Comparing the Best Esignature Products

I. What Are Esignatures?

Obtaining signatures on paper documents is outdated and time-consuming. Esignatures allow businesses to finalize legal documents via electronic signature, sidestepping in-person paper signing, printers, and scanners. 

Esignature products are now commonplace worldwide. Their acceptance and popularity in the business world is driven by the expansion of online documentation, workflow efficiency demands, and heightened security measures. 

II. Why Choose Esignatures Over Paper Documents?

In our fast-paced business world, everyday transactions are expected to happen quickly, safely, and efficiently. The best esignature products capitalize on the latest technology and security advancements, making transactions fast and safe.

The most secure industries rely on esignatures to conduct business, including: 

• Finance
• Insurance
• Local and Federal Government Agencies
• Accounting and Tax
• Healthcare
• Real Estate
• Legal

III. Benefits of Using Esignature Products

• Fast: Sign documents in seconds rather than days.
• Safe: Paper can get stolen or lost. Esignatures are legal, secure, and verify each signers’ identity. 
• Scalable: Process multiple documents quickly and easily.
• Reduced errors: Studies show that businesses cut processing errors by an average of 90% by going paperless.
• Flexible: Sign documents anytime and anywhere – even from mobile devices.
• Easy to use: Anyone can use esignatures, from customers and employees to executives and legal teams.
• Eco-friendly: Cutting paper usage and waste helps the environment.
• Cost-effective: Esignatures save money on postage and processing expenses.
• Increased customer loyalty: Customers appreciate businesses that use safe, modern technology.

IV. The Best Esignature Products: A Back-to-Back Comparison

Here are our picks for the best esignature products on the market today. We’ll break down pricing, packages, and features offered in each tier. 

1. CM Sign

CM.com’s CM Sign is a secure and fast electronic signature app. CM Sign enables you to complete documents, agreements, and contracts efficiently without printing or scanning. 

CM Sign touts a few unique features that set it apart from other esignature products:

• Unique Pricing Model: You pay a fixed price only when a document is completed, not when you send it. No signature means no costs. 
• Unlimited Users: Sign with as many users as you want – no extra charges. 
• Faster Results: On average, companies that switch to CM Sign complete the signature process up to seven days faster. 

Packages: Basic, Advanced, Pro

Basic Package: $50/month 

Features:

• Cloud storage
• Drag-and-drop document editor
• Real-time status tracking
• Send documents via email
• Automatic reminders and notifications
• Custom signing workflows
• Ticket support during office hours

Advanced Package: $75/month

Features: All Basic features plus the following:

• Custom branding and style
• Connected payment methods
• Two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS and voice
• Ticket, chat, and phone support during office hours

Pro Package: Price available on request

Features: All Advanced features plus the following:

• Integrate into your existing systems via API
• 99.9% uptime guarantee
• Custom CRM integration
• Use your own mail server and templates
• Custom integration with your web application

Are you interested in taking CM Sign for a test drive? Sign up and send your first three documents for free – no strings attached. 

2. DocuSign

DocuSign is an esignature app that allows you to send and receive forms and collaborate with other signees in real time.

Packages: Personal, Standard, Business Pro

Personal Package: $10/month

Features:

• Basic fields
• Single user only
• Limit: Five documents/month
• Mobile app

Standard Package: $25/month

Features: Personal package plus:

• Up to five users online
• Reminders & notifications
• Personalized branding
• Comments

Business Pro: $40/month

Features: Standard package plus:

• Reminders & notifications
• Collect payments
• Advanced fields
• Signer attachments
• Bulk send

Disadvantages: 

• You’ll need to pay extra costs to verify the recipient’s identity via RSA ID check or phone.
• Community-based support (phone, chat, and email) is not free.

3. HelloSign

HelloSign, a Dropbox company, offers a cluster of services that include mobile forms and online faxing capabilities.

Packages: Free, Essentials, Business

Free Package: $0/month

Features:

• Three signature requests per month
• One sender
• Integrated with Google Drive
• Status notifications
• Audit trail

Essentials Package: $15/month

Features: Free package plus:

• Unlimited signature requests
• Five templates
• Data validation

Business Package: $40/month

Features: Essentials package plus:

• Five senders
• Branding
• In-person signing
• Signer access code
• Team transaction overview

Disadvantages: 

• No integrations with payment processing programs. 
• Difficult to set up and sync Google apps.
• Security risks in sending documents through open emails.

4. PandaDoc

PandaDoc is a cloud-based software that allows users to create, deliver, share, and track documents online with an esignature feature built in. 

Packages: Essentials, Business, Enterprise

Essentials Package: $19/month per user

Features:

• Templates
• Pricing tables
• Document analytics
• Drag-and-drop document editor

Business Package: $49/month per user

Features: Essentials package plus:

• CRM integrations
• Content library
• Custom branding
• Approval workflows

Enterprise Package: Call for quote

Features: Business package plus:

• SSO support and custom user roles
• Unlimited number of team workspaces
• Salesforce integration
• User performance and content reporting

Disadvantages:

• Not designed for teams – only one person at a time can work on the same document.
• Limited design capabilities. 
• Limited app integrations available.

Now that we’ve compared the top esignature products, let’s address a few common concerns about them.

V. Are Esignatures Secure?

In a word, yes. Physical or “wet” signatures can be forged, leading to identity theft and fraud. Esignatures have built-in authentication and security layers that create an audit trail, detailing when a document was opened, viewed, and signed.

VI. Are Esignatures Legal?

Digital signatures obtained via esignature products are as legally accepted as handwritten signatures or stamped seals. The U.S. government implemented the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) in 2000, making esignatures legally equivalent to handwritten signatures.

While there are still documents that require handwritten signatures (like wills, divorce and adoption papers, and court orders, among others), esignatures are widely accepted for many legal uses.

Electronic signatures are valid in most countries with the following stipulations:

1. The signer is who he or she claims to be, and their identity and signature are authenticated.
2. The signer must possess a private key used to create the electronic signature.
3. The transaction's intention is clear, and the signer agrees to the process and method of signing.
4. Signatures are invalidated if the accompanying data is changed or tampered with.

VII. Start Sending Fast, Secure Documents With CM Sign

Is your company ready to use esignatures? CM.com’s CM Sign app is an excellent choice. Sign includes more basic package features than any other esignature product and offers unparalleled support. 

You don’t need any special software, app, or program installation to get started, and you pay only when a document is fully signed, not when you send it. Companies that switch to CM Sign complete the signature process up to seven days faster, expediting document processing and cutting costs.

Get started with CM Sign today! Send your first three documents free, no strings attached.