getapp-logo

App comparison

Add up to 4 apps below to see how they compare. You can also use the "Compare" buttons while browsing.

Software categoriesBlog & researchAbout us

GetApp offers objective, independent research and verified user reviews. We may earn a referral fee when you visit a vendor through our links. 

Table of Contents

Top Rated Document Generation Software with Access Controls/Permissions in 2026

Verified reviewer profile picture
Verified reviewer profile picture

All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team.  Learn more

Last updated: March 2026

Access controls and permissions are important as they help secure sensitive documents, manage who can view or edit content, and prevent unauthorized access. This ensures document integrity, confidentiality, and controlled collaboration. Our reviewers in document generation software rated this feature as important.

7 Best Document Generation Software with Access Controls/Permissions

Product
User rating
Starting price
Adobe Acrobat logo
4.7
(4.1K)
29.99
per user/per month
visit website
Jotform logo
4.7
(2.7K)
39
flat rate/per month
visit website
Microsoft Word logo
4.7
(2.7K)
159.99
learn more
iLovePDF logo
4.7
(1.7K)
9
flat rate/per month
learn more
Publuu logo
4.9
(756)
7
per user/per month
learn more
Google Workspace logo
4.7
(17.4K)
7
per user/per month
learn more
pdfFiller logo
4.6
(991)
8
flat rate/per month
learn more

See other top Document Generation products with access controls/permissions

How we picked the 7 top rated products

We chose the high-performing solutions on this list based on verified user ratings on our site. Depending on available data, qualifying products either had to be among the most user-reviewed or the most searched-for products in the Document Generation software category. They also needed to have sufficient reviews about access controls/permissions, have a minimum user rating of 3 out of 5 for that feature, and show evidence of U.S. market presence. We then added a distinction for up to three products based on our proprietary ratings and reviews: Highest rated, Highly rated for access controls/permissions, and Highly rated for free version. Sponsorship or client status has no influence on the selection of these products, but it may impact the order in which products appear.

Details for the 7 best products

Adobe Acrobat logo

Adobe Acrobat

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(31)
3-4(1,098)
5(3,025)
Key Features
Document Management4.6
Templates4.3

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers appreciate Adobe Acrobat's access controls and permissions for their robustness and security. They highlight the ability to set restrictions on who can view, edit, or print documents, ensuring that sensitive information is protected. Users find these controls essential for maintaining document integrity and preventing unauthorized access.
Verified reviewer profile picture
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“They help protect sensitive and confidential information within PDF documents and only authorized individuals can view, edit, print, or copy the content when restrictions are set. These prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of breaches or information leakage. ”
Verified reviewer profile picture

tshegofatso r.

Administration

“allows you to set different levels of access (e.g. view only, edit, etc.) for your PDFs, which is very useful for controlling who can do what with your files.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Ahmed S.

web developer

Starting price
29.99per user /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 4,154 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture
Verified reviewer profile picture

Efficient document sharing

Seamless integration with other tools

Comprehensive PDF editing features

Robust document security

Convenient diGital signing

Inconsistent font editing

Slow performance and high resource usage

High cost concerns

Frequent updates and version issues

Complicated page navigation

See pros and cons details
Jotform logo

Jotform

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(41)
3-4(694)
5(2,021)
Key Features
Document Management4.7
Templates4.8

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers value Jotform's access controls and permissions for their flexibility and ease of use. They appreciate the ability to manage user access, safeguard sensitive data, and facilitate secure collaboration. Users find these controls helpful for customizing permission levels and ensuring that only authorized individuals can access or edit forms.
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“JotForm provides access controls and permission settings, allowing administrators to control who can access, edit, and submit forms.”
DN

Debbie N.

Manager

“In essence, access controls and permissions in Jotform empower you to: Safeguard sensitive data Manage user access effectively Facilitate secure collaboration Optimize form workflows”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Muhammad G.

Document Controller

Starting price
39flat rate /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 2,756 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Effortless form creation

Efficient survey development

Convenient diGital signatures

Restrictive usage limits

High cost for advanced features

See pros and cons details
Microsoft Word logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(18)
3-4(598)
5(2,151)
Key Features
Document Management4.7
Templates4.5

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers appreciate Microsoft Word's access controls and permissions for their effectiveness in managing document security. They highlight the ability to set passwords, restrict editing, and control who can view or modify documents. Users find these controls valuable for protecting sensitive information and ensuring that only authorized individuals have access.
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“You can also restrict the users from viewing your documents if you provide an access control feature in your document. So it helps to protect your document containing sensitive information to be accessed. The users who are only having access to view can only view these documents.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Ishaan P.

SDE Intern

“Microsoft Word allows for access controls on certain parts of documents and has permission settings on who and what can edit the content based on credentials. Documents can be password protected, which is a plus for securing private data. ”
SA

Shamshad A.

Computer Lab Assistant

Starting price
159.99
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 2,767 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Versatile document creation

Seamless integration with other tools

Robust word processing features

Essential for academic use

Comprehensive writing tools

Frequent software crashes

High cost concerns

Challenging image insertion

Inconsistent document formatting

Complex document layout

See pros and cons details
iLovePDF logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(5)
3-4(394)
5(1,344)
Key Features
Document Management4.6
Templates4.5

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Users report that iLovePDF's access controls and permissions are easy to use and effective for managing document security. They appreciate the ability to restrict access to authorized individuals, ensuring confidentiality and control over sensitive information. Reviewers find these controls helpful for protecting documents and maintaining data integrity.

See related user reviews

“Access Controls/Permissions allows you to restrict access to your PDF documents, ensuring that only authorized people can view, edit, or download them. This can help to protect sensitive or confidential information from unauthorized access or data breaches.”
WT

Wajeeha T.

Search Engine Evaluator

“Access controls in iLovePDF help protect sensitive documents, manage who can view or edit files, and ensure only authorized users perform various actions and supporting secure and efficient document handling.”
RW

Rooshan W.

Medical Officer

Starting price
9flat rate /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 1,743 verified reviews

Seamless user experience

Versatile file merging and conversion

Intuitive user interface

Efficient PDF merging

Convenient diGital signature

Intrusive advertisements

Restrictive file size limits

Inaccurate OCR scanning

Slow file upload and download

See pros and cons details
Publuu logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(2)
3-4(78)
5(676)
Key Features
Document Management4.8
Templates4.9

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers appreciate Publuu's access controls and permissions for their simplicity and ease of use. They highlight the ability to restrict downloads, add password protection, and control who can view or edit flipbooks. Users find these controls valuable for maintaining the integrity of their documents and ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized individuals.

See related user reviews

“You can restrict downloads and also add a password to control who has access to the flipping books.”
VK

Valentine K.

L&D Officer

“Even with the basic package, you have the option to enable a lock/password protection to your flipbook. ”
BK

Biljana K.

graphic designer

Starting price
7per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 756 verified reviews

Intuitive and user-friendly interface

Extensive design customization options

High pricing concerns

See pros and cons details
Google Workspace logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(165)
3-4(4,148)
5(13,127)
Key Features
Document Management4.7
Templates4.4

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers indicate that Google Workspace's access controls and permissions are user-friendly and highly customizable. They appreciate the ability to set granular permissions for files and folders, manage user access efficiently, and ensure data security. Users also value the flexibility to share documents within or outside the organization while maintaining strict control over who can view, edit, or share them.

See related user reviews

“"Access Controls/Permissions are extremely useful in Google Workspace as they allow me to manage who can view, edit, or share files. This feature helps maintain data privacy and control, especially when collaborating with different teams, ensuring th”
Gf

Girgis f.

jofared

“Access controls/permissions in Google Workspace are crucial for managing data security and collaboration. They allow users to define who can view, edit, or share files, ensuring sensitive information is protected while enabling efficient teamwork. Th”
AP

Anket P.

Cosmetic

Starting price
7per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 17,440 verified reviews

Effective remote teamwork

Enhanced workflow efficiency

Accessible cloud storage

Seamless document sharing

Seamless app integration

Dependence on internet

Inconsistent customer support

High costs and limitations

Complex account management

Challenging file management

See pros and cons details
pdfFiller logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(28)
3-4(256)
5(707)
Key Features
Document Management4.5
Templates3.5

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers find pdfFiller's access controls and permissions useful for safeguarding sensitive documents. They appreciate the ability to customize permission settings for each user, ensuring that only authorized individuals can view or edit documents. Users also highlight the ease of use and the security provided by these controls.

See related user reviews

“With this feature, I can have control over who has permission to edit the pdf and this is very important especially when the documents are confidential or really important ones.”
LM

Llana M.

Online Instructor

“This allows me to place restrictions on my documents to ensure no changes can be authorized without my permission. ”
KO

Kory O.

Owner

Starting price
8flat rate /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 991 verified reviews

Efficient document signing

Streamlined office productivity

High cost concerns

See pros and cons details

Other Top Rated Document Generation Software with Access Controls/Permissions in 2026

BrandOffice logo

BrandOffice

Consistently branded Word, Excel, and PPT documents.

visit website
BrandOffice is a software solution that integrates with Microsoft Office. It empowers every employee to create branded documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel reports. It also helps the brand stay relevant as it evolves.

Read more about BrandOffice

Users also considered
ClickLearn logo

ClickLearn

Automatic content creation for greater user adoption and ROI

visit website
ClickLearn is a Digital Adoption Platform that captures work processes in enterprise software to generate training content and documentation. It produces learning materials in seven formats and supports over forty-five languages, creating customizable eLearning portals with automatic updates. ClickLearn works across platforms like ERPs, CRMs, and Windows applications, helping organizations improve user adoption during software implementations.

Read more about ClickLearn

Users also considered
PandaDoc logo

PandaDoc

Category Leaders

Cloud-based tool for creating, editing and signing documents

visit website
PandaDoc is a cloud-based document management solution that streamlines the creation, approval, tracking, and electronic signing of business documents. The platform offers document generation capabilities that allow users to create custom agreements and proposals using a drag-and-drop editor and pre-built templates. Its Configure Price Quote (CPQ) feature enables the generation of error-free, personalized quotes tailored to each buyer's needs.

Read more about PandaDoc

Users also considered
DocuGenerate logo

DocuGenerate

Category Leaders

Automate and Scale your Document Generation

visit website
Our Document Generation API enables you to create invoices, letters, contracts, agreements, certificates, and more.

Read more about DocuGenerate

Users also considered
Mitratech HotDocs logo

Mitratech HotDocs

Template-driven, automated document & form assembly software

visit website
HotDocs is a document automation solution that turns frequently used documents or forms into intelligent templates for faster reproduction with greater accuracy

Read more about Mitratech HotDocs

Users also considered
Droplet logo

Droplet

Forms and workflow automation software

visit website
Droplet is a forms automation software designed to help schools and government organizations create dynamic web forms to collect business data. The application enables businesses to automate approvals with detailed business logic, conduct analytics, and capture and store digital data.

Read more about Droplet

Users also considered
Adobe Acrobat logo

Adobe Acrobat

PDF editing with e-signatures and document review tools

visit website
Adobe Acrobat is PDF editing software that can be used to create, convert and share PDF documents. It can convert documents in Microsoft Office formats to PDFs, and vice versa. PDFs can be viewed, annotated, and signed using Adobe Sign and the free Acrobat Reader mobile app.

Read more about Adobe Acrobat

Users also considered
UnForm logo

UnForm

Document management for distributors & manufacturers

visit website
UnForm is a document management solution designed to help distributors and manufacturers streamline the entire document lifecycle. The solution integrates with ERP systems to create documents, store them in an archive for later retrieval, and deliver them in various print electronic formats.

Read more about UnForm

Users also considered
Celant Document Automation Engine logo

Celant Document Automation Engine

Full-service document automation solution

visit website
Document Automation Engine is a document automation solution focused on loan officers in CDFI’s, attorneys in small-to-medium sized law firms, and in-house counsel in corporations who deal with drafting multiple document sets over and over based on form agreements.

Read more about Celant Document Automation Engine

Users also considered
Formstack Documents logo

Formstack Documents

Document generation tool for teams

visit website
Formstack Documents is a web-based document creation tool for teams that provides features such as customizable document templates, auto-generated forms, advanced data routing, document storage, and more. It allows businesses to transform their data into custom, branded documents.

Read more about Formstack Documents

Users also considered
Formstack Suite logo

Formstack Suite

Cloud-based tool for form building and workflow automation.

visit website
Formstack is a cloud-based form building solution that helps organizations with the tools to build online forms, collect information, integrate systems, automate workflows, and more.

Read more about Formstack Suite

Users also considered
EasySend logo

EasySend

Your digital partner.

visit website
EasySend is the no-code platform designed for enterprises to build and manage digital processes, streamline customer data intake, and automate workflows.

Read more about EasySend

Users also considered
Google Workspace logo

Collaboration application suite for teams

learn more
Google Workspace is a suite of applications from Google which offers a number of tools to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, store files, and manage data from all devices.

Read more about Google Workspace

Users also considered
monday.com logo

Project management software

learn more
With monday.com Work OS you can create, edit, and manage documents effectively in one shared workspace. Standardize all important documentation, automate document approval processes to save time and decrease error, and easily track and collaborate on documents in real-time.

Read more about monday.com

Users also considered
Microsoft Word logo
Category Leaders

Word processing software for document generation & sharing.

learn more
Microsoft Word is a cloud-based word processing tool that allows users to create professional documents on their phones, tablets and computers. The program comes with numerous features including built-in spell checker and grammar checker, integration with other Microsoft 365 products such as Excel and PowerPoint, and access from anywhere.

Read more about Microsoft Word

Users also considered
Jotform logo

Cloud-based form builder tool for digital forms.

learn more
Create, organize, and share documents in minutes with Jotform Enterprise.

Read more about Jotform

Users also considered
iLovePDF logo

Document generation and management software

learn more
Generate professional PDFs effortlessly with tools for creating and converting editable files from scanned documents, images, or other formats. Add watermarks, page numbers, or annotations with precision. Part of a suite of 25+ tools that simplify your document management.

Read more about iLovePDF

Users also considered
Publuu logo
Category Leaders

Flipbook, PDF to Flipbook, Online Flipbook Creator

learn more
With Publuu, users can easily and intuitively create an interactive flipbook from a PDF. Convert a PDF to flip, customize it by adding branding, selecting a background, colors, and inserting interactive hotspots.

Read more about Publuu

Users also considered
Smallpdf logo

PDF document management and conversion suite

learn more
Smallpdf is a desktop, mobile & cloud-based PDF document management and conversion tool, providing a suite of 21 tools to create, convert and edit documents.

Read more about Smallpdf

Users also considered
pdfFiller logo

Online PDF form filler & editor

learn more
pdfFiller is an online form and document management system for editing, printing, downloading, sending, and converting documents. The cloud-based system offers eSignature capabilities, a PDF editor, form builder, authentication features, and native Android and iOS mobile applications.

Read more about pdfFiller

Users also considered
HoneyBook logo
Category Leaders

Client management for freelancers & SMBs

learn more
HoneyBook is a client management tool designed for small business owners and freelancers to help manage and process payments, bookings, contracts, and more and aid collaboration and communication.

Read more about HoneyBook

Users also considered
Visme logo

The all-in-one online presentation, infographic tool

learn more
Visme transforms the way you create & share engaging Presentations, Infographics and other visual formats. It's the only content creation tool you'll ever need to tell and present your stories and translate boring data. Work individually or as a team to collaborate. Publish online, share or embed.

Read more about Visme

Users also considered
Nitro PDF logo
Category Leaders

Document generation and management software

learn more
Easily convert your documents into editable PDFs. Whether you’re editing text in the document, redacting sensitive information or annotating your document with highlights or notes, perform all your essential PDF edits with ease.

Read more about Nitro PDF

Users also considered
Beefree logo

The fastest, no-code email & landing page design suite.

learn more
Email and landing page design tool with a no-code, visual builder. Create multi-content campaigns in minutes. Review, comment, approve.

Read more about Beefree

Users also considered
Jotform Sign logo
Category Leaders

Powerful Forms Get It Done

learn more
Create, organize, and share documents in minutes with Jotform Enterprise.

Read more about Jotform Sign

Users also considered

Key features for Document Generation software

Based on GetApp's analysis of verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and August 2024.

  • Document Management: Reviewers highlight the ability to organize, label, and search documents effectively. Auto-save, version control, and cloud storage enhance accessibility and document security. 86% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Templates: Users value pre-designed templates for saving time and ensuring consistency across documents. Customization options and various categories cater to different professional needs. 85% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Text Editing: Reviewers appreciate comprehensive text editing tools, including formatting options, track changes, and spellcheck, making document creation and revision efficient. 85% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Document Storage: Users emphasize the convenience of storing documents in the cloud or locally, ensuring easy access, organization, and security across multiple devices. 84% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Offline Access: Reviewers value the ability to create and edit documents without an internet connection, ensuring flexibility and continuous productivity. 82% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Collaboration Tools: Users appreciate real-time collaboration features, including sharing, co-editing, and commenting, which facilitate teamwork and streamline document review processes. 79% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.