Top M&A Software and Platforms - Analyzed and Ranked by Experts
Using the right M&A software can make a huge difference in ensuring your business exit goes through successfully.
From sell-side due diligence and process management to post-closing integration and regulatory compliance, you can improve your decision-making, collaboration, and efficiency throughout the deal's lifecycle.
In this guide, you'll learn about the best software for mergers and acquisitions and how you can use them to optimize your exit.
TL;DR - Top M&A Software and Platforms
Choosing the best mergers and acquisitions software and platforms can be daunting. Here are the top five to get you started:
Datasite
DealRoom
Midaxo
Devensoft
iDeals
We will discuss these M&A platforms and software in detail later.
As you will notice, you don't really have to purchase every other type of M&A software available out there. That could be pretty expensive! Instead, consider hiring M&A experts to help you with your business sale and tap into their network of M&A tools.
When you work with Exitwise, we can help you recruit and manage your ideal team of M&A professionals whose expertise and experience can help you sell your business or company successfully at the best price possible.
Consult with us today to form your dream team of experts!
What is an M&A Software?
An M&A software is a tool or suite of tools designed to streamline and optimize the different stages of the merger and acquisition process.
The software M&A experts and business sellers use helps increase their M&A success rate, which is important, particularly when both parties are involved in multiple M&A transactions.
Besides the M&A professionals such as attorneys, accountants, business brokers, investment bankers, and business appraisers, the merger and acquisition software and platforms can also be used by sellers and corporate executives.
Importance of M&A Software
M&A software and platforms are important for the reasons such as:
Ease of Collaboration: M&A software makes working with various stakeholders easy through a centralized platform.
Lower Risk of Errors: Structured processes and workflows can mean more consistency and fewer mistakes that could tank the deal.
Security Improvement: M&A software offers better security than physical data rooms, which often suffer from unauthorized access or document misplacement.
Informed Decision-Making: When you use software, it's easier to collect, analyze, and use data to back up various decisions.
Improved Efficiency and Productivity: Reducing manual data entry saves you time that you can dedicate to other crucial activities.
Key Features and Functionalities of M&A Tools
The features and functionalities of M&A tools vary from one tool to another, depending on the purpose or specialization.
Here's what you can expect across different tools:
Advanced Security Protocols: M&A deals involve sensitive information that must be protected with strict access controls and advanced encryptions. The tools usually support audit trails to keep track of access to data.
Due Diligence Management and Virtual Data Rooms: M&A stakeholders can upload, save, and share files or documents. Some tools may allow built-in document viewing, bulk uploads, and smart searching. These detailed data rooms are crucial in buy-side and reverse due diligence.
Financial Modeling and Calculators: M&A tools can provide features for creating, analyzing, and sharing financial models, such as discounted cash flow analyses and scenario plans.
You may also get a calculator for estimating the value of your business or its assets. Our free Exitwise business valuation calculator is a good place to start before hiring experts or buying an M&A tool.
Collaboration: To work seamlessly with other M&A stakeholders, your software should allow the team to assign tasks, edit items in real time, and receive instant communication updates.
Integration Management: Some M&A platforms allow your team to create and track integration workflows and even plan for integration during the due diligence stage.
Project Management: With the right tool, your team can manage internal and external tasks. You can set due dates, personal roles, and priorities.
Types of M&A Software
M&A software and platforms fall into different categories depending on their specifications or purposes:
M&A Deal Management Software
An M&A deal management software helps manage the entire lifecycle of a deal, from sourcing deals and qualifying buyers to integrating the entities after the sale.
M&A Process Management Software
An M&A process management software is similar to project management tools and helps you manage timelines, tasks, and collaborations.
M&A Pipeline Management Software
With M&A pipeline management software, you can source deals and manage the overall M&A process to proactively identify, evaluate, and track prospective opportunities.
M&A pipeline management software may have M&A CRM functionalities that allow you to manage your leads or the contacts of potential buyers.
M&A Integration Software
An M&A integration software helps you combine the merging companies' cultures, operations, workforces, data, and technologies.
M&A Due Diligence Software
With due diligence software, buyers can collect, organize, and analyze crucial information about your business or company. The software can also help you conduct reverse due diligence to learn about any potential issues the buyer may find.
Top 5 M&A Software and Platforms
Let's check out each of the top M&A software and platforms in detail below:
1. Datasite
Datasite has a set of tools for deal management and due diligence with a primary focus on data rooms.
Features:
Secure data rooms with advanced security measures and encryptions that ensure confidential information remains safe. The data rooms have advanced security features to protect sensitive information.
Document management system that allows the user to upload and organize documents.
Reporting and analytics on aspects such as user activity and access to documents.
Q/A functionality that helps smoothen due diligence questions and answers.
Cons:
Users often report disruptive bugs.
Only some of the collaboration tools are as intuitive.
Pricing per page can escalate your costs easily when you have extensive document volumes.
Pricing:
Datasite charges users $0.60 for every page you upload.
2. DealRoom
DealRoom is a holistic solution that helps you master the M&A process from end to end.
Features:
M&A lifecycle management that includes sourcing, due diligence, and integration capabilities.
Secure data rooms that require granular access permissions and offer real-time editing and version control document management.
Communication and collaboration tools for task management, centralized discussions, and seamless integrations with tools like Teams and Slack.
Project management capabilities that allow customizable workflows, progress tracking, and real-time notifications.
Responsive customer support that helps users resolve issues within 1 to 2 days.
Various pricing models, depending on different users' needs.
Cons:
Downloading single files from the locks can be erratic.
The pricing can be high for single projects.
Pricing:
$1,250 per month for single buying or selling projects.
$12,000 per year for pipeline management.
Custom pricing for the executive suite.
3. Midaxo
Midaxo is an end-to-end M&A deal process software with tools for managing and tracking deals from start to finish.
Features:
Pipeline management capacity that involves running multiple deals, tracking progress against targets, and prioritizing high-value deals.
Task management involves tracking every activity and organizing and managing activities.
Built-in CRM and virtual data rooms (VDR) to combine due diligence and integration tasks under one platform.
Post-merger integration capabilities that help users plan, execute, and track the progress of the transition.
Cons:
Has limited custom reporting capacity and a restricted project completion tracking system.
Has poor customizability and search functionality.
Pricing:
Available upon request.
4. Devensoft
Devensoft offers a centralized platform for helping businesses with the entire deal lifecycle using various tools.
Features:
Pipeline management capability for monitoring and managing full-length deal processes.
Due diligence tools to help businesses ensure compliance and manage risks.
Integration planning capability to ensure a smooth transition after the deal closes.
Collaboration capacity through in-built communication and document-sharing tools.
Integrates easily with your existing tools like Outlook and Teams.
Cons:
Learning how to use the platform can be difficult.
The platform lacks some advanced customization and analytics options.
Pricing:
$150 per user per year for pipeline management.
Custom pricing for end-to-end enterprise management.
5. iDeals
iDeals offers business advisory tools and focuses on managed user access and efficient due diligence.
Features:
Advanced in-built Q&A with personalized workflows, bulk importing or exporting capabilities, and granular reports.
Exceptional security measures such as in-built redaction, two-factor authentication, and watermarks.
Document management capacity that includes customizable watermarks, uploading from external storage, sharing files externally using links, and copying files across projects.
Unlimited live training with an expert and a wide range of training resources for new and current users to make navigating the platform easier.
Comprehensive round-the-clock live customer support to resolve issues faster.
Cons:
Not publishing pricing publicly can be seen as a lack of transparency.
Copying files across projects can introduce confusion and errors.
Pricing:
You have to contact the sales team for pricing.
How to Choose an M&A Software
Here's what to consider when choosing an M&A software or platform:
Advanced security protocols such as encryptions and two-factor authentication.
Scalability and customizability to match your unique needs.
Regulatory compliance and reporting features for adherence to industry standards.
Integration capabilities with other workflows or tools like Slack, Outlook, and Teams.
How to Implement M&A Software
Implementing M&A software can be overwhelming.
You'll want to follow the steps below:
Plan before you implement by setting goals, forming a dedicated implementation team, and scheduling data migration.
Implement in steps such as installing and configuring the software, training and onboarding the team, and testing before launching.
Sustain post-implementation maintenance and support through continuous learning and training, user support, upgrades and updates, and performance monitoring and optimization.
Instead of spending money on M&A software, investing in M&A experts who may already have access to various tools is better. We at Exitwise can help you find the best M&A experts to assist and advise you. Schedule a consultation with our team today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let's check out some common questions about M&A software and platforms:
What is an M&A Integration Planning Software?
An M&A integration planning software is a tool for scheduling post-acquisition integrations, outlining what needs to be done, by who, and by what time.
What Are Some of the Best Practices for Maximizing M&A Software Effectiveness?
The following best practices are crucial in making M&A software more effective:
Establishing clearly defined communication channels.
Improving cross-departmental collaboration.
Continuously improving and iterating software usage.
Training users continuously on software usage.
Measuring and monitoring performance metrics.
Standardizing processes and workflows within the tool.
Conclusion
Adopting M&A software can increase the chances of more successful business sales.
You may not have to buy the software as a seller because your M&A advisory team usually has them. The team can also offer expert advice and help you sell your business at an optimal sale price.
