Datasite vs Intralinks
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top virtual data rooms picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Datasite
Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory
The leading M&A platform trusted by dealmakers worldwide for secure due diligence
Intralinks
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
Enterprise-grade virtual data room from SS&C for complex cross-border transactions
Our pick: Datasite. Our editors rank Datasite higher overall in Virtual Data Rooms — but Intralinks can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Datasite | Intralinks | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Ma Due Diligence | Ma Due Diligence |
| Editorial rank | #1 of 15 | #2 of 15 |
Strengths
Datasite
- ✓Industry-leading platform trusted by the majority of global investment banks and law firms
- ✓AI-powered automatic document indexing and redaction saves hours of manual work
- ✓Comprehensive deal analytics show exactly who viewed what and for how long
- ✓Full deal lifecycle modules from preparation through post-merger integration
- ✓24/7 multilingual support with dedicated project managers for complex transactions
Intralinks
- ✓Deep enterprise security with IRM, dynamic watermarks, and remote document shredding
- ✓DealManager module provides end-to-end deal pipeline visibility beyond just the data room
- ✓Proven track record with over $35 trillion in transactions facilitated
- ✓Strong compliance with SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA regulations
- ✓Robust API integrations with major financial systems and CRM platforms
Watch out for
Datasite
- !Premium pricing makes it cost-prohibitive for smaller transactions under $10M
- !Learning curve for administrators setting up complex permission structures
- !Per-page pricing model can result in unexpectedly high bills for document-heavy deals
- !Overkill for simple fundraising rounds or small real estate transactions
Intralinks
- !User interface feels dated compared to newer cloud-native competitors
- !Complex pricing structure that can be difficult to predict before launch
- !Setup and configuration for large deals can require significant admin effort
- !Customer support responsiveness has received mixed reviews in recent years
Best use cases
Datasite
- →Investment bank running a competitive M&A sell-side process with 50+ potential buyers
- →Corporate development team managing simultaneous due diligence across multiple acquisition targets
- →Law firm conducting cross-border M&A requiring multi-language support and jurisdiction-specific compliance
Intralinks
- →Global investment bank managing a cross-border acquisition involving multiple jurisdictions and regulatory approvals
- →Private equity firm conducting simultaneous due diligence on a portfolio of target companies
- →Insurance company managing large-scale regulatory document sharing with compliance bodies
About each tool
Datasite
Datasite (formerly Merrill Corporation) is the industry-standard virtual data room for M&A transactions, trusted by investment banks, law firms, and corporate development teams across the globe. The platform provides AI-powered document organization, granular permission controls, real-time activity analytics, and a secure environment for sharing highly sensitive deal documents. Datasite's Acquire, Outreach, and Prepare modules cover the full deal lifecycle from target preparation through closing.
Intralinks
Intralinks, an SS&C Technologies company, is one of the original virtual data room providers and remains a dominant player in the M&A and financial services space. The platform supports complex multi-party transactions with advanced security features including information rights management (IRM), dynamic watermarking, and fence-in/fence-out controls. Intralinks also offers DealManager for pipeline management, making it a complete dealmaking ecosystem for financial institutions.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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