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Government · head to head

DocuWare vs Rhombus Systems

DocuWare logo

DocuWare

Government

Document Management and Workflow Automation

From
On request
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite
Rhombus Systems logo

Rhombus Systems

Cybersecurity

Cloud-managed cameras, sensors and access control with a per-camera annual licence

From
$149/year
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DocuWare complex setup requiring significant IT effort before full functionality is achieved; Rhombus Systems the per-camera annual licence never ends and a camera without an active licence stops working, so the total cost over a ten-year hardware life is several times the hardware price.
  • They diverge on capability: DocuWare covers Document Storage, Rhombus Systems covers On-camera storage.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DocuWare and Rhombus Systems actually diverge.

Attributes where DocuWare and Rhombus Systems differ
AttributeDocuWareRhombus Systems
Starting priceOn request$149/year
Pricing modelUnknownPer camera per year licence plus hardware
CategoryGovernmentCybersecurity
Founded1988Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in DocuWare

  • Document Storage
  • Intelligent Indexing
  • Workflow Automation
  • Mobile Access
  • Electronic Signatures
  • Microsoft 365
  • SAP
  • QuickBooks

Only in Rhombus Systems

  • On-camera storage
  • No NVR or server
  • AI search
  • Access control
  • Environmental sensors
  • Unlimited users
  • Ten year hardware warranty
  • Optional cloud archiving

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

DocuWare

  • Citizen Servicesnot Rhombus Systems
  • Records Managementnot Rhombus Systems
  • Public Safetynot Rhombus Systems
  • Civic Engagementnot Rhombus Systems

Rhombus Systems

  • A school district running video across dozens of buildings with no local IT at each sitenot DocuWare
  • A clinic group needing door access and cameras in one console under a single audit trailnot DocuWare
  • A logistics operator that wants to search for a specific vehicle across sites without scrubbing footagenot DocuWare
  • An office estate replacing ageing NVRs where nobody remains who knows how to maintain themnot DocuWare

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

DocuWare

  • Complex setup requiring significant IT effort before full functionality is achieved
  • Limited user interface customization restricting tailored workflows and branding
  • Performance slowdowns when processing large document volumes or handling many simultaneous users
  • Search requires exact matches and is case-sensitive, limiting usability
  • Limited offline access with mobile app offering reduced functionality
  • Integration challenges with major ERP platforms
  • Steep initial investment, particularly for migrating older systems

Rhombus Systems

  • The per-camera annual licence never ends and a camera without an active licence stops working, so the total cost over a ten-year hardware life is several times the hardware price.
  • Cameras must be Rhombus, so there is no reuse of existing IP cameras and migrating away means replacing every device rather than changing software.
  • Cloud archiving is priced separately by retention and stream count, and long retention on multisensor cameras runs into five figures per camera, which can dwarf everything else in the quote.
  • On-camera storage is the default retention, so a camera physically stolen or destroyed takes its unarchived footage with it unless cloud archiving was paid for on that camera.
  • Analytics and integrations are good for mid-market needs but shallower than a dedicated enterprise VMS with a large third-party ecosystem, so specialist requirements like advanced LPR or forensic search hit limits.

Pricing, plan by plan

DocuWare

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DocuWare review.

Rhombus Systems

$149/year
  • Professional$149/year
    • Per camera per year
    • Cloud console and management
    • On-camera storage retention
  • Enterprise$199/year
    • Per camera per year
    • Everything in Professional
    • Flexible cloud archiving options
  • Cloud archiving$undefined/year
    • Priced separately by retention period and stream count
    • Multisensor cameras cost several times a single sensor camera
    • Long retention on multisensor models can reach five figures per camera

Which should you pick?

Choose DocuWare if

  • You need document storage.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want intelligent indexing.
DocuWare review

Choose Rhombus Systems if

  • You need on-camera storage.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want no nvr or server.
Rhombus Systems review

Questions people ask

Is DocuWare or Rhombus Systems better?
Neither clearly leads. DocuWare starts at On request and Rhombus Systems at $149/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DocuWare or Rhombus Systems?
DocuWare starts at On request and Rhombus Systems at $149/year.
Does DocuWare or Rhombus Systems run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is DocuWare best used for?
DocuWare is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what Rhombus Systems is typically brought in for.
What can DocuWare do that Rhombus Systems cannot?
DocuWare covers Document Storage, Intelligent Indexing, Workflow Automation, Mobile Access. Rhombus Systems covers On-camera storage, No NVR or server, AI search, Access control.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DocuWare: Is DocuWare available as cloud or on-premises?

DocuWare is available as both a cloud-based SaaS solution and as an on-premises deployment option.

Source
Rhombus Systems: Do I need an NVR or a server?

No. Cameras record on board and connect directly to the cloud console, which is the main operational reason organisations pick it.

DocuWare: What platforms does DocuWare support?

DocuWare is available as a web-based platform accessible via browser, with mobile apps available on iOS and Android.

Source
Rhombus Systems: What does the licence cost?

Roughly $149 per camera per year for Professional and about $199 for Enterprise, typically sold in one, three, five or ten year terms.

DocuWare: Does DocuWare offer offline access?

DocuWare has limited offline access capabilities. The mobile app offers fewer features compared to the desktop version.

Source
Rhombus Systems: Is cloud storage included?

No. On-camera storage is the default. Cloud archiving is a separate charge priced by retention duration and number of streams.

Rhombus Systems: Can I use my existing cameras?

No. The platform works only with Rhombus hardware, which is the trade-off for the zero-server architecture.

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