Top 12 DocuSign Alternatives for Small Businesses & Freelancers
If you have ever signed a contract, agreement, or even a simple approval form online, you may have heard of DocuSign. It is one of the most recognised names in the eSignature software industry, which helps businesses of all sizes move away from paper-based processes. But DocuSign isn’t the only option anymore.
There are plenty of platforms that offer secure, legally binding digital signatures, along with advanced features. These DocuSign alternatives are designed for everyone. In this blog, we will look into the top 12 DocuSign options of 2025. You’ll get a clear overview of each platform, its standout features, pricing, and what makes them a strong DocuSign competitor.
Why look for eSignature and CLM alternatives similar to DocuSign?
There is no doubt that DocuSign is a pioneer in the world of eSignature software, yet not every business can use it. Numerous professionals and organisations are gravitating towards DocuSign alternatives due to the desire to have more flexibility, reduced cost and other features that address their specific workflow. The following are the most common causes:
Pricing Concerns
DocuSign may be expensive for a small company or startup. Many of the competitors to DocuSign now have cheap plans and even free versions of their digital signing software, which have become appealing to low-end users.
Industry-Specific Needs
The demands of all the industries are not equal. Advanced compliance features could be required by law firms, whereas easy mobile signing is sought by real estate companies. There are DocuSign alternatives that offer industry-specific contract management solutions.
More Integrations
Companies nowadays have to use various platforms, such as CRM, human resource systems, project management systems, and cloud storage systems. Other DocuSign competitors provide broader integration opportunities, which allow all organisations to automate workflows without additional effort.
Scalability & Customization
Growing companies require scaled solutions. Some DocuSign alternatives permit more customisation, branding, and automation, so that businesses can tailor the tool to their processes, as opposed to transitioning processes to match the tool.
User-Friendly Experience
DocuSign is an effective tool, but other users want simpler dashboards, faster onboarding, and easier user interfaces. This usability gap is the target of many of the digital signature platforms that are starting to appear in 2025.
Types of DocuSign alternatives
It is necessary to know that not all platforms are created equally before we dive into the list of the top 12 DocuSign alternatives of 2025. Others just offer eSignatures, whereas others offer contract lifecycle management (CLM). The following are the key categories of DocuSign competitors that you are going to encounter:
Basic eSignature Tools
These are platforms that facilitate easy online signing of documents. They are interested in the creation, transmission and reception of legal, binding digital signatures without additional complexity.
Example: HelloSign (now Dropbox Sign) is a popular choice for freelancers and small teams who just need quick and secure signing.
Advanced eSignature Platforms
These platforms are more powerful than those that typically include workflow automation, templates, connectivity with CRMs, project management, and cloud storage. They enable companies to scale up their signature process.
Example: Adobe Sign is an advanced tool that integrates
smoothly with Microsoft, Salesforce, and other enterprise apps.
Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) Solutions
CLM platforms are more than eSignatures. They assist organisations in the drafting, negotiation, storage and end-to-end tracking of contracts. A variety of DocuSign alternatives can be classified as complex requirements of the business.
Example: PandaDoc provides both eSignature software and full CLM capabilities, making it ideal for sales teams and enterprises.
Industry-Specific Signature Solutions
Other DocuSign competitors focus on segments such as real estate, finance, or healthcare, and provide compliance, mobile-friendly signing, and niche integrations.
Example: Dotloop is widely used in real estate for signing property-related agreements.
All-in-One Business Suites with eSignature Features
Some productivity suites currently combine eSignature with document storage, collaboration and task management. They can be an excellent choice when a business wants to have everything under one roof.
Example: Zoho Sign is part of the Zoho ecosystem, making it ideal for companies already using Zoho apps.
Comparison Table of DocuSign Alternatives
| Top 12 DocuSign Alternatives of 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Type | Free plan | Best for |
| AdobeSign | Enterprise eSignature & CLM | No | Large enterprises need compliance and scalability |
| HelloSign | Simple eSignature tool | Yes | Freelancers, startups, and small businesses |
| PandaDoc | Document automation & CLM | Yes | Sales teams and enterprises needing proposals/contracts |
| SignNow | Budget-friendly eSignature | No | SMBs seeking affordable eSignature solutions |
| SignEasy | Easy-to-use eSignature tool | No | Freelancers, consultants, small teams |
| RightSignature | Compliance-focused eSignature | No | Healthcare, finance, and legal businesses |
| Zoho Sign | Integrated eSignature (Zoho) | Yes | Businesses using Zoho apps |
| OneSpan Sign | High-security eSignature | No | Financial institutions, government, and enterprises |
| Nitro Sign | PDF + eSignature bundle | No | Teams managing PDFs and eSignatures together |
| Formstack Sign | HIPAA-compliant eSignature | No | Healthcare, nonprofits, SMBs |
| DocHub | PDF editing + eSignature | Yes | Educators, students, SMBs |
| HyperStart | AI-powered CLM + eSignature | Free Trial | Startups and enterprises seeking future-ready solutions |
List of 12 Top DocuSign Alternatives
1. Adobe Sign
Adobe Sign is among the strongest DocuSign substitutes that are relied on by businesses across the globe. It can be combined with Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and other business applications and is the most suitable solution to use when a firm requires a sophisticated workflow. Adobe Sign has good compliance, scalability, and enterprise-level security to be considered a reliable eSignature software in the list of companies seeking this solution.
Key Features:
- Enterprise-grade security
- Integrations with Microsoft Office & Salesforce
- Workflow automation
- Mobile signing
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Stronger integration with Microsoft tools and enterprise ecosystems
Pricing: Starts at $13/month per user
Ideal For: Large enterprises needing compliance and scalability
Further Reading: NoteGPT Alternatives
2. HelloSign (Dropbox Sign)
Designed specifically for small businesses and startups, HelloSign (renamed as Dropbox Sign) is a simple and effective DocuSign competitor. It puts emphasis on user-friendliness, one-second signing, and compatibility with Dropbox, Google Workspace, and Slack. Its user-friendly interface and low pricing make it a favourite digital signature service among teams that do not require complex features but do not lose security.
Key Features:
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- Dropbox, Google, Slack integrations
- Audit trails for compliance
- Reusable templates
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Easier setup and more affordable for small teams
Pricing: Free plan available; paid from $15/month
Ideal For: Freelancers, startups, small businesses
3. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is an alternative to DocuSign that uses eSignatures to combine with proposal creation, document automation, and contract lifecycle management (CLM) in addition to being considered a traditional DocuSign alternative. The templates, analytics, and CRM integrations are particular favourites of sales teams. PandaDoc can provide more than document signing to businesses interested in a unified contract management solution.
Key Features:
- Document automation and templates
- Contract lifecycle management (CLM)
- In-depth analytics
- CRM integrations
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Provides a full proposal and contract management suite, not just signature.s
Pricing: Free plan; paid plans from $19/month
Ideal For: Sales teams and enterprises needing end-to-end contract management
4. SignNow
SignNow is a scalable and affordable eSignature solution that is typically compared to DocuSign. It has personalised templates, teamwork apps and APIs, which make it a good choice with medium and large enterprises. It is among the most suitable DocuSign alternatives that organisations can use and integrates with their productivity tools at a low cost.
Key Features:
- Affordable electronic signatures
- Advanced document routing and collaboration
- Team management tools
- API for integrations
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Provides similar functionality at a lower cost with a simpler interface.
Pricing: Plans start at $8 per user per month
Ideal For: Small to medium businesses looking for budget-friendly eSignature solutions
5. SignEasy
SignEasy is an app that allows mobile users to sign and send documents at any given time, and is a competitor of DocuSign. It is favoured by small businesses, startups, and freelancers and can be used across all platforms, including iOS, Android, and web applications. Its clear design, fast installation, and a reasonable cost make it one of the most convenient digital signing devices in 2025.
Key Features:
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Works with Gmail, Outlook, and cloud storage apps
- Offline signing capability
- Team collaboration features
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Easier for individual users and small teams with faster onboarding
Pricing: Starts at $10/month
Ideal For: Freelancers, consultants, and small teams needing a straightforward solution
6. RightSignature (by Citrix)
As a regulated industry, like healthcare and finance, RightSignature is an ideal choice as a secure and compliant eSignature solution provided by Citrix. It has personalised branding, form field templates, and teamwork capabilities. Being one of the more niche DocuSign options, it serves companies that value compliance and reliability.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop document preparation
- Templates for frequently used forms
- Compliance with HIPAA and other standards
- Real-time tracking of documents
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: More compliance-focused with a simple, legally binding solution
Pricing: Plans start from $12/month
Ideal For: Businesses in healthcare, finance, and legal sectors needing compliance support
7. Zoho Sign
Zoho Sign belongs to the larger Zoho ecosystem, which is why it is a great decision to choose this option when a business uses Zoho apps. It is a CRM tools, HR, and finance-integrated, basic and inexpensive DocuSign competitor. Zoho Sign is a perfect digital signature service that SMBs and developing businesses can use due to its affordability and enterprise-level functionality.
Key Features:
- Native integration with the Zoho ecosystem (CRM, Books, Projects)
- Customizable workflows and templates
- Multi-language support
- Blockchain-based timestamping
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: More cost-effective for Zoho users with tight ecosystem integration
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start from $10/month
Ideal For: SMBs and enterprises already using Zoho apps
8. OneSpan Sign
OneSpan Sign, aka eSignLive, is a popular security-compliance enterprise eSignature software. It is one of the best DocuSign alternatives in industries where banks, insurance companies, and government agencies trust it and demand very strict digital tools in signing their documents. It is advanced in terms of authentication and encryption.
Key Features:
- Bank-grade security and authentication
- Advanced compliance (eIDAS, GDPR, HIPAA)
- Custom branding and workflows
- Strong API for enterprise integrations
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Offers higher security and compliance, making it ideal for regulated industries.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on business needs
Ideal For: Financial institutions, government, and enterprises needing strict compliance
9 Nitro Sign
Nitro Sign is a lean but mighty DocuSign rival with the vision of enhancing productivity. It fits in with Nitro PDF tools, which is why it is very useful in a team that has to work with PDF documents regularly. Nitro Sign is a feasible choice when a company seeks cheap DocuSign alternatives due to its competitive pricing and the necessary digital signature capabilities.
Key Features:
- Unlimited eSignatures with all plans
- PDF editing and collaboration tools
- Microsoft and cloud storage integrations
- Team productivity dashboards
Platform: Web, Windows, iOS
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Bundles eSignatures with powerful PDF editing tools, making it an all-in-one solution.
Pricing: Starts from $9.99/month per user
Ideal For: Teams that handle large volumes of PDFs along with eSignatures
10 Formstack Sign
Formstack Sign is aimed at companies needing simple, automated document processes. It is connected with hundreds of applications such as Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office. As an open-source DocuSign competitor, it provides drag-and-drop document creation, workflow automation, and mobile signature, and it is also popular among HR, finance, and legal teams.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop eSignature workflows
- HIPAA compliance for healthcare organisations
- SMS and email delivery options
- Integration with Salesforce, Zapier, and Google Workspace
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Provides HIPAA compliance and healthcare-friendly workflows.
Pricing: Starts at $18/month
Ideal For: Healthcare providers, nonprofits, and SMBs needing HIPAA-compliant solutions
11. DocHub
DocHub is a cloud-based digital signature solution that also enables users to edit, send, and manage PDFs online. It is highly convenient for users and small enterprises as it is integrated with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Gmail. DocHub is a cheap competitor to DocuSign, one that is lightweight but easy to use.
Key Features:
- PDF editing and annotation tools
- Integration with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive
- Template creation and sharing
- Audit trails for compliance
Platform: Web, iOS
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Easier and cheaper option for users who primarily work with PDFs and Google Docs
Pricing: Free version available; paid from $6.99/month
Ideal For: Educators, students, and SMBs that need lightweight signing and editing
12. HyperStart
HyperStart is a contemporary DocuSign substitute that is fast, easy, and inexpensive to use by business customers. In contrast to other conventional eSignature software, HyperStart was designed with a fast implementation approach, easy-to-use design and price-scaling models. It is unique compared to DocuSign, as it has more integrations, quicker onboarding, and more affordable solutions that are designed to work with growing companies.
Key Features:
- AI-driven contract lifecycle management
- Real-time negotiation and collaboration
- Automated reminders and analytics
- Customizable templates and workflows
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
How it Stands Out Against DocuSign: Combines eSignatures with advanced CLM powered by AI, making it more future-ready
Pricing: Free trial available; paid plans customised for teams
Ideal For: Startups, enterprises, and businesses seeking intelligent contract management
How to Choose the Right Alternative
Not all eSignature tools are going to suit your business. This is because the correct selection relies on your budget, security requirements, integrations and industry compliance. The following are some of the factors to be considered when selecting the best DocuSign alternative:
- Convenience: Are you and your team or clients not the most tech-savvy? Go with a simpler platform such as HelloSign or SignEasy, both of which primarily aim at convenience and rapid onboarding.
- Security & Compliance: When you are in finance, healthcare, or government, seek out rigorous security and compliance. OneSpan Sign and Formstack Sign (HIPAA-compliant) are very good options.
- Integrations: Be sure that the tool integrates with your current applications. Adobe Sign is built to be compatible with Microsoft and Salesforce, and Zoho Sign fits almost any business in the Zoho ecosystem.
- Price: DocuSign is costly to startups and small companies. Prices for cheaper options, such as SignNow or DocHu, offer the same capabilities.
- Sophisticated: PandaDoc or HyperStart are good options when you require more than eSignatures, including proposals, analytics, or AI-driven workflows.
- Scalability: When expanding your team, choose a solution that is scalable to your business. HyperStart and Adobe Sign can be easily expanded to the enterprise level.
Benefits of Using a DocuSign Alternative
- Cost Savings: There are numerous DocuSign alternatives that have similar features at a cheaper cost, and therefore are affordable to a startup or SMB.
- Flexibility: Alternatives usually offer customizable workflows, templates, and integrations that are specific to industries and businesses of various sizes.
- More Integrations: Solutions such as Zoho Sign, Adobe Sign, and PandaDoc are more tightly integrated with certain ecosystems (Zoho, Microsoft, and CRMs).
- More Advanced Functionality: There are platforms like HyperStart and PandaDoc that extend beyond eSignatures to offer contract lifecycle management, artificial intelligence and analytics.
- Industry-Specific Compliance: Solutions such as Formstack Sign (HIPAA) and OneSpan Sign (GDPR, eIDAS) are beneficial in the healthcare, financial, and government sectors.
- User Experience: HelloSign is a lightweight tool with an easier-to-learn user interface, and can be deployed quickly than DocuSign.
Conclusion
Although DocuSign is undoubtedly one of the best-known brands in the eSignatures sector, it does not necessarily suit every company. There are many powerful DocuSign alternatives in 2025, both in the form of low-cost options such as SignNow and high-end ones such as Adobe Sign or AI-based offerings such as HyperStart, similar to the variety of Kahoot Alternatives available for interactive learning and quizzes.
The correct tool will be determined by your budget, security requirements, integrations, and industry compliance. You can use one of these 12 platforms to streamline your workflow, save money, and have a smoother signing process than DocuSign, regardless of whether you are a freelancer, startup, or enterprise.
FAQs
What do the best DocuSign alternatives in 2025 look like?
Adobe Sign, HelloSign, PandaDoc, SignNow, Zoho Sign, Nitro Sign, and HyperStart are some of the most effective alternatives to DocuSign. Every tool has its own strengths as per business requirements.
What are the free DocuSign alternatives?
Tools such as HelloSign, Zoho Sign, PandaDoc, and DocHub offer free plans, which are very affordable to personal and small groups.
What DocuSign option should large companies use?
The benefits of Adobe Sign and HyperStart to companies are that these tools are scalable, comply with regulatory requirements, and are sophisticated workflow solutions.
What DocuSign option should small businesses or freelancers use?
Freelancers and SMBs can use SignEasy, HelloSign, and DocHub because they are relatively inexpensive, user-friendly, and can be configured within a short time.
