Overview: Why These Three Platforms?
Diligent, BoardEffect, and OnBoard consistently appear on shortlists across corporate, nonprofit, and credit union sectors. Each has a distinct market positioning and set of strengths. This comparison is designed to help governance professionals understand the meaningful differences — not just the marketing language.
Note: Software features and pricing change frequently. Always verify current capabilities directly with vendors before making a purchasing decision.
Platform Snapshots
Diligent Boards
Diligent is one of the most widely deployed board portals globally, particularly strong among large-cap public companies and heavily regulated industries. It is part of a broader governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) ecosystem, which can be an advantage for organizations seeking an integrated platform.
BoardEffect
BoardEffect (a Diligent company since 2016) targets nonprofits, healthcare organizations, higher education institutions, and credit unions. It retains its own brand and product roadmap and is generally considered more accessible in terms of pricing and simplicity for mission-driven organizations.
OnBoard
OnBoard is an independent platform from Passageways that has grown rapidly by emphasizing ease of use, modern UX design, and competitive pricing. It appeals strongly to mid-market organizations across multiple sectors.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Diligent | BoardEffect | OnBoard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda Builder | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Standard | ✅ Advanced |
| Board Book Compiler | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| E-Signatures | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Voting Tools | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Standard | ✅ Advanced |
| Surveys & Assessments | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Integrations (SSO, Zoom, etc.) | ✅ Extensive | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Good |
| Offline Access (Mobile) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| SOC 2 Type II Certified | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| GRC Ecosystem | ✅ Full Suite | ⚠️ Partial | ❌ No |
Pricing Approach
All three platforms use quote-based pricing rather than publicly listed rates. However, based on general market positioning:
- Diligent tends to be positioned at the premium end, particularly when bundled with its GRC suite products.
- BoardEffect is generally considered mid-market, with nonprofit and association discounts often available.
- OnBoard is frequently cited for competitive pricing and transparent packaging, making it attractive for cost-conscious organizations.
Best Fit by Organization Type
- Large public companies or regulated enterprises: Diligent's deep compliance features and GRC integrations offer the most robust governance ecosystem.
- Nonprofits, credit unions, and healthcare boards: BoardEffect's purpose-built workflows for mission-driven organizations are a natural fit.
- Mid-market companies, associations, and growth-stage firms: OnBoard strikes a strong balance of features, usability, and value.
What to Ask Each Vendor
- What does your typical onboarding and training process look like?
- How do you handle software updates — are they automatic?
- What is your support model (phone, chat, dedicated CSM)?
- Can we speak to a reference customer similar to our organization?
Bottom Line
There is no universally "best" board portal — the right choice depends on your organization's size, regulatory context, technical environment, and budget. Use this comparison as a starting framework, then invest time in structured demos and a pilot before committing.