Dovetail alternatives
Dovetail alternatives for NZ and Australian businesses
Dovetail: Quoted privately for Enterprise, with a Free plan limited to one project.
- check_circleYour data in a database you own
- check_circleOpen source, no lock-in
- check_circleBuilt and run by Enterprise DNA
The options
What people compare Dovetail with
Dovetail quotes its Enterprise subscription privately, so there is no public price to compare. If your recurring work centres on research evidence, review and decisions, you may be looking for an alternative that fits your work and keeps your records in a database you own.
Often compared
AG5
A named alternative in the comparison. The group was noted as having lower entry bills or no verified large contract, but no tool-specific pricing or features are given.
Often compared
Skills Base
A named alternative in the comparison. The group was noted as having lower entry bills or no verified large contract, but no tool-specific pricing or features are given.
Often compared
Soda
A named alternative in the comparison. The group was noted as having lower entry bills or no verified large contract, but no tool-specific pricing or features are given.
Often compared
Condens
A named alternative in the comparison. The group was noted as having lower entry bills or no verified large contract, but no tool-specific pricing or features are given.
Yours to own
Research Evidence for Claude Code
The open-source research evidence system that is just a database and Claude Code. Built around your business, with your Dovetail data brought across.
See how it worksHow to choose
How to choose a Dovetail alternative
- 1
What drives the bill
Ask what your bill is tied to, then compare your renewal with the work your team actually uses. Dovetail quotes Enterprise privately, so you cannot check it against a public tariff. Include access controls and connected research sources in your comparison if your team uses them.
- 2
Who keeps your records
Check what you can take with you and what format it is in. Readable exports can carry selected records, but Dovetail’s full-project archive is encrypted. Before switching, find out which records you can access and how the alternative will keep them available to your business.
- 3
Fit with your own rules
Map the work you need to support, including study purposes, source reviews, findings and decision follow-through. Ask whether the system can reflect your own review rules and fields. A system built around your work may suit you better than changing your process to match a standard setup.
- 4
What switching involves
Check which exports are readable, what information they contain and how the records will be mapped. A move can start with a test run and counts to reconcile. Agree what will happen to records that are not available in readable exports before you decide when to switch.
The option that fits
Own a system built around your work
Research Evidence is an owned version for the way your business handles research, from studies and source reviews to findings and decisions. Enterprise DNA builds it around your work, brings across the records available in readable exports, and agrees the remaining mapping after checking your actual exports. Your records sit in a database you own. A free version is available if you want to run it yourself.
- check One setup fee, then a monthly retainer
- check Your records stay in a database you own
- check A free version you can run yourself
Make it yours
Design your own Dovetail replacement
Everything starts from the open-source base. Then it gets your name, the parts you run, your rules and your data from Dovetail. Try it here, and we build the real one.
2. What it runs
3. Make it fit
4. Your colour
Answered from your own database
Good morning. Here is what needs you today.
We build it from the open-source base, bring your Dovetail data across and run it for you.
Questions
Dovetail alternatives, answered
How much does Dovetail cost for a business in NZ or Australia? expand_more
Dovetail quotes its Enterprise subscription privately, so there is no public Enterprise tariff to compare. Start with your renewal and the parts your team uses. Dovetail lists one project on its Free plan, which may not cover a growing research archive.
Can you bring our Dovetail records into another system? expand_more
Yes, starting with records available in readable exports. The free version imports source text and research write-ups from separate spreadsheets, with a test run and counts to reconcile. Dovetail’s full-project archive is encrypted, so Enterprise DNA checks your actual exports and agrees the remaining mapping before a switch.
Can the free version replace all of our Dovetail work? expand_more
The free version covers text evidence work, including studies, notes, quotations, reviewed findings and decision follow-ups. If your team needs recording, transcription, visual synthesis or live connections, Enterprise DNA can scope those into your version. Check the work you need each week against the demonstration.
Who owns the records if we stop working with Enterprise DNA? expand_more
You keep your database and the open-source code. The free version writes a private backup, including source text held from ordinary search. Enterprise DNA agrees hosting, access and handover as part of your setup, so you know who owns and can access the records.
Done comparing? Own the one that fits.
30 minutes with Sam. Bring what Dovetail costs you a year and how you run. We show you what your own version looks like, and if it is a fit, we build it and bring your data across.
Get your version builtDone paying for Dovetail?
Get your version built