Creative Agency Software: Ashore vs. File Stage

We know — Ashore is amazing.
But no matter how phenomenal we are, it’s always healthy to survey the field and make sure our creative agency software continues to meet the mark. Today, we are doing just that with a design proofing tool out of Germany called Filestage.

Filestage is among one of the more expensive project approval tools on the market, while Ashore is among the cheapest — offering an enterprise plan that is half the price of Filestage’s starter plan. Do the differences only begin there, or are these two creative agency software programs more alike than different?

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The Criteria

To analyze Ashore and Filestage, we will focus on five areas: documentation, collaboration, feedback, customization, and automation.

Before we dig into the details, let’s define what each of these areas means in terms of creative agency software and the design approval process.

Documentation

For creatives, an organized and well-catalogued design process — especially when it comes to communicating with approvers — is incredibly important and difficult to achieve manually. Creative agency software that truly has creatives in mind will make sure everything is documented and organized for each project. This includes all the versions of a design, the comments made by each approver, and the timeline of correspondence.

Collaboration

In a creative agency, collaboration is invaluable to a project’s design, approval, and completion. The right software enables creatives and approvers to collaborate in real time wherever they are. For this to work, collaboration has to be built into the UX — users need the ability to organize a workflow and approver input should come with as few obstacles as possible.

Feedback

Giving and receiving feedback on a proof can be where the approval process falls apart if done inefficiently. Creatives and approvers often don’t speak the same language, and feedback can become muddled through long email chains. A well-designed creative agency software makes this process easier by providing contextual feedback directly onto the proof.

Customization

Creative agency software should allow you to customize the platform. Approvers may be internal team members or external clients. Regardless, they need to know the origin of the correspondence. Customization creates a polished, professional appearance that inspires confidence.

Automation

The creative process has a lot of moving parts. From multiple versions to feedback and approvals, it’s easy to let something slip. Automation in creative agency software streamlines the process, from approval workflows to reminders, making the system more efficient.

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Ashore vs. Filestage

Documentation

Filestage:
The dashboard lists your projects and their review status. You can upload multiple versions per project, with all feedback compiled into a to-do list. Comments can be exported as a PDF. However, Filestage does not display a timeline showing specific proof activities (e.g., when reviewers completed steps or versions were uploaded).

Ashore:
A proofing timeline clearly shows when actions are taken — from sending the original version, to approvals, to sending new versions. Ashore groups all related versions and documents together, tracks proof status from start to finish, and highlights overdue items or those needing attention.

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Collaboration

Filestage:
Allows clients and coworkers to review without creating an account or installing software. Workflow creation is less streamlined, and workflows cannot be saved for reuse. You can post review links in email or Slack.

Ashore:
Provides fast, organized collaboration with approval workflows that control who sees a proof and when. Workflows can be sent to all approvers at once for egalitarian review or saved for reuse on future projects. No account creation or software installation is needed for approvers.

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Feedback

Filestage:
Reviewers can leave contextual feedback on documents, images, videos, and audio files. Tools include arrows, boxes, and scribbles, and reviewers can attach files. Comments can be replied to and resolved.

Ashore:
Approvers can pinpoint exactly what needs attention using rectangles and arrows, paired with comments for clarity. Replies and resolutions keep conversations inside Ashore, reducing email clutter.

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Customization

Filestage:
Allows you to add your logo so email notifications and review files are branded with your identity.

Ashore:
Fully white-labeled so notifications look like they come from your agency. Users can create custom email signatures to maintain unique branding and identity.

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Automation

Filestage:
Does not automate reminders — you must follow up manually with reviewers who haven’t responded. Proofs are automatically sent to specified reviewers.

Ashore:
Automates proof delivery and follow-ups. Moves proofs through workflows automatically when each stage is approved. Sends reminders to reviewers on your chosen schedule, freeing creatives for more important tasks.

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Verdict

Ashore and Filestage are both excellent programs for creatives, each with similar and unique features. Filestage offers attachment uploads in comments, while Ashore automates follow-ups to keep the process moving.

The most significant difference is price:

• Ashore: Lowest-tier paid plan is $12/month
• Filestage: Starts at $89/month

A creative agency, team, or freelancer should consider their priorities when choosing software.

If you think Ashore has everything you need in a creative agency software, sign up for free today and see for yourself.