Choosing the right board management software isn’t just a matter of ticking boxes—it’s about finding a tool that fits how your organisation actually works. Two of the better-known options on the market are Boardwise and Diligent. While both help streamline board processes, they take very different approaches—especially when it comes to integration, security, and price.

This guide breaks down the real differences to help you make an informed decision based on your organisation’s priorities, infrastructure, and budget.

Boardwise vs. Diligent: At a Glance

‍

What Sets Them Apart?

1. Microsoft-Native vs. Standalone

If your organisation already uses Microsoft 365, Boardwise plugs straight into your existing setup. No extra logins, no new environment to manage. Everything—meetings, documents, workflows—stays inside your familiar Microsoft ecosystem.

Diligent, on the other hand, is a separate, standalone system. It integrates with common tools like Office or Zoom, but your board data lives in Diligent's infrastructure, not your own.

2. Data Control and Compliance

With Boardwise, your board data never leaves your Microsoft Azure tenant. That’s particularly relevant for organisations with strict data residency, privacy, or compliance requirements—common in Europe or regulated industries.

Diligent offers high-level security certifications like SOC 2 and ISO 27001, but your data sits on their cloud servers, which may raise questions for some IT or legal teams.

3. Ease of Use

Board members and assistants often aren’t tech experts. Boardwise leans on the familiar look and feel of Microsoft apps like Teams and Outlook, reducing the learning curve significantly.

Diligent provides a sleek, purpose-built portal with lots of features, but it may take some onboarding, especially for users unfamiliar with dedicated governance tools.

4. Pricing Transparency

Boardwise follows a simple, annual subscription model that’s often more affordable for Microsoft-based organisations. No hidden costs, no complicated license structures.

Diligent typically uses custom pricing, often geared towards larger, more complex organisations with significant governance needs and bigger budgets.

Which One’s Right for You?

It really depends on your organisation's setup and priorities:

Go with Boardwise if:

✅ You already rely on Microsoft 365 for daily operations

✅ Data residency and IT control are high on your agenda

✅ You prefer predictable, transparent pricing

✅ You want board software that feels familiar, not disruptive

Go with Diligent if:

✅ Your board requires complex governance tools and analytics

✅ You operate globally and need 24/7 support

✅ You’re comfortable with a premium, standalone solution

✅ You need broad oversight across multiple entities

Final Thoughts

Both Boardwise and Diligent are strong options, but they serve different needs. Boardwise appeals to organisations that value security, intuitivity and making the most of their existing Microsoft investment. Diligent is designed for larger, global organisations needing advanced governance tools and broad infrastructure support.

The choice isn’t about which platform is “better” overall, it’s about what fits your organisation’s existing workflows, IT landscape, and governance requirements.

Still Comparing Options?

Sometimes, a conversation helps more than another feature list. Get in touch, we’ll help you assess what makes sense for your team.

‍