Are you in need of a software tool to add a legally binding signature to business documents without the need for a pen and paper?
HelloSign and DocuSign are two of the major solutions in the market that are being used by most of the Fortune 1000 companies in the US.
While HelloSign and DocuSign seem interchangeable and both offer a reliable solution for electronic signatures, there are several differences that you need to acknowledge before you choose the right software for your business.
Choosing the right tool for your specific needs is critical because switching to another cloud solution in the future is hugely time-consuming. It’s better if you make the right choice from the get-go.
But don’t you worry, we have extensively analyzed both HelloSign and DocuSign and wrote this comparison to help you make the right choice. Keep reading this comparison.
Introducing HelloSign
HelloSign offers a reliable and easy-to-use solution for small and medium companies to get their documents signed electronically. Dropbox acquired the company in 2019, which was constituted a massive inflow of competences in cloud files management and user experience.
It is one of the most popular solutions in the market, and it’s particularly loved for its accessible price and cost value.
Introducing DocuSign
DocuSign was a pioneer in the electronic signature space. Like HelloSign, it offers an easy way to get a legally binding signature online without much hassle.
DocuSign is used by lots of large companies all across the world and several Fortune 1000 and is particularly liked for its enterprise solution and their strive for innovation in the market.
Ease of Use
Making it easy for your clients to sign your document everywhere they are it’s critical. That’s why a reliable and quick experience for both you and your customers it’s an essential factor for an eSignature software.
While both DocuSign and HelloSign can integrate seamlessly with your platform through their API, and both software offer an intuitive signature process for your clients, the HelloSign process is more smooth than the one of DocuSign.
When integrated with your Google Suite, or others, it will take just a few seconds for you to send your documents, without having your clients to download an additional app.
I found it extremely easy on both sides, from an admin point of view and a client perspective. As Dropbox owns HelloSign, it integrates perfectly with its cloud.
In-Person Signatures
Having the ability to get your documents signed, and being legally recognized is a fantastic way not to have lots of paper documents around with the change of missing them, having a hard time archiving them. Also, it’s, of course, bad for the planet as it creates useless paper waste.
Both DocuSign and HelloSign offer a in-person signature feature.
- DocuSign offers in-person signing with their Business Pro, Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Plus Broker’s Edition, and Advanced Solutions.
- HelloSign also offers in-person signatures for their Business and Enterprise Solutions only.
DocuSign is particularly handy for real estate transactions because it offers some specific features in its so-called Transaction Rooms.
Customization and Advanced Collaborative Fields
Both DocuSign and HelloSign allow you to personalize the logo and the template of the documents to sign so that you can instill more trust in the customers.
DocuSign has more selection of advanced collaborative fields than HelloSign, while the latter offers an additional feature than its competitor: the ability to accept payments.
Check the pricing plans of both software to discover whether some of the specific features you’re looking for are included or not.
API
On the higher pricing plans, both HelloSign and DocuSign offer an API integration so that you can quickly implement their technology on your website or app.
- HelloSign offers API integration in its Enterprise plan.
- DocuSign offers API in its Advanced plan.
Integrations
Both DocuSign and HelloSign offer several integrations.
- DocuSign has some features specially built for real estate agents, such as direct integration with ZipForm. DocuSign integrates seamlessly with the following applications and systems: Salesforce, Apple, NetSuite, Agilewords, Microsoft, Google, Agileloft, Akcelerant, AIRLIFT, SharedHR, Selectiva, Alfresco, Box, Centrify, DocCentral, ConvergeHub, IBM SmartCloud, TalentWise.
- HelloSign offers integrations with the following business applications and systems: Google Drive, Bitium, TAM, Gatekeeper, HubSpot, Workbooks CRM, Dropbox, Zapbook, Gmail, Box, Google Docs, Evernote, OneDrive.
While DocuSign has more integrations, particularly with enterprise software, HelloSign integrates easily with lots of cloud storage and online tools, being a Dropbox-owned company there is an excellent exchange in technology from the company that leads it.
Security and Compliance
Both DocuSign and HelloSign have top-notch encryptions of all the files transmitted and are considered highly reliable.
In terms of compliance:
- HelloSign is compliant with ESIGN and UETA standards.
- DocuSign is as well HIPAA compliant, as well as the other two electronic signature standards, ESIGN and UETA.
Customer Support
DocuSign offers ever-present support, with way more availability than HelloSign.
- Besides training and an extensive help center, DocuSign offers phone, live chat, and email support options for all tiers available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
- Besides its help center, on the lower tiers, HelloSign offers email support only M-F 8 am – 5 pm PST.
Reviews
Both DocuSign and HelloSign have very high reviews and scores on the primary software reviews site, with a score ranging between 8 and 9.3.
However, on G2, where both apps have the highest amount of reviews, HelloSign shows slightly better ratings for ease of use, customer support, and almost every other metric, which makes HelloSign win in this particular aspect.
Pricing
HelloSign Pricing
Free Plan – Allows you to edit three documents every month but doesn't offer templates. Only one sender can be involved.
Pro Plan – $13 if you choose to pay annually and $15 if you choose to pay on per month basis. Unlimited document signing.
Business Plan – $40 if you opt for annual billing and $50 for monthly billings. It provides all the Pro features along with templates and multiple sender facilities.
Enterprise Plan – It provides all Pro and Business features and many extras, depending upon various factors. The quote can be requested from the company.
DocuSign Pricing
Personal – At $10 per month, the personal plan lets you sign five documents per month with basic fields. Mobile applications are available.
Standard – Costs $25 per month per user, it offers features like personalized branding, notifications, reminders, etc.
Business Pro – At $40 per user per month, you get unlimited document signing and sending with more advanced features like advanced fields, signer attachments, etc.
Advanced Solution – Like an enterprise plan, you can get a plan custom made for your company by requesting the company for a quote. It offers features from Pro and Standard along with a few extras.” (source: https://signx.wondershare.com/comparison/hellosign-vs-docusign.html)
While both software tools are quite affordable for all business-sized, HelloSign offers a free plan if you just send a few documents per month. DocuSign is more of a professional solution for more prominent companies. One of the reasons why we say so is that HelloSign's $13 plan offers unlimited documents to sign, while DocuSign includes 5, and it doesn't include critical features like notifications.
While HelloSign has an entirely free starting plan, DocuSign offers a 30-day free trial.
Result: HelloSign is considerably more affordable and offers the best value.
The Bottom Line
Are you an enterprise or large business?
DocuSign is your go-to.
Are you a small business?
HelloSign is your go-to.
Are you a real estate agent?
DocuSign has some features built specifically for you.