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GarnerDocs vs SmartVault.

SmartVault is document storage and a client portal for accounting firms: requests, e-signatures and an archive that keeps every year's files. GarnerDocs collects documents and deletes them when your retention period ends. Here's how to choose.

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Facts checked · Reviewed every six months

SmartVault

GarnerDocs

Example · sample data

Our take

If you want a long-term home for every client file, SmartVault is built for that. If you want documents collected, then deleted on time while records live in your own system, GarnerDocs is simpler.

The short version: four differences.

Where the two differ most.

What it's for

SmartVault
Storing every client document, year after year
GarnerDocs
Collecting documents, then deleting them on time

What your client needs

SmartVault
A SmartVault login
GarnerDocs
A private link. No account, no password

How you pay

SmartVault
Per user, with a 2 or 3-user minimum
GarnerDocs
Per firm, priced on requests still collecting

When files are deleted

SmartVault
Kept in unlimited storage; you can archive clients
GarnerDocs
After 30, 90, 180 or 365 days, with two warnings first

Which fits you

Pick the one that fits how you work.

Choose GarnerDocs if…

  • You want documents collected, not stored for years.
  • Your clients won't make an account or remember a password.
  • You keep records in your own system already.
  • You'd rather pay per firm than per user.
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From $39 a month, or $390 a year · 14 days free

Choose SmartVault if…

  • You want one long-term store for every client file.
  • You need your tax software to print or file into it.
  • You want e-signatures, ID checks or PDF forms there too.
  • Your security review asks for SOC 2, ISO 27001 or HIPAA support.
What SmartVault does that GarnerDocs doesn't

Side by side

Every stage, compared.

What each approach does at every stage of collecting documents from a client.

Asking

What your client needs

GarnerDocs
Yes. A link. No account; you can add a PIN
SmartVault
A guest login. The email link asks your client to sign in first

What you can ask for

GarnerDocs
Documents and short answers, plus notes from your client
SmartVault
Yes. Checklists of documents, and questionnaires built from last year's return

Chasing

Reminders

GarnerDocs
Yes. By email, listing only what's missing, until nothing is outstanding
SmartVault
Yes. By email, on a schedule, while a request is pending

Your own schedule

GarnerDocs
On Growth and Pro, up to 6 steps
SmartVault
Yes. Up to 12 reminder emails, with your own wording

Reviewing

Approving

GarnerDocs
Yes. Each file, or several at once
SmartVault
Not stated publicly

Something wrong

GarnerDocs
Yes. Ask for a replacement with a note. Earlier versions kept
SmartVault
Not stated publicly

E-signatures

GarnerDocs
No.
SmartVault
Yes. As an add-on, or unlimited on Accounting Unlimited

Keeping files

Files deleted on a schedule

GarnerDocs
Yes. After 30, 90, 180 or 365 days, with warnings first
SmartVault
No. Kept in unlimited storage; you can archive clients

Long-term archive

GarnerDocs
No. Download files to your own system
SmartVault
Yes. Every year's files, with version history

Integrations

GarnerDocs
Yes. Webhooks for Zapier, Make and your own systems
SmartVault
Yes. Tax software, QuickBooks, Xero, DocuSign and an API

Security

Two-factor sign-in for your team

GarnerDocs
Yes. Owners and admins can require it for everyone
SmartVault
Yes. Required for everyone

Certification

GarnerDocs
No. None
SmartVault
Yes. SmartVault states it is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and ISO 27001 certified

Cost

Price

GarnerDocs
From $39 a month, or $390 a year, with a 14-day free trial
SmartVault
From $65 per user a month, billed annually, or $85 billed monthly, with a 2-user minimum

Free trial

GarnerDocs
Yes. 14 days
SmartVault
On request

See the difference

Collected, then let go.

Your client

A link to open, nothing to log into.

Your client opens a private link and uploads from a phone or a computer. No account, no password, no app.

Copy or share the client link

Chasing

Reminders that stop on their own.

Each reminder lists only what's still missing, and they stop once everything has arrived.

How automatic reminders work

Keeping files

Deleted on time, with warnings first.

Choose 30, 90, 180 or 365 days. You're emailed 14 and 3 days before files are deleted.

How long files are kept

Who each is built for

SmartVault is document storage and a client portal, built mainly for accounting and tax firms. It keeps every client file in one place, year after year, with folder templates, version history, integrations with your tax software, e-signatures and document requests.

GarnerDocs is for collecting. You send a client a checklist of the documents you need, reminders chase what's missing, and you review what arrives. Then the files go into your own system, and GarnerDocs deletes its copies when the retention period you chose ends.

That's the real difference: an archive or a collection tool. If you want a long-term document store, SmartVault may suit you better. If you already have one, GarnerDocs gets documents into it.

Client experience

SmartVault clients are guest users with a login. The link in your email takes them to sign in first, then to the request, where they upload files, add comments or mark an item "This does not apply". Past uploads stay in the portal for them to find later.

In GarnerDocs, your client opens a private link and sees a checklist of the documents you asked for. There's no account or password, and they can upload some today and the rest next week, from a phone or a computer. You can add a 6-digit PIN that you give your client yourself. See what your clients see.

Keeping files

SmartVault includes unlimited storage, and you can archive clients rather than delete their files. That suits a firm that wants every return and source document in one place for years.

GarnerDocs deliberately doesn't keep files long term. Each firm chooses 30, 90, 180 or 365 days, and the owner is emailed 14 and 3 days before a request's files are deleted. Fewer copies of client documents sitting in fewer places is the point. Read how long to keep client documents.

Pricing

SmartVault's pricing page on 21 October 2026, in USD, per user a month: Business Pro and Accounting Pro $65 billed annually or $85 billed monthly; Accounting Unlimited $85 billed annually or $110 billed monthly. Business Pro needs at least three users, the accounting plans at least two. Trials are on request.

GarnerDocs is priced per firm, not per user. It's billed monthly or yearly in USD, and a year costs ten months. Starter is $39 a month ($390 a year) for 20 active requests and one team member. Growth is $99 for 100, and Pro is $199 for 300, both with no limit on team members.

What SmartVault does that GarnerDocs doesn't

  • A long-term archive with unlimited storage, folder templates and version history.
  • Tax software integrations: print or file returns straight in from Lacerte, ProConnect, ProSeries, UltraTax, Drake and CCH, plus QuickBooks, Xero and DocuSign, and an API. GarnerDocs sends webhooks, but has no built-in integrations.
  • E-signatures, ID checks and PDF forms, as add-ons or unlimited on Accounting Unlimited.
  • Questionnaires built from last year's return, with SmartRequestAI, sold separately.
  • A desktop app and mapped drive for your team.
  • Security attestations: SmartVault states it is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and ISO 27001 certified, and offers HIPAA support.

If several of these matter to you, SmartVault is likely the better choice.

Moving over

There's nothing to import, and nothing to move: your archive stays where it is. Send new document requests from GarnerDocs, and file what arrives in your own system.

  1. Turn your request lists into templates

    List the documents you ask for each year as a template.

  2. Add your clients

    One at a time, or from a spreadsheet.

  3. Send the requests

    Create a request for each client and send it. The reminders take it from there, and you download the files when they're approved.

Every new workspace starts with a 14-day free trial. See pricing.

Questions

Why does GarnerDocs delete files?

So client documents don't pile up in one more place. GarnerDocs is for collecting: once a request is done, you download the files to your own system, and they're deleted when the retention period you chose ends, after warnings 14 and 3 days before. If you want the archive itself, SmartVault is built for that.

Do my clients need an account with either?

Not with GarnerDocs: every request is a private link, and you can add a PIN. SmartVault clients are guest users: the link in your email takes them to a sign-in first, then to the request.

Does GarnerDocs connect to my tax software?

No. GarnerDocs sends webhooks on Growth and Pro, which work with Zapier's and Make's webhook triggers, but has no tax software, QuickBooks or Xero integration. SmartVault connects to all of those.

How we checked

GarnerDocs features are checked against the product, and prices come from our pricing page. Facts last checked . We review this page every six months.

Sources, checked on

  • SmartVault: PricingBusiness Pro and Accounting Pro $65, Accounting Unlimited $85 per user a month billed annually, or $85 and $110 billed monthly, in USD, with a 2 or 3-user minimum; trials on request; unlimited storage, a branded client portal and document requests on every plan; e-signatures, ID checks and PDF forms as add-ons or unlimited; tax software integrations and an API on the accounting plans; archiving clients; SOC 2 Type 2 and two-factor authentication.
  • SmartVault: Document collection & requestsChecklists sent from templates, in bulk; uploads filed into the right folder; a status dashboard; questionnaires built from prior-year returns with SmartRequestAI.
  • SmartVault: Client portalOne branded login where clients upload, sign and find past files; documents archived and kept for clients to retrieve.
  • SmartVault Help: Understanding Doc Requests (for Guest Users)Clients open the email link and sign in first; they can upload, comment or mark an item "This does not apply".
  • SmartVault Help: Getting Started with Automated RemindersReminder cadences of up to 12 emails, with your own timing and wording, while a request is pending.
  • SmartVault: IntegrationsTax software, QuickBooks, Xero, DocuSign, Financial Cents and other apps.
  • SmartVault: Security & complianceWhat SmartVault states: SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301; multi-factor authentication enforced platform-wide; AES-256 encryption; HIPAA support.

SmartVault is a trademark of its owner. This comparison is based on public information checked on 21 October 2026; tell us if something has changed.

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