Key takeaways
If you are searching for a reliable e-signature solution, DocuSign and Adobe Sign are certainly at the top of the list.
Both are industry leaders with e-signature tools and a host of additional features, including branding, templates, bulk sending, integrations, and more.
However, the decision is not an easy one. Despite both offering robust e-signature capabilities, they differ in features and pricing. You might also have several valid concerns about ease of use, data security, customer support, compliance with legal standards, and hidden costs.
In this article, we have covered great ground on this topic by perusing industry reports, customer reviews, communities, weighing pros and cons, comparing pricing, etc. This article will help you choose the optimal solution for your business.
What is Adobe Sign (Acrobat Sign)?
Adobe Sign is an electronic signature solution from Adobe. It allows users to sign, send, and manage documents digitally. Adobe Sign is part of Adobe’s suite of document management tools. Teams and customers can sign documents without downloading them or creating an account with Adobe. Businesses and individuals can use it to streamline obtaining legally binding signatures on contracts, forms, and other digital documents.
What is DocuSign?
DocuSign is an electronic signature and digital transaction management platform. Users can sign, send, and manage legally binding documents electronically. DocuSign streamlines the signing process, eliminating the need for paper-based signatures, and helps organizations automate workflows, ensuring secure and efficient handling of agreements.
In addition to e-Signatures, DocuSign's product line includes solutions for the following
- Contract Lifecycle Management
- Identify (for stronger authentication)
- Document Generation
- Electronic payments
- Web forms
What is Docupilot?
Before proceeding further, we will like to introduce you to Docupilot, a platform you can use to do more than just sign documents electronically. Docupilot is a comprehensive document automation solution for all commercial sectors, including legal, real estate, finance, and healthcare. You can design dynamic templates, generate personalized documents in bulk, collect legally binding signatures, and automatically deliver files to customers or internal systems.
With affordable credit-based pricing and a rich feature set, you can use automation to increase productivity, reduce errors, and satisfy more customers.
Adobe Sign vs. Docusign: Comparison Table
DocuSign vs Adobe Sign: Which is the Best Option?
The optimal solution for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here's a breakdown of key factors to help you decide which platform is better suited for you.
E-Signature
It should come as no surprise that DocuSign and Adobe Sign are chock full of features optimized for e-signature.
Adobe Sign
- Adobe Sign supports multiple document and image formats, including PDF, DOC/DOCX, GIF, JPG, and more
- You can e-sign from a browser and/or any device. The Adobe Acrobat Sign app is available on iOS and Android.
- Real-time notifications and reminders
- Provides tracking and audit trail for all transactions
DocuSign
- Support for multiple file formats, including PDF, DOCX, XLS, and many others.
- You can use free-form markups or upload images
- You can sign from any device or location
- Specialized mobile app allows easy creation, signing, and sending of documents
Security
As you may expect, both solutions support a host of security features for user and data security.
Adobe Sign
- Adobe Sign is integrated with Adobe Secure Cloud. PCI DSS approved AES 256-bit encryption protects assets at rest HTTPS TLS v1.2 protects data in transit. Senders can add an optional password for document security.
- A role-based access control is used for identity management. This model handles authentication, authorization, and access control for the e-signature solution.
- Single- and multi-factor authentication methods are available for user authentication.
- Additional signer identity verification methods are available depending on customer requirements. These include telephone, SMS, knowledge-based authentication (KBA), Government ID verification, digital certificates, and BankID/eID verification. In addition, several third-party identity solutions are supported.
- With regard to standards compliance, Adobe Sign complies with GDPR, HIPAA, eIDAS, and E-sign.
DocuSign
- DocuSign supports 256-bit AES encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and role-based access control.
- Multiple features, including anti-tamper control, subscriber data encryption, and signing data verification, provide security during transmission and storage.
- Geographically spread certified and audited data centers, and professional-grade network hardware provide business continuity (BCP) and disaster recovery (DR),
- DocuSign complies with multiple industry regulations, including HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, and FTC/FHA/IRS/FINRA rules
User Interface
Both platforms offer intuitive user interfaces. However, your preference may depend on whether you favor DocuSign’s simplicity or Adobe Sign’s integration with Adobe tools.
Adobe Sign
Adobe Sign has an intuitive interface, especially for users familiar with Adobe Acrobat. Users can easily send, track, and manage documents directly from Adobe's suite.
The interface feels familiar to other Adobe products, which eases the learning process. The design is clean and visually appealing, with clear icons and labels for straightforward navigation. There’s also a guided workflow to help users with the signing process.
DocuSign
DocuSign is also considered very user-friendly. Users can quickly create, edit, and sign documents. The platform also provides additional features, like role-based signing and workflow customization.
A clean layout, readily accessible tools and options, clear menus and labels, tooltips and prompts for guidance, all combine to enhance usability.
Integration Capabilities
Adobe and DocuSign support extensive integration capabilities.
Adobe Sign
If you’re using Adobe products such as Adobe Document Cloud, Adobe sign would be the perfect choice as it integrates seamlessly with the rest of the products. For example, if you created a document using InDesign and want to circulate across teams for their signatures, you can use AdobeSign to do it seamlessly.
DocuSign
DocuSign is known for its wider range of 900+ platform integrations, including Salesforce, Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and more. DocuSign may be a better choice and offers more flexibility if your organization uses a variety of non-Adobe tools.
Customer Support
When it comes to customer support, both DocuSign and Adobe Sign offer a range of options.
Adobe Sign
Adobe support options include a comprehensive online support portal with articles, guides, and tutorials. Adobe offers live chat for quick help on common issues or questions. Phone support is available for paid users, especially those on the Adobe Acrobat Pro plan. Adobe offers enhanced support for enterprise customers, including priority support, account management, and customized help for business users. There is also a highly active community forum where users can seek advice from Adobe experts and fellow users.
DocuSign
DocuSign support options include an online help center with an extensive knowledge base with FAQs, how-to guides, and troubleshooting articles. Email and live chat support are available, in addition to 24/7 phone support for higher-tier customers. Priority support is available for enterprise-level users, providing faster response times and personalized service. There is also an active user community forum where you can ask questions and get answers from users and DocuSign representatives.
Docusign Pricing vs. Adobe Sign Pricing
Like most SaaS providers, DocuSign and Adobe Sign provide multiple pricing options with corresponding feature sets.
DocuSign Pricing Plans
- Personal: $10/month, limited to 5 signatures per month
- Standard: $25/month, DPR, eIDAS, ISO 27001.
- Business Pro: $40/ month
- Enhanced Plans: Contact sales for custom pricing
Adobe Sign Pricing Plans
- Acrobat Standard for Teams: $14.99/month/license
- Acrobat Pro for Teams: $23.99/month/license.
- Acrobat Sign Solutions: Contact sales for custom pricing
Need to do More Than Just Sign Documents? Go with Docupilot!
Unlike Adobe Sign and DocuSign which offer per-user pricing, Doupilot offers credit-based pricing: you get more than you ask for and your entire team will breathe a sigh of relief with automation.
With Docupilot, you can automate document generation, increase productivity, streamline workflows, reduce costs, close more deals, and establish trust with your clients.
Unlike Adobe Sign and DocuSign, there is no feature gating on Docupilot: all features are available on all plans, including API access, unlimited templates and testing, and all integrations.
Contact Docupilot today for a no-strings-attached free trial, or book a demo.
FAQs
Is Adobe Sign better than DocuSign?
Adobe Sign and DocuSign offer robust e-signature solutions but cater to different needs and preferences. DocuSign has an extensive feature set and integrations, which can appeal to larger organizations with complex workflows. Adobe Sign excels in user-friendly design and seamless integration with other Adobe products, making it a great choice for businesses that already use Adobe software. Ultimately, the best option will depend on your specific requirements and how each platform aligns with your business goals.
Do Adobe Sign and DocuSign support document automation/management?
Adobe Sign is geared toward e-signature and does not provide document automation. DocuSign supports limited document automation capabilities, but only in the highest-tier plan with custom pricing.
Learn how to automate document creation with Docupilot
