A Detailed Board Management Software Comparison—Top 5 Tools Reviewed

Using board management software enables organizations to store meeting minutes digitally and handle all board information efficiently. Extra features like document sharing and automated meeting notifications also help them stay organized.

You’ll want to select the tool that best suits your organization’s needs, but also one that you trust to store sensitive information. This thorough board management software comparison will list the best features of various platforms.

We'll also introduce you to Harbor Compliance and explain how its Records Manager can help you centralize and secure all board information.

Board Management Software Explained

Board management software helps entities streamline board tasks and operations, like organizing online meetings. Typically, these tools can schedule conferences, share documents, manage activities, and provide a secure medium for collaboration. By integrating board management software, organizations can easily automate their board operations online and reduce unnecessary paperwork.

Top 5 Board Management Software Reviews

Based on research and experience with the tools, as well as user reviews from platforms like G2 and Capterra, these are the top 5 board management software:

1. BoardEffect
2. Diligent Boards
3. OnBoard
4. Convene
5. Boardable

BoardEffect

BoardEffect is a platform designed for nonprofit boards that lets them organize online board tasks and meetings. It features an agenda builder to structure each meeting’s narrative, a meeting minute-taking tool, and a document manager.

With over 12 language support and centralized document storage, BoardEffect streamlines board meetings.

Some of its additional features include:

• Vote taking
• Online meeting archives
• Customizable surveys and polls

Diligent Boards

Diligent Boards is an easy-to-use platform that facilitates online meeting management with AI capabilities and workflow automation. It provides an array of features, such as securely storing meeting archives, getting tailored Directors' and Officers' (or D&O) questionnaires, building board books and repositories, etc.

Key features include:

• AI-powered assistants
• Governance-specific workflows
• Board reporting dashboards

OnBoard

OnBoard is a sophisticated platform with robust security features like two-factor authentication and biometric identification. Users can collaborate in real time, set agendas, and plan online board meetings. It is accessible through various devices, including smartphones (iOS and Android), tablets, and laptops.

Here are some of its standout features:

• Multiple authentication layers
• Agenda builder
• Real-time meeting analytics

Convene

Convene is a versatile platform designed for a diverse range of users, including banks, healthcare institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

Users can leverage this software to plan and execute board meetings, share ideas, create audit reports, and manage document library authorizations. Additionally, it offers tools like a digital laser pointer to guide attendees’ attention, annotation capabilities, and digital signature functionality.

Convene also provides:

• Meeting scheduler
• Minute taker
• Video conferencing

Boardable

Boardable is simple-to-use software for scheduling video conferences, finding and managing documents from one location, and sharing them with other users. Although customization options for meeting agendas and templates are somewhat limited, Boardable offers solid integrations with cloud storage services and Google Workspace.

A few noteworthy features of Boardable include:

• Advanced reporting
• Document center
• Task manager

Factors To Consider Before Choosing a Board Management Software

Here are some things you should check before selecting a board management software.

• Variety of Features—Ideal board management software will let users schedule online meetings and manage other board tasks, like storing ownership information and creating polls.
• Security—Use board management software that includes robust security capabilities, such as two-factor authentication, encryption, and seamless administrative control.
• User-friendliness—Ensure the platform you choose has an intuitive system and lets you collect meeting minutes and organize entity records efficiently.
• Support—It's best to choose a tool that provides proactive support and guidance on any matters you need to be resolved.

Investing in Board Management Software—Yes or No?

While dedicated board management tools, such as those listed above, are great for large enterprise companies with complex needs, most businesses don’t require all the extra functionality that these platforms offer (and charge for). For smaller organizations or those seeking a more streamlined solution, a tool like Harbor Compliance provides a simpler, more efficient option without all the unnecessary features.

Harbor Compliance focuses on the essentials, helping businesses stay organized without the overhead of overly complex systems.

Unlock Simplified Board Management With Harbor Compliance

Harbor Compliance's Software Suite supports your organization's operational needs and regulatory obligations. When it comes to board management, you can use the Records Manager module to manage all your board data in one place.

The Records Manager also provides a comprehensive view of your board members, such as directors, managers, and officers. You can also track their individual number of shares and value via the stock ledger.

Depending on your entity type, you can also store organizational documents, such as articles of incorporation, amendments, and bylaws.

Records Manager for Board Meetings

The Records Manager module lets you set up recurring board meetings and categorize them accordingly. You can easily adjust how often you want a meeting to occur, and we'll send automated alerts according to your notification preferences.

You can view and track all board meetings under one dashboard to ensure nothing slips through the cracks. Once a meeting is complete, the Records Manager will automatically store important data like meeting minutes and meeting resolutions. This enables beneficial owners to access all previous meeting records digitally from any location and device.

Benefits of Other Software Suite's Modules

Our Software Suite hosts more modules that let you manage other important tasks like tax reporting. These include:

• Entity Manager—This module is a one-stop solution to ensuring your legal entities are in good standing with the state. Integrated with multiple secretary of state databases, it provides automated annual reporting and helps you access public information about your entries, such as registration numbers and entity types.
• License Manager—It allows you to look up and manage all your business licenses simultaneously. You get access to various license information, such as renewal and due dates and filing fees, eliminating the need for spreadsheets. This module also lets you attach documents on each license to stay organized.
• Tax Manager—This module displays important tax data like past tax registrations and tax ID details. Delegate any tax-related task, such as annual returns filing and tax reviews, to your team and view all tasks in one dashboard.
• Requirements Research Engine—Our native research engine powered by the Compliance Core™ algorithm lets you access helpful guides and up-to-date licensing requirements across all U.S. states.

How To Order Harbor Compliance's Software Suite

Follow the step-by-step guide below to schedule a demo of our software:

1. Go to the software demo page.
2. Provide your personal and company details.
3. Use the drop-down list to pick your industry.
4. Click Schedule a Demonstration.

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

There's more to Harbor Compliance than just board management. Our comprehensive platform also lets you delegate business licensing and BOI reporting tasks. Learn more about them in the table below:

Service Category	Services
Registered agent	You can appoint us as your registered agent, and we will accept legal notices on your behalf. You can easily change your current statutory agent using our Change of Agent Service and benefit from one agent having local offices throughout all 50 states.
Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting	We offer to submit up to four initial, corrected, or updated reports every year. Our BOI reporting service also includes sending automated alerts to remind you to ensure all beneficial owner data is up to date.
Nonprofit formation	Form your nonprofit with the help of our incorporation service. Quickly create 501(c) tax-exempt nonprofits and delegate the charity registration process to us.
Business licensing support	We help organizations in various industries obtain and manage general business licenses. Our services also allow you to retrieve engineering, construction, and other industry-specific licenses.
Document filing and retrieval	Take advantage of our Drop-off Filing service and send all documents to the secretary of state on time. Get the required documents, like certificates of good standing, certificates of authority, articles of reinstatement, and certified copies, with zero effort.
Tax registration	Ensure your entity meets all tax-related state requirements by getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and letting us handle your sales and use tax registration and payroll tax registration.
Entity lifecycle management	Whether you need name reservation and DBA management to form your legal entity or to file initial and annual reports, we'll assist you throughout your entity's lifecycle—amendments and withdrawals included, too.

Board Management Made Convenient With Harbor Compliance

Board management is an important aspect of every organization, which is why you should take extra care when choosing a tool for your organization—and you can't go wrong with Harbor Compliance.

From storing key ownership information to customized notifications, our Records Manager provides everything organizations require to manage their boards. You can also utilize the other Software Suite modules to ensure your legal entity is in good standing with the state.

Schedule a free demo to get a better idea of our platform, and entrust us with all your board management needs so you can focus on other important tasks. Eager to know whether your legal entities are in good standing with the state? Get your free Harbor Compliance Score™ to find out. If you want to learn more about our services or board management in general, visit our Information Center.