DocuSign is one of the most popular and established brands in the e-signature space. If you’re currently searching for a solution, it’s likely near the top of your list of options.
But you’re probably also looking for an answer to the question, “Is it the best?”
Picking an electronic signature isn’t always easy. Packages from different providers can differ significantly, and there are multiple points to consider, including upload limits, integrations, costs for extra users, broader document management features, and more.
In this post, we’re going to take an in-depth look at the DocuSign pricing structure and feature-set. We’ll help you determine if DocuSign is the right option for you, or whether you might be better opting for an alternative.
And while we’re obviously big fans of PandaDoc, we promise to keep things impartial. Well, mostly at least. Let’s dive in.
How much does DocuSign cost?
DocuSign operates a relatively straightforward three-tier pricing structure. Discounts are available if you’re happy to take out an annual, rather than a monthly, subscription.
Here’s a quick overview of DocuSign pricing:
- Personal (Single User) – $15/month
- Standard – $40/month
- Business Pro – $60 month
DocuSign also offers a custom enterprise plan for organizations that require higher-level features, such as employee administration tools, API access, integrations, and advanced branding.
Prospective users can take advantage of an unrestricted free trial on all plans. And a 30-day refund guarantee is included for annual subscriptions. Users can also downgrade their subscription at any time.
What features does DocuSign have?
It’s worth pointing out from the outset that DocuSign is a dedicated e-signature tool rather than a document management solution with a broader set of features that include electronic signature functionality. If you’re looking for more advanced paperless workflow features, like collaborative workspaces, document editing, and rich media libraries, then you should consider alternative solutions.
Otherwise, DocuSign offers a solid package of features for managing electronic signatures and streamlining the signing process. Corporate and personal users can upload documents in most formats (Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF, etc.), add basic fields for recipients, and send them to clients. Limited tracking (referred to as “audit trails”) and automation features can be used to set up automated client reminders and check the status of documents. DocuSign also offers a mobile app (Android and iOS) for sending and signing documents when you’re not at your computer.
One of the big downsides of DocuSign is that some features which may be considered essential are only included on the higher tier “Business Pro” and enterprise-level plans. Bulk send options and custom forms (which give you control over the information that recipients are prompted to enter by allowing you to create advanced fields), for example, are only available on the $60/month package. Access to integrations, which may be non-negotiable for individuals or companies that want to build fully-synced tech stacks, will require you to purchase a tailored “Advanced Solution”.
Be aware of sending limits
Before making a purchase, prospective users of DocuSign should be aware of plan-specific sending limits, along with the company’s “Reasonable Use Policy.”.In contrast to other providers, customers are not able to send an unlimited number of documents, or “envelopes” as DocuSign calls them.
An “envelope” is equivalent to one “send”. While a single envelope can include an unlimited number of documents and recipients, each one represents a separate instance of sending. The “Personal” plan, which costs $10/month, has a limit of five envelopes per month. And while there are no explicit usage caps on higher-level packages, they are subject to a “Reasonable Use Policy”, which equates to a cap of one hundred envelopes per year.
If you are sending out large, one-off batches of contracts to your clients, then the envelope system can be feasible, as each “send” can include unlimited documents. If, on the other hand, you plan to send large numbers of documents irregularly, then it is unlikely to work for you.
Does DocuSign offer a Free Plan?
DocuSign offers a limited free plan, which includes use of the mobile app. The free option has substantial limitations, with a maximum cap of three “envelopes” or “sends.” Keep in mind that this is in total, not per month. If you want to send more documents, you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan.
The free plan also allows you to personally upload and sign an unlimited number of documents (as a recipient or signer) and store copies of them in the DocuSign cloud. If you sign up for a free trial but do not subscribe to a paid package, you will automatically be downgraded to a free account.
How does DocuSign compare to PandaDoc?
So how does DocuSign stack up against PandaDoc? You probably won’t be surprised by our answer (we come down on the side of PandaDoc). But we think our bias is justified in this case.
PandaDoc offers a feature-rich “forever free” personal plan with unlimited document uploads and signatures. Users can also embed payment buttons in documents, a feature which is only available on DocuSign’t $40/month “Business Pro” plan. We are the only provider of e-signature software to offer a plan which is completely free and has no sending limits.
The entry-level “Essentials” PandaDoc plan is $25/month ($19/month when paid annually) per user. This includes templates and an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, along with advanced analytics, which is only available as part of the enterprise-level DocuSign package. PandaDoc’s full suite of integrations is available through the $59/month “Business” package, not just it’s enterprise plan.
One final point to keep in mind is that DocuSign only allows a maximum of five users on both of its mid-level plans. Because of this, small businesses with more than five employees are left with no options other than to subscribe to a costly custom enterprise package. For additional users, an upgrade is necessary. PandaDoc, on the other hand, doesn’t place a cap on the number of possible users.
Try PandaDoc Free for 14 days
Before you make your final decision about which document management or esignature solution to implement, why not give PandaDoc a go?
You can try any PandaDoc plan for free for 14-days. We offer the industry’s most popular free esign tool, and our paid plans include a suite of features, including reusable templates, media libraries, user management, collaborative workspaces, CRM integrations, 24/7 customer support, and more.
