Shelf
Shelf is an enterprise knowledge management platform that turns documents, files, and other sources into structured information for people and AI.
What Shelf is
Shelf is an enterprise knowledge management platform that turns documents, files, and other sources into structured information for people and AI. Its tools support managing, governing, creating, finding, and using organizational knowledge. Shelf Cortex structures information, adds business context, applies governance, and continuously identifies knowledge-quality issues. Cortex as a Service places that data layer beneath an application or AI experience a team already owns. Listed connectors include SharePoint, Salesforce Knowledge, Confluence, Notion, ServiceNow, and Intercom. Shelf describes its architecture as API-first and provides Python and Node SDKs, with access through web and API platforms. It states SOC 2 Type II certification, TLS 1.2+ for data in transit, AES-256 encryption at rest, SSO, SCIM, and granular user-group permissions. Its Trust Center lists several compliance areas, including GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and the EU AI Act. Data residency requirements are stated for the US, EU, and Canada. Enterprise pricing is custom.
Good
- Structures enterprise knowledge with business context
- Offers connectors for major knowledge systems
- Provides Python and Node SDKs
- Supports SSO, SCIM, and granular permissions
- States US, EU, and Canada data residency
Watch out
- Enterprise pricing requires a quote
- Web features require WebSocket support
- Firewall must allow WebSocket connections
- Content sync is scheduled
Who it suits
Shelf targets business and knowledge-management teams through its AI Knowledge Management offering. Its AI Data Layer and SDKs are aimed at technical teams building on existing applications or AI experiences.
Verdict
Shelf combines knowledge governance, contextual processing, and developer access for enterprise use. Its integrations and stated security controls support varied deployments, while technical teams should check WebSocket and custom-pricing requirements.
Plans and prices
From Shelf's own pricing page, checked 10 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Priced on request | Custom pricing; contact Shelf for a quote |
The facts
Each one read from Shelf's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access controls
- Shelf lists SSO and SCIM support and granular user group based permissions.checked 10 Oct 2026
- AI data layer
- Cortex as a Service is for teams that want Shelf Cortex beneath an application or AI experience they already own.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Audience
- Shelf describes AI Knowledge Management as serving business and knowledge-management teams, and its AI Data Layer as serving technical teams.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Shelf’s Trust Center lists SOC 2, PCI DSS SAQ A, GDPR, CCPA, EU AI Act, NIST CSF 2.0, and HIPAA under compliance.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Cortex processing
- Shelf Cortex structures information, adds business context, applies governance, and continuously identifies knowledge quality issues.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Data residency
- Shelf says its data residency requirements are met for the US, EU, and Canada.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Developer access
- Shelf describes its architecture as API-first and lists Python and Node SDKs.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The integrations page lists connectors including SharePoint, Salesforce Knowledge, Confluence, Notion, ServiceNow, and Intercom.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Knowledge management
- Shelf provides tools to manage, govern, create, find, and use enterprise knowledge.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Product
- Shelf turns enterprise documents, files, and other knowledge sources into structured, contextualized information for people and AI.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Security
- Shelf’s technology page states that it is SOC 2 Type II certified and uses TLS 1.2+ in transit and AES-256 encryption at rest.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Support
- Shelf’s Salesforce app guide directs customers to their Shelf Account Manager or [email protected] for assistance.checked 10 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Browser requirement
- Shelf’s web-based features require WebSocket support, and the organization’s firewall must allow it.checked 10 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2017checked 28 Sep 2026
Alternatives to Shelf
- 1

ProProfs Knowledge Base
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From $0.99 a month - 2

Korra
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.1From $199 a month - 3

Scribe
Free planWebAPIExtensionmacOS7.9From $17 a month - 4

GitBook
Free planWebAPI7.6From $65 a month - 5

Slite
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.5From $120 a year - 6

Conveyor
Free planWebAPIExtension7.4From $9,600 a year
