SignNow vs. Docusign: Which E-Signature Solution Provides More Value?
When you upgrade from DocuSign or SignNow to ApproveMe you get a gorgeous, enjoyable & ridiculously easy to use document signing platform with business automation and user experience at the center of the application.
SignNow vs. DocuSign — A Quick Comparison
| Integrated Security | SOC 2 Type II. A | ISO 27001 and SSAE 16 |
| Custom Signatures | ||
| Document Tagging | ||
| Secure Backup | ||
| Multilanguage Support | ||
| Multiple Pricing Tiers | ||
| Support Type | Email, Phone | Email, Phone |
| Contract Required | ||
| Integration With Other Business Applications | ||
| API Available | ||
| Average Review Rating | ||
| 4.6 | 4.6 |
SignNow vs. DocuSign
E-Signature solutions have become essential to SMB’s looking to cut costs by reducing the amount of paper used in the document signing process. SignNow and DocuSign are two well-known solutions relied upon by organizations of all sizes. Both offer some excellent features designed to make the process of obtaining digital signatures easier.
In the following roundup, you’ll learn about the differences between SignNow and Docusign and ApproveMe as an alternative document signing solution.
What is SignNow?
SignNow is an electronic signature platform designed to help businesses of all sizes handle their online signature needs. The software gets rid of any reliance on faxing or mailing paper documents out for required signatures. SignNow offers a variety of tools designed to streamline and automate the end-to-end eSignature workflow.
What is DocuSign?
DocuSign prides itself on being one of the original innovators in the digital transaction management (DTM) industry. They consistently rank as one of the top eSignature businesses in the world. The company continually strives to find new ways to distinguish themselves from other competitors in the field by expanding the capabilities of its cloud platform.
About SignNow
SignNow allows users to quickly create and send out business documents for eSignature using preset templates. Senders can make requests for additional materials and set up notifications informing them of receipt of a required signature. They can also receive a notification letting them know if a recipient declines to sign a document.
Users can set up documents to allow forwarding of documents to others for signing. SignNow enables senders to set up templates to receive signatures in a specific order. They can also send document templates to multiple recipients. Each person gets a copy of the document to complete and send back.
One of the most exciting SignNow features is the control the software gives to document recipients. Senders can provide them with the option to pick where they place eSignatures. Both senders and recipients can create freeform invitations letting the other know about the status of a document or to request additional information. Anyone can be CC’d to notify them of a document’s completion.
SignNow makes it possible for teams to collaborate within a company using organizational dashboards. They allow for the management of multiple groups and tracking of the overall document count within the company.
Android and iOS device users have access to all SignNow features. That allows workers to manage document flows from in or outside of the company. Users can even take pictures of materials to upload to a company library.
About DocuSign
The biggest jewel for DocuSign continues to be their DocuSign Agreement Cloud. It incorporates the SpringCM contract management system, designed to help companies automate the end-to-end document creation process. The platform lets DocuSign customers generate various contract forms that can pull in information from other business systems.
Users from different business areas can collaborate to come up with the final version of a document. Everyone can be assigned tasks to complete and track completion progress within SpringCM. The platform can also be used to handle any post-signing actions required by an organization. Users can create and store reusable document templates with custom fields, and bulk email address lists already attached.
DocuSign supports a variety of file formats, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. One of its nicest selling points is the platform’s ability to recognize PDFs and tag specific form fields requiring a signature. That DocuSign automation feature cuts down on the amount of time users must spend finessing uploaded PDF documents into an acceptable format.
The platform provides over 20 standard and custom tag and form fields to add to documents. Users can tie fields and tags to specific lines of text. The correct tag or form field automatically populates in the proper place when the text is dropped into the document. DocuSign also offers native apps for Android, iOS, and Windows to capture document signatures.
ApproveMe is easy document signing for busy people. Built on the belief that every new agreement with a customer or client should be celebrated.
Your Signing experience is worth celebrating!
SignNow vs Docusign Security
SignNow Security
SignNow employs SOC 2 Type II certification to protect company information and alleviate privacy concerns. They comply fully with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that applies to EU residents and businesses.
The technology also complies fully with 21 CFR Part 11, which applies to medical, pharmaceutical, and biotech organizations.
• Two-factor authentication
• Session duration
• Timeouts after periods of inactivity
• E-Signature timestamps
• Digital certification
• Document history retention
SignNow also has PCI DSS certification to address the concerns of companies responsible for processing credit card payments and transmitting payment information. They make sure safeguards are in place that protect cardholder data.
DocuSign Security
DocuSign continues to be a leader in the DTM industry, thanks to its consistency in maintaining proper document security. They promote themselves as adhering to the most rigorous security standards that employ potent encryption technology. DocuSign is ISO 27001 and SSAE 16 certified, using that standard for the level of encryption employed in its data centers.
• Verifies the identity of the signer using multiple forms of authentication
• Confirms the intent of a recipient to use an electronic signature
• Links signatures to signers and documents
• Records all relevant signature and document actions
• Provides secure and continuous access to DocuSign documents
• Uses tamper-seals to protect documents
SignNow vs Docusign Customer Support
Business and Business Premium users have access to email support from SignNow, along with help documents on the company’s website. Business Premium users get priority support when it comes to their issues. Enterprise users gain additional access to direct phone support. The SignNow Admin Console allows users to track and manage any matters submitted.
DocuSign clients gain access to a thriving community of users who can provide answers to common issues. They can also visit DocuSign’s support center for more detailed explanations relating to software questions. DocuSign also provides training to help a company’s clients understand the more complex aspects of the platform.
Any software issues can be submitted to DocuSign for handling using their online request form, chat support, or by phone. Enterprise customers receive prioritized support from Citrix.
SignNow Pricing
SignNow makes three different pricing tiers available to cover organizations of varying sizes. The Business Tier ($20 per month / $8 per month when paid annually) gives companies access to unlimited templates along with the following features.
• Access for one team
• Ability to use with OneDrive, Google, and DropBox
• Access to self-service documents and email support
• Complete audit log and history on records
• Can send documents to multiple signers
• Password protection for signing
• Ability to set document expiration dates
• Kiosk mode
• Access from iPad, iPhone, and Android devices
The Business Premium tier ($30 per month / $15 per month when paid annually) expands the number of features available to business users. They can send out documents in bulk to multiple email addresses. Senders can also add custom branding to documents and attach signing links within emails.
Companies that go with the Business Premium level of service can grant access to multiple teams within their organization. Those teams can create document groups, add confidential fields to forms, and even add conditional routing and smart fields.
Enterprises can set up a custom package but are required to contact SignNow. Additional features offered at this level include phone support, advanced threat protection, and integrations with business applications like Salesforce, Office 365, and NetSuite. The Enterprise tier also provides access to an organization dashboard, providing a 360-degree view of the document creation process inside the entire company.
SignNow provides free service to those users only needing to send one to two documents per month. Any businesses interested in the expanded features can explore any tier by signing up for a free trial. SignNow does not require companies to provide a credit card.
DocuSign Pricing
DocuSign offers three static pricing tiers for companies. A business can choose to stick to a monthly plan or pay for an entire years’ worth of services upfront for a discount.
DocuSign’s Personal tier is $15 per month ($10 when paid annually) and provides a license to one business user with the following capabilities.
• Maximum of five documents per month to recipients
• Access to basic text fields like name, date, signature, company, title
• Reusable templates
• Ability to route documents to multiple recipients at once, or have them sign one in a specific order
• Real-time audit trail
The Standard tier costs $40 per month ($25 when paid annually) and provides everything included with the Personal level to three business users. Additional capabilities at this tier include the ability to send an unlimited number of documents for eSignature, automatic reminders, and integration with over 300 different business tools like Dropbox, Salesforce, and Google Drive. Users can also send documents in 13 different languages while receiving signatures in 43 languages.
The Business Pro tier is $60 per month ($40 when paid annually), giving users access to the same features available at the Personal and Standard levels. They receive expanded capabilities like being able to receive payments, design smart fields, and enhance security through two-factor authentication.
Potential clients can obtain more customized or advanced solutions by contacting a DocuSign sales representative at (888) 339-8530. They can incorporate technical features like gaining access to REST or SOAP APIs, integration with other popular CRMS, and being able to embed the ability to sign documents within business applications or a mobile app.
DocuSign offers a 30-day free trial for all its pricing tiers without requiring a credit card. Businesses can cancel at any time without penalty.
How do they rate?
SignNow User Reviews
SignNow has an average of 4.6 out of 171 reviews on Gartner Peer Insights. Many appreciate the ease of using the interface and the low learning curve. Some users did run into issues managing the insertion of individual text blocks within documents. There were also some problems encountered when users senders relied on signing links versus invitations. Similar reviews were found on G2, along with an average rating of 4 ½ stars.
DocuSign User Reviews
DocuSign also maintains a high user rating, with an average of 4 ½ stars on G2 and 4.6 on Gartner. Users appreciated the high level of security around documents sent using DocuSign. It appears to be extremely popular among those working for healthcare companies with HIPAA concerns.
Some users desired more dynamic control over customization options. DocuSign’s vast array of features meant some users had some trouble managing the learning curve around how they could use them for their business.
Picking an E-Signature Solution
Both SignNow and DocuSign offer impressive features that can be helpful to medium and large businesses. Smaller companies might be more open to SignNow’s Business and Business tiers, due to the lower price, ease of use, and a considerable array of document options.
It appears that SignNow and DocuSign looked to account for data protection concerns when it came to EU citizens. DocuSign offers the advantage of being able to submit documents in 13 different languages and being able to accept back signatures in 43 different languages. They also appear to be highly regarded among those working in healthcare. Real estate companies also have the option of choosing from DocuSign platform tiers aimed at their industry.
Looking for an alternative to SignNow or DocuSign?
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Integrate with your pre-existing website forms, e-commerce stores, CRM’s and popular storage services with ApproveMe to deliver a document signing experience that celebrates the transaction.
Mobile Friendly • UETA/ESIGN Compliant • An Electronic Signature Celebration
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