Best Icertis Alternatives & Competitors: CLM Software Compared
Author : Zycus Infotech | Published On : 02 Jun 2026
The CLM space has grown a lot. AI in procurement has changed what's possible, and today's best tools don't just store and track contracts — they actively help you draft, review, negotiate, and manage risk. If you're evaluating your options, this post breaks down the top Icertis alternatives so you can make a smarter call.
Why Are Teams Looking Beyond Icertis?
Before we get into the alternatives, it helps to understand what's prompting the search. Based on user feedback across platforms like G2 and Gartner Peer Insights, a few pain points come up repeatedly:
-
Cost: Icertis is reportedly around 33% more expensive than the average CLM tool. It's built for enterprise budgets, which means mid-market teams often feel the pinch.
-
Implementation complexity: Getting the platform up and running is rarely quick or simple.
-
UI/UX friction: Navigating the platform can feel clunky, especially for non-technical users.
-
Support gaps: Gartner users have rated Icertis customer support as low as 2 out of 5 — which is a real problem when something breaks during a critical contract cycle.
-
Integration limitations: Connecting Icertis with eSignature tools, ERP systems, or email platforms isn't always smooth.
None of this means Icertis is a bad product — it isn't. But if any of these pain points sound familiar, it may be time to explore what else is out there.
Top Icertis Alternatives in 2025–26
1. Zycus iContract (Best for AI-Powered Procurement Teams)
Zycus is more than just a CLM tool — it's a full Source-to-Pay platform, and its contract management module, iContract, sits at the center of that. What makes it stand out is Merlin AI, Zycus's proprietary AI engine that brings real intelligence to the contract lifecycle.
We're not talking about a chatbot bolt-on. Merlin's Contract Agent can draft contracts from scratch, score third-party documents against your internal playbooks, flag risky clauses in real time, monitor obligations post-signature, and send proactive renewal alerts — all without someone having to manually dig through the contract. That's what genuine procurement automation looks like in practice.
For teams already invested in digital transformation solutions, Zycus integrates natively with SAP, Oracle, DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and Microsoft Word. So you're not rebuilding your stack — you're upgrading it.
Zycus was recently named a Strong Performer in the Forrester Wave™ for CLM Platforms, Q1 2025, and has been recognized in the 2026 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites — a testament to where the platform is headed.
Best for: Enterprise and mid-market teams looking for end-to-end AI-powered procurement solutions, not just a standalone CLM tool.
2. Ironclad
Ironclad has built a loyal following, especially among legal and sales teams. It's known for a clean, intuitive UI and solid workflow automation. If your contracts are primarily commercial or sales-side, Ironclad is easy to deploy and gets users up to speed quickly.
That said, for procurement teams needing deep supplier data integration or spend analytics, Ironclad can feel limited. It's a great standalone CLM but lacks the broader procurement ecosystem many enterprise buyers need.
Best for: Legal-led contract operations, especially in tech and SaaS companies.
3. DocuSign CLM
DocuSign needs no introduction on the eSignature side, and its CLM offering extends that reach into full contract management. If your team already lives in the DocuSign ecosystem, the CLM layer adds workflow, templates, and repository features without changing too much.
The catch? The CLM capabilities, while solid, don't quite match the depth of a purpose-built procurement platform. It's more of a natural extension for DocuSign users than a standalone powerhouse.
Best for: Teams already using DocuSign for signatures who want basic CLM capabilities without switching tools.
4. Conga CLM
Conga is a well-rounded option, particularly for Salesforce-heavy organizations. It handles contract generation, approval workflows, and compliance tracking reasonably well, and the Salesforce integration is one of the tightest in the market.
Where it falls short is in broader procurement connectivity. If your team's world doesn't revolve around CRM, Conga can feel like it's pulling in a different direction.
Best for: Revenue and sales teams working heavily within Salesforce environments.
5. Agiloft
Agiloft is one of the most customizable CLM platforms out there — almost infinitely so. For organizations with very specific, non-standard processes, that flexibility is a genuine advantage. It's also been recognized as a Leader in the Forrester Wave.
The flip side of all that flexibility is complexity. Configuring Agiloft to your needs takes time, expertise, and often professional services support. It's a powerful platform, but it demands investment upfront.
Best for: Organizations with highly unique contract workflows that need a custom-built feel.
6. SirionLabs
SirionLabs focuses heavily on post-signature contract management — think obligation tracking, SLA monitoring, and supplier performance. For businesses where the real contract risk lives after the ink dries, Sirion's capabilities are genuinely impressive.
However, for teams looking for a complete, front-to-back procurement software experience, Sirion covers only part of the journey.
Best for: Enterprises focused specifically on contract compliance and supplier performance management.
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
|
Feature |
Zycus iContract |
Icertis |
Ironclad |
DocuSign CLM |
Conga CLM |
Agiloft |
SirionLabs |
|
AI-Powered Drafting |
Merlin AI (Agentic) |
Advanced |
Limited |
Basic |
Limited |
Good |
Limited |
|
Post-Signature Tracking |
Automated |
Strong |
Moderate |
Basic |
Moderate |
Strong |
Excellent |
|
Procurement Integration |
Full S2P Suite |
Partial |
Minimal |
Minimal |
Salesforce-led |
Custom |
Partial |
|
ERP Connectivity (SAP/Oracle) |
Native |
Strong |
Limited |
Limited |
Via middleware |
Strong |
Good |
|
Ease of Implementation |
Moderate |
Complex |
Fast |
Fast |
Moderate |
Complex |
Moderate |
|
Pricing |
Mid-to-Enterprise |
High |
Mid |
Mid |
Mid |
Mid-to-Enterprise |
Enterprise |
|
Forrester / Gartner Recognition |
Strong Performer (Forrester Wave 2025) |
Leader |
Notable |
Notable |
Notable |
Leader |
Notable |
|
Best Fit |
Full procurement teams |
Large enterprise legal/procurement |
Legal teams |
DocuSign users |
Salesforce users |
Custom workflows |
Post-signature focus |
So, Which One Should You Choose?
That depends on what's actually broken in your current setup.
If the issue is that your contracts live in a silo away from the rest of your procurement work, you need a platform that connects the dots — from sourcing to supplier management to payments. That's where Zycus iContract makes the most sense. It's not just a CLM; it's a core piece of a larger procurement automation strategy.
If you just need something quick to deploy and your contract volume isn't massive, tools like Ironclad or DocuSign CLM offer speed and simplicity.
If you're deep in Salesforce and most of your contracts flow from sales cycles, Conga is the natural fit.
And if post-award compliance is your biggest headache, SirionLabs is hard to beat on that specific front.
The Bigger Picture: AI Is Changing What CLM Can Do
Regardless of which platform you choose, one thing is clear: the era of passive contract repositories is over. The best CLM tools today are active participants in your procurement process — flagging risks before they become problems, handling routine drafting so your team can focus on strategy, and keeping obligations in check without someone manually chasing deadlines.
Zycus's Merlin AI represents what this next generation looks like in practice — agentic, deeply integrated, and built to reduce manual work rather than digitize it. For procurement teams navigating complex supplier relationships and high contract volumes, that's a meaningful difference.
If you're rethinking your CLM setup, it's worth seeing what's possible beyond Icertis. The right platform won't just manage your contracts — it'll help you get more value from every single one of them.
