Link copied to clipboard # Arena PLM & QMS vs MasterControl Quality Management System Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/arena-plm-qms/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/export.csv) Arena PLM & QMSMasterControl[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **Arena PLM & QMS** Free Trial **Contact Us** · Arena PLM Launch **MasterControl Quality Management System** **Contact Us** Per Year · Quality Excellence **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Arena PLM & QMS** 3 monthsFaster Based on 20 responses **MasterControl Quality Management System** 7 months Based on 15 responses Return on Investment **Arena PLM & QMS** 16 months Based on 13 responses **MasterControl Quality Management System** 16 months Based on 14 responses Perceived Cost **Arena PLM & QMS** $$$$$ **MasterControl Quality Management System** $$$$$ Average Discount **Arena PLM & QMS** 20%8% more **MasterControl Quality Management System** 12% ![Arena PLM & QMS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/08a5a9b57ded85f944279a72e01d11cb/arena-plm-qms.svg "Arena PLM & QMS") ![MasterControl Quality Management System](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_952e9aa4df0af1b0706297e2afcb725f/mastercontrol-quality-management-system.png "MasterControl Quality Management System") G2 offers free advice on this comparison. Chat with an expert How would you like to receive Software Advice? ![](/assets/advisor_router/laptop_form-f1a7012279826105416befde8d882ffc7589b1f9db09c93a1379d601cafe8e0d.svg) FormAnswer questions at your own pace, no call required. ![](/assets/advisor_router/ai_agent-4d78629a3ba354fed449a65c60df3a6f2eda90fb98411b711df4b25d7be52a38.svg) AI AgentChat live and get a recommendation in minutes. ![](/assets/advisor_router/phone_call_picker-c48821ec36f4182d8ee3e54cfbd3937500eec54d7b7e0cfb80dc80a8a733842f.svg) Phone CallTalk it through live with a software advisor. **Pros & Cons** from reviews **Arena PLM & QMS** [ Ease of Use (35) ](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1273084&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Document Management (17) ](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1273121&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Feature Limitations (10) ](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1272906&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Missing Features (10) ](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1275247&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **MasterControl Quality Management System** [ Ease of Use (129) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1738271&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Document Management (96) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1737107&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Learning Curve (47) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1737232&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Not Intuitive (47) ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1737803&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **Arena PLM & QMS** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_9fee325af54b7164fb0726a552801492/acumatica.png "Product Avatar Image") Acumatica ](https://www.g2.com/products/acumatica/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b11664c0283c06478a0d137dde3e4ccc/cadtalk.jpg "Product Avatar Image") CADTalk ](https://www.g2.com/products/cadtalk/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_22a85dbf8c16b06c18be73247d2850a3/cofactr.png "Product Avatar Image") Cofactr ](https://www.g2.com/products/cofactr/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_89f5e6430a9e891ee95e5e5cd87d1f7c/expandable-erp.png "Product Avatar Image") Expandable ERP ](https://www.g2.com/products/expandable-erp/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/integrations) **MasterControl Quality Management System** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_73e65ac99df620046769ab7c0388e836/elemental-machines.jpeg "Product Avatar Image") Elemental Machines ](https://www.g2.com/products/elemental-machines/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_861660987a504a5345b908f048b5c070/labguru-eln-lims.png "Product Avatar Image") Labguru ELN LIMS ](https://www.g2.com/products/labguru-eln-lims/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_51f0ac70fda48ca220f82654681f4f39/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence.png "Product Avatar Image") MasterControl Manufacturing... ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_cbdded440dd46c7dcb4debe3e10b5048/microsoft-sharepoint.png "Product Avatar Image") Microsoft SharePoint ](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sharepoint/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/integrations) Screenshots **Arena PLM & QMS** ![Arena PLM & QMS screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/125343/SCI-BOM-Risk-Subview.jpg) **MasterControl Quality Management System** ![MasterControl Quality Management System screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1275807/Training.png) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **Arena PLM & QMS** 8.6 8.6429 **MasterControl Quality Management System** 8.6 8.6442 Ease of Use **Arena PLM & QMS** 8.2 8.2436 **MasterControl Quality Management System** 7.8 7.8474 Ease of Setup **Arena PLM & QMS** 8.1 8.1236 **MasterControl Quality Management System** 7.6 7.6343 Ease of Admin **Arena PLM & QMS** 8.5 8.5148 **MasterControl Quality Management System** 8.1 8.1327 Quality of Support **Arena PLM & QMS** 8.5 8.5360 **MasterControl Quality Management System** 8.6 8.6441 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Arena PLM & QMS** 8.9 8.9148 **MasterControl Quality Management System** 8.8 8.8327 Product Direction (% positive) **Arena PLM & QMS** 8.5 8.5418 **MasterControl Quality Management System** 9.2 9.2428 **Features** ratings from reviews Quality Management (QMS) 8.1 125 7.8 335 Medical QMS 8.2 92 7.2 77 Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Not enough data 8.9 9 Electronic Trial Master File (eTMF) Not enough data 8.2 7 Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) 7.8 257 Not enough data Complaint Management Not enough data 7.5 9 User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 26.2% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 57.2% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 16.6% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 26.2% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 57.2% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 16.6% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 9.8% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 64.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 25.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 9.8% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 64.7% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 25.5% **Reviewers' Industry** [![Arena PLM & QMS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/08a5a9b57ded85f944279a72e01d11cb/arena-plm-qms.svg "Arena PLM & QMS")](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews) Arena PLM & QMS Medical Devices 34.6% Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing 10.7% Biotechnology 8.1% Mechanical or Industrial Engineering 5.6% Consumer Electronics 4.3% Other 36.8% [![MasterControl Quality Management System](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_952e9aa4df0af1b0706297e2afcb725f/mastercontrol-quality-management-system.png "MasterControl Quality Management System")](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews) MasterControl Quality Management System Pharmaceuticals 35.5% Medical Devices 25.5% Biotechnology 14.7% Hospital & Health Care 4.9% Manufacturing 4.0% Other 15.5% Alternatives **Arena PLM & QMS Alternatives** ![Propel](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1537468252/propel-propel.svg "Propel") [ Propel ](/products/propel-propel/reviews) ![Qualio](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/989edd615dfb84f85af09d42b2a45a5a/qualio.svg "Qualio") [ Qualio ](/products/qualio/reviews) ![Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5941a9432ebe44facaf9413366486f4d/octave-reliance-etq-reliance.svg "Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance)") [ Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance) ](/products/octave-reliance-etq-reliance/reviews) ![Greenlight Guru Quality Management System](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/caf5a7b58c7e47e88697fba4c7304a53/greenlight-guru-quality-management-system.svg "Greenlight Guru Quality Management System") [ Greenlight Guru Quality... ](/products/greenlight-guru-quality-management-system/reviews) **MasterControl Quality Management System Alternatives** ![Qualio](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/989edd615dfb84f85af09d42b2a45a5a/qualio.svg "Qualio") [ Qualio ](/products/qualio/reviews) ![Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5941a9432ebe44facaf9413366486f4d/octave-reliance-etq-reliance.svg "Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance)") [ Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance) ](/products/octave-reliance-etq-reliance/reviews) ![Greenlight Guru Quality Management System](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/caf5a7b58c7e47e88697fba4c7304a53/greenlight-guru-quality-management-system.svg "Greenlight Guru Quality Management System") [ Greenlight Guru Quality... ](/products/greenlight-guru-quality-management-system/reviews) ![Ideagen Quality Management](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d67ce15286f9c05cdb20f2a33577949d/ideagen-quality-management.svg "Ideagen Quality Management") [ Ideagen Quality Management ](/products/ideagen-quality-management/reviews) ## Arena PLM & QMS vs MasterControl FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between Arena PLM & QMS vs MasterControl? MasterControl stands out for its higher G2 rating and stronger reviewer-cited support, while Arena PLM & QMS is noted for its ease of use and setup. | [Arena PLM & QMS](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews) | [MasterControl](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.2/5 (464 reviews) | 4.3/5 (528 reviews) | | Mid-Market | Mid-Market | | 8.1 | 7.6 | | 8.5 | 8.6 | | Ease of Use (35 all-time mentions) | Ease of Use (115 all-time mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of Arena PLM & QMS and MasterControl compare? Reviewers consider MasterControl the stronger value, as reflected in its higher Price/Cost satisfaction score. - **Arena PLM & QMS:** In recent reviews, many cite high cost as a drawback, especially for small companies, with several wishing for a more affordable, barebones version. - **MasterControl:** Reviewers describe MasterControl as expensive, but satisfaction with value is higher, and the modular approach allows adding only needed features. - **Switching reasons:** Recent Arena PLM & QMS reviewers mention cost as a reason for considering alternatives, while MasterControl reviewers highlight the ability to select modules as a value driver. ### What are the best alternatives to Arena PLM & QMS and MasterControl? The top 3 alternatives to Arena PLM & QMS and MasterControl are Qualio, Propel, and Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance). | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Arena PLM & QMS](https://www.g2.com/products/arena-plm-qms/reviews) | 4.2/5 (464 reviews) | Mid-Market | High cost cited as a drawback in recent reviews | Ease of Use (35 all-time mentions) | | [MasterControl](https://www.g2.com/products/mastercontrol-quality-management-system/reviews) | 4.3/5 (528 reviews) | Mid-Market | Expensive but modular, higher value satisfaction | Ease of Use (115 all-time mentions) | | [Qualio](https://www.g2.com/products/qualio/reviews) | 4.4/5 (781 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Quality Management | | [Propel](https://www.g2.com/products/propel-propel/reviews) | 4.3/5 (146 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Configurability | | [Octave Reliance (ETQ Reliance)](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-reliance-etq-reliance/reviews) | 4.3/5 (624 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-Grade Compliance | ### Which Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) features should I prioritize when comparing Arena PLM & QMS and MasterControl? Buyers should prioritize Document Management, Workflow Automation, Integration Capabilities, Customizability, and Compliance Support when comparing Arena PLM & QMS and MasterControl. - **Document Management:** Arena PLM & QMS (17 all-time mentions), MasterControl (87 all-time mentions) - **Workflow Automation:** Arena PLM & QMS (Structured workflows cited in recent reviews), MasterControl (Automated routing and workflow, 40 all-time QMS Management mentions) - **Integration Capabilities:** Arena PLM & QMS (SOLIDWORKS: 10 all-time mentions, Onshape: 5), MasterControl (Integrations: 30 all-time mentions) - **Customizability:** Arena PLM & QMS (Configurable fields and processes cited in recent reviews), MasterControl (Customizability: 30 all-time mentions) - **Compliance Support:** Arena PLM & QMS (Standards & Regulations feature), MasterControl (Audit readiness and compliance, 40 all-time QMS Management mentions) ### What are the pros and cons of Arena PLM & QMS vs MasterControl? Arena PLM & QMS is strongest in ease of use, while MasterControl leads in document management and compliance features. - **Arena PLM & QMS strengths:** Ease of Use (35 all-time mentions), intuitive interface, strong document management, and efficient BOM management. - **Arena PLM & QMS trade-offs:** High cost for small companies, feature limitations (10 all-time mentions), and search functionality issues (7 all-time mentions). - **MasterControl strengths:** Document Management (87 all-time mentions), training management (65), compliance and audit readiness, high customizability (30), and integrations (30). - **MasterControl trade-offs:** Not intuitive for some users (43 all-time mentions), learning curve (42), high cost, and module complexity. ### Is Arena PLM & QMS or MasterControl better for small businesses? Arena PLM & QMS is a better fit for small businesses based on reviewer sentiment and market segment alignment. - **Arena PLM & QMS:** Largest segment is Mid-Market, but recent reviews from small companies highlight ease of setup and use, despite cost concerns. - **MasterControl:** Largest segment is Mid-Market, and recent reviews note that high cost and modular pricing can be prohibitive for small businesses. ### Which Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform has better integrations? MasterControl is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions and broader tool coverage. - **Arena PLM & QMS:** SOLIDWORKS (10 all-time mentions), Onshape (5 all-time mentions), with recent reviews noting limited open integrations and paywalls. - **MasterControl:** Integrations (30 all-time mentions), with reviewers highlighting integration options and frequent updates to integration capabilities. ### How do Arena PLM & QMS and MasterControl compare on customer support? MasterControl and Arena PLM & QMS are at parity on Quality of Support, with scores of 8.6 and 8.5 respectively, below the materiality threshold. - **Arena PLM & QMS:** Reviewers describe support as responsive and helpful, with 9 all-time mentions, though some cite occasional delays and limited customization support. - **MasterControl:** Reviewers highlight strong customer support (29 all-time mentions), structured training, and prompt issue resolution, with some noting slow response times for complex issues. ### Which is easier to implement, Arena PLM & QMS or MasterControl? Arena PLM & QMS and MasterControl are at near-parity on Ease of Setup, with scores of 8.1 and 7.6, indicating similar implementation experiences. - **Arena PLM & QMS:** Reviewers frequently cite quick and user-friendly setup, minimal IT overhead, and guided onboarding, though some mention a learning curve for advanced features. - **MasterControl:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward, especially with vendor support, but note that configuration and training are important for successful rollout, with some complexity for regulated industries. ### Which product has better Workflows? MasterControl is favored for Workflows, with more reviewer-cited strengths and higher all-time mention counts for workflow-related features. - **Arena PLM & QMS:** Structured workflows and traceability are cited in recent reviews, with 9 all-time Product Lifecycle Management mentions and 8 Tracking Efficiency mentions. - **MasterControl:** Automated routing, electronic approvals, and workflow customization are highlighted in recent reviews, with 40 all-time QMS Management mentions and 44 Features mentions.