HelloSign vs. PandaDoc: Full Comparison

HelloSign and PandaDoc are two of the best-rated eSignature tools on the market today. Both tools can simplify and streamline your document workflow, but which platform best suits your needs? In this article, we’ll analyze and compare HelloSign vs. PandaDoc, looking at several key criteria, including the following:

• Key features
• Integrations and API
• Usability
• Security and Compliance
• Customer support
• Use cases
• Plans and pricing
• User reviews

Let’s get started.

Introducing HelloSign vs. PandaDoc

Let’s briefly cover the basics of HelloSign and PandaDoc before comparing the two digital signature tools.

HelloSign Overview

HelloSign is an electronic signature platform that makes it easy to sign documents online. This tool can help you create a legally binding electronic signature—you can either type or draw your signature or upload an image to the platform. The digital signature can be added to uploaded documents, contracts, forms, and agreements. This includes PDF files, among other file types.

You can also use the signature collection feature to obtain signatures from additional contract parties. Reminders and notifications allow you to manage your document workflow, encourage signatories, and increase document turnaround.

HelloSign is a capable digital signature software that can benefit any business. However, it’s especially well-suited for small businesses. 

PandaDoc Overview

PandaDoc is a cloud-based digital signature software that allows you to ditch the paper and digitize your document workflow. You can create your eSignature and add it to uploaded documents. You can also send documents to contract parties for signature requests.

The web-based tool has several useful features that streamline your contract lifecycle. Templates save you time when creating new legal documents. Real-time alerts notify you when your signatories have digitally signed your documents so you can remain up to date.

PandaDoc is best suited to the following industries:

• Construction
• Consulting
• Education
• Finance
• Healthcare
• HR
• Software
• Legal
• Manufacturing
• Media
• Creative

Businesses of all sizes use PandaDoc. Quadient, a brand with over 5,500 employees, uses the platform. PandaDoc can be especially beneficial for the following departments:

• Marketing
• Sales
• HR
• Customer Success
• Legal
• IT and Ops
• Finance

These teams sign, manage, and process a high volume of contracts, forms, and agreements. PandaDoc allows these departments to go paperless and speed up document turnaround.

HelloSign vs. PandaDoc: Comparison Guide

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive comparison of HelloSign and PandaDoc. It covers the following criteria: 

• Key features
• Integrations and API
• Usability
• Security and Compliance
• Customer support
• Use cases
• Plans and pricing
• User reviews

1. Key Features

One of the most important elements to consider is the software’s functionality. We’ve provided an overview of HelloSign and PandaDoc’s key features below.

HelloSign Features

HelloSign has many capable features that make signing and processing documents online simple. The digital signature creator allows you to make your own legally binding digital signature. You can add the image to any document uploaded to the web-based platform.

You can also collect signatures from other contract parties. The program’s signature request feature sends your document to additional signatories upon your request; they’ll receive an email from HelloSign with a link to it. They can then create their digital signature and add it to your document.

Pre-made templates are another valuable HelloSign feature. They allow you to save time that would otherwise be spent creating contracts. The templates are proofread and verified by legal experts, so you can rest assured that all bases are covered. Documents such as legal agreements, tax forms, HR paperwork, and sales contracts can easily be downloaded and edited. Some specific examples include:

• NDAs
• NCAs
• W2s
• 1099s
• Employee handbooks
• Codes of conduct

Bulk sending allows you to scale up your document workflow and send many signature requests simultaneously. Managing the lifecycle of your contracts is easy, thanks to an audit trail and helpful tools such as reminders and notifications.

HelloSign’s key features are listed below:

• Sign requests
• Templates
• Mobile app
• Audit trail
• Reminders and notifications
• In-person signing
• Bulk send
• Reporting features
• Team features
• API

PandaDoc Features

PandaDoc has a robust suite of features that make signing, managing, and processing documents easy. Its core functionality allows you to create a digital signature and electronically sign uploaded files. It’s compatible with various file types, including PDF documents.

The signature collection feature makes sending contracts and agreements to signatories simple. PandaDoc’s free plan gives you unlimited signature requests, which is rare in the eSignature marketplace—most free plans have restrictions on this feature.

Bulk sending makes it possible to send large amounts of documents at once. You can save time by contacting all your contract parties in just a few clicks. Additional features such as roles, comments, approvals, and negotiations make collaborating and managing, and processing documents simpler.

PandaDoc’s features include the following: 

• Drag-and-drop online editor
• File upload
• Bulk send
• Templates
• Integrations
• Roles, comments, approvals, and negotiations
• Audit trail
• Real-time alerts
• Analytics

2. Integrations and API

Your new software application should seamlessly integrate with your existing technology stack. Below, we’ve detailed the integrations and APIs of HelloSign and PandaDoc.

HelloSign Integrations

HelloSign easily integrates with the best and most popular SaaS tools. Here are some examples of software that syncs with HelloSign:

• SharePoint
• Salesforce
• Salesforce CPQ
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Gmail
• Google Docs
• Google Drive
• Google Workspace
• Dropbox
• Evernote
• HubSpot
• OneDrive
• Microsoft Word
• Oracle CEC
• Oracle CPQ

HelloSign’s API also lets you add the digital signature tool to your website and applications. There isn’t much difference between HelloSign and PandaDoc regarding integrations and API.

PandaDoc Integrations

PandaDoc integrates with several types of software, such as CRMs and applications used for payment, storage, admin, productivity, and design. PandaDoc works with the following popular tools:

• HubSpot
• Salesforce
• Pipedrive
• Zoho
• Copper
• Monday.com
• Slack
• Google Workspace
• Zoom
• Microsoft Word
• Salesmate
• Google Docs
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM
• Stripe
• Paypal
• Square

An API allows you to embed PandaDoc’s functionality into your website and apps to help automate your document workflow. You can generate documents automatically and save time on tedious data entry. All in all, PandaDocs integrations and API are similar to HelloSign’s.

3. Usability

Even if a tool has all the features and functionality you need, it will be ineffective if it’s difficult to use. Choosing a platform that makes it easy to sign digital documents is essential. HelloSign and PandaDoc’s usability is compared below. 

HelloSign Ease of Use

HelloSign’s interface is intuitive and makes the platform easy to use. The dashboard is simple to navigate; your team will likely master the tool in less than an hour. HelloSign is designed to help you upload documents and get them signed with ease.

PandaDoc Ease of Use

PandaDoc is a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to sign documents online electronically. Its intuitive interface makes navigation effortless for your team—they’ll be able to learn the basics of PandaDoc within minutes.

4. Security & Compliance

Cloud-based software tools are convenient but can be vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Because HelloSign and PandaDoc are both web-based, it’s important to cover each tool’s security and compliance aspects.

HelloSign Security 

HelloSign has several procedures in place to ensure the privacy and security of its customers’ data. The platform makes protecting sensitive information a priority. Independent third-party auditors conduct an annual inspection of HelloSign’s security and privacy measures.

One of the most basic security features HelloSign offers is data deletion. On request, HelloSign will delete your data. All signatories must consent to the deletion if documents have multiple contract parties. However, if the legal hold process has been completed, you can request deletion yourself.

HelloSign is PCI-compliant and uses Stripe for all payments made through the platform. Cardholder data and other payment information are hosted on Stripe’s server. All HelloSign documents are protected by a firewall and encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is used for data center hosting. Other notable security features include a dedicated security team, an audit log, and the ability to assign roles and permissions.

HelloSign eSignatures are legally binding in the United States and around the world. The digital signature software complies with the ESIGN Act of 2000 and is also compliant with many international laws and regulations. 

PandaDoc Security

PandaDoc prioritizes the security of your documents above all else. Your sensitive information should remain private to you and your contract parties. PandaDoc implements several security measures that ensure the platform meets industry standards and compliance.

PandaDoc is designed for many industries, including healthcare. The platform complies with HIPAA and the Privacy Rule and the administrative, physical, and technical safeguards of the Security Rule. Your patient’s healthcare data is secure when sending ePHI with PandaDoc.

PandaDoc is also SOC 2 Type II certified and compliant with GDPR, eIDAS, and FERPA. All data center hosting is handled by AWS (Amazon Web Services). 

PandaDoc uses several software security measures, such as AES-256 encryption, vulnerability testing, and daily automatic database backups. An external provider handles all payment processing. No cardholder data is stored on the PandaDoc platform.  

All eSignatures made with PandaDoc are 100% legally binding and protected by law. PandaDoc complies with ESIGN and UETA in the United States and many other laws and regulations abroad.

5. Customer Support

Even the best tools will leave users seeking help from time to time. You deserve a document signing software platform that provides great customer support. Below is some basic information regarding HelloSign and PandaDoc’s customer support.

HelloSign Support

HelloSign provides customer support via several channels. A support center provides answers to customer inquiries. Process documentation and learning courses educate clients on properly using the platform. There’s also a ticket submission feature if you can’t find the necessary information. 

PandaDoc Support

PandaDoc has several customer support strategies. A help center offers support documentation, guides, and courses. A dedicated forum allows you to seek out solutions. Leadership content in eBooks, webinars, and podcasts is also available.

6. Use Cases

Are you looking for some real-world examples of how HelloSign and PandaDoc provide value to companies? Below are examples of how these tools can be used and relevant case studies.

HelloSign Use Cases

HelloSign is a versatile electronic signature app used by companies of various sizes in a wide range of industries. It can help you save money by going paperless and save time by improving document turnaround. The platform offers several significant benefits to your technology stack.

HelloSign has many case studies and success stories on its website. Vote.org used the HelloSign API to help absentee voters from specific US states. The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) saved money after using HelloSign to go paperless. 

Digital signing software allowed the ISCA to increase document turnaround and operational efficiency; contracts could be signed much faster than before. The ISCA decreased paper costs by an estimated 10%, which was approximately 10,000 pieces of paper per month. 

Over 17 departments now use HelloSign to sign and process documents. The ISCA’s story is just one of many case studies found on the HelloSign website.

PandaDoc Use Cases

PandaDoc is a capable cloud-based digital signing software used by businesses big and small. It’s utilized across many industries, such as construction, consulting, education, finance, healthcare, human resources, software, and more.

There are plenty of customer success stories on the PandaDoc website. The global restoration non-profit One Tree Planted used PandaDoc to go paperless and digitize its document workflow. Making the switch had a major impact on day-to-day operations and processes.

The MaaS (Marketing as a Service) business 2X was able to increase sales and customer satisfaction by adopting PandaDoc. The software allowed the company to accelerate its document workflow and increase turnaround. As a result, 2X can now spend more time on mission-critical tasks.

There are plenty more use cases and success stories on the PandaDoc website. 

7. Plans & Pricing

The costs and details of all pricing plans for HelloSign and PandaDoc are listed below. 

HelloSign Plans

There are four HelloSign pricing plans: Free, Essentials, Standard, and Premium. All paid plans come with a 30-day free trial. You can pay annually or month-by-month. Here are the details of each pricing plan:

• Free: Includes one user, three signature requests per month, an audit trail, a mobile app, and more.
• Essentials: $198 per year or $22 per month. You get one user, unlimited signature requests, five templates, an audit trail, a mobile app, integrations, and more.
• Standard: $660 per year or $33 per user per month. Includes one user with the opportunity to buy more if needed. You get everything from the Essentials plan, plus fifteen templates, branding, bulk send, team features, and more.
• Premium: This plan is a custom offering for larger enterprises. You’ll need to contact the sales team to get a quote. It starts at a minimum of five users and includes all HelloSign features.

PandaDoc Plans

There are four PandaDoc pricing plans: Free, Essentials, Business, and Enterprise. You can pay yearly or monthly; a 14-day free trial is available. Here’s how much each plan costs and what you get:

• Free: You can digitally sign and request signatures for as many documents as you want. This differs from most other free plans offered by digital signing tools; signature requests are typically limited to free versions. You also get activity tracking and notifications, payments, and a mobile app.
• Essentials: $228 per year or $29 per month. Includes all Free plan features, plus templates, a rich media drag-and-drop document editor, document analytics, and more.
• Business: $588 per year or $59 per month. You get all Essentials plan features, plus custom branding, a content library, approval workflows, and CRM and Zapier integrations. Forms and bulk send must be purchased as add-ons.
• Enterprise: This is a custom plan for larger businesses. It requires you to contact the sales team for a quote. You get all Business plan features, plus SSO support and custom user roles, unlimited team workspaces, Salesforce integration, and more. API must be purchased separately.

8. User Reviews

User reviews can clue you in on the quality of a product or service. Below is a brief overview of HelloSign and PandaDoc’s customer reviews.

HelloSign Reviews

HelloSign is one of the most popular and highest-rated eSignature tools on the market today. Over 1,987 users have reviewed it on G2, the internet’s premier software review and comparison platform. The average rating is 4.7 out of 5 stars, which is very high compared to other tools.

Customers value the platform’s usability. HelloSign has an intuitive interface that simplifies signing, managing, and processing documents. One negative aspect users have commented on is the lack of templates in the free version.

PandaDoc Reviews

PandaDoc is a top-rated digital signature platform that has exceptional reviews. Over 1,800 users have rated the tool on G2’s software review and comparison platform. On average, PandaDoc’s rating is 4.7 out of 5 stars—an impressive score compared to alternative tools.

Customers consider PandaDoc easy to use and cost-effective. The platform’s template feature and capable integrations are its strong points. However, there are reportedly concerns from users. Sometimes, some find it hard to locate documents, and the search function needs improvement.

HelloSign vs. PandaDoc: Which Should You Choose?

Now that we’ve compared HelloSign and PandaDoc, here’s our final analysis: Both tools are capable and can provide value to your technology stack. However, each tool’s features cater to different needs. Our conclusions are as follows:

HelloSign: Best For Small Businesses 

HelloSign makes the most sense for small businesses. Their Essentials plan is less expensive than PandaDoc’s Essentials plan, and you still get all the tools and features you need to streamline your document workflow and increase turnaround.

As a small business, you’ll likely benefit from time-saving features like templates. You can also take advantage of HelloSign’s unlimited signature requests as your company grows. Although PandaDoc’s free version also has unlimited signature requests, it doesn’t include any advanced functionality.

PandaDoc: Best For Sole Proprietors and New Startups

Due to its amazing free plan, PandaDoc is the better eSignature tool for sole proprietors and new startups. Unlike many other digital signature platforms, PandaDoc’s free plan has no restrictions on signature requests; you can send out as many documents as you want.

As a sole proprietor or new startup, you must keep costs low. The PandaDoc free plan lets you digitally sign and process your documents without paying for additional signature requests.

Signaturely: The Best Alternative

Not sure if HelloSign and PandaDoc are for you? Well, there’s another great option available: Signaturely. It’s a cloud-based digital signature platform that simplifies the online signing process. It gives you all the features you need to streamline your document workflow.

Signaturely is a fantastic HelloSign alternative for small businesses. It’s easier to use, has a superior business plan, and has better customer support. It’s also a great PandaDoc alternative since PandaDoc tends to lag and has a record of poor user experiences.

Signaturely’s free plan is great if you want a strong free document signing solution. You can electronically sign as many documents as you like, and if you need to collect signatures from others, you can make three signature requests per month. Signaturely’s free signature software is especially beneficial if you’re a sole proprietor or a new startup. It’ll minimize costs and save time.

Signaturely has a strong suite of features that make it easy to sign documents online electronically. You can type or draw your own digital signature and add it to uploaded documents, and easily send your contracts and agreements to collect signatures from your signatories.

These are just some of Signaturely’s great features. The platform has three pricing plans: Free, Personal, and Business.

The Personal Plan is $20 per month and has no limits on signature requests. You also get to use one template. The Business plan is $30 per month, and you get all Signaturely features and functionality with no restrictions.   

HelloSign vs. PandaDoc: FAQs

What You Need to Remember About PandaDoc vs. HelloSign

This article compares HelloSign and PandaDoc, two of the top-rated eSignature tools on the market. This comparison looked at several criteria, including: 

• Key features
• Integrations and API
• Usability
• Security and Compliance
• Customer support
• Use cases 
• Plans and pricing
• User reviews

Both software applications have pros and cons. Our analysis concluded that HelloSign is better for small businesses due to its superior Business plan. Alternatively, PandaDoc’s free plan makes it a better choice for sole proprietors and new startups.