bitfarm-Archiv

bitfarm-Archiv is a document management and archiving system from bitfarm Informationssysteme GmbH, offered in a GPL edition and an Enterprise edition. bitfarm states that both are licensed under GPLv3 without licence costs and that Enterprise customers pay for support, not for the software.

The GPL edition has a Windows desktop client and is recommended for one to four users. The Enterprise edition adds web, iOS and Android clients, barcode recognition, Active Directory support, document versioning, contract management and operation across several sites, and is recommended for up to 5,000 users. bitfarm lists invoice processing with ZUGFeRD and XRechnung among the functions.

bitfarm Informationssysteme GmbH is based at Spandauer Strasse 18 in Siegen, Germany.

It was founded in 1998 by Markus Schmalenbach and Heino Schneider, who are still the managing directors, and the company describes itself as owner-managed to this day. bitfarm-Archiv is installed on-premises: the server requires Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 or 2026 and uses MySQL 8.4. bitfarm describes audit-proof archiving through a soft-WORM procedure with SHA256 checksums, a complete unchangeable document history and fully encrypted client-server database communication. No hosted option and no third-party certificate are named on the pages read.

The bitfarm-Archiv GPL edition is a free download, and bitfarm states it stays free for private and commercial use. The Enterprise edition is available from about EUR 2,500 including one year of professional support, installation and all modules and plug-ins.

After the first year, support is a flat annual fee that depends on user count and service type, and patches and updates are free. bitfarm-Archiv fits organisations with Windows administrators who want the archive in-house under a free licence. It is not the choice for teams without a Windows Server or for those who want the vendor to run the system.

What bitfarm-Archiv does well

• bitfarm-Archiv is licensed under GPLv3 in both the GPL and the Enterprise edition, without licence costs
• bitfarm Informationssysteme GmbH states that it has been owner-managed since its founding in 1998
• bitfarm publishes a starting price: Enterprise from about EUR 2,500 including a year of support, installation and all modules
• bitfarm-Archiv explains its audit-proof method: soft-WORM with SHA256 checksums and an unchangeable document history
• The Enterprise edition of bitfarm-Archiv includes web, iOS and Android clients

Where bitfarm-Archiv falls short

• The bitfarm-Archiv server runs only on Windows Server
• The GPL edition of bitfarm-Archiv has no versioning, no Active Directory support and only a Windows desktop client
• bitfarm mentions no hosted or cloud option on its licensing page
• bitfarm states that server installation and training of IT staff are required

Standout feature. bitfarm-Archiv is the only product here whose paid Enterprise edition is itself under GPLv3, so customers pay bitfarm for support and installation and not for the software.