A ShareFile alternative built for tax work
Built for accounting & tax firms · A portal built for tax work · SOC 2 ready
Why accounting firms look past a generic file-share
ShareFile is a capable, secure file-share, and its security is enterprise-grade. The issue for a firm is that it was built for many industries, and it's a layer, not the work.
- It's generic, not built for tax. Even the accounting "Industry Advantage" tier is tax-engagement templates and engagement letters layered on top of a file-share, it doesn't understand a return or a trial balance.
- It doesn't keep the books or prepare the return. It moves documents to and from your tax engine and bookkeeping software; it doesn't compute a 1040 or keep a general ledger.
- No tax planning, no practice management.
- Practical friction: per-user pricing across tiers, a UI reviewers call dated/slow, and three owners in roughly three years (Citrix → Cloud Software Group → Progress).
ShareFile vs LucaLedger, at a glance
| ShareFile | LucaLedger | |
|---|---|---|
| Secure file sharing | ✓ enterprise-grade | ✓ |
| Client portal (white-label) | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-signature | ✓ (Premium+) | ✓ |
| Accounting-specific | ~ a document layer (Industry Advantage tier) | ✓ built for tax |
| AI bookkeeping / general ledger | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tax preparation | ✗ | ✓ 1040, 1120, 1120-S, 1065 |
| Tax planning | ✗ | ✓ |
| Practice management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pricing | per-user ($16.50 to $69.30/user/mo) + stack | Schedule a demo |
The short version: ShareFile is a secure, reliable, generic file-share. The difference is that LucaLedger's portal is built for tax work and connected to the books and the return, where ShareFile is a document layer sitting beside the tools that actually do the work.
When ShareFile is still the better choice
If a firm, or a multi-industry organization, primarily wants enterprise-grade, compliant secure file-sharing and a branded portal, and is happy to keep its tax and accounting software separate, ShareFile is a strong, reliable, well-supported choice. It's also a sensible pick where IT standardizes one file-share across many departments, or for virtual data rooms and M&A. That's a specific, narrow fit: for a firm that wants the portal wired into the books, the return, and planning in one platform, LucaLedger is the better choice.
What you get with LucaLedger
- A white-label portal built for tax work, uploads auto-route into the organizer, the workpapers, and the return.
- The work itself, AI bookkeeping, tax preparation (1040, 1120, 1120-S, 1065), and tax strategy.
- One platform, not a generic file-share bolted onto a separate stack.
- Coming November 2026: e-filing inside the platform.
Frequently asked questions
Is ShareFile accounting software?
No, it's a secure file-share and portal with an accounting tier of templates and engagement letters. It doesn't keep the books or prepare returns. LucaLedger does both.
Is LucaLedger more secure than ShareFile?
ShareFile is enterprise-grade. LucaLedger is SOC 2 ready, with encryption in transit and at rest and row-level isolation.
Can I move my files over?
Yes, ShareFile stores standard files, so documents export and import. You'll re-create request lists and engagement templates in LucaLedger.
Why switch from a generic file-share?
So documents feed the work. In LucaLedger, an uploaded W-2 routes into the return you're preparing, it isn't just stored in a secure folder for someone to re-key.