Selecting board software today is less about feature lists and more about how well a platform fits your board’s daily reality. While many tools offer similar core features on paper, the underlying approach to integration, data handling, and usability can make a significant difference in practice.
Boardwise and OnBoard are both strong players in the board portal space, but they follow different design philosophies. This article compares the two from a practical governance perspective so you can evaluate which solution aligns better with your board’s structure and workflows.
Quick Overview
A Closer Look at the Differences
1. Integration into Microsoft 365
Boardwise is designed to live inside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It integrates natively via Graph API and works directly in Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint—without users needing to switch platforms or maintain separate logins.
OnBoard offers Microsoft 365 integration through plug-ins and connectors. While useful for syncing calendars or documents, it doesn’t provide the same level of seamless native experience within the Microsoft tenant.
2. Data Hosting and Control
Boardwise stores all data in your organisation’s own Azure tenant, giving your IT full control and visibility, ideal for organisations with strict data governance requirements.
OnBoard also uses Microsoft Azure, but hosting is managed by OnBoard itself. As a US-based provider, OnBoard falls under the US CLOUD Act, meaning data could be subject to access requests by US authorities.
3. User Experience and Adoption
Boardwise leverages interfaces your teams already know. Assistants and board members can work in familiar Microsoft tools, reducing training needs and accelerating rollout across departments.
OnBoard offers a polished, proprietary platform with its own mobile and web interfaces. It’s well-regarded for ease of use and intuitive navigation, particularly among boards without a strong Microsoft dependency.
4. AI Capabilities
Boardwise uses Microsoft-backed AI (e.g. Copilot, Power Automate) to support real-time agenda templates, generate minutes from documents, and automate follow-ups—leveraging the security and scalability of Microsoft’s AI stack.
OnBoard puts strong focus on AI: features include agenda prompts, meeting minutes from transcripts, AI assistants, action tracking, and even insights and KPI generation. For organizations prioritizing AI-rich workflows, this can be a notable advantage.
5. Security and Compliance
Boardwise ensures full data ownership by operating inside your own tenant. This aligns with internal governance policies and European data protection standards like GDPR.
OnBoard provides secure hosting on Azure but manages the infrastructure themselves. While compliant with major standards, the US jurisdiction and hosting model may raise concerns in regulated industries or public sector environments.
Deciding What’s Right for You
Both platforms support efficient, secure board collaboration but they take different paths to get there.
Choose Boardwise if:
✅ Your organization works entirely in Microsoft 365 and you want to stay within that ecosystem
✅ You need full data ownership and control within your own Azure tenant
✅ You’re looking for a low-friction solution with predictable enterprise pricing
Choose OnBoard if:
✅ You prefer a self-contained platform with a polished, standalone interface
✅ You’re looking to use AI to enhance board prep, minutes, and decision tracking
✅ You value mobile-first access and broad usability across departments
Final Thoughts
Boardwise and OnBoard are both capable, modern board solutions but built for different operational realities.
Boardwise fits organisations that prioritise secure data control, minimal onboarding effort, and native Microsoft integration.
OnBoard is a strong choice for teams seeking an intuitive, standalone platform with advanced AI features and flexible access.
The best choice depends on how your board works and what matters most to your organization.
Still Exploring the Market?
Sometimes a quick conversation is more helpful than reading through more specs. Book a demo and let’s explore together how Boardwise could fit into your board’s daily work.
