With paper contracts and other business documents generally going the way of the stone tablet, it's time to embrace a good eSignature tool as part of your sales technology stack.
With countless products and endless integrations, the field is getting extremely crowded. To find the best tool for your use case, we've rounded up seven of the best tools available today to meet any need and house your digital documents for signature:
- Qwilr
- DropboxSign
- DocuSign
- PandaDoc
- pdfFiller
- Formstack
- Oneflow
The best eSign software at a glance
| E-Signature Software | Starting Price (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Qwilr | $35 / user / month | B2B sales teams |
| DropboxSign | $19 / month | Small budgets |
| DocuSign | $15 / month | Freelancers |
| PandaDoc | $35 / seat / month | Solo sellers |
| pdfFiller | $8 / month | Basic document signing |
| Formstack | $99 / month | Healthcare |
| Oneflow | $20 / user / month | Contracting |
*prices as of August 2024
How do you choose the right eSign solution?
Selecting the optimal e-sign solution is crucial for streamlining workflows and enhancing security. These are the features that we used to benchmarked the top eSign solutions and what you should consider when making your choice:
Core Features:
- Legal Compliance: Ensure the solution adheres to local, national, and international e-signature laws (e.g., ESIGN, UETA, GDPR). You want to have legally binding electronic signatures where needed.
- Security: Prioritize robust encryption, authentication, and data protection measures to safeguard sensitive information.
- Ease of Use: Opt for a user-friendly interface that requires minimal training for both senders and recipients.
- Document Compatibility: Verify compatibility with a wide range of file formats (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.) to accommodate diverse document types.
- Integration Capabilities: Look for seamless integration with your existing systems (CRM, ERP, email) to optimize efficiency.
- Number of documents per month or per user: Ensure the solution you select can accommodate the number of documents you need. Unlimited documents is a good target for large enterprises or those who send a lot of documents for signature.
Additional Features to consider:
- Audit Trails: Consider digital signature software that can provide detailed records of document creation, signing, and access for compliance reasons and dispute resolution.
- Mobile Friendly: Ensure the platform functions seamlessly on mobile devices for on-the-go signing and approvals.
- Custom Branding: Explore options to personalize the eSignature experience with your company's branding elements.
- Advanced Features: Evaluate more sophisticated features like electronic signature templates, integrations and workflows, bulk sending options, and advanced reporting and analytics based on your specific needs.
The 7 best e-signature software tools in 2024
We included e-signature software for every type of business need in the list below. Consider an all-in-one solution or a basic eSign platform to get the job done.
1. Qwilr: Best for B2B sales teams
For busy B2B sales teams, having their eSignature solution be included in the same software that they use for their proposals and sales presentations is key. That is why we've worked to make Qwilr a one-stop shop. We've included templates for key sales documents and the ability to have prospects and customers sign on the dotted line within our tool.
You can create engaging web-based proposals to capture your buyer’s attention, outline the details in a plain-text agreement and seal the deal with a legally compliant signature. All in one place.
Primary use cases: Qwilr is primarily used to create sales and marketing documents, including presentations, proposals, collateral, and legally binding agreements.
Standout features
- Real-time analytics: give sellers insights into when electronic documents are reviewed and signed. It's easy to see who viewed documents, how much time they've spent, where they're viewing from, and set up real-time alerts for views and signatures
- Robust template library: for all types of documents, including those that may require a digital signature
- Notifications: receive notifications when your document is viewed, accepted or engaged with
- Dynamic web-based proposals: create engaging and on-brand sales proposals that stand out
- Print-friendly agreements: for formal contracts and policies
- Pre-filled forms: Pre-fill the names of who needs to sign and what signatures are pending
- Legally compliant signatures: Signatures captured through Qwilr are legally compliant and secure with a stored audit trail
- Integrations: for fully automating workflows, Qwilr integrates with both popular CRMs and payment processors like QuickBooks and Stripe
- 24/7 Customer support: there when you need them. Qwilr offers email support 24/7 (with limited availability on the weekend)
- Business: $35 USD per user / month
- Enterprise: $59 USD per user / month
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Engaging and customizable web page proposals | Documentation is web-based, not pdfs |
| Easy implementation and use | Own documents can only be embedded, not uploaded |
| All in-one system for quotes, proposals, contracts and e-signing | No customer chat available |
2. DropboxSign (formerly HelloSign): Best for small budgets
Having a smaller budget for technology doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the benefits an electronic signature app offers. DropboxSign is great for existing Dropbox users and those looking for a no-fuss e-signature platform.
Primary use cases: Primarily used as an eSignature tool, but can also be used to create mobile-friendly forms.
Standout features
- Automated reminders
- Tracking & analytics: to track responses and send reminders so document owners can easily follow up
- Mobile-friendly signing
- Integrations: MicrosoftWord, Sharepoint, Google Drive, and CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot but only at the standard (small team) level and beyond. Individual users do not have access to integrations
- Customer support: all customers have access to email and chat support, but premium users will have more options for support depending on their package
Pricing
- Essentials: $19.99 USD / month
- Business: $18 USD per user / month
- Business Plus: $30 USD per user / month
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Intuitive interface | Can't edit forms post submission |
| Wealth of training documents | Edit limitations on uploaded templates |
| Reminder notifications | Limited formatting features |
3. DocuSign: Best for freelancers and independent consultants
With over a billion users, lots of integrations, and room to grow as you scale your business, DocuSign is a solid choice for independent consultants and freelancers who need an e-signature tool.
Primary use cases: If the name isn't a dead giveaway, DocuSign is primarily used to collect document signatures.
Standout features
- Reusable templates: prebuilt templates for common scenarios, such as mutual NDAs and statements of work
- Omni-device support: send and receive signatures on almost any device, including with SMS and on WhatsApp
- Reminders and notifications: as documents move through the signing process.
- Integrations: Integrates with other tools most freelancers or consultants use like Google Drive, Microsoft, Dropbox, and box.
- Customer support: DocuSign offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and chat.
Pricing
- Personal: $15 USD / month
- Standard: $45 USD per user / month
- Business pro: $65 USD per user / month
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | Expensive compared to other tools |
| Collaborative review features | Can't edit forms post submission |
| Multiple signer option | Slow document load time |
4. PandaDoc: Best for sales teams of one
If you're a solo seller and need to send out NDAs, agreements, contracts, or terms & conditions regularly. PandaDoc may be the right solution to meet your needs.
Primary use cases: While PandaDoc can be used to create and send a variety of documents. The options for embedding interactive elements is excluded so you're limited to text which generally works fine for contracts.
Standout features
- Notary on Demand service: if you need a document notarized, and quickly
- Templates gallery: includes proposals, general business documents, quotes, invoices and agreements.
- Tracking & analytics: See when documents are viewed and signed
- Integrations: The sky's the limit and sellers can integrate workflows with Zapier. One word of warning if you're new to Zaps, PandaDoc doesn't have any direct or native integrations.
- Customer support: PandaDoc offers customer support, but users have noted that they struggle with the information they receive when it comes to more technical questions.
Pricing
- Starter: $35 USD seat cost / month
- Business: $65 USD seat cost / month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User-friendly interface | Limited pricing table controls |
| Completed documents library | Limited automations |
| Extensive versatility | Clunky interface aesthetic |
5. pdfFiller: Basic document signing
pdfFiller is a basic solution for document signing without the bells and whistles of an all-in-one contract management platform. For people who don't need a robust document automation tool, consider pdfFiller to meet your basic document needs.
Primary use cases: This tool is primarily used to fill out or sign forms and other paperwork electronically.
Standout features
- PDF filler: Users can sign, fill in or draw on their PDFs and email or fax them to other users
- Alert notifications: receive alerts when signatures are in place
- Integrations: Integrates with Salesforce, Dynamics and Zapier
- Customer support: Available through a chat functionality that triages users to the right support team member
Pricing
- Basic for Enterprise: $8 USD / month
- Premium for Enterprise: $15 USD / month
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile form editing | Limited offline capabilities |
| Affordability | Learning curve for advanced features |
| Autofill features | Limited integrations |
6. Formstack Sign: Best for Healthcare
With functionality to collect information that meets the compliance standards of HIPAA in a secure manner, Formstack sign can be used to create and share forms as well as for e-signatures.
Primary use cases: Can be used in a variety of industries, but boasts HIPAA compliance so it is the best solution for healthcare businesses.
Standout features
- Drag and drop fields: to create and customize documents
- Auto-reminders: send text and email reminders to signers
- Templates: Their robust template library has 368 templates to help users get started.
- Tracking & analytics: Features the ability to use UTM parameters and add Google analytics to forms. Built in analytics capabilities allows users to create custom reports based on data collected
- Integrations: Boasts over 260 integrations to fully automate workflows. These integrations include CRMs, email marketing platforms and payment processors.
- Customer support: Loads of resources are available in the support center. Or, customers can contact support with specific questions.
Pricing
- Forms: $99 USD / month
- Suite: $299 USD / month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-in-one pricing plans | Expensive compared to other tools |
| Ability to cc parties who need signed document copy | Unable to insert a Notary Seal |
| Reminder notifications | Limited field and heading text formatting |
7. Oneflow: Best for contracting
If your sole focus is contracting, Oneflow might be the right e-signature solution for your business. It brings together everything you need to prepare contracting documents for signature.
Primary use cases: Creating and getting contracts signed.
Standout features:
- Organized contract process: pre signing, signature and post signature phases. It can help users better organize their contracts and contracting documents
- Electronic identification: adds an extra layer of security
- SMS verification: for identity verification
- Templates: The software allows users to build out a template library
- Tracking & analytics: Provides a calendar view of all contracts and their life cycles Users can also get alerts around key dates like expirations and contract renewals.
- Integrations: Integrates with HR systems, CRMs and other tools used in the contracting process
Pricing:
- Essentials: $20 USD per user / month
- Business: $54 USD per user / month
- Enterprise: Contact sales
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Robust security features | Limited customization features |
| Intuitive and easy to use | Template limitations |
| PDF uploads | Unable to draw signature |
Benefits of e-signature software
Drives efficiency
There are many ways that eSignature software can drive efficiency. First is that it eliminates some of the back and forth with emailed PDFs, or worse, envelopes of physical paper. It can also show salespeople a list of all the documents they have outstanding and which have been viewed, opened or signed. No more digging through emails or checking tracking, the information is updated in real time and always available.
Reduces paperwork
Using electronic signature software and collecting digital signatures instead of physical can reduce paperwork and the need for physical files. This can save space and allow people to work from anywhere.
Being a digital nomad is a lot easier when you don't have to constantly remember where you left your files.
Lower operational costs and increased revenue
When implementing e-signature software correctly, you can expect to see your operational costs decrease, and your revenue increase. This is because e-signature software takes less time and resources to administer and execute than paper signatures and it also allows prospects to sign whenever they're ready. Which reduces friction and increases sales volume, along with that revenue.
Choose the right e-signature software for your business
Bringing the document signing process into specific software designed to collect electronic signatures is now table stakes for doing business. From automated alerts to environmental impacts there are many benefits to using signature software.
Want to keep all of your documents in one place and make it easier for prospects and customers to sign on the electronic dotted line? Try Qwilr today and see how much time you can get back to focus on other aspects of your business.
About the author
Marissa Taffer|Founder & President of M. Taffer Consulting
Marissa Taffer is the Founder & President of M. Taffer Consulting. She brings over 15 years of sales and marketing experience across various industries to a broad range of clients.
