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With so many different board governance software available, figuring out which is the best fit for your board is tough. You know you want software to organize board meetings, manage documents, and facilitate communication more effectively, but you need to figure out which software is best. In this article, I'll make your choice easier by sharing my insights on the best board governance software for enhancing the efficiency of board management tasks.

Best Board Governance Software Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top board governance software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Best Board Governance Software Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best board governance software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.

Best for AI-powered meeting minutes

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

Board Intelligence is a board governance software that aims to improve your board's effectiveness with AI-driven tools and advisory services. It focuses on enhancing governance processes and decision-making, making it a valuable asset for any organization looking to optimize its board activities.

I picked Board Intelligence because of its AI minute writing feature, which automates meeting minutes, saving you time and ensuring accuracy. This feature lets your team focus on strategic discussions rather than administrative tasks. The platform also provides agenda planning tools that help craft focused and efficient board meeting agendas, ensuring discussions stay on track and cover all necessary topics.

Another reason I chose Board Intelligence is its evaluation frameworks. These frameworks offer surveys and expert evaluations to assess your board's performance, helping you identify areas for improvement. By using these tools, your board can continuously enhance its effectiveness and drive organizational transformation.

Features include a user-friendly board portal that simplifies governance processes, making it easier for your team to access and manage board documents. The platform also offers transformational solutions that improve board effectiveness with innovative reporting tools and development programs. These features support your board's strategic decision-making and overall performance.

Integrations are not presently listed by Board Intelligence.

Best for Microsoft 365 integration

  • Free trial available
  • Pricing upon request

Pervasent offers Board Papers and Team Papers, two solutions designed to simplify the management and distribution of meeting documents. These tools integrate with Microsoft SharePoint and Teams, allowing your team to create agendas and organize documents within platforms you're already familiar with. Meeting participants can access materials through a user-friendly app on their devices, making preparation and collaboration more straightforward.​

One key feature of Pervasent's solutions is the ability to add private and public annotations to documents. Your team can use pen, highlighter, and text note tools to mark up materials before, during, and after meetings. Annotations sync across devices, ensuring that notes made on one device are accessible on others. By default, annotations are private, but you can choose to share specific notes with colleagues, fostering better collaboration.

I also like its electronic approval capability. Your team can cast votes and sign documents directly within the app, streamlining decision-making processes. Votes can be added to any agenda item, allowing for efficient approval of meeting minutes and resolutions.

Integrations include Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Teams.

Best for automatic video meeting transcription

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Rating: 4.7/5

Convene’s board management platform gives executives a digital toolbox where they can share documents, collaborate in real-time, and connect through enhanced video conferencing. Formerly known as Azeus Convene, their board portal software can be used to expedite common processes such as voting on resolutions using their live voting feature, and approving documents through their integrated e-signature functionality. Their document collaboration tools also make it easy to highlight sections of documents, make notes, or add action items tagged to specific co-workers, all from within a live virtual meeting.

To get the most out of your virtual board meetings, Convene’s integrated video conferencing allows you to make a video recording of the session, plus it will generate a post-meeting transcription automatically too. This is a helpful feature as it ensures any board member who was absent can still catch up after-the-fact. As well, having a written transcription can also be useful for record-keeping purposes too.

Convene’s platform also has excellent security features, including two-factor authentication, several ISO certifications, AES-256 encryption, and a remote wipe feature that removes document permissions immediately, as needed. Their software is also SOC compliant and SSAE 16 certified.

Convene’s mobile app integrates with video conferencing platforms like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, WebEx and Zoom.

Pricing details for Convene are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo or a 21-day free trial through their website.

Best for board leadership tools

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Diligent helps leaders, directors, and third parties collaborate and track information from across their organization to make informed decisions and meet business goals. Their system can be used to manage board, committee and leadership meetings, as well as individual entities and subsidiaries for multinational corporations. Within their software users can automate workflows, communicate securely, and personalize their own dashboards to track whatever metrics matter to them the most.

Their software is well-suited for enterprise-level organizations who need additional resources managing their governance processes. Diligent’s software suite includes tools to support auditing, risk management, compliance and ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals. Their platform can also be used to visualize corporate structures, stickhandle mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and become audit ready. To help boards operate more efficiently, their Modern Governance solution digitizes board books and meeting materials, including agendas and meeting minutes, board evaluations and questionnaires.

Diligent has integrations with Microsoft Teams, Messenger, Okta, and SecurityScorecard. Other integrations are available, though specific software platforms are not mentioned on their website.

Pricing details for Diligent are available upon request. You can also request a free demo and a free trial through their website.

Best for a scalable board portal

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 4.4/5

Govenda’s scalable board portal software acts as a central repository for pre-meeting planning, in-meeting discussions, post-meeting minutes and other document management functions. Within Govenda’s system, users can RSVP to meetings, access documents including meeting minutes and electronic board books, and review company news and announcements. Their platform also supports collaboration with other members through group or individual chats.

Additional features in their software include electronic voting to help wrap up the board resolution process, and the ability to e-sign documents. Their presentation mode syncs all attendee devices to the same presentation material, making it easy to keep all attendees on the same page. The only downside is that video conferencing is currently not integrated into their system, though it is apparently “coming soon.”

Pricing details for Govenda are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo through their website.

Best for advanced contract management features

  • Free trial available
  • From $9.50/user/month
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Rating: 4.9/5

ContractZen is a cloud-based service that combines board meeting management with contract management and virtual data room capabilities. Their system is built on top of robust meta-data driven technology that simplifies document storage through searchable meta tags, and other helpful features like the ability to set reminders for critical contract dates to ensure no deadlines are missed.

You can use ContractZen to schedule board meetings, develop agenda’s and track meeting minutes. Their system also supports task management including tools to prioritize items and collaborate with other board members. To help teams grappling with joint ventures or M&A situations, ContractZen also has built-in virtual data rooms where you can store the financial, tax and other legal documents that are required during due diligence processes.

ContractZen integrates with digital signature platforms including Adobe Sign, Assently, DocuSign, SignHero and Visma Sign. They also have native integrations with Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Outlook, and other single-sign on systems including Microsoft Azure.

Pricing for ContractZen starts at $9.50 USD/user/month. If you work for a nonprofit organization, contact them to inquire about a nonprofit discount. You can also request a free demo or a 30-day free trial through their website.

Best for recruiting new board members

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

BoardEffect is a modern board governance software solution that’s well-suited for nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and healthcare governance boards. Their comprehensive system is designed to support all phases of a typical board cycle.

Their meeting cycle tools help with scheduling meetings, creating online board books, tracking tasks and managing approvals. To help with annual board responsibilities, BoardEffect includes tools for surveys and evaluations, budgeting and auditing, and compliance. As well, you can use their system as a digital repository for all of your corporate documents, like policies and procedures, that may need an annual review.

One area that stood out to me when assessing BoardEffect’s software are the features in their board development cycle. Since board members often serve terms of 3 to 5 years, it’s important to have a well-developed cycle for recruiting and training new board members on an ongoing basis. BoardEffect can help with this by streamlining the onboarding process for new board members, giving them a digital run down of all the information they’ll need to become an effective board member. I envision this being really valuable for boards with high turnover, and it’s not something I’ve seen included in other board management software either.

Pricing details for BoardEffect are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo through their website.

Best for financial organizations

  • Free trial available
  • From $85 USD/user/month

Ansarada Board is a well-known and trusted board management software solution that’s used by many big-name companies including Visa, Coca Cola, Nestle, Shell, Quantas, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, KPMG, Rothschild & Co., and Credit Suisse. In fact, the top 100 banks worldwide make up 80% of their customers.

Their platform helps board members create board packs, set meeting agendas, record meeting minutes, assign action items, store digital files, vote on resolutions, and e-sign digital documents. More advanced features in their system include alerts for new content, real-time analytics, smart folders, syncing annotations across devices, and side-by-side document comparisons. Their system also logs an audit trail which records who has reviewed or annotated a document and when, making it easier for administrative support staff to track updates.

Ansarada Board has integrations with commonly used software tools like Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and others. They also have native apps for iPhone/iPad and Windows 10 devices too.

Ansarada Board has a freemium plan with limited features for an individual board or committee, or their paid plans start at $85 USD/user/month.

Best for education sector companies

  • Pricing upon request

BoardDocs is a web-based governance and board meeting management solution tailored for small and midsize education sector companies. It facilitates setting meeting agendas, communicating goals, sending invites, and managing key activities.

BoardDocs allows users to create detailed meeting agendas, manage meeting materials, and annotate documents. These meeting management capabilities are particularly beneficial for organizations that need to maintain meticulous records and ensure that all board members are well-prepared for meetings. The ability to search past meeting information and manage calendar events further enhances the efficiency of board operations, making it easier to track decisions and follow up on action items.

Another significant advantage of BoardDocs is its focus on security and user management. The software employs encryption for sensitive data, multi-factor authentication, and customizable permission settings to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to specific documents and information. 

Additionally, BoardDocs offers customizable document templates and branding options, allowing organizations to tailor the software to their specific needs and maintain a consistent professional appearance.

Best for start-to-finish board meeting processes

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

BoardMaps helps to organize effective board meeting processes from start to finish, including pre-meeting tasks, mid-meeting functions, and post-meeting follow-up items. You can use their software to develop the meeting agenda, share documents and supporting materials, and automatically generate board books for review. You can also send meeting invitations, as well as invites for individual agenda items if certain individuals are only needed for limited portions of the meeting.

During meetings, executives can vote on issues like resolutions, create action items, set deadlines and assign owners, assistants and approvers to key tasks to make sure someone is accountable for the next steps. BoardMaps also includes the ability to automate reminders until tasks are completed too.

Pricing details for BoardMaps are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo through their website.

Other Board Governance Software

Here are some additional board governance software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:

  1. Nasdaq Boardvantage

    For advanced board member evaluation

  2. iDeals Virtual Board Room

    With military-grade security features

  3. Boardable

    Comprehensive board meeting software with detailed agenda builder and meeting pages

  4. OnBoard

    Sophisticated board intelligence platform with useful engagement analytics and document management capabilities

  5. BoardPro

    User-friendly board governance software with advanced agenda-building and document repository features

  6. Board Management

    Collaborative board portal software with in-depth task management features - available as a 30-day free trial.

  7. DiliTrust Governance Suite

    Functional board meeting management software with ISO 27001 certification to ensure your data stays secure.

  8. BoardPAC

    Functional, mobile friendly board governance software, available on premise or as a cloud-hosted SaaS.

  9. BoardPaq

    Affordable, full-feature board management software with special pricing available for small organizations.

  10. Directorpoint

    For document management and sharing

Board Governance Software Selection Criteria

When selecting the best board governance software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like managing confidential documents and ensuring compliance with regulations. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Manage board meetings
  • Share and store documents securely
  • Facilitate board member communication
  • Track meeting minutes and decisions
  • Ensure compliance with regulations

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Real-time collaboration tools
  • Automated agenda creation
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Integration with other business apps
  • Advanced security protocols

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive interface design
  • Ease of navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Responsive design for mobile access
  • Clear and concise user guides

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Access to templates and resources
  • Live webinars for new users
  • Responsive chatbots for assistance

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • 24/7 support availability
  • Access to a knowledge base
  • Response time for inquiries
  • Availability of live chat support
  • Personalized support options

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing plans
  • Features included in basic packages
  • Discounts for annual subscriptions
  • Transparent pricing information
  • Availability of free trials

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Overall satisfaction ratings
  • Feedback on ease of use
  • Comments on customer support experiences
  • Insights on feature effectiveness
  • Reports on integration success

How to Choose Board Governance Software

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityCan the software grow with your organization? Consider if it supports an increasing number of users and data without performance issues.
IntegrationsDoes it work with your existing tools? Ensure it connects with your email, calendar, and document management systems for seamless workflows.
CustomizabilityCan you tailor the software to fit your needs? Look for options to customize dashboards, reports, and permissions.
Ease of useIs the interface intuitive for all users? A straightforward design reduces training time and increases adoption among board members.
Implementation and onboardingHow long does it take to set up? Evaluate the ease of migration, availability of training resources, and support during the onboarding process.
CostDoes the pricing align with your budget? Consider the total cost of ownership, including setup fees, subscription models, and potential hidden costs.
Security safeguardsAre your data and communications secure? Verify compliance with data protection regulations and the availability of encryption and access controls.
Compliance requirementsDoes it meet industry-specific regulations? Ensure the software supports necessary compliance standards relevant to your sector, like SOX or HIPAA.

What Is Board Governance Software?

Board governance software is a tool that helps boards of directors and their support teams manage meetings, share documents, and handle board communications in one place. Leaders and admins in nonprofits, businesses, and other organizations use it to plan meetings, set agendas, take minutes, and keep track of board responsibilities without drowning in paperwork. You can access everything securely online, so you spend less time on admin and more time focusing on decisions.

Features

When selecting board governance software, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • Document sharing and storage: Allows secure access and management of board documents, ensuring confidentiality and easy retrieval.
  • Meeting scheduling: Simplifies the process of organizing board meetings with automated reminders and calendar integration.
  • Secure communication: Provides encrypted messaging and communication channels for confidential discussions among board members.
  • Compliance tracking: Helps ensure adherence to industry regulations with built-in compliance checks and reporting tools.
  • Customizable dashboards: Offers personalized views and reporting options to meet the specific needs of different users.
  • Integration capabilities: Connects with other business applications like email and calendars to create a unified workflow.
  • User access controls: Manages permissions and access levels for different users to maintain data security.
  • Real-time collaboration tools: Enable board members to work together on documents and agendas simultaneously, enhancing collaboration.
  • Automated agenda creation: Streamlines the process of creating and distributing meeting agendas, saving time and effort.
  • Mobile access: Provides the flexibility to access board materials and participate in meetings from any location via mobile devices.

Benefits

Implementing board governance software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Improved collaboration: Real-time collaboration tools allow board members to work together efficiently, regardless of location.
  • Enhanced security: Secure communication and document sharing protect sensitive information and ensure confidentiality.
  • Time savings: Automated agenda creation and meeting scheduling reduce administrative tasks, freeing up time for strategic discussions.
  • Better compliance: Compliance tracking features help you stay on top of industry regulations, minimizing risks and legal issues.
  • Increased accessibility: Mobile access ensures board members can participate in meetings and access documents from anywhere.
  • Customized experience: Customizable dashboards and user access controls provide a tailored experience that meets the needs of different users.

Costs & Pricing

Selecting board governance software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in board governance software solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Board Governance Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic document storage, limited meeting scheduling, and basic user access controls.
Personal Plan$5-$25/user/monthSecure document sharing, basic compliance tracking, and mobile access.
Business Plan$30-$60/user/monthAdvanced meeting scheduling, real-time collaboration tools, and customizable dashboards.
Enterprise Plan$70-$120/user/monthFull integration capabilities, automated agenda creation, and comprehensive security safeguards.

Board Governance Software FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about board governance software:

Is data stored in board governance software secure?

Yes, reputable board governance software includes security features like encryption and access controls to protect your data. Look for software that complies with industry standards and regulations to ensure your organization’s information remains confidential and secure.

Is it possible to migrate from older board tools into modern board governance software?

Indeed. Many modern solutions help import existing board documents, previous minutes, and member data into the new system. This lets your board retain its historical data while switching to a more efficient platform.

How does board governance software support audit and compliance requirements?

You can rely on board governance software to record a clear history of actions—such as votes, document views, and approvals—to help your team meet compliance needs. It also gives you role-based access controls so only the right people see sensitive information.

How long does it take to implement board governance software?

The time to implement board governance software varies depending on the complexity of your organization and the software chosen. A straightforward setup might take a few days, while more complex integrations could take weeks. Ensure you have a dedicated team to oversee the process and utilize available training resources.

What’s Next:

If you're in the process of researching board governance software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.

You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.

Kim Behnke
By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR software writer and analyst for People Managing People, drawing on nearly a decade of hands-on experience in human resources. With a background spanning recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training, policy development, and HR analytics, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges HR teams face and how technology can solve them. Kim holds degrees in psychology, writing, and technical communication, and is a Certified Digital HR Specialist through the Academy to Innovate HR. Her work is driven by a passion for streamlining systems and optimizing workflows to help HR teams work smarter.