SpringAhead Reviews

“too many downsides for the price

Pros

The front end that has been specifically designed for clients, particularly those who are responsible for managing multiple entities, demonstrates itself to be highly beneficial. This feature not only streamlines the user experience but also enhances overall efficiency, allowing clients to use through various aspects of their accounts smoothly.

Cons

SmartVault is excessively costly considering that it does not deliver on its promises.

“user-friendly but room for enhancements

Pros

SmartVault offers an interactive interface that facilitates easy navigation and document management.

Cons

I have noticed that the mobile application has limited features.

“smartvault isn�t ideal for every accountant

Pros

The software presents a polished appearance and provides the capability to incorporate branding effectively.

Cons

Setting it up proved to be quite challenging, and I found it necessary to assign one employee solely to handle the setup and ongoing maintenance.

“a solid choice but nothing extraordinary

Pros

It serves as an excellent and easy method to securely store essential documents.

Cons

The connections with external systems are not very stable.

“helped our growing business for a while

Pros

SmartVault delivered an instant and secure file storage system that was urgently needed.

Cons

I find SmartVault can be difficult to use and may be confusing for individuals who are simply trying to upload or add files.

“an accountant�s take on smartvault

Pros

Uploading documents and communicating with my accountant via SmartVault is quite simple. The platform appears highly secure, allowing me to feel at ease when uploading documents containing personal information.

Cons

Up to this point, there has been nothing that I have encountered that I disliked. It serves as a simple tool to operate.

“integration hiccups with microsoft tools

Pros

The system allows for the sharing and saving of documents with clients efficiently.

Cons

I am unable to access any Microsoft documents, be it Word or Excel. Since May 2023, which is over two months now, I have been reaching out to customer service and also my representative, pleading for assistance with this issue. The software does not permit us to retrieve or save any Excel or Word documents to SmartVault. This is a big problem for my firm and our record-keeping services.

“not easy for older or tech-challenged users

Pros

I appreciate the simplicity in utilizing both SmartVault and Lacerte Tax. Printing documents directly to client folders is remarkably uncomplicated.

Cons

The aspects I liked the least about the portal were its features, setup, and interface. I ended up wasting more time editing and updating invitations, resending documents, and explaining how to use the portal over the phone than I ever saved by actually using the portal.

“is smartvault really living up to its name?

Pros

It offers secure file sharing that is accessible around the clock, making it convenient for on-the-go usage.

Cons

It is necessary to download, edit, and then re-upload the file if any modifications are needed by both the client and myself. Online editing is not an option.

“works but feels outdated in design

Pros

The system enables secure file transmission, ensuring the protection of sensitive bank and employee information, and it provides a secure storage location with a reputable provider, granting access to all necessary administrators along with two-factor authentication for sign-in.

Cons

The drag-and-drop upload feature is not very simple, requiring several clicks to use to the location for uploading. The button at the top does not serve as an upload feature but instead pins folders to the taskbar. The design of the home portal feels outdated and is not user-friendly. Also, two-factor authentication is not mandated for every sign-in, relying solely on email rather than providing options for text codes.

“completely dissatisfied with the experience

Pros

Document sharing with clients is a key feature. However, I found it challenging to understand at times, which resulted in clients being frequently locked out of the system.

Cons

I found that customer support, pricing, and policies were not disclosed upfront during the contract signing.

“does the job for file sharing

Pros

I like that files can be organized into folders. through the software is very easy. This software is ideal for sharing secure files with clients, and the document trail feature is a significant plus.

Cons

It frustrates me that I cannot edit a document directly within the software. Plus, it is inconvenient that I cannot send comments to the uploader.

“good option for digital storage needs

Pros

This feature enhances my workflow by eliminating the need for additional steps or manual transfers, making the entire process much more efficient.

Cons

The sharing features can be a bit confusing.

“Great software for timekeeping

Pros

All users find it easy to install and use. Also it works seamlessly.

Cons

Synchronization with Quickbooks is challenging. We had this software set up with an older version of Quickbooks, but when we switched to the online version, the synchronization didn't occur.

“price increase feels unfair

Pros

The integration with Intuit Pro Series and Lacerte Software is a valuable aspect for me.

Cons

The impending price increase of over 35% is genuinely shocking since there have been limited proposed improvements to the package. The price is rising from $24.38 per month to at least $40.00 per month. This increase may be very difficult to justify, especially considering that this commodity software is available at half the cost from competitors, who also offer additional workflows and features not found in SmartVault.

“great with lacerte tax integration

Pros

SmartVault is integrated easily with my Lacerte tax software. When printing from Lacerte to SmartVault, all tax returns are automatically deposited into the correct client's folder.

Cons

Having utilized SmartVault for over five years, I have not yet faced any negatives regarding my use of the portal.

“not worth what you�re paying

Pros

There is nothing worthy to appreciate. It is as basic as it gets for a file storage and sharing platform.

Cons

There is no Android app, and the interface is poor with terrible permissions programming. It is way overpriced.

“file sharing made simple

Pros

SmartVault is remarkably easy to operate, making it accessible for individuals at all skill levels.

Cons

The support is not particularly great. They need to be more helpful.

“customer support is falling apart

Pros

This compatibility allows me to transfer data and documents between the platforms effortlessly, streamlining my tax preparation process.

Cons

The customer service is terrible. Often, individuals may be ignored. When someone does investigate an issue, there is a tendency to blame Windows, Outlook, or any product other than SmartVault. To date, the problem has always stemmed from SmartVault.

“works well for both users and clients

Pros

The simplicity offered for both our internal users and clients is commendable. It allows for organized file management, keeping documents neatly arranged in their respective folders for a polished presentation to clients.

Cons

SmartVault still requires a few minor tweaks, but overall, I believe the developers genuinely invest their efforts into the projects. It seems that whenever I identify something in the software that needs addressing, the staff promptly releases an update to fix it.

“confusing interface and frustrating to leave

Pros

I had high expectations for the platform; however, clients faced challenges in using it. While it did offer a minimal level of flexibility for small clients or individuals, larger clients had higher expectations that were not met.

Cons

The pricing has reached a ridiculous level in comparison to what is actually received. The price has doubled from year to year, which feels like a punchline to a bad joke. The cancellation policy of SmartVault appears to be morally void. After experiencing an unexpected doubling in cost from year to year (following a significant increase the year before), I was informed on my renewal date that I could cancel my subscription and forfeit all access to the account. However, SmartVault's policy was not to issue any refunds for the yearly subscription that they charged to my credit card, even though I would not have access to the service for the entire year. What a complete sham. SmartVault functions as an expensive and marginal portal service that appears to cater to the lower end of the market while being structured to disadvantage customers when they attempt to leave. It is wise to be cautious.

“happy we moved on from smartvault

Pros

The aspect I appreciated most about the software is its top-notch security features.

Cons

The software is not at all simple, and there are far better and more affordable alternatives available in the market.

“too expensive for solo professionals

Pros

SmartVault is exceptionally powerful, exhibiting a strong and reliable performance that instills confidence in its users.

Cons

I experienced a couple of glitches where I was unable to log into my account, and it was quite alarming. I managed to resolve the issue after several days, trying various methods, including contacting customer support. I cleared the cache in my browser, and regained access. It was quite a steep learning curve for me. I was accustomed to another client portal that had a more modern appearance, whereas this one appeared a bit outdated.

“great concept, poor execution overall

Pros

The concept is promising, accompanied by commendable storage capabilities.

Cons

It was not particularly easy to install, and I did not appreciate that it can be rather confusing to use.

“just okay as a document storage solution

Pros

It promotes a wide array of beneficial features that initially appear promising, yet, in reality, only a limited number of these features operate as effectively as advertised.

Cons

Initially, I was subscribed to the tax-pro plan for $360 per year for several years. They canceled the tax-pro plans and charged my credit card $112 just for the month of November. This new price is almost four times the original amount and is not something I would consider paying for this software. The change in plan was not communicated clearly, the specific date of the change was not communicated at all, and now customer service informs me that refunds are outside of their policy even though I canceled SmartVault immediately. I have observed more cons than pros related to this software. My customers were receiving upload notifications with a three-week delay, which caused a great deal of confusion. The software was not easy for my customers either. Individual files needed to be made accessible to them even when uploaded to an already accessible folder, which was a complete waste of time and a source of frustration. At some point last year, SmartVault encountered a hiccup and randomly rearranged our filing system, such as moving files from 2017 into different folders, etc. The DocuSign integration worked only about 30% of the time; in most cases, I would receive a file error and had to use directly to the DocuSign website, which completely undermined the purpose of this integration. I contacted customer service for each of these issues and received no assistance. Now, they require a minimum of two licenses regardless of whether one is operating as a single-member firm.