Firmex

Firmex
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Firmex is one of the top data room choices for sharing and storing confidential data. Law firms, investment bankers, and corporate development teams at global enterprises rely on Firmex to manage their most critical and sensitive transactions.

This review provides a comprehensive outlook on the Firmex virtual data room. It explores security features, usability, customer support, Firmex pricing, unique functionalities, and more. Read on to discover whether Firmex is the right choice for your business needs.

What Is Firmex?

Firmex is a global provider of virtual data rooms that supports complex business processes like diligence, litigation, and compliance, making them versatile and effective for companies in various industries. 

Additionally, this provider offers solutions to many other types of business deals. For example, for M&A, it provides an opportunity for secure document sharing that will speed up the process. Furthermore, investment banks, law firms, acquisition advisors, and more are using the Firmex virtual data room to securely share confidential documents with their investors, buyers, and clients.

Firmex virtual data rooms are widely used in Australia because they are valued for their benefits. The software is simple, user-friendly, and convenient.

Firmex was founded in 2006 in Toronto, Canada, and has since become a global data-security provider that has helped over 140,000 companies worldwide. Due to its world-class security features, huge amounts of documents are exchanged using Firmex for M&A, corporate governance, compliance, litigation, procurement, and more. 

Firmex is about simple, safe, and stress-free document sharing with upfront fixed pricing. It supports all-sized complex organizations working in various industries, including government, finance, private equity, and intellectual property. 

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Security features

Security is the non-negotiable foundation of the Firmex virtual data room. The platform provides comprehensive, multi-layered security features. These are designed to meet the most stringent corporate and regulatory standards. Here are the key protection features in Firmex virtual data room:

FeatureDescriptionBenefit
Infrastructure & certificationHosted on Tier IV SSAE 16 certified data centres. Maintains SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications.Maximum uptimeIndependent verification of security controls, availability, and confidentiality.
Dynamic watermarkingApplies customizable watermarks to documents viewed online or downloaded, displaying user info, IP address, date, and time.Deters and traces unauthorized sharing or leakage of sensitive documents.
Granular document permissionsProvides precise control over access at the folder or file level.Users only see what they are authorized to.
Fence view modeObscures sections of a document not directly under the user’s cursor.Prevents unauthorized screen capturing and photography, protecting against “over-the-shoulder” breaches.
Advanced encryptionEncrypts all personally identifiable information in transit using TLS 1.2+ and at rest using 256-bit AES encryption.Protects data with the same standard used by financial institutions and governments worldwide.

Firmex data room pricing overview

Firmex offers a customized, quote-based pricing model for its virtual data room services. Unlike providers with public, fixed-rate plans, costs are tailored to the specific scope and requirements of each project. This approach is designed to align expenses with the actual resources used, but it requires prospective users to contact the sales team for a formal quote.

Firmex VDR pricing is primarily structured around two engagement models:

1. Short-term / Project-based subscription

Costs are often calculated on a per-page basis for the duration of the project. This model may also include fees for a certain number of users or administrators. It provides a defined cost for a single initiative.

  • Term length: 3 to 9 months.
  • Ideal for: specific, time-bound transactions such as a single M&A deal, a fundraising round, or an audit.

2. Annual / Enterprise subscription

This is usually a flat-fee subscription that offers unlimited data storage and pages for the contract period. It often includes a set number of administrator licenses, with the option to add more. This model provides cost predictability and simplifies budgeting for annual planning.

  • Term length: 12 months or longer.
  • Ideal for: organizations with ongoing, multiple, or anticipated future needs.

The final quote for Firmex VDR pricing is influenced by several variables:

  • The length of time the data room needs to be active.
  • The total number of pages or gigabytes of data to be stored.
  • How many users (internal administrators) and external parties (viewers) require access.

It is important to note that Firmex does not typically offer a self-service free trial by default. You’ll get a quote by speaking with their sales team.

They typically offer a demo or pilot upon request rather than letting you sign up yourself. Notably, if you use more than two data rooms in a year, this subscription model often saves at least 25% compared to buying single-project credits.

Unique features

firmex data room

Like most leading VDRs, Firmex offers robust security and core document management. However, there are several Firmex virtual data room features that differentiate it from other providers. These include:

Advanced Q&A module

Many VDRs have a simple Q&A function, but Firmex’s module is built for managing high-volume, complex due diligence processes efficiently. It allows administrators to create custom workflow statuses, like “In Review,” “Answered,” “Needs Input,” “Closed”, assign questions to specific internal experts, and set priority levels.

This way, no questions are missed and there is a clear audit trail of the entire Q&A process. For example, during an M&A deal, an investor’s question about a specific financial covenant can be assigned directly to the CFO, marked as “High Priority“. Then, it can be tracked until a vetted answer is provided.

“Set offline” mode for granular control

Instead of deleting or moving files, an administrator can right-click any file or folder and “Set Offline.” This instantly revokes access for all users, but retains the item’s place in the index for easy restoration later. This is far more efficient than adjusting individual user permissions for temporary changes.

This feature is especially valued when a legal team discovers a document was uploaded to the wrong folder mid due diligence. Instead of risking confusion by deleting it, they can “Set Offline” immediately to prevent viewing. Then they can move it to the correct folder and set it back online, no need to alter the room’s structure or user permissions.

“Content status” filters for dynamic workflow

Administrators can tag documents with custom statuses like “In Review,” “Approved,” “Signed,” or “Rejected.” Users can then filter the entire data room view to see only documents with a specific status. This provides an at-a-glance view of progress.

In dynamic deals, like a loan syndication process, a lead bank can tag all completed credit agreements as “Signed.” Other participating banks can filter for “In Review” to quickly find documents that still require their attention.

File send for secure external transfers

File Send feature allows users to securely send large files or batches of files to anyone, even if they are not a user in the VDR. The recipient receives a secure link to download the files, which can be protected with a password and an expiration date or time limitation. This eliminates the need for insecure email attachments or separate FTP services.

Here is how this feature works in practice. After a deal closes, a lawyer needs to send the final, massive closing bundle to a counterparty. Instead of splitting it into multiple emails, they use File Send to create a single, secure, password-protected link that expires after 7 days. This provides compliant and efficient delivery of confidential data.

Customizable welcome message banner

Administrators can post and update a persistent banner message at the top of the data room interface for all users to see. This is ideal for broadcasting announcements, updating process guidelines, or providing timely support information without needing to email users separately.

The welcome message banners might look like these:

Notice: All Q&A responses may be delayed on Friday due to a public holiday.” or “Welcome! Please review the ‘Instructions’ folder before proceeding.

Advanced redaction tools

The platform lets users hide sensitive information in two ways. Users can use pattern-based redaction to automatically find things like Social Security numbers and remove them. Or they can do manual redaction for specific parts of a document. A persistent redaction layer makes sure the hidden data is gone for good. Even if someone downloads the file, the sensitive information stays removed.

Customer support

Technical or administrative hurdles should never derail critical deadlines. That is why Firmex offers high-class customer support that is designed for global, round-the-clock dealmaking. Their support team takes care of over 20,000 data room projects a year. They offer:

  • 24/7/365 availability

This is essential for deals operating across international time zones, where questions or issues can arise at any moment.

  • Multilingual support

The support team includes native speakers of English (EN), Spanish (ES), German (DE), and French (FR). They provide clear and precise communication without language barriers for a global clientele.

  • Multiple channels for assistance

Users can get help through their preferred method. It can be a live chat or via phone for real-time troubleshooting, or via email for non-urgent inquiries.

In fact, in their reviews, users highlight customer support as one of the key benefits of the Firmex data room. For example, they mention that they liked the customer service because

It is local, fast and always answers any concerns. – Catperra review.

Another user mentions that the customer support was very helpful right at the start, when they only set up the deal room:

Customer Support was needed initially and they were great – we had one issue we needed help with and we had the answer in 3 hours. We were able to integrate the system quickly into our regular business practices. – G2 review

The fast and proactive customer service is highly valued by Firmex users, because it can speed up the deal:

The Q&A feature is very helpful in intense M&A scenarios with questions from various stakeholders that need to be sorted based on various criteria. Further, the customer support is exemplary and is always quick in response, which is very important in tight timelines. – G2 review

Document management & user experience

Document management is the foundation of any data room for document-heavy processes like M&A due diligence or large audits. The Firmex data room is designed to manage the entire document lifecycle. Here are the key features and benefits for complex transactions:

FeatureHow it worksBenefit
Drag & drop uploadAllows users to select thousands of files and folders from their desktop and upload them simultaneously.Reduces the initial data room setup time. Administrators can populate the VDR with entire directory structures in a few actions.
Email-in toolUsers can email documents directly into the data room, where they are automatically filed and secured.Streamlines continuous document collection from dispersed teams (e.g., legal, finance).
Bulk operationsSupports downloading an entire folder structure as a ZIP file or uploading large batches of documents at once.Saves hours of manual effort.
Auto-indexing & numberingAutomatically applies consistent numbering to all files and folders upon upload.Data room index provides a uniform structure that all parties can easily navigate. Critical when dealing with thousands of documents from multiple sources.
Desktop sync (Syncplicity)Integrates with Syncplicity® to sync files between a desktop folder and the Firmex VDR. Changes on the desktop are automatically reflected in the data room.The data room always contains the most current version of a document without manual intervention.
Mobile compatibilityProvides fully functional, secure mobile access via native iOS and Android apps. Users can review documents, participate in Q&A, and receive notifications.Decision-makers and advisors can review critical materials and respond to queries from anywhere.
Custom roles & “View-As”Allows administrators to create custom user roles with precise permissions.The “View As” function lets an admin see the data room exactly as a specific user sees it.Enforces the principle of least privilege for enhanced security. The “View As” tool is an invaluable troubleshooting tool to instantly verify permissions and ensure users have the correct user access.

For deals with hundreds of thousands of pages, these features are must-haves. They help both the sell-side and buy-side keep momentum and control the deal. The ability to quickly organize, update, and control large document sets means deal teams can focus on analysis and negotiation instead of wasting time on admin tasks.

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Firmex data room pros and cons

Here are the key strengths and potential limitations of the Firmex virtual data room provider. These are important to keep in mind when deciding whether Firmex is the right choice for your organization.

Pros

Firmex data room is one of the top-rated VDR solutions. The advantages mentioned below are highlighted in user reviews on G2, Capterra, and other software review platforms:

Excellent document security and DRM

Firmex has a robust, multi-layered security model. It features dynamic watermarking, granular permissions, fence view mode, and advanced data encryption. The data room has SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications. These provide independent verification of its security controls, making it a trusted choice for highly sensitive transactions.

Intuitive user interface with minimal training

The platform has a clean, logical design. Both administrators and external users can navigate the Firmex data room with ease. This speeds up user adoption and reduces the need for extensive training. As a result, the entire deal moves much faster.

Strong customer support and onboarding

Firmex provides responsive, knowledgeable, and multilingual (EN, ES, DE, FR) 24/7/365 support through multiple channels. Their dedicated onboarding ensures rooms are set up correctly from the start, providing crucial peace of mind during critical deals.

Unique productivity features

Tools like Email-in, Set Offline mode, and advanced Content Status filters go beyond standard VDR offerings. They provide significant workflow advantages for managing complex due diligence and M&A processes.

Cons

Despite numerous benefits, there are several considerations to keep in mind. These include:

No publicly listed pricing tiers

Firmex virtual data room pricing is based on a custom quote model rather than transparent, self-service plans. This requires potential customers to contact sales to get a specific quote. This can be a hurdle for those who need immediate budget clarity or to compare options quickly.

Fewer granular permission levels than some competitors

While Firmex offers robust basic permissions (view, download, etc.), some competing providers offer more ultra-granular, specific controls over user actions within a document. For most use cases, Firmex’s permissions are sufficient, but highly specialized scenarios may find them slightly less configurable.

Clientele and case studies

Firmex has built a strong reputation as a secure online platform for industries where security, reliability, and efficiency are paramount. Its clientele includes some of the Global 2000 firms, alongside top investment banks, law firms, and professional services networks.

Major clients

The Firmex virtual data room is the platform of choice for a prestigious and diverse range of organizations, including:

  • Top law firms like Magic Circle and Am Law 100 firms.
  • Leading global and boutique advisory firms.
  • Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies across healthcare, technology, energy, and manufacturing.
  • The Big Four accounting firms and major consultancies.

Case studies

As of 2025, Firmex states there are 189,000 projects completed within their virtual data room. Multiple cases prove the effectiveness of this virtual data room software. Here are a few examples that were mentioned on their official website.

Case study 1: The multi-billion-dollar cross-border acquisition

A top advisory firm had to manage a huge cross-border deal worth billions. They needed to manage thousands of sensitive files with hundreds of people in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Uploading files safely and keeping them organized was a big challenge. To solve these challenges, they used the Firmex data room. Firmex features like digital rights management, optical character recognition, report tracking, and a secure Q&A tool made file sharing easy and safe.

And with 24/7 data room support, all access issues were quickly solved, despite users being in different time zones. The deal closed on time without any hiccups. M&A advisors praised Firmex for its superb customer support and advanced security.

Case study 2: The accelerated private equity fundraising round

A tech company needed to close a $230M fundraising deal with more than a dozen global investors. They had to share multiple critical documents and sensitive files, including technical data. All the information was confidential, so they needed to keep everything secure.

The client was looking for a software solution to upload files quickly and provide granular access to multiple teams: legal, financial, and regulators. The team used a Firmex virtual data room to centralize all deal materials in one safe hub.

With Firmex, they could track investor activity, control permissions, and keep a record of every document interaction. This helped investors review materials faster and gave everyone confidence in the process. The deal was completed on time and set the stage for the next phase of growth.

FAQs

What is Firmex?

Firmex is a globally trusted provider of virtual data room software. It is offered as a secure SaaS and cloud apps solution. Founded in 2006, it is designed to facilitate complex business processes like M&A due diligence, fundraising, and legal transactions.

What does Firmex do?

Firmex offers a secure platform where businesses can store and share confidential documents. Data room administrators control access with features like granular permissions, dynamic watermarking, and remote shredding (revoking access to downloaded documents even after they leave the data room). The platform also generates detailed graphic reports on user activity for full auditability.

Is Firmex owned by Datasite? 

No, Firmex is not owned by Datasite (formerly Merrill Corporation). Firmex operates as an independent company. It is a competing provider in the virtual data room market, known for its strong customer support and intuitive user interface.

How much does Firmex cost?

Firmex uses a custom-quote pricing model rather than publicly listed plans. Firmex data room pricing is typically project-based (3-9 months) or an annual subscription. The final price depends on room duration, number of users, data volume, and required support level. You must contact their sales team for a specific quote.

Comparison table

This is a brief wrap-up of how Firmex data room compares to other VDR providers. It is based on user ratings, case studies, and information provided by Firmex itself.

FeatureTypical market standardFirmex offering
Pricing modelOften public, per-user monthly plans or opaque custom quotes.Custom quote.Transparently tailored per project (short-term or annual).
Security certificationsCommon (SOC 2).SOC 2 & ISO 27001.Independently verified for security best practices.
Key differentiatorStrong security or strong usability.Balance of both enterprise-grade security with an intuitive user interface.
Support availabilityBusiness hours or 24/5.Round-the-clock support with multilingual capabilities.
Unique featuresStandard VDR toolset.Email-inSet OfflineContent StatusAdvanced Q&A workflows
Ideal forVaries by provider.M&ADue DiligenceFundraisingAny process that requires high-touch, secure collaboration

Learn More About

Firmex features

Industry Solutions
Bankruptcyyes
Biotech Licensingyes
Clinical Studiesyes
Debt Financingyes
Distressed Real Estateyes
Document Repositoryyes
Due Diligenceyes
Fundraisingyes
Hedge Fundsyes
Litigationyes
M&A Buy Sideyes
M&A Sell Sideyes
Post Mergeryes
Private Equityyes
Procurement Managementyes
Restructuringyes
Board Portalsno
IPO & Exitsno
FILES & FOLDERS MANAGEMENT
File Formats Supported:PDF, MS Office
Drag & Drop Upload of Multiple Files and Foldersyes
Export of Data Room Index to Excelyes
Document Version Controlyes
Automatic Numerical Indexing of Files & Foldersno
Desktop Synchronizationno
Archives Upload & Extractionno
Multilingual Documents Indexno
FILE PROTECTION & DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Customizable Document Watermarksyes
Document Access Expiryyes
256-Bit SSL/TLS Encryptionyes
Data at Rest Encryptionyes
Granular Document Permissionsno
View-Only Accessno
Prevention of Download, Print and Copyno
Remote Shredding of Documentsno
Secure Fence Viewno
DATA HOSTING
99.9% Uptime Guaranteeyes
SOC 2 Certifiedyes
SSAE 16 Certifiedyes
Data Backupyes
ISO 27001 Certifiedno
Virus Scanningno
ACCESS SECURITY
No Pluginsyes
Scroll-Through Web-Based Document Vieweryes
Web-Based Excel Spreadsheets Vieweryes
iOS Applicationyes
User Interface Languages:English, French
Android Applicationno
Mobile Device Interfaceno
SEARCH, OCR & FILTERS
Search by Nameyes
Search by Content (Full Text Search)yes
Filtering by Parametersyes
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)no
COLLABORATION FEATURES
Basic Questions & Answers Moduleyes
New Document Email Notificationsyes
Advanced Questions & Answers Moduleno
Secure User Messagingno
Files & Folders Notesno
ACTIVITY TRACKING & REPORTING
Tracking of All User Activityyes
Real-Time Audit Trailyes
Exporting Reports to Excelyes
Tracking of Document Viewing Timeyes
Graphic Reportsno
Scheduled Reports (Sending to Email)no
CUSTOMIZATION
Branded User Interfaceyes
Custom Login Pageyes
Custom User Invitation Letteryes
Integrations Through APIsyes
Custom Domainno
Custom Agreements for Accessing Data Roomno
Active Directory Integrationno
Single Sign-On Integrationno
Customer-Managed Encryption Keysno
Custom Workflows and Featuresno
SUPPORT & SERVICES
Business Hours Supportyes
24/7 Email Supportyes
24/7 Phone & Email Supportyes
Support Languages:English, French
Online Help Centerno
Live Trainingsno
Dedicated Project Managerno
Data Room Archive on DVD or USB Driveno
Translation Servicesno
DEPLOYMENT OPTIONS
Cloud (Web-Based)yes
On-Premise (Installed)no
Multiple Datacenter Locationsno
COMPANY INFO
Established:2006
Locations:Canada
Employees:83
Clients:United Mergers & Acquisitions, GCA Savvian, Davy, Kipps DeSanto, CellCentric, Labopharm, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Biodel, BioWest Therapeutics, OSI Pharmaceuticals, NuPathe, Lawson Products, RNC , First