OpenKM Community vs OpenSign
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted document management options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
OpenKM Community
Enterprise document management and content platform
VS
OpenSign
Document signing software (alternative to DocuSign)
| Feature | OpenKM Community | OpenSign |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Document Management | Document Management |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Java | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 850 | ★ 6,783 |
| First released | 2006 | 2026 |
| Replaces | DocuWare, SharePoint | — |
Why pick each one
Choose OpenKM Community if…
- Comprehensive enterprise features
- Mature platform
Choose OpenSign if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 6.8k GitHub stars
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenKM Community or OpenSign better?
OpenSign is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider OpenKM Community if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are OpenKM Community and OpenSign free and open-source?
Yes. OpenKM Community is licensed under GPL-2.0 and OpenSign under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run OpenKM Community and OpenSign with Docker?
OpenKM Community: yes. OpenSign: yes.