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From my point of view, electronic signature software has evolved into a technology that is absolutely necessary for modern enterprises. By enabling us to collect signatures electronically, it has completely eradicated the need to deal with physical documentation, which has resulted in a revolution in the way that we manage document signing. By doing so, not only is time saved, but also the possibility of errors and the loss of documents is decreased.
The capability of e-signature software to safely send legally sensitive documents for electronic signatures is among the most significant advantages of this type of software. For the purpose of collecting signatures from customers, workers, or partners, e-signature software offers a convenient and effective method. This software can be used for a variety of purposes, including sales contracts, employment documentation, and partnership agreements.
E-signature software, on the other hand, frequently interfaces without any problems with other critical business program, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, human resource management suites, and accounting software. Several activities, such as the management of quotes and contracts, interactions with suppliers, and overall document workflow, are simplified as a result of this integration.
What is Electronic Signature?
A computer copy of a person’s agreement that is meant to be the same as a “wet” signature is called an electronic signature. There are a number of ways to use electronic signatures on a digital document to show that the person intends to sign it and gives permission to do so online. These people do this by collecting information online about all the signing events and making an audit trail that is cryptographically sealed to make sure the document is real, can’t be changed, and is complete.
Best E-Signature Software Comparison Table
Want to sign your papers electronically but don’t know which software is the best? As people get used to working from home and using computers, businesses are getting rid of paper documents in favour of new, more efficient ways to read and sign them.
Feature | Adobe Acrobat Sign | DocuSign | PandaDoc | signNow | SignRequest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Primary Focus | E-signatures & PDF editing | E-signatures | Document creation & e-signatures | E-signatures | E-signatures |
Pricing | Starts at $23/month per user | Starts at $10/month per user | Starts at $19/month per user | Starts at $8/month per user | Starts at $9/month per user |
Free Plan | Yes, limited features | Yes, limited features | Yes, limited features | Yes, limited features | Yes, limited features |
Document Editing | Advanced PDF editing features | Basic PDF editing | Built-in document editor | Basic PDF editing | Limited PDF editing |
Document Templates | Pre-built templates available | Extensive library of templates | Large library of templates | Pre-built templates available | Limited templates |
Integrations | Integrates with various Adobe & other tools | Wide range of integrations | Integrations with Google Drive, Salesforce, etc. | Integrates with Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. | Limited integrations |
Best E-Signature Software
Our team of professional testers has checked out the best eSignature software. As part of our review process, we looked at success in all areas, from making documents to monitoring and reporting to signing and finishing files. We’ve talked about setup and the interface, as well as third-party integrations and page layout options, whether you’re just signing something once or handling work across internal and external teams and departments.
Adobe Acrobat Sign
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Electronic Signatures | Allows users to electronically sign documents |
Document Tracking | Track the status of documents in real-time |
Mobile Compatibility | Access and sign documents on mobile devices |
Integration | Integrates with various platforms and apps |
Adobe Acrobat Sign is an important part of the Adobe Document Cloud ecosystem. It stands out because it has a lot of features and works well with Microsoft program and other popular business tools. Utilising Adobe Acrobat Sign at work, I’ve discovered that its powerful features have been very helpful in making our document handling more efficient. Its seamless integration with Microsoft apps has greatly improved the efficiency of our work flow, making it easier for people from different areas to work together and talk to each other.
The Good
- Established brand with a wide user base
- Robust integration options
- User-friendly interface
The Bad
- Higher pricing compared to some competitors
- Some advanced features may require additional subscriptions
DocuSign
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Electronic Signatures | Securely sign documents electronically |
Workflow Automation | Streamline document approval processes |
Templates | Create reusable document templates |
Audit Trails | Maintain detailed records of document activities |
DocuSign was one of the first companies to offer electronic signatures. It is known for having an easy-to-use layout and strong security measures. Based on my own experiences,
I can say that DocuSign’s easy-to-use platform has made signing documents simple for a wide range of users, from individuals to big businesses. Its strict security measures have given us peace of mind and given our team confidence when handling sensitive documents, making sure we meet regulatory standards.
The Good
- Industry leader with a strong reputation
- Extensive features for business use
- Compliance with various regulations
The Bad
- Higher cost, especially for advanced plans
- Learning curve for complex workflows
PandaDoc
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Document Creation | Create professional-looking documents easily |
E-signatures | Electronically sign and send documents securely |
Analytics | Track document engagement and performance |
Collaboration | Collaborate on documents in real-time |
PandaDoc stands out as a unique solution because it combines e-signatures with tools for making proposals and documents, providing a complete workflow solution. Through my experiences with PandaDoc, I can say that it really does make it easier to make, send, and sign deals.
Because it works so well for businesses like ours that focus on making sales and proposals, PandaDoc has become an important tool for us to use to increase output and efficiency.
The Good
- Intuitive document creation tools
- Competitive pricing for small to medium-sized businesses
- Good selection of templates
The Bad
- Limited integration options compared to some competitors
- Some advanced features only available in higher-tier plans
signNow
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Document Signing | Sign documents electronically |
Document Templates | Utilize pre-made templates for common documents |
Mobile App | Sign documents on the go with mobile app |
Audit Trails | Track document history and changes |
signNow has been a good choice for both people and small businesses because it is easy to use and doesn’t cost a lot of money. I’ve liked how simple signNow’s method to e-signatures is, which fits perfectly with our need for simplicity and low cost. It’s easy to use and doesn’t cost a lot of money, which makes it a good choice for us. It lets us collaborate and sign documents without any problems.
The Good
- Simple and straightforward interface
- Affordable pricing plans
- Robust mobile app functionality
The Bad
- Less comprehensive feature set compared to industry leaders
- Limited customization options for templates
SignRequest
Feature | Description |
---|---|
E-signatures | Sign documents digitally with ease |
Document Templates | Access a library of pre-made document templates |
Audit Trails | Keep track of document history and actions |
Custom Branding | Brand documents with company logos and colors |
With a free tier and reasonable prices, SignRequest is great for people who want to save money while still getting important e-signature features. From my own experience with SignRequest, I can say that it is dedicated to being affordable without sacrificing important features.
For people like us who want to sign documents quickly and cheaply, SignRequest is a great option because it strikes a good mix between features and cost-effectiveness.
The Good
- Affordable pricing with a free tier available
- Easy to use, suitable for individuals and small businesses
- Strong emphasis on security and compliance
The Bad
- Lack of advanced features compared to larger competitors
- Limited integration options with other software platforms
Key Features to Look for in E-Signature Software
When choosing e-signature software, make sure it has these important benefits to make sure it meets your needs:
- Quality and Safety: Select e-signature software that follows rules and standards set by organisations like eIDAS, ESIGN, and GDPR. To keep sensitive papers safe and make sure they are legal, make sure the software has strong security features like encryption, authentication, audit trails that can’t be changed, and compliance certifications.
- Easy to Use: Pick e-signature software that has a simple design and features that make the process of e-signing faster for both the sender and the signer. To make it easier for people to use and adopt, look for features like drag-and-drop document upload, customisable signing processes, and guided signing experiences.
- Integration Options: Look at how well the e-signature software works with the other tools and systems you already have, like efficiency tools, document management systems, CRM platforms, cloud storage services, and e-signatures. To make document workflows and data sharing easier, look for software that has APIs, connectors, and seamless integrations.
- Options for Customisation: Look for e-signature software that lets you change how e-signing works, how it looks, and who can use it. To make the software fit your company’s brand and workflow, look for features like white-labeling, custom branding, and user jobs and permissions that can be changed.
- Mobile Compatibility: Make sure that the e-signature software works with smartphones and computers and that signing documents on these devices is easy. To help mobile users, look for native mobile apps, responsive web interfaces, and tools like the ability to upload documents, capture signatures, and sign documents while not online.
- Document Management: Before you buy e-signature software, make sure it has document management features like version control, document templates, and store options for your documents. Make sure that the software lets you easily and safely store, look for, and get back signed documents within the platform.
- Workflow Automation: Pick e-signature software with workflow automation features to make it easier to send documents, get approvals, and get alerts. To save time and effort, look for features like automated reminders, sequential or parallel signing workflows, conditional logic, and workflow templates. These can help you automate chores that you do over and over again.
- Audit Trail and Compliance Reporting: Look at how well the e-signature software can keep an audit trail and report on compliance. Make sure the software has full audit trails, time-stamped signatures, and thorough audit logs so you can keep track of document history, signer actions, and legal and regulatory compliance.
Questions and Answers
DocuSign is probably the best and least expensive choice for small businesses or people who work alone. When it comes to compliance, none of Adobe’s cheaper plans for small teams are as good as Adobe Sign, which is only offered as a business or enterprise plan.
It’s free to use DocuSign and sign as many papers as you want. You can also easily get to all the papers you’ve signed from DocuSign’s safe cloud storage.