HelloSign, now rebranded as Dropbox Sign, remains a top choice in 2024 for those seeking reliable and user-friendly digital signature software. This article provides an in-depth look at HelloSign’s offerings, from its key features and pricing plans to its integration into the Dropbox ecosystem.
What is HelloSign?
HelloSign or DropBox Sign is an industry-leading e-signature and document workflow platform now owned by Dropbox. It allows users to securely sign, send, and manage multiple documents from any device.
With HelloSign, you can upload documents from your computer, cloud storage, or Google Drive and send them out for signature. It enables you to collect signatures from multiple people, keep track of document activity, and manage forms and templates.
HelloSign is ideally suited for small businesses, teams, and anyone who needs an affordable, user-friendly way to manage digital documents. Whether you need contracts signed or to send paperwork between colleagues, HelloSign streamlines the process with legally binding e-signatures. Its simple setup and integrations with popular electronic signature apps like Dropbox make HelloSign accessible for diverse needs.
Does Dropbox own HelloSign?
Yes, HelloSign is now owned by Dropbox. In 2019, Dropbox purchased HelloSign for $230 million in an all-cash deal. This gave Dropbox ownership of HelloSign’s suite of products, including HelloWorks, HelloFax, and SignAPI.
As part of the acquisition, HelloSign has been rebranded to Dropbox Sign as of October 2022. This rebranding signifies HelloSign’s full integration into the Dropbox content ecosystem. The purchase has enabled tighter integration between Dropbox cloud storage and document creation capabilities and HelloSign’s e-signature workflows. It provides Dropbox users with an end-to-end document management experience, from content collaboration to legally binding e-signatures. The acquisition and rebranding aim to deliver more streamlined workflows for Dropbox customers.
HelloSign Key Features
HelloSign offers a robust set of features to streamline digital document workflows. Its document signing software features allow for efficient document signing, storage, collaboration, and management.
Key capabilities include:
- Legally-binding e-signatures: HelloSign’s signatures are court-admissible and meet compliance requirements for most industries.
- Custom workflows: Users can build multi-step approval chains, embed signing into websites, and create reminders/deadlines.
- Templates: There are dozens of templates for contracts, forms, HR documents, etc. Users can also make custom templates.
- Integrations: HelloSign integrates with popular apps like Dropbox, Google, Slack, and Microsoft to enable seamless workflows.
- Enhanced security: Features like audit trails, SMS authentication, and SSL encryption safeguard data.
- Analytics: Users gain insights into document status, turnaround times, and workflow efficiency.
- API platform: For further customization and automation of e-signature processes.
- In-person signing: Using a smartphone, documents can be signed on the go with a finger.
With this diverse feature set, HelloSign aims to make digital document processes faster, more professional, and highly secure. Users can avoid the frustrations of printing, scanning, faxing, and couriering. Everything is digital, automated, and cloud-based.
Whether you’re a small business owner, HR manager, or IT director, HelloSign has tools to optimize your document workflows. Integrations also augment platforms many businesses use, like Dropbox, G Suite, Office 365, and Salesforce.
HelloSign Pricing & Plans (2024)
In 2024, HelloSign, now part of the Dropbox family, continues to offer a range of pricing plans tailored to meet the varying needs of individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises. Each plan is designed with the understanding that every organization’s requirements are unique, whether it’s a solopreneur needing to streamline their operation or a large enterprise seeking advanced features and security.
Essentials
The Essentials plan starts at $15 per user per month, billed annually (or $20 per user per month, billed monthly). It is ideal for solopreneurs and small teams that need to send unlimited signature requests.
Key features include:
- Unlimited signature requests
- Basic workflows like reminders and deadlines
- Secure audit trails
- Integrations with apps like Google Drive and Dropbox
- Email and chat support
Dropbox + Sign Essentials
The Dropbox + Sign Essentials plan costs $18 per user per month, billed annually. It combines HelloSign capabilities with 3TB of Dropbox cloud storage for secure file collaboration. Additional features include video commenting, shared folders, and DocSend for sending documents.
Standard
On top of all the features in Essentials, the Standard plan is $25 per user/month billed yearly or $30 monthly. It adds:
- Custom branding for a white-label solution
- API access and more app integrations
- Advanced workflows and administrative controls
- Priority email support
This suits departments or companies that need to handle larger signature volumes with more controls. The Standard plan is similar to Essentials but is suited for two or more users and gives you access to 15 templates instead of 5. It also supports advanced integrations with Salesforce, Sharepoint, and more.
Premium
The Premium plan requires custom enterprise pricing. It unlocks further capabilities like:
- SMS authentication for signers
- Variable/repeating signers
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Dedicated account management
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
This meets specialized e-signature and PDF signing software needs at scale across divisions or subsidiaries. Premium adds enterprise features like multi-teams and performance dashboards, making scaling document operations easier than other plans.
What Are the Limitations of HelloSign?
While Dropbox Sign delivers an impressive breadth of core e-signature capabilities, there are some restrictions in its feature set – especially when compared to more full-featured (but costlier) alternatives like DocuSign and PandaDoc.
A couple of significant limitations include the following:
Document Creation and Editing
Dropbox Sign does not have its own native document creation or editing tools. Users must create documents in other apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs before uploading them to the platform for distribution and signing. The platform also lacks more advanced editing features during the signing process.
Additionally, Dropbox Sign’s reliance on external applications for document creation may introduce additional steps in the workflow, potentially slowing down processes that require swift document turnaround. The platform’s straightforward approach to document signing is a boon for simplicity. Still, it may not suffice for users who require in-document collaboration, such as simultaneous editing or commenting, directly within the eSignature platform.
Advanced Workflow Functionality
HelloSign enables multi-step sequential electronic signing chains and deadline reminders. However, options here are more basic than enterprise-geared platforms. For example, there is limited support for complex routing rules based on data fields or signer inputs.
Moreover, while Dropbox Sign caters well to linear and straightforward signing processes, businesses with more intricate hierarchical or departmental signing requirements may limit its capabilities. The platform’s basic workflow functionalities may not fully support the nuanced conditional logic or branching workflows that complex transactions or agreements often necessitate.
In-Depth Analytics and Reporting
DropBox Sign provides auditing trials and fundamental insights into turnaround times. However, users get less detailed analytics around bottlenecks, adoption metrics, or feature usage. This can hamper data-driven process optimization.
Furthermore, the lack of granular analytics and reporting can be a significant hurdle for organizations that rely on data to refine their processes and improve efficiency. While Dropbox Sign offers basic insights, lacking advanced analytics means missing out on strategic data points that could inform better decision-making, optimize workflow designs, or tailor customer engagement based on interaction with documents.
While perfectly sufficient for many smaller businesses, limitations like these rule DropBox Sign out for larger entities with complex document workflow needs, legal/compliance imperatives, or data integration requirements. For unlimited customization in e-signature builds, better HelloSign alternatives exist but at steep premiums.
Of course, HelloSign partly offsets shortcomings via integrations with Dropbox, Google, Microsoft, and other ubiquitous platforms. But in some instances, the compromises in capabilities may still be deal-breakers for power users. Understanding use cases is critical in assessing fit.
Signaturely is the Best HelloSign Alternative
For those seeking an easy-to-use and affordable alternative to Dropbox Sign, Signaturely is a top option. Signaturely eliminates complexity to offer a straightforward e-signature solution for solopreneurs and small teams.
Available plans are competitively priced, starting at just $16 per month, with volume discounts available. Despite the low cost, Signaturely earns solid reviews for its core signing capabilities and responsive customer support. Users highlight the intuitive interface, fast implementation, helpful wizards, robust audit trail, and unlimited signatures.
As a cloud-based solution, Signaturely also enables signing anytime, anywhere, while syncing across all devices. Integrations with apps like Gmail, Dropbox, and Google Drive create seamless workflows— all available at the lowest-priced tier.
While HelloSign offers more advanced features, Signaturely provides a streamlined approach tailored for primary use cases. For those needing simple, legally valid e-signatures without the learning curve, Signaturely is a leading contender for the title of best eSignature software. And with a free 14-day trial, experiencing the benefits first-hand is fast and risk-free. Try Signaturely today and learn more about optimizing your signature workflows in an intuitive platform.
FAQs About HelloSign Pricing
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about HelloSign pricing.
The Dropbox Sign Essentials plan is priced higher at $15 per user per month, billed annually, and includes unlimited signing. In contrast, the lowest DocuSign pricing plan offering unlimited signatures starts at $25 per user per month. Otherwise, DocuSign users can opt for the $10 per user per month for up to five envelopes. Both platforms also have custom pricing tiers. Ultimately, the price for both HelloSign and DocuSign depends on the tier.
There is a free trial and free API tier but no ongoing free plan for regular usage. However, the paid plans start at $180 per user annually. There is a free trial and free API tier but no ongoing free plan for regular usage. However, the paid Standard plan starts at $300 per user annually.
HelloSign is now a Dropbox company and integrated solution. But it originated as a standalone e-signature platform, later acquired and rebranded to Dropbox Sign. Dropbox offers more capabilities in the file management space outside of signature requests for electronic signatures.
What You Need to Remember About HelloSign Pricing
HelloSign, under the new moniker Dropbox Sign, continues to redefine e-signature solutions with its user-centric design, comprehensive feature set, and competitive pricing. It’s ideal for small businesses, teams, and individuals who need a streamlined, secure, and legally compliant way to manage their digital documents and signatures.
Whether you’re a long-time Dropbox user or new to digital signatures, HelloSign’s integration into the Dropbox family only enhances its appeal, offering a cohesive document management experience from creation to signature. Remember, the right plan depends on your specific needs, so consider each plan’s features, and don’t forget to take advantage of the free trial to ensure it’s the perfect fit for your e-signature requirements.
