Agiled vs SmartVault: Complete Comparison (2026)
- Quick comparison (TLDR)
- Document management
- Compliance and security
- E-signatures and identity verification
- Client portal
- CRM, invoicing, and project management
- Tax software integrations
- Time tracking, HR, expenses, and AI
- Pricing comparison
- The vertical vs horizontal platform trade-off
- Who should NOT choose SmartVault
- Who should NOT choose Agiled
- Onboarding and learning curve
- User reviews and ratings
- When to use both platforms together
- SmartRouting workflow: How automatic document routing works
- SOC 2 Type 2: What it means in practice
- KBA e-signatures: How they work and why they matter
- Expanded pricing analysis: 3-, 5-, and 10-person firms
- Reporting comparison
- Mobile experience
- Decision matrix
- Who should choose SmartVault
- Who should choose Agiled
- FAQ
- The bottom line
Agiled and SmartVault solve fundamentally different problems. SmartVault is a document management system (DMS) built for accountants and financial professionals, with SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, tax software integrations, and secure client document exchange. Agiled is a complete business management platform with CRM, proposals, invoicing, project management, HR, and AI. SmartVault manages documents. Agiled manages the business.
Summary: SmartVault is a compliance-first DMS for accounting firms: SOC 2 Type 2, IRS 4457, KBA e-signatures, and native integrations with Lacerte, UltraTax, DrakeTax, and CCH. Pricing runs $25-$65/user/month across four tiers (2-user minimum). Agiled starts free (1 user) or $30/month for 3 users with CRM, proposals, contracts, invoicing, HR, payroll, and AI included. SmartVault fits regulated accounting firms; Agiled fits service businesses needing complete operations at a fraction of the cost.
SmartVault serves 30,000+ accounting and tax professionals with 500 million+ documents stored and 3 million+ global users. The platform includes unlimited cloud storage, a custom branded client portal, document request and collection workflows, SmartRequestAI for AI-powered document intake, e-signatures and KBA/ID verification (Accounting Unlimited), file versioning, full-text search, SmartRouting for automatic document routing, bulk print organizers, and deep integrations with Intuit Lacerte, ProConnect, ProSeries, Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS, DrakeTax, Wolters Kluwer CCH, and QuickBooks. SOC 2 Type 2 compliant. IRS 4457 and FTC Safeguards compliant. Four pricing tiers: Standard at $25/user/month, Accounting Pro at $45/user/month, Business Pro at $50/user/month, and Accounting Unlimited at $65/user/month. Minimum 2 users on all plans. 4.3/5 on G2 (103 reviews). 2/5 on Trustpilot. 15+ years in business.
Agiled covers the full business lifecycle: CRM with pipeline management, proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management with Kanban and Gantt, time tracking, scheduling, client portals, HR, payroll, expense tracking, and AI agents. Free plan for 1 user. Paid plans start at $30/month for 3 users. 4.7/5 on G2.
Quick comparison (TLDR)
SmartVault excels at one thing: secure document management for compliance-heavy industries. The deep tax software integrations (Lacerte, UltraTax, DrakeTax, CCH) create seamless workflows from tax preparation to document storage and client delivery. SOC 2 Type 2, IRS 4457, FTC Safeguards, FINRA, SEC, GLBA, GDPR, HIPAA, and FERPA compliance meet the strictest regulatory requirements. SmartRouting automatically files documents from tax software into the correct client folders. Bulk print organizers handle high-volume tax season workflows. E-signatures with KBA (Knowledge-Based Authentication) and ID verification add identity assurance that simple e-sign tools lack. SmartRequestAI automates document intake. The client portal lets clients upload documents securely 24/7.
But SmartVault is a document management tool, not a business platform. There is no CRM, no contact management, deal pipelines, or sales automation. No project management, task tracking, or Gantt charts. No time tracking. No invoicing (must use separate accounting software). No expense tracking. No HR or payroll. Limited AI (SmartRequestAI for document intake only). The pricing adds up: $25-$65/user/month with a 2-user minimum on all plans. A 5-person accounting firm pays $125-$325/month for document management alone. Users on G2 and Capterra report steep onboarding curves, with one reviewer describing seven training sessions that still left them lost. Trustpilot reviewers (2/5 rating) cite poor customer service and no refunds for unused subscription periods. Multiple users report forced plan migrations when SmartVault discontinued older tiers, resulting in 1.5x cost increases for features they did not need.
Agiled provides CRM, proposals with AI, contracts, invoicing, Gantt charts, time tracking, scheduling, client portal, HR, payroll, expense tracking, and AI agents. Basic document management (file attachments, sharing). No tax software integrations. No SOC 2 compliance. No KBA/ID verification.
The bottom line: SmartVault is the right choice for accounting and tax firms that need enterprise-grade document management with regulatory compliance and deep tax software integrations. Agiled is the right choice for service businesses that need complete operations management, including accounting firms that want business management tools alongside their tax software.
Key differences at a glance
| Category | SmartVault | Agiled |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Document management system | Business management platform |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type 2, IRS, FTC, FINRA, HIPAA | Standard SaaS security |
| Tax integrations | Lacerte, UltraTax, DrakeTax, CCH | None |
| CRM | None | Full pipeline CRM |
| Invoicing | None | Multi-currency, recurring |
| Project management | None | Gantt, Kanban, dependencies |
| Time tracking | None | Included |
| HR/payroll | None | Included |
| Expense tracking | None | Included |
| Document management | Purpose-built DMS | Basic file management |
| E-signatures | KBA/ID verification | Standard e-signatures |
| AI | SmartRequestAI (document intake) | AI agents (proposals, emails) |
| Pricing | $25-$65/user/month | $0-$120/month for teams |
| G2 rating | 4.3/5 (103 reviews) | 4.7/5 |
Document management
SmartVault's core value is enterprise-grade document management purpose-built for accounting workflows. Agiled includes basic file management but is not a DMS.
SmartVault
Storage and organization. Unlimited cloud storage with customized folder templates for accounting and tax workflows. File versioning tracks every change. Full-text search finds any document instantly. Connected Desktop App and mapped drive access integrate with Windows file management. Email capture automatically files emails and attachments.
Document collection. Request, track, and collect client documents through the portal. SmartRequestAI uses AI to automate document intake, determining what documents are needed and tracking what has been received. This transforms the annual tax season document chase into an automated workflow.
SmartRouting. Automatic document routing from tax preparation software into the correct client folders. When a tax return is completed in Lacerte, UltraTax, or DrakeTax, SmartRouting files the output documents in the right SmartVault folder, eliminating manual filing.
Bulk operations. Bulk print organizers and returns handle high-volume tax season workflows, printing, organizing, and delivering hundreds of returns efficiently.
Agiled
Basic document management. File attachments on tasks, projects, and client records. File sharing through the client portal. No dedicated DMS, no SmartRouting, no bulk operations, no tax-specific templates.
Verdict
SmartVault wins decisively on document management. This is its entire purpose and no general business tool matches its depth.
Compliance and security
Regulated industries often require specific certifications from vendors handling sensitive data. SmartVault is built for this; Agiled is not.
SmartVault
Industry-leading compliance. SOC 2 Type 2 certified (independently audited security controls over a sustained period). IRS Publication 4457 compliant (IRS requirements for tax preparers). FTC Safeguards Rule compliant (required for financial institutions). Additionally compliant with FINRA, SEC, GLBA (financial services), GDPR (European data protection), HIPAA (healthcare), AML (anti-money laundering), and FERPA (education). Two-factor authentication, password-protected PDFs, encrypted communication, automatic file lock, audit logs, and access controls.
The Compliance Vault (Accounting Unlimited) includes WISP (Written Information Security Plan) templates, required by many states for tax preparers.
Agiled
Standard SaaS security. Data encryption, role-based access, two-factor authentication, secure client portal. No SOC 2, IRS, FTC, or industry-specific certifications.
Verdict
SmartVault wins on compliance. For regulated industries (accounting, financial services, healthcare), SmartVault's certifications are often requirements, not optional.
E-signatures and identity verification
SmartVault
E-signatures with KBA. E-signatures with Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) and ID verification add identity assurance beyond simple electronic signatures. KBA asks signers questions only they would know (based on credit bureau data), reducing fraud risk. PDF form fillers allow pre-populated forms for client signing. DocuSign integration available. Unlimited e-signatures and KBAs on Accounting Unlimited ($65/user/month).
Agiled
Standard e-signatures. E-signatures on proposals and contracts. No KBA or ID verification.
Verdict
SmartVault wins for regulated documents requiring identity verification.
Client portal
SmartVault
Secure document exchange. Custom branded portal for clients to upload and download documents 24/7. Password-protected sharing. Mobile-enabled access. Designed for the document exchange workflow: tax organizers out, client documents in.
Agiled
Multi-purpose client portal. Clients access projects, invoices, proposals, contracts, and files. Covers more business areas but less specialized for document exchange.
Verdict
SmartVault's portal is better for document-centric workflows. Agiled's portal covers more business functions.
CRM, invoicing, and project management
SmartVault
None. SmartVault does not include CRM, invoicing, project management, or any business operations tools. It manages documents, not the business.
Agiled
Complete business operations. Full pipeline CRM, invoicing, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, milestones.
Verdict
Agiled wins on every business operations feature.
Tax software integrations
SmartVault
Deep accounting ecosystem. Native integrations with Intuit Lacerte, ProConnect, ProSeries, Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS, DrakeTax, Wolters Kluwer CCH, QuickBooks Online and Desktop, Xero, FreshBooks, Liscio, TaxCalc, Financial Cents, and many more. Open API for custom integrations. These are not surface-level integrations: SmartRouting automatically moves documents between systems.
Agiled
Standard business integrations. Payment gateways, calendar services, email providers. No tax software or accounting platform integrations.
Verdict
SmartVault wins on accounting/tax ecosystem connectivity.
Time tracking, HR, expenses, and AI
SmartVault
None (except limited AI). No time tracking, HR, payroll, or expense management. SmartRequestAI handles document intake automation, not business operations.
Agiled
All included. Time tracking, HR with payroll, expense tracking, AI agents for proposals and emails.
Verdict
Agiled wins on operational features.
Pricing comparison
SmartVault restructured its pricing into four tiers. Here is what each tier costs and includes.
| Feature | Agiled | SmartVault Standard | SmartVault Accounting Pro | SmartVault Business Pro | SmartVault Accounting Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per-user price | $0-$120/month (team) | $25/user/month | $45/user/month | $50/user/month | $65/user/month |
| Minimum users | 1 (free plan) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| CRM | Full pipeline | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Invoicing | Multi-currency, recurring | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Project management | Gantt, Kanban | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Time tracking | Included | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| HR/payroll | Included | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Document management | Basic file management | Core DMS | Full DMS + bulk ops | Full DMS | Full DMS + bulk ops |
| Tax integrations | Not available | Basic | Deep (SmartRouting) | Basic | Deep (SmartRouting) |
| Compliance | Standard SaaS | SOC 2 | SOC 2, IRS, FTC | SOC 2 | SOC 2, IRS, FTC, HIPAA |
| E-signatures | Standard | Not included | Not included | Not included | KBA + ID verification |
| AI | Business AI agents | Not available | Not available | Not available | SmartRequestAI |
Total cost for a 5-person accounting firm
| SmartVault stack | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| SmartVault Accounting Pro (5 users at $45/user) | $225/month |
| CRM (Pipedrive, 5 users) | $245/month |
| Project management (Asana) | $55/month |
| Invoicing (FreshBooks) | $30/month |
| Time tracking (Toggl) | $50/month |
| Total | ~$605/month |
| Agiled stack | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Agiled (5 users) | $30/month |
| Document management (standalone) | $20-$50/month |
| Total | ~$50-$80/month |
For accounting firms, the question is whether SOC 2 compliance and tax software integration justify 7-12x higher monthly costs. For firms with regulatory requirements or enterprise clients demanding SOC 2 reports, the answer is often yes. For small practices handling documents manually, Agiled plus basic cloud storage covers the gap.
The vertical vs horizontal platform trade-off
When SmartVault's specialization is essential
Accounting firms handling tax returns for hundreds of clients need SmartRouting, bulk print organizers, and IRS-compliant document storage. SOC 2 Type 2 certification is required by many enterprise clients and regulators. KBA-based e-signatures prevent identity fraud on tax documents. These are professional requirements, not preferences.
When Agiled's breadth makes more sense
Accounting firms that also offer advisory, consulting, or CFO services need CRM for client acquisition, project management for engagement delivery, and time tracking for billing. Small firms (1-3 people) that handle document management manually may not need SmartVault's enterprise capabilities. Growing firms that need HR and payroll for their own employees benefit from Agiled's operational tools.
Who should NOT choose SmartVault
SmartVault is not the right fit for every business. Here are the scenarios where it falls short.
You need CRM, invoicing, or project management. SmartVault has zero business operations features. You will need to buy and manage 3-5 additional tools (CRM, PM, invoicing, time tracking, HR), each with its own login, billing, and learning curve. The total stack cost for a 5-person team easily reaches $600+/month.
You are a solo practitioner. SmartVault enforces a 2-user minimum on all plans. A solo accountant pays for two licenses ($50-$130/month) even though only one person uses the system. Agiled's free plan covers 1 user with no minimum.
You are price-sensitive. At $25-$65/user/month, SmartVault is expensive relative to general cloud storage. Users report forced plan migrations when older tiers are discontinued, with cost increases of 1.5x for features they did not request. Trustpilot reviewers (2/5 rating) report difficulty getting refunds for unused subscription periods.
You need reliable customer support. Multiple review sources flag inconsistent support quality. One verified incident involved SmartVault tech support deleting client efile forms and tax returns without permission, making the firm non-compliant with the IRS. Other users describe seven training sessions that still left them unable to use the platform effectively.
You do not work in accounting or financial services. SmartVault's deepest value (tax integrations, SmartRouting, bulk print organizers, IRS compliance) is accounting-specific. A marketing agency, consulting firm, or creative business pays premium DMS pricing but cannot use the features that justify it.
Who should NOT choose Agiled
Agiled's breadth comes with trade-offs. Here are the scenarios where it is the wrong choice.
You need SOC 2 Type 2 or IRS compliance. Agiled does not hold SOC 2, IRS 4457, FTC Safeguards, or any industry-specific certifications. If your clients, regulators, or insurers require these from your document management vendor, Agiled cannot satisfy the requirement.
You need deep tax software integration. Agiled does not integrate with Lacerte, UltraTax, DrakeTax, CCH, or any tax preparation software. There is no SmartRouting equivalent. Every document must be manually uploaded and organized.
You process hundreds of tax returns per season. Without bulk print organizers, SmartRouting, or tax-specific folder templates, managing high-volume tax workflows in Agiled would require entirely manual processes. That is unsustainable at scale.
You need KBA e-signatures for identity verification. Agiled offers standard e-signatures on proposals and contracts. It does not offer Knowledge-Based Authentication or government ID verification. For tax documents, engagement letters, and e-file authorizations where identity assurance matters, you need SmartVault (Accounting Unlimited) or a dedicated e-sign provider like DocuSign with ID verification.
You are a large accounting firm with existing DMS requirements. Firms already embedded in the SmartVault, ShareFile, or Box ecosystem with custom folder structures, routing rules, and compliance audits will not find an equivalent in Agiled's basic file management.
Onboarding and learning curve
SmartVault
Accounting-focused onboarding. U.S.-based phone, email, and chat support. Complementary pricing audit (Accounting Pro+). Seasonal licenses for tax season scaling. The platform mirrors accounting workflows, making adoption straightforward for tax professionals who understand the domain. However, G2 and Capterra reviewers report steep learning curves for initial setup, particularly around folder structures and routing rules. One reviewer described completing seven training sessions and still feeling lost.
Agiled
Self-service onboarding. Free plan for evaluation. Module-based adoption (start with CRM, add projects later). Broader feature set requires more exploration, but each module works independently.
Verdict
SmartVault is faster for accountants who already know document management workflows. Agiled is more accessible for diverse service businesses and allows gradual adoption through its free plan.
User reviews and ratings
SmartVault ratings
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| G2 | 4.3/5 (103 reviews) |
| Capterra | 4.3/5 (137 reviews) |
| Trustpilot | 2/5 |
SmartVault strengths (from reviews)
Compliance assurance. Firms appreciate the SOC 2 certification and IRS compliance for client audits and regulatory reviews.
Tax workflow automation. SmartRouting and bulk operations save significant time during tax season. Users report eliminating hours of manual filing per week during busy season.
Integration depth. The Lacerte, UltraTax, and CCH integrations are consistently praised as genuine workflow improvements, not just data connectors.
Common SmartVault complaints (from reviews)
Forced plan migrations. Users report being moved to new plans at 1.5x the cost when SmartVault discontinued older pricing tiers. The new plans included features users did not need and could not opt out of.
Onboarding difficulty. Multiple reviewers describe training that did not prepare them to use the platform independently. One user went through seven training sessions and still felt lost. Others describe onboarding coaches as unhelpful.
Customer support incidents. One verified Capterra review describes SmartVault tech support deleting everything in a client file without permission, including efile forms and tax returns, making the firm non-compliant with the IRS. Other users report inconsistent support quality and slow response times.
No online editing. Files must be downloaded, edited locally, and re-uploaded. There is no in-browser document editing, which creates friction for collaborative workflows.
Upload performance. Multiple users report slow upload times, even for smaller documents, and synchronization issues when clients upload files.
When to use both platforms together
Some accounting firms combine SmartVault for document compliance with Agiled for business management:
- SmartVault handles tax document storage, routing, e-signatures, and compliance
- Agiled handles CRM, proposals, invoicing, project management, and HR
- Combined cost for 5 users: approximately $255-$355/month (SmartVault Accounting Pro at $225 + Agiled at $30 + optional standalone DMS overlap avoided)
This combination makes sense for firms that need both SOC 2 compliance and full business operations. The trade-off is managing two platforms and two vendor relationships.
SmartRouting workflow: How automatic document routing works
SmartRouting is SmartVault's signature automation, eliminating the manual step of filing tax software output into client folders.
The problem it solves. When a preparer completes a return in Lacerte, UltraTax, DrakeTax, or CCH, the software generates PDFs: the return, worksheets, supporting schedules. Without SmartRouting, someone must manually save each file, name it correctly, and place it in the right client folder in the DMS. For a firm processing 200 returns, that is hundreds of manual file operations during tax season.
How SmartRouting works. SmartVault integrates at the tax software level. When a return is finalized and "sent" or "exported" to SmartVault, SmartRouting reads the client identifier (SSN, client ID, or name) from the return and automatically routes the output documents to the correct client folder. Folder structure can follow firm templates (e.g., 2025 Tax Returns / Client Name / Federal, State). The preparer clicks once; the system files correctly.
Setup and maintenance. Firms configure routing rules during initial setup, mapping tax software client IDs to SmartVault folder paths. Once configured, routing runs automatically. New clients require folder creation; some firms use templates to auto-create folder structures when a new client is added.
Agiled has no equivalent. Agiled's file attachments live on tasks, projects, or contact records, not in a hierarchical, tax-software-integrated document vault. There is no automatic routing from Lacerte or UltraTax. Accountants would need to manually upload and organize every return.
SOC 2 Type 2: What it means in practice
SmartVault's SOC 2 Type 2 certification is frequently cited but rarely explained. Here is what it means for accounting firms.
SOC 2 overview. SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is an AICPA framework for evaluating a service provider's security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. A SOC 2 report is issued by an independent auditor after examining the provider's controls over a period of time (typically 6-12 months).
Type I vs. Type II. A Type I report assesses whether controls are designed appropriately at a point in time. A Type II report assesses whether those controls operated effectively over a sustained period. Type II is more rigorous: it proves the controls actually work, not just that they exist.
What auditors examine. For a document management provider like SmartVault, auditors verify access controls (who can see what), encryption (data at rest and in transit), change management (how code and config changes are approved), incident response (how breaches or failures are handled), and vendor management (how subprocessors are vetted). The audit produces a report that clients and regulators can request.
Why it matters for accountants. Enterprise clients, financial institutions, and regulators often require SOC 2 Type II from vendors handling sensitive data. Accounting firms storing tax returns, financial statements, and PII need to demonstrate due diligence. SmartVault's certification means the firm can point to an independent audit rather than accepting marketing claims. Agiled does not publish SOC 2 certification; it relies on standard SaaS security practices.
Other compliance. SmartVault also meets IRS Publication 4457 (requirements for tax preparers), FTC Safeguards Rule (financial institutions), and optionally FINRA, SEC, GLBA, HIPAA, and GDPR. The Compliance Vault (Accounting Unlimited at $65/user/month) adds WISP templates for state-level requirements. This breadth matters for firms serving regulated industries.
KBA e-signatures: How they work and why they matter
Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) elevates e-signatures from "someone clicked sign" to "we verified the signer's identity." For tax documents, that distinction matters.
How KBA works. When a signer opens a document requiring KBA, they are prompted to answer multiple-choice questions derived from their credit history or public records. For example: "Which of these addresses have you lived at?" or "Which of these lenders have you had a loan with?" The questions are dynamic and time-limited. Correct answers indicate the signer is who they claim to be. Incorrect answers or timeouts block the signature.
ID verification (Accounting Unlimited). The $65/user/month tier adds government-issued ID verification. The signer uploads a driver's license or passport, and the system validates it. Combined with KBA, this provides strong identity assurance.
Why it matters for tax documents. Tax returns, e-file authorizations, and engagement letters contain SSNs, financial data, and legally binding commitments. A simple e-signature (name + click) is legally valid but offers no proof of identity. If a client later claims "I didn't sign that" or a regulator asks "How do you know the signer was the taxpayer?", KBA provides an audit trail: the signer passed identity verification. This is especially important for remote clients and high-risk engagements.
Agiled's e-signatures. Agiled offers standard e-signatures on proposals and contracts, sufficient for many business documents. It does not offer KBA or ID verification. For tax firms requiring identity assurance, SmartVault (Accounting Unlimited) or a dedicated e-sign provider (DocuSign with ID verification) is necessary.
Expanded pricing analysis: 3-, 5-, and 10-person firms
| Firm size | SmartVault Standard | SmartVault Accounting Pro | SmartVault Business Pro | SmartVault Accounting Unlimited | Agiled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 users (min) | $50/month | $90/month | $100/month | $130/month | $0 (free) |
| 3 users | $75/month | $135/month | $150/month | $195/month | $30/month |
| 5 users | $125/month | $225/month | $250/month | $325/month | $30/month |
| 10 users | $250/month | $450/month | $500/month | $650/month | $60/month |
What each SmartVault tier adds. Standard is the entry point: core document management, basic search, and cloud storage. Business Pro adds broader integrations and is positioned for non-accounting businesses. Accounting Pro adds deeper tax software integration, bulk print organizers, SmartRouting, and accounting-focused support. Accounting Unlimited adds KBA e-signatures, SmartRequestAI, Compliance Vault (WISP templates), and unlimited e-signatures/KBAs.
Total cost of ownership. A 5-person firm on Accounting Pro pays $225/month for SmartVault. Add CRM ($50-$250), project management ($50), invoicing ($30), and time tracking ($50) for a full stack: $405-$605/month. The same firm on Agiled pays $30/month for CRM, projects, invoicing, time tracking, and HR, plus $20-$50/month for a standalone DMS if needed. The gap is $325-$525/month, or $3,900-$6,300/year. The question: does SOC 2, tax integrations, and KBA justify that gap? For firms with compliance requirements, often yes. For firms without, Agiled plus basic cloud storage may suffice.
Reporting comparison
SmartVault reporting. Document-centric metrics: storage usage, document counts, user activity, access logs, and audit trails. Useful for compliance and internal oversight. No CRM reporting (no deals, no pipeline). No project or time reporting. No financial reporting (invoicing is outside SmartVault).
Agiled reporting. Full business reporting: pipeline value, win rates, revenue by deal stage, forecast vs. actual, project time and budget, expense summaries, and invoice aging. Dashboards and exports support management decisions. Agiled's reporting spans the business; SmartVault's reporting spans the document vault.
Verdict. For firms that need to track sales, projects, and profitability, Agiled's reporting is essential. SmartVault's reporting serves compliance and document governance, not business analytics.
Mobile experience
SmartVault mobile. SmartVault offers mobile access via responsive web and native apps (iOS and Android). Clients can upload documents, view shared files, and sign documents from phones and tablets. Staff can access the vault, search documents, and perform basic tasks on mobile. Heavy workflows (bulk operations, complex routing) remain desktop-focused. Mobile is adequate for document retrieval and client uploads.
Agiled mobile. Agiled provides a responsive web experience with no dedicated native app. CRM, projects, time tracking, and invoicing are usable on mobile browsers. Field staff can log time and update deals. Adequate for light mobile use; power users may prefer desktop.
Verdict. SmartVault has an edge with native mobile apps for clients and staff. Both platforms support mobile access; neither is mobile-first for complex workflows.
Decision matrix
| Scenario | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Tax firm needing SOC 2 document management | SmartVault |
| Accounting firm needing CRM and project management | Agiled |
| Firm handling 500+ tax returns with bulk operations | SmartVault |
| Advisory/consulting firm with some tax work | Agiled |
| Firm needing KBA e-signatures for compliance | SmartVault |
| Firm with employees needing HR and payroll | Agiled |
| Solo practitioner on a budget | Agiled (free plan, no 2-user minimum) |
| Firm needing both compliance and operations | Both (SmartVault + Agiled) |
Who should choose SmartVault
- Tax preparation firms needing IRS-compliant document management
- CPA firms with SOC 2 requirements from enterprise clients
- Financial advisors subject to FINRA, SEC, or GLBA regulations
- Large accounting firms processing hundreds of returns with bulk operations
- Firms needing KBA e-signatures for identity verification on tax documents
Who should choose Agiled
- Service businesses of any type including accounting firms needing operations management
- Advisory and consulting firms that need CRM, proposals, and project management
- Small accounting practices where manual document management is sufficient
- Growing firms with employees needing HR, payroll, and attendance
- Budget-conscious professionals who want CRM, invoicing, and projects at $0-$30/month
- Multi-service firms that combine accounting with consulting, advisory, or other services
FAQ
Does SmartVault have a CRM?
No. SmartVault is a document management system. It does not include contact management, deal pipelines, sales tracking, or any CRM features. Firms using SmartVault typically add a separate CRM like Pipedrive, HubSpot, or Salesforce.
Does SmartVault have invoicing?
No. SmartVault does not include invoicing or payment processing. It integrates with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero) that handles invoicing.
Does SmartVault have project management?
No. SmartVault does not include task management, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, or project tracking.
Is SmartVault only for accountants?
SmartVault's primary market is accounting and tax firms. The Business Pro plan ($50/user/month) serves general businesses, but the platform's deepest value (tax integrations, bulk operations, compliance certifications) targets the accounting industry. Non-accounting businesses pay premium DMS pricing without accessing the features that justify it.
Why is SmartVault expensive compared to basic cloud storage?
SmartVault's pricing ($25-$65/user/month) reflects enterprise-grade compliance (SOC 2 Type 2), deep tax software integrations, unlimited storage, SmartRouting automation, and 15+ years of operational reliability. General cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) costs $6-$20/user/month but lacks compliance certifications, tax integrations, KBA e-signatures, and document routing.
Can SmartVault and Agiled work together?
Yes. Accounting firms can use SmartVault for SOC 2-compliant document management and Agiled for CRM, proposals, invoicing, and project management. This combination provides both compliance and operational coverage at approximately $255-$355/month for a 5-person team.
What is SmartRouting and which tax software does it support?
SmartRouting automatically files documents from tax preparation software into the correct client folders in SmartVault. Supported software includes Intuit Lacerte, ProConnect, ProSeries, Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS, DrakeTax, Wolters Kluwer CCH, and others. When a return is finalized and sent to SmartVault, SmartRouting reads the client identifier and routes output PDFs to the right folder, eliminating manual filing.
What is the difference between SmartVault's four plans?
Standard ($25/user/month) is the entry plan with core document management and storage. Business Pro ($50/user/month) adds broader integrations for non-accounting businesses. Accounting Pro ($45/user/month) adds deeper tax software integration, bulk print organizers, SmartRouting, and accounting-focused support. Accounting Unlimited ($65/user/month) adds KBA e-signatures, SmartRequestAI, Compliance Vault (WISP templates), and unlimited e-signatures/KBAs.
Does SmartVault have a minimum user requirement?
Yes. SmartVault requires a minimum of 2 users on all plans. Solo practitioners must purchase two licenses even if only one person uses the system. At the Standard tier, that is $50/month minimum; at Accounting Unlimited, $130/month minimum. Agiled offers a free plan for 1 user with no minimum.
Is SmartVault required for IRS compliance?
SmartVault is not required by the IRS, but it helps firms meet IRS Publication 4457 requirements for safeguarding taxpayer data. IRS 4457 outlines security expectations for tax preparers; SmartVault's design (encryption, access controls, audit logs) aligns with those expectations. Firms can achieve compliance with other tools, but SmartVault is purpose-built for it.
Does SmartVault offer seasonal licensing?
SmartVault offers seasonal licenses for firms that scale up during tax season and scale down afterward. This can reduce costs for firms with pronounced seasonal workloads. Contact SmartVault for current seasonal pricing and terms.
The bottom line
SmartVault and Agiled do not compete directly. SmartVault is the industry-standard DMS for accounting firms that need SOC 2 compliance, tax software integrations, and KBA e-signatures. Agiled is a complete business management platform for service businesses that need CRM, proposals, invoicing, project management, HR, and AI at a fraction of the cost. For accounting firms, the decision depends on whether compliance and tax workflow automation are requirements or preferences. If your clients and regulators demand SOC 2 reports and your firm processes hundreds of returns through Lacerte or UltraTax, SmartVault is essential. If you need to run the business (not just manage documents), Agiled fills the operational gap.
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