6 Best Real Estate Document Management Software
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
The best document management software enables real estate professionals to create, collect, organize, and securely store documents electronically instead of carrying physical files that can get ruined or lost. This tool is necessary for agents and brokerages to stay organized throughout a real estate transaction. We reviewed several providers based on document tracking, third-party integrations, storage, and security to identify the six best real estate document services to support agents through their deal flows.
- Dotloop: Best overall document management software with advanced features, customer service support, and document security
- SkySlope: Best option for automating real estate transactions
- Back Office: Most affordable software for budget-conscious agents
- RealtyBackOffice: Best paperwork management software for brokerages with a growing team
- Brokermint: Recommended for agents who want to white label their software
- DocuSign: Ideal for new real estate agents who want to test a document management software before purchasing
Best Real Estate Document Management Software At a Glance
Real Estate Document Management Software Software | Starting Price | Free Trial | Mobile App | Customer Support |
---|---|---|---|---|
$31.99 per month | X | ✓ | Live chat, phone, and email | |
$25.00 per agent, per month | X | ✓ | Live chat, phone, and email | |
$1.50 per agent, per month | X | X | Phone and email | |
$15 per agent, per month | ✓ | X | Phone and email | |
$99 per agent, per month | X | ✓ | Phone and email | |
$10 per month | ✓ | ✓ | Live chat, phone, and email | |
Which real estate document management software is right for you?
Dotloop: Best Overall Real Estate Document Management Software
What We Like
- Has mobile application
- Team collaboration features available
- Built in customer relationship management (CRM) tool
What's Missing
- No free plan or trial
- Website builder feature not included
- Requires some technical ability
Additional Features
- Securely send and receive electronic documents
- Training and tutorials provided to users
- Extended customer support hours
- Customer rated 4.66 out of 5
Dotloop is a real estate document management software to support agents with advanced features for obtaining forms digitally, gathering e-signature, supporting team collaboration, and keeping compliant with required real estate documents. It’s an all-in-one software that centralizes transactions, while offering added document storage, security, and CRM integrations. Specifically, Dotloop integrates with Propertybase, Follow Up Boss, and BoomTown, to name a few.
Its mobile app lets agents access all their forms and client information on-the-go. Dotloop also provides customer service support via live chat, phone, or email with extended customer service hours.
Although Dotloop does not provide a free plan or trial like other document management solutions, it provides a special offer to REALTORS® to test out their platform for up to 10 transactions for free. If agents choose to continue with the Dotloop, they can upgrade to the premium product.
Loops page of Dotloop platform showing current transactions
Dotloop Reviews
Users found the platform to be simple and easy to use. One user emphasized the affordability of the platform compared to other solutions on the market. Another client of Dotloop said they liked the ability to sort their documents by priority, so the most used documents were always at the top.
Some negative reviews about the platform mentioned that extended customer service hours were not late enough and preferred a solution with 24/7 support. For users who prefer longer service hours, Skyslope’s 24/7 customer service may be a better fit.
Dotloop Pricing
- Dotloop premium: $31.99 per month for a premium plan catered toward individual agents. Agents have access to all the features like unlimited transactions, document editor, secure backup, SMS communications and more.
- Dotloop for teams: Custom pricing is available if you contact Dotloop. Teams are provided with added custom branding, transaction visibility, a dedicated success manager, and automated compliance workflows.
- Dotloop business+: Pricing is customized per brokerage. Businesses get added multi-office compliance, Dotloop API, and advanced reporting features.
SkySlope: Best Document Software for Automating Real Estate Transactions
What We Like
- Subscription price discounts for larger team
- CRM tools included
- Cloud storage for document retrieval
What's Missing
- No lead generation tools
- Not able to whitelabel software
- Logo and branding tools are not available
Additional Features
- Team collaboration tools available
- Can send and receive electronic documents
- Can enable transaction notifications
- Customer review 4.5 out of 5
SkySlope positions itself as a command center to run a successful real estate business—providing complete visibility of your current transactions, available listings, and documentation in one place. A broker dashboard provides a central location to showcase active and pending deals along with shortcuts to access your checklists, archives, and tasks. In addition, it aims to keep agents connected with clients through automated workflows and customized checklists for each deal, ensuring agents don’t miss any steps along the way.
Most document management systems have task lists and document templates, but none as robust as SkySlope’s checklist. It provides statuses to each action item, keeping agents in compliance with real estate regulations. SkySlope’s form also pulls in pre-filled information from the MLS (multiple listing service) to reduce any manual entry work and eliminate data entry errors. At an additional cost, SkySlope also has SkyTC for transaction coordinators to help handle the paperwork, so agents can focus on their clients.
Broker Dashboard On SkySlope
SkySlope Reviews
The positive reviews for SkySlope speak to customer service’s ability to troubleshoot any issues that arise. One user commended its document storage functionality and its ability to split up each documents’ page to assign them to multiple categories.
A negative review for SkySloped indicated its inability to connect to other transaction management software since they found Dotloop handled their buyer and seller contracts better. Another review mentioned the search bar in SkySlope was slow in retrieving property search results in the backend.
SkySlope Pricing
- 0-10 agents: $25 per agent
- 11-25 agents: $15 per agent
- 25-50 agents: $10 per agent
- 50+ agents: $7.25 to $10 per agent
Back Office: Most Affordable Software for Budget-conscious Agents
What We Like
- Affordability of subscription plan
- Website builder via Propertybase
- Lead generation tools included
What's Missing
- Logo and branding unavailable
- No free trial
- No document encryption
Additional Features
- Document templates provided
- Mobile application powered by Salesforce
- Customer review rating 4.5 out of 5
Back Office, formerly known as BackAgent, was acquired by real estate software provider Propertybase. It’s the best solution for budget-conscious agents as the price points are separated into intranet, transaction management, or both and priced per active agent. If a single agent wants to use the platform they can choose if they need to pay for an intranet since they haven’t built a team yet.
Back Office increases agent productivity through real estate transaction management, compliance, and internal office intranet. The platform eases collaboration by allowing users to share documents with other agents, clients, and vendors. The built-in workflows ensure all documents are completed by assigned due dates, while prompting agents to gather specific documentation if missing.
The Back Office system has an intranet that is not provided with other transaction management systems. It allows agents to connect and engage with other team members, create open lines of communication, and provide solutions to help onboard new agents. The intranet provides insight into a brokerage’s day-to-day activity with calendars and message boards. There is also a team announcement section that can include topics like company meetings or training on topics like how to write business plans or build marketing campaigns.
Back Office Intranet Homepage
Back Office Reviews
Many reviews for Back Office originated when it was BackAgent. According to users, it helped streamline their real estate transactions and found its onboarding system to be quite simple. A team leader said the system was intuitive with great training videos and their team really enjoys using the platform.
There were no negative reviews of the system below 3 stars. However, if agents are looking for a system with a live support customer service option, then consider Docusign’s document management solution.
Back Office Pricing
- Intranet only: $1.50 per agent, per month
- Transaction management: $3.50 per agent, per month
- Intranet and transaction management: $5 per agent, per month
RealtyBackOffice: Best for Brokerages With a Growing Team
What We Like
- Free trial available
- Team-based pricing
- CRM tools included
What's Missing
- Does not integrate with third-party websites
- No third-party security verification
- Mobile application not available
Additional Features
- Provides document tracking
- Has website builder
- Lead generation tools available
- Customer review rating 4.9 out of 5
RealtyBackOffice is a real estate software built to help run a successful team or brokerage efficiently with its management features and tools. It has proprietary e-sign software to quickly close deals, as well as agent management tools to streamline recruiting and onboarding processes.
Brokers and admins can track agent activities within an agent’s user profile. Managers can record important information in a profile like conversations, phone calls, and notes such as real estate certifications and designations. Team managers can also assign special agent permissions to each agent profile versus having global office permission that may not apply to newer or part-time agents.
The commission tracking and forecasting features provided are not included in other real estate document management software. The commission tool allows teams to set commissions based on transaction type and net, gross, or flat fee commission. In return, the system will provide leaders with financial reports to expedite payment to the team.
In addition, RealtyBackOffice helps keep brand consistency throughout the platform with branding and logo capabilities. The branding tools allow brokerages to customize the platform and application with company colors and logo without any additional costs.
RealtyBackOffice Dashboard
RealtyBackOffice Reviews
Many reviews praised the platform’s ability to help manage a brokerage and team. Building the platform through a broker’s lens helped save time on much of the tedious management work needed to run an office. Customer service also received positive reviews based on their response time and ability to troubleshoot issues. Also, one user found the system helpful in tracking agents who are not based in the office.
Of the few negative reviews provided, those users found the e-sign function to be difficult when needing to add additional conditions to contracts.
RealtyBackOffice Pricing
- Agent/team plan: $15 per agent, per month
- Getting started plan: $80 per month for up to 10 agents. Each additional agent $7.
- Growing plan: $150 per month for up to 25 active agents. Each additional agent $5.
- Building traction plan: $200 per month for up to 40 active agents. Each additional agent $4.
- Almost there plan: $320 per month for up to 80 active agents. Each additional agent $3.
- Made it! plan: $450 per month for up to 150 active agents. Each additional agent $2
Brokermint: Recommended for Agents Who Want White Label Capabilities
What We Like
- Logo and branding tools included
- Document storage during the use of software
- Mobile application available
What's Missing
- Subscription plan is costly
- Fee for lead generation tools
- No free trial
Additional Features
- No technical skill to set up
- Tutorials and trainings provided
- SMS and email notifications
- Customer review rating 4.5 out of 5
What's Missing
- No technical skill to set up
- Tutorials and trainings provided
- SMS and email notifications
- Customer review rating 4.5 out of 5
The Brokermint system has features to help teams brand and white label the platform as their own tool. White labeling increases brand visibility without the added cost of having a dedicated software developer create the system from scratch. Brokermint allows a custom domain for your platform to increase branding for agents and clients to go to your custom URL. It also contains branded communications, emails, reminders, and forms.
Through Brokermint’s transaction management solution, it ensures transactions are moving forward through deal completion by supporting digital signatures and removing bottlenecks like missing signatures or overdue task completion.
It is one of the only platforms that require a one-time non-refundable setup fee for any of their plans. Other platforms can be launched with little technical skill required to set up. With fees starting at $99 per agent, per month, the system is one of the most expensive solutions for real estate document services.
Brokermint user management dashboard (Source: YouTube)
Brokermint Reviews
The positive reviews mentioned the overall ease of use of the software to keep documents organized and a quick learning curve. Users liked the ability to customize the data and create checklists. One reviewer even decided against hiring an assistant since the software was robust enough to support their business.
One negative reviewer said uploading documents into the platform was difficult and found the process of transferring documents from one transaction to another tedious since it involved downloading all the documents and re-uploading them into the new deal. SkySlope’s reviewers seem to really like the document uploading process for users who want a better document solution.
Brokermint Pricing
- Simple Start: Starting at $99 per agent, per month, the plan provides management of translations, commissions, e-signature and templates, and the use of forms and reports.
- Standard: Customized pricing. Users receive added team management, MLS integration, QuickBooks integrations, and dashboard.
- Enterprise: Customized pricing. Subscribers will receive accounting features, agent onboarding, white-label, CRM integration, multiple office locations, API, and single sign-on authentication.
DocuSign: Ideal for New Agents Who Want a Free Trial Before Purchase
What We Like
- Free trial available
- Mobile application provided
- Template documents included
What's Missing
- Lead generation tools not provided
- No website builder included
Additional Features
- Free plan available
- Pricing discount available for NAR members
- Team collaboration tools provided
- Customer review rating 4.5 out of 5
DocuSign is one of the few solutions that provide a free trial for users to test out, so new agents or those who want to become agents can test out a document management system before committing to purchasing one. It automates the document signature process through its e-signature solution, allowing document recipients to sign on their time, on a variety of devices, from wherever they are located. Agents can easily upload documents for signature backed by electronic agreements that have a court-admissible audit trail.
In addition, DocuSign provides pre-set templates for common forms, or agents can create their own templates for forms sent out frequently. Templates allow agents to save and re-use form information, while being able to identify placeholders for the recipients to fill out.
DocuSign does not provide tools to manage a team, brokerage, or handle any commissions like other document solutions geared toward the real estate industry. However, it does simplify and modernize the real estate document signing process by reducing the need for physical paper contracts for real estate transactions. It still contains similar general features similar to other real estate-based solutions like sending and receiving electronic documents, document tracking, and notifications.
DocuSign Mobile Signature Feature
DocuSign Reviews
DocuSign users reported that it’s extremely user-friendly since it allows document senders to make edits and select document options while inside the platform. Even those with limited computer knowledge can follow the signature prompts and buttons when you send documents to a client.
One reviewer found the document status notifications a bit much, and another found difficulties when trying to receive pricing for a product add-on with DocuSign. For more straightforward pricing, consider RealtyBackOffice’s pricing model.
DocuSign Pricing
- Real Estate Starter: $10 per month or $120 annually
- NAR Member Exclusive: DocuSign for REALTORS® $20 per user, per month or $240 annually
- Real Estate: $25 per user, per month or $300 annually
How We Evaluated the Best Real Estate Document Management Software
Implementing document management software can increase a business’ bottom line by helping agents stay organized with automated workflows and notifications. Simplifying the paperwork process for agents and clients is beneficial for all members of a real estate transaction. When evaluating the best real estate document services, we looked at the software’s pricing, general features, integrations, storage, and security, along with its ease of use.
We determined Dotloop to be the best platform for real estate document management, with an overall score of 4.37 out of 5. Except for the lack of a free plan or free trial, Dotloop had high reviews from customers and contained every general, storage, and security feature evaluated. The software also contains lead generation tools with integrations to a CRM and third-party website to help with procuring and closing more deals.
Other criteria used to evaluate paperwork management software:
20% of Overall Score
We assessed whether the software contained a free trial or plan, and if there was a subscription plan for a single agent or team.
20% of Overall Score
The general features analyzed include sending and receiving electronic documents, document tracking, notifications, and custom reporting. We also identified whether the software had team collaboration tools for larger teams and if it provided agent task lists.
15% of Overall Score
Each software was scored based on how long it allowed documents to be stored and accessed on the system and if it was stored in the cloud for easy document retrieval. We considered whether there was document encryption and third-party authentication to keep documents and client information safe.
10% of Overall Score
For a more robust solution, we evaluated if the software integrated with CRMs and third-party real estate websites. Additionally, it was taken into account whether the software provides website building, lead generation tools, and branding.
10% of Overall Score
Customer feedback for each platform was based on customer reviews of the software along with the popularity of the provider to ensure the software meets client expectations.
10% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers allow us to appraise the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each software.
10% of Overall Score
We looked at the overall usability of the real estate document management software in this list, taking into consideration how much time is needed to learn the system. We also weighed the initial learning curve and the skills needed to operate the software.
5% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical and customer support