StowbillM&A software, by what each tool does
"M&A software" covers five different jobs, and no single product does all of them well. This page sets out the five, names the well-known products in each, and says plainly which ones Stowbill covers.
The five types
| Type | What it does | Well-known products | Stowbill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deal sourcing | Finds targets and buyers from company databases | Grata, SourceScrub, PitchBook | No |
| Relationship CRM | Captures email and meetings, scores relationships | DealCloud, Affinity, 4Degrees | Buyer history only |
| Pipeline and process | Tracks each deal through its stages with tasks and approvals | DealRoom, Midaxo | Yes |
| Virtual data room | Shares documents with buyers under control, with Q&A | Datasite, Intralinks, iDeals, Firmex | Yes |
| Integration | Plans and tracks the work after a deal closes | Midaxo, DealRoom | No |
What a sell-side adviser needs
An adviser selling a company needs the middle two: a process with partner control, and a data room. Sourcing tools and post-merger integration are for buyers. That is why Stowbill joins the pipeline, the buyer tracker and the data room, and leaves the rest to specialists.
Due diligence in Stowbill
- A numbered index that is the same for your team and every buyer, with an Excel export.
- Whole-folder upload that keeps the structure, with files up to 250 MB.
- Each buyer sees only its own folders, questions and answers.
- Q&A with assignment, drafts and partner approval, and Excel import and export.
- A report of who opened what, and an interest score for each buyer.
What it does not do
Not available today: AI features, page-by-page viewing analytics, email and calendar sync, a mobile app, and SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification. If you need one of these now, a larger vendor will suit you better.
Questions
What is the best M&A software for a small advisory firm?
It depends on the job. For running sell-side mandates with a data room, a combined tool such as Stowbill or DealRoom avoids paying for a room per deal. For relationship tracking across hundreds of contacts, a CRM such as Affinity or 4Degrees fits better.
Do we still need a separate data room?
Not for most boutique deals. For a very large auction, or where a buyer's lawyers insist on a certified provider, a dedicated room is still the safer choice.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. New workspaces start with everything switched on, and a practice deal with sample buyers is one click away.
Last reviewed 15 November 2026. General information, not professional or legal advice.
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