Looking Beyond DocuSign: Why Dropbox Sign Might Be the Better eSignature Solution for Your Business

When people think of electronic signatures, DocuSign is often the first name that comes to mind, but it’s far from the only option. If you're looking for a modern, flexible, and cost-effective alternative, Dropbox Sign is worth your attention.

Dropbox Sign offers all the core functionality you expect from an industry-leading eSignature platform, with additional benefits that set it apart from older, more rigid solutions.

Dropbox Sign vs. DocuSign: A Feature Comparison

At a high level, Dropbox Sign provides the same essential functionality as DocuSign, secure, legally binding electronic signatures. However, it stands out in several key areas that can directly benefit your team’s workflow, tech stack, and bottom line.

Seamless Integration with Your Tech Stack

Dropbox Sign features a modern integration architecture that supports a wide array of tools and platforms. It utilizes a side-panel component, offering a smoother, more intuitive user experience without disrupting your workflow.

Whether you're integrating with CRM tools, cloud storage solutions, or internal document management systems, Dropbox Sign’s integration capabilities are flexible and developer-friendly.

Transparent, Scalable Pricing Model

Unlike pricing models that may surprise you with hidden costs, Dropbox Sign offers clear, volume-based pricing. If your business exceeds its committed signature volume, you're simply moved to the next usage tier and billed the difference—no penalties or unexpected charges.

This pricing transparency ensures that you can scale your use of eSignatures without budgeting headaches or restrictive contracts.

The Benefits of Electronic Signatures

Use of electronic signatures helps an organization in several ways. Some benefits are apparent, but others may surprise you. 

Cost

Initially, the expenses associated with paper-and-ink signatures may seem minor, but they can grow significantly over time. You might be surprised by some of the ways these costs accumulate. It's not merely about the cost of ink and toner.

Let's begin there. A high-quality printer capable of handling your team's printing volume requires paper. You'll often need paper in different sizes and perhaps different types. These expenses accumulate. Additionally, you'll need to purchase toner and ink.

Next, consider the cost of storing your paperwork backlog. Secure cabinets are necessary, along with a sufficiently large space to store them without obstructing your team's workflow. This includes organizing all those documents efficiently so that locating necessary paperwork doesn't become a time-consuming task.

And that's just the start. Discussing eSignature benefits also means discussing time savings.

Time

Since time equates to money, this section aligns closely with the previous point. Using analog signing methods is more time-consuming than electronic signing. A major factor is the delay associated with pen-and-paper signatures.

There's no comparison between the time required to print a document, mail or courier it to a signatory, and then wait for its return, versus the almost immediate capability of an eSignature to be sent to the signatory and back to you.

Automation

One of the major advantages of electronic signatures is that the software used for them can automate tasks that are often time-consuming. For instance, consider Dropbox Sign (formerly HelloSign). Dropbox Sign enables you to save templates for your most commonly used documents. This means you can input the essential information for your current requirements, and the document will automatically fill in that information without the need to manually update each field individually. It is also designed to integrate with your document management system, allowing it to automatically track the progress of documents sent out for signing and send notifications when those documents have been successfully signed and completed. This feature also helps minimize human error. You can configure your submission protocols so that any empty signature fields prevent the signatory from submitting the document back into your system.

Security

One of the often overlooked yet crucial advantages of electronic signatures is the enhancement of security. eSignatures strengthen security in several ways. 

With traditional paper documents, there isn't a "validate signature on document" feature to confirm the signer's identity. eSignature solutions employ multi-point identification to ensure the correct person is signing your document. Incorporating an eSignature solution into your enterprise document management system also allows you to track who has accessed a document and when/what modifications have been made. This helps protect against potential fraud from unreliable sources.

Integration

eSignature platforms, such as Dropbox Sign, are specifically crafted to integrate seamlessly with your business systems through their platform APIs. This integration allows you to create, sign, send, and track signature requests directly within your business system, eliminating the need to switch applications or download and upload agreements. As you explore eSignatures further, you'll discover even more advantages.

Benefits

eSignatures are powerful tools, allowing you to sign documents from mobile devices anywhere globally and demonstrating to potential employees your commitment to simplifying their onboarding paperwork. With a solution like Dropbox Sign, you receive a tool that integrates seamlessly with your entire technology stack, and it can scale with your organization's growth. Now is the time to adopt an eSignature solution. If your current eSignature software falls short of these capabilities, it's time to upgrade. At Shake IT, we have decades of experience in optimizing our partners' document management systems, including finding the right eSignature solution to meet current needs and support future growth. Contact us today to start saving time and money while enhancing security and efficiency.

Book a meeting to learn more.