Plox vs Datasite: What's the right virtual data room for startups?

As fundraising and due diligence become more fast-paced and competitive, the right virtual data room (VDR) can make or break your deal. In the world of secure document sharing, Datasite, previously branded as Merrill DataSite, has long been a heavyweight. But is it still the best fit for agile, early-stage startups? Try Plox, a modern VDR designed from the ground up for founders. Here's how the two compare.

What is Datasite?

Datasite, formerly Merrill DataSite, is an enterprise-grade virtual data room platform widely used for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate restructuring, and legal due diligence. The Datasite VDR is designed for large organizations with complex compliance and data-sharing needs.

Key Features of Datasite:

• AI-powered document categorization and redaction

• Granular access control with role-based permissions

• Advanced analytics and Q&A workflows

• OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for scanned documents

• Watermarking, expiry controls, and audit logs

Limitations for Startups:

• Pricing for the Datasite data room is opaque and usually based on deal size or volume

• Complex interface makes it difficult for lean teams to adopt quickly

• Training and onboarding often required for efficient use

While Datasite VDR delivers value for enterprise clients, many early-stage teams find it bloated with features that aren't relevant to their lean operations.

What is Plox?

Plox is a lightweight, startup-first alternative to traditional data rooms like Datasite. It's built specifically for early-stage founders who need speed, clarity, and insight, not legalese and bloated interfaces.

Key Features of Plox:

• Secure, branded document links

• Download restrictions, document expiry, and viewer limits

• Real-time document tracking and viewer analytics

• Granular permissions (view-only, time-limited access)

• Investor-friendly datarooms with startup-specific templates

• Flat pricing with no hidden costs

While a Datasite virtual data room might cater to M&A professionals, Plox helps startups with what matters most: sharing pitch decks, cap tables, contracts, and due diligence files, quickly and securely.

Plox vs Datasite: Feature Comparison Table

Why Plox Wins for Startups

People using a Datasite data room often find themselves overwhelmed by complexity when all they really need is quick, secure sharing and insights. Plox strips out the fluff, focuses on speed and simplicity, and gives founders exactly what they need, whether it's sharing a pitch deck, board documents, or monthly investor reports.

Startups don’t need to pay for enterprise-heavy tools like Datasite virtual data room when lightweight and purpose-built solutions like Plox exist.

Final Thoughts

If you're managing a billion-dollar M&A transaction, Datasite VDR or what many still call Merrill DataSite, is robust and time-tested. But if you're an early-stage startup navigating investor conversations, fundraising rounds, or onboarding advisors, Plox is your best bet.

Unlike Datasite, Plox delivers all the essentials without the complexity. And in a world where speed and transparency win deals, that can make all the difference.

Get Started with Plox