The business world is becoming increasingly digital. A growing number of transactions and business interactions are taking place online, which has led to an increased need for electronic signature software.
While the primary purpose of e-signature software is to give and receive legally binding signatures remotely, the best tools offer features that go far beyond that. Two of the top options in the space, HelloSign, and DocuSign, offer impressive solutions for both small businesses and larger enterprises.
When you compare HelloSign (recently renamed as Dropbox Sign) vs DocuSign, which one stands on top?
Read on to learn more about these document processing platforms and what they can offer your business.
HelloSign (Dropbox Sign) Overview
Now known as DropBox Sign, HelloSign is a tool for providing and collecting electronic signatures. It’s owned by Dropbox, a file-hosting company that provides cloud storage and document management services.
HelloSign is a document management system that provides users with everything they need to sign documents and contracts online. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, affordable pricing, and customization options.
With HelloSign, it’s possible to sign on both desktops and mobile devices, including tablets and smart phones. It also offers electronic fax and digital workflow solutions that make it easier to track documents awaiting signature.
HelloSign signatures can function as a replacement in person signing. All signatures are legally binding and include an audit trail that time-stamps and tracks user actions.
DocuSign Overview
DocuSign launched in 2003, making it one of the oldest platforms for collecting legally binding electronic signatures. It’s currently the leading e signature platform.
Using the platform makes it easy to provide signatures and collect signatures from others. DocuSign provides an easy-to-access audit trail that allows users to keep track of all documents signed.
DocuSign allows users to upload document templates in many common formats, including PDF and Microsoft Word. It has its own mobile app and is fully compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
The goal of DocuSign is to accelerate and simplify business interactions. It’s currently used by millions of people in more than 180 countries.
HelloSign vs DocuSign: How Do They Compare?
Both HelloSign and DocuSign allow users to create documents, request electronic signatures, and track documents throughout the signing process. Audit tools enable users to verify signers and validate documents as they’re signed.
While there are many similarities between these two products, there are also notable differences to consider. From varying features to different pricing plans, comparing HelloSign vs DocuSign in key categories can help you find the best option for your business.
Signing Process
Whether you choose to use HelloSign or DocuSign, document workflow is built into the signing process.
After you log into HelloSign, you’ll be asked to specify who is signing a document. If you’re providing a signature, HelloSign will use the electronic signature that you’ve created. When a document is being signed by someone else, your information will be kept out of the document.
Once you’ve specified who’s doing the signing, you’ll be invited to upload and prepare the document. A drag-and-drop editor allows you to add and place signature fields. When you’re finished, you can make a signature request.
Logging into DocuSign will bring up an on-screen prompt asking you to upload the document that requires a signature. When you’re signing the document, you’ll be able to quickly apply your electonic signature. If you’re making a signature request, you’ll be asked to specify the number of people signing and add signature fields to the document.
On HelloSign, the process for signing documents is streamlined, allowing you to do everything you need to do in fewer steps. While DocuSign has a similar process, it involves more screens and more steps overall.
Ease of Use
Both DocuSign and HelloSign are designed to be user friendly. DocuSign is frequently praised for its intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface. Although DocuSign offers a robust selection of features, it’s still a simple and convienient platform that virtually anyone can use.
With that said, HelloSign does more to streamline its workflow. While it has fewer features than DocuSign overall, this simplicity makes it easier to use.
If you’re looking for a basic document signing tool, you can’t go wrong with HelloSign. However, if you’d prefer a platform with more robust features, you may find DocuSign to be the better option overall.
Special Features
When you compare HelloSign vs DocuSign, you’ll find that both platforms offer many of the same features. In addition to allowing users to sign documents and request signatures, both platforms offer custom branding and templates, workflow automation, and more.
Although the two platforms are very similar when it comes to basic features, DocuSign offers a wider range of advanced features. With DocuSign, you’ll have access to enterprise-level security features like geolocation verification. In addition, you can collaborate on documents before they’re signed, allowing users to amend contracts.
Even though DocuSign offers a broader range of features, you may find that HelloSign has more robust features overall. Both HelloSign and Docusign offer audit trails, but on HelloSign, this audit trail provides more detailed information, including signer access code authentication and functionality for in person signatures.
Security
No matter which platform you decide to use, you can trust that every document you sign and share is fully compliant with industry and government regulations across the globe. The data you send and store is encrypted, keeping sensitive documents fully protected.
Both platforms use auditing to confirm the validity of signatures. In addition, HelloSign has a bank-level security feature that can keep even the most sensitive of documents secure.
Choosing
Branding and White Labeling
Custom branding functionality is available for both HelloSign and DocuSign. This allows users to upload their own logos, edit document colors, and make other changes to basic templates.
Unlike DocuSign, HelloSign also offers white labeling. It’s possible to completely remove the HelloSign logo from documents. Brands can even upload a custom URL for the confirmation page users are sent to after a document is signed. Currently, HelloSign is the only electronic signature platform that offers this functionality.
HelloSign offers additional options for customization as well adding details like a company tagline or a custom email signature to a document. However, access to these features is restricted. Whether you’re using HelloSign or DocuSign, you won’t be able to full advantage of customization features unless you pay for a premium plan.
Although there are more customization options on HelloSign, DocuSign does have some options that HelloSign doesn’t offer. For example, DocuSign offers pre-made fields like approve and decline buttons and radio buttons. In addition, DocuSign has more templates to choose from.
Integration
Whether you choose to use HelloSign or DocuSign, you’ll be able to integrate the application with other platforms and tools. HelloSign offers integration with Google Docs, Google Drive, Gmail, Microsoft Office, SalesForce, Hubspot, and many other platforms.
DocuSign offers all these integrations and more. In fact, DocuSign currently has more than 400 available integrations. While some of HelloSign’s integrations are limited to its most expensive plans, DocuSign offers these integrations on its most affordable plans as well.
However, HelloSign does offer integrations that aren’t available on DocuSign. Since HelloSign is owned by Dropbox, it’s the only electronic signature platform that offers full Dropbox integration.
HelloSign and DocuSign are both compatible with Zapier, which is a tool that makes it possible to automate workflow across more than 5,000 apps. Even if certain integrations aren’t available on HelloSign, you may be able to access these integrations through Zapier.
Customer Support Options
If you run into problems while using an e signature platform, it’s important that you have a fast and efficient way to resolve the issue. Both DocuSign and HelloSign are fairly similar when it comes to options for customer support.
On HelloSign, users have access to web and email support. While users can get help with a wide range of issues, turnaround time isn’t as fast as it could be.
DocuSign offers similar options for support, and it also has similar turnaround times. However, DocuSign users can pay for premium customer support. This tier of support offers faster turnaround times and provides access to live chat support services.
Pricing
HelloSign offers a free version of their tool with limited functionality. While free users are limited to three signature requests every 30 days, the plan offers unlimited self signing. Free version users don’t have access to templates or customization features.
The cheapest HelloSign plan is the essentials plan, which is priced at $15 a month or $180 per year. This plan offers five templates and provides integrations with Dropbox, Microsoft Word, Google Drive, and more. However, the plan can only be used by a single user.
Adding multiple users requires you to invest in the standard plan, which is currently priced at $17.50 a month per user. It also provides access to 15 templates and offers a wider range of intergrations, including integrations with Salesforce and Microsoft Sharepoint +.
Other features including on the standard plan include custom branding and team features. There are even more features available on HelloSign’s premium plan, but you’ll have to contact HelloSign directly for a pricing quote.
Like with HelloSign, DocuSign allows users to sign documents for free as long as you sign up for a DocuSign account. However, this free plan is much more limited than the one offered by HelloSign. With this plan, free users have no way to create and send documents to others.
The DocuSign personal plan, which is the more affordable plan available, costs $15 a month. With this plan, a single user can make five signature requests per month.
The standard plan from DocuSign is priced at $25 a month per user. There’s also a Business Pro plan, which costs $40 a month per user. DocuSign also offers advanced plans, with pricing available on request.
How Do I Choose Between HelloSign and DocuSign?
HelloSign and DocuSign can both seamlessly integrate with a variety of popular tools and platforms. Both platforms offer user-friendly features, like integrated payment options, template creation, and the ability to add custom branding. Ultimately, the best option will vary based on what your business needs.
Thanks to its simple interface and affordable pricing, HelloSign is an ideal option for small businesses and freelancers. The basic HelloSign features will provide you with everything you need for the complete signing process.
For larger companies, however, you may find that DocuSign is the better option overall. DocuSign offers key integrations that aren’t available on HelloSign, even at its lower pricing tiers. In addition, DocuSign provides a wide spectrum of advanced features, including security features and features for document collaboration.
While HelloSign is the only platform that has integration with Dropbox, DocuSign offers more integrations in total, with more than 400 available integrations overall. However, both platforms are compatible with Zapier, which means they can be used with thousands of different apps.
On DocuSign, you’ll have access to more customization options if you opt for the cheapest plan. However, HelloSign has better options for customization overall, including white labeling. There’s no way to remove DocuSign logos, but if you use HelloSign, you can make documents feel like your own.
Ultimately, choosing between HelloSign vs DocuSign will require you to consider what your own business needs. Since there are free and trial versions available for both tools, you have the option of testing out each platform before you make a commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HelloSign or DocuSign Better?
When you compare HelloSign vs DocuSign, you’ll find that they are both excellent tools that offer a variety of user-friendly features. Overall, HelloSign is the better option for small businesses and freelancers, while DocuSign is the superior option for large businesses.
Is HelloSign as Secure as DocuSign?
HelloSign and DocuSign both offer high-level security and are fully compliant with HIPAA, ESIGN, and UETA. While DocuSign has some security features that aren’t available on HelloSign, like geolocation, HelloSign has bank-level security.
Is HelloSign Legally Binding?
All signatures collected via HelloSign are legally binding under the ESIGN Act of 2000. Every signature has an audit trail and offers the same legal standing as signatures on pen-and-paper documents.
