A modern IBM DOORS alternative, without the enterprise deployment
Traceable brings requirements traceability and document control to the cloud, priced for small and mid-size regulated teams. Nothing to install, and reviewers and auditors are always free.
Traceable is an alternative to IBM DOORS and DOORS Next for teams that need requirements traceability without an enterprise deployment. It runs in the browser with nothing to install, keeps requirements linked across documents, and records review and e-signature against each revision. From US$35 per author per month, with Reviewer and Auditor seats free.
Traceable vs IBM DOORS
DOORS and DOORS Next are proven at enterprise scale, but they are heavy to deploy and license. Traceable brings the same traceability discipline to teams that need to move quickly.
| Traceable | IBM DOORS | |
|---|---|---|
| Document authoring | WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) document editor with regulated templates | Requirement-centric |
| Scope | Complete design documents, from blank page to published, with reference file storage | Requirements modules within a wider engineering lifecycle suite. Documents are generated from requirements |
| Reference files and citation | Reference library with versioned files, numbered citations and reference tables built automatically | File attachments on requirements, with no citation management |
| AI authoring through the Model Context Protocol | Official connector: an AI assistant can read and author documents, requirement rows and trace links under your own permissions | No official connector published |
| Review and e-signatures | Built-in review with e-signatures and an audit trail, with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant e-signatures on the Regulated plan | Review workflows with e-signatures |
| Published documents | Searchable, clickable PDF, generated automatically on publish or exported at any time | Documents exported from requirements |
| Version control | Auto-versioning, draft and published, with an automatic review log | Version history and baselines |
| Requirements traceability | Database-backed TraceIDs, a live trace matrix, a visual Document Map and broken-trace detection | Yes |
| Project phase view | Design Phase board (Team and above): documents laid out by phase and work stream, with placeholders, owners and phase gates | Possible through custom dashboards and configuration |
| Training required | Little: a familiar document editor, with in-app help | Formal administrator and user training typically needed |
| Setup and IT involvement | Self-serve in the browser, no IT involvement | Configuration project, with IT involvement for on-premises installs |
| Reviewer and auditor seats | Free | Typically licensed per user |
| Starting price | Free for one author, then US$35/mo per author (Essentials) or US$64/mo per author for a team (Team) | Enterprise, quote-based |
| Onboarding | Self-serve, start in minutes | Sales-led, with configuration |
| Deployment | Cloud, nothing to install | Cloud or on-premises |
Comparison based on publicly available information as of 2026 and may change. Verify current details with each vendor.
Traceability that fits how you work
Cloud, not a rollout
Start in minutes with nothing to install. No server, no IT project, no license negotiation before you can trace a single requirement.
Live traceability
Database-backed TraceIDs, cross-document links, a requirements traceability matrix, a visual Document Map, and broken-trace detection.
Priced for your team
From US$35 per author per month, with free Reviewer and Auditor seats. You pay for authors, not for everyone who needs to read or sign off.
Common questions
Is Traceable a replacement for IBM DOORS?
For small and mid-size regulated teams, yes. Traceable covers authoring, cross-document trace links, a requirements traceability matrix, review and approval with e-signatures, and version control, in a modern cloud tool with nothing to install. Very large enterprise or defence programs with deep DOORS customisation may still prefer DOORS.
Do I need IT to set up Traceable like DOORS?
No. Traceable is cloud based and self-serve. You can create an account, start a project from a template, and begin tracing requirements without an installation or an IT project.
How much does Traceable cost compared to DOORS?
Traceable is free for one author, then starts at US$35 per author per month (Essentials) and US$64 per author per month for a team (Team). DOORS is licensed as enterprise software with quote-based pricing.
Can I migrate my DOORS requirements?
You can import existing documentation from DOCX, XLSX, and Markdown. Exporting your requirements from DOORS to one of those formats lets you bring them into Traceable.
See Traceable on your own requirements
Import your existing documents and see live traceability in minutes.