HCL Domino Reviews

Name: HCL Domino
Brand: HCLSoftware
Rating: 3.9 (21 reviews)

3.9 out of 5

21 reviews
80% willing to recommend

437 followers

What is HCL Domino?

HCL Domino (formerly IBM Domino) is a secure, enterprise-grade, application development platform. From IT to business, HCL Domino is the only low to pro-code application development platform that allows your business to build robust applications to solve workflow and process challenges fast. HCL Domino powers businesses around the world with 15,000 customers and 10 million apps built on our platform. HCL Domino has always been a secure, rock-solid, and proven solution.

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HCL Domino is the #18 ranked solution in top Rapid Application Development Software. PeerSpot users give HCL Domino an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. HCL Domino is most commonly compared to ServiceNow: HCL Domino vs ServiceNow. HCL Domino is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 49% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 14% of all views.

Helped 860,592 peers since 2012

Featured HCL Domino reviews

FrederickLim

Technical Service Manager at Top Level Corporation Limited

The initial setup is easy. You need to sign up. It depends on the scope. It will take longer if there are more than one or more applications. The project usually includes infrastructure and deployment may take anywhere from one month to six months. I rate the initial setup an eight out of ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy.

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Jason Levine

CEO, Senior Consultant, Collaboration Platforms at Indeo Oy

The solution facilitates our company's workflow automation needs since it is a platform that allows users to build whatever workflows they want. The product is used for application development in our organization for our customers, as we operate as consultants. The features of the product that I found to be beneficial for the productivity of my company's team stems from the fact that it can be integrated directly into HCL Notes email so that you can manage your workflows there, and you don't have to change contacts a go to a separate application to deal with a document approval process since it can be done directly from emails. HCL Domino is one of the leading products in the industry, so it is definitely ahead of the other tools in the market. In our company, some departments use HCL Domino for emails rather than other solutions because it is more secure. The tool has an impact on the management of sensitive data in our company. My only suggestion to those who plan to use HCL Domino is that they should not be daunted by the old UI it offers. The collaboration tool of HCL Domino has affected the internal communication processes in our organization. The collaboration tool of HCL Domino is something that the solution has been offering from the time it was introduced in the market as an expensive product. The impact or value on our company from the use of the product can be proven by the fact that with the solution, it is possible to automate processes or workflows while ensuring that there is consistency, lack of human errors, and efficiency. Earlier, I would have rated the tool eight out of ten. Presently, considering the increase in the number of integrations that the product allows and its movement to meet industry standards, I rate the overall tool a nine out of ten.

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Bogdan Chechlowski

Kierownik Biura Informatyki at EIB SA

I don't think it's a good platform to start using because it's not improving as it should. Overall, I would rate it a two out of ten. The main reason we decided to stop using Domino was its performance. We have big databases. Everything was very slow with our large databases and the customizations we added to make the solution more user-friendly. The performance was bad, especially in the last year. I would recommend it for security. The security architecture is very good. It's the best part of the solution.

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HCL Domino mindshare

As of July 2025, the mindshare of HCL Domino in the Rapid Application Development Software category stands at 0.6%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Rapid Application Development Software

PeerResearch reports based on HCL Domino reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Rapid Application Development Software	Jul 5, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jul 5, 2025	Download
Comparison	HCL Domino vs Microsoft Power Apps	Jul 5, 2025	Download
Comparison	HCL Domino vs ServiceNow	Jul 5, 2025	Download
Comparison	HCL Domino vs Oracle Application Express (APEX)	Jul 5, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
ServiceNow	4.2	10.5%	91%	222 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Power Apps	3.9	12.6%	94%	94 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

HCL Domino offers robust security, seamless integration with mobile solutions, and versatile installation across various operating systems. It supports both messaging and applications, with rapid development capabilities and encryption features ensuring a secure environment. Users appreciate its stability, workflow ease, and cost-effectiveness. The platform's hybrid nature allows use of web-based and client-based applications. Additional strengths include great support, multifactor authentication, and compatibility with numerous platforms, ensuring flexibility and comprehensive functionality.

"Overall, I would rate HCL Domino as eight out of ten. I would recommend HCL Domino and Notes applications for small and medium-sized companies since it offers a good return on investment."
"One valuable feature of HCL Domino is its integration with other directories."
"The email system is the most valuable feature."

Room for Improvement

HCL Domino users express dissatisfaction with its high cost and outdated interface, asking for a more modern and user-friendly UI. Performance issues, especially regarding speed and scalability, are common concerns. Users also seek better integration capabilities with third-party platforms, improved technical support, and enhanced security features. The need for a lightweight client version and better compatibility with Microsoft Outlook is frequently mentioned, alongside desires for simplified administrative tasks without server reboots.

"Many people are not very happy with its speed."
"The speed of the Notes client is an area that could be improved."
"Scalability needs to be improved to be on the level that's required. Support could also be enhanced."

ROI

ROI from HCL Domino varies among users. Some organizations experienced tangible returns, while others found it challenging to assess due to new deployments. Initial ROI is hard to calculate with minimal apps in use. Users express satisfaction with streamlined processes. In previous settings, some companies fully integrated Domino in managing essential operations like customer, supplier, and sales databases, as well as vacation and travel expenses, indicating significant utilization of HCL Domino in organizational processes.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating HCL Domino experience varied pricing opinions. Many consider it reasonable, with a typical cost of around $100-$105 per user annually. However, some find it costly compared to alternatives like Exchange and SharePoint. The yearly subscription includes updates and support, but concerns exist about its long-term ROI due to rising AMC costs. Pricing is often more suitable for large enterprises with a need for multiple licenses, while smaller organizations might find it less affordable.

"The license for Domino is yearly. The price is high."
"The pricing is individually determined. For us, in our current deployment, we pay $12.50 Canadian per month per user."
"While I don't have precise pricing information at hand, my understanding is that it tends to be on the higher end."

Popular Use Cases

HCL Domino is primarily used as an enterprise email platform and for developing diverse applications like HR management, CRM, and document management. It facilitates collaboration and workflow processes, serving as an interface with systems like Oracle Financials. Organizations utilize it for managing email, messaging, calendars, and workflows. It supports domain-specific frameworks for small applications and is integral to communication, application development, and deployment across wide-ranging operational systems including insurance, banking, and notary services.

Service and Support

Customer service is mixed, with some noting improvement is needed, while others appreciate same-day responses and dedicated representatives. Technical support generally receives positive feedback for being cooperative, responsive, and helpful, although some suggest the website's complexity could be an issue. Ratings range from 5 to 10 out of 10 for technical support, with reports of quick resolution and attentiveness in addressing issues. Occasional communication with HCL support proves efficient and satisfactory for various users.

Deployment

Many describe HCL Domino's initial setup as straightforward and quick, often completed in 10-15 minutes for those familiar with it. Some state it can be more complex for newcomers, especially compared to Microsoft Exchange. Technical proficiency influences deployment time, ranging from minutes to months. Users appreciate not needing Active Directory integration and find it user-friendly, though some face challenges with additional features and large systems.

Scalability

HCL Domino is widely considered scalable by users, with few concerns expressed about its ability to handle a large user base, including enterprises. Some users experience reliability issues with larger databases, while many rate scalability highly, some even ten out of ten. Despite occasional challenges, particularly with extensive data, its high scalability performance is highlighted, balancing well for both small and large user groups, yet some see room for improvement.

Stability

HCL Domino is highly stable according to users, with most giving it a stability rating of eight to ten out of ten. Many have experienced years of uninterrupted service with no major glitches, bugs, or downtime. Some encountered minor stability issues with large databases but still regard it as a reliable system. A few noted a decline in stability, rating it lower. Users appreciate its robustness and capability to operate without frequent restarts.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our HCL Domino Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Construction Company

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Retailer

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Healthcare Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Energy/Utilities Company

Media Company

Legal Firm

Hospitality Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Wireless Company

University

Performing Arts

Non Profit

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Program Development Consultancy

Compare HCL Domino with alternative products

Learn more about HCL Domino

Low cost of ownership - minimizing administration needs through automated installations, policies and monitoring helps staff focus on higher value tasks.
Minimized infrastructure - reducing costs by using less power, memory, data storage, network bandwidth and servers.
Rich application environment - supporting workflow-driven and people-oriented applications that help a wide variety of business operations deliver enhanced results.
Security-rich - helping protect your critical business assets. You can control information access, protect information and guarantee document authenticity.
High availability - featuring advanced clustering, replication, server fault recovery and automated diagnostic tools.

HCL Domino was previously known as IBM Lotus Domino, Lotus Domino.