Users praise FileOpen for strong DRM controls and publisher-friendly licensing, but note that pricing transparency is limited and requires direct sales engagement.
  • TrustRadius Review (Rating: 4/5): Reviewers value the seamless end-user experience and password-free access, while mentioning that initial setup and policy configuration can be complex.
  • Apple App Store Review (Rating: 1/5): Some users report reliable access early on, but criticize stability issues and limited support when the viewer stops opening protected files.
  • Google Play Review (Rating: 2.4/5): Reviewers appreciate that the mobile viewer is free, but complain about inconsistent behavior and frustration with publisher-imposed restrictions.
  • Reddit/r/linuxquestions Review (Rating: 3/5): Users acknowledge FileOpen’s strong DRM enforcement, but express frustration with limited Linux compatibility and reliance on specific viewers.