Best Electronic Signature Software 2021

Signwell vs. Formstack Sign

Is Signwell or Formstack Sign the better solution for you? This in-depth, feature-by-feature breakdown will help you select the best electronic signature tool to help manage your documents and grow your business.

Individuals and organizations use electronic signature software tools to create and manage their document workflows. With so many electronic signature options in the market, it can be intimidating to choose the right one for you. We’ve written this guide to help you understand the differences between Signwell and Formstack Sign and make your purchasing decision easier.

Signwell & Formstack Sign Comparison Summary

Signwell and Formstack Sign are two of the lighter-weight electronic signature tools available in the market. They are both very similar in terms of features offered and ease of use. However, they do have some key differences – most importantly, Signwell’s free plan and Formstack Sign’s additional security options.

Signwell and Formstack Sign are best catered for those who need an electronic signature solution with the must-have features, and don’t want to pay for extra bells and whistles. If you want a free plan and send less than three documents a month, then we recommend Signwell. If you want a plan with a greater level of security, then we recommend Formstack Sign.

When it comes to pricing, Signwell is more affordable. It is also best if you want a free plan. Both solutions include key electronic signature software features – legally binding signatures, templates, a document editor, audit reports, flexible signing, and document storage. As mentioned above, Formstack Sign offers a greater level of security.

Here’s a quick breakdown to determine which solution is best for you:

You'll prefer Signwell if:

  • You send less than three documents a month
  • You want a more affordable solution
  • You want access to a standardized templates

Try Signwell Today

You'll prefer Formstack Sign if:

  • You want a solution that is HIPAA compliant
  • You want two-factor authentication
  • You want password-protected signing

Try Formstack Sign Today


Table of Contents

Who Should Purchase Signwell?

Signwell is an electronic signature tool that offers the necessary features needed for managing legal documents, as well as a few advanced features at an affordable price. This includes legally binding signatures, templates, mass signatures and in person signing. Signwell also offers a free plan that allows you to send three documents a month and a standardized template library for anyone to download.

In our research, we found that Signwell works best for individuals and SMBs with simpler document workflows. Customers have reported that they find Signwell very easy to use and that it makes the electronic signature process much more straightforward. Many have also mentioned that Signwell’s customer service is attentive and quick to respond.

Who Should Purchase Formstack Sign?

Formstack Sign includes all of the core features needed to manage document workflows, as well as a few advanced features like mass signatures and in person signing. It also includes a few extra security features and compliances like HIPAA compliance, two-factor authentication, and password-protected signing.

Through our research, we found that Formstack Sign also works best for those who have a simpler document workflow and do not need a robust platform. Customers have also ranked Formstack Sign’s ease-of-use highly and found that their recipients have found signing through it effortless as well.

Signwell & Formstack Sign Price Comparison

Both Signwell and Formstack Sign are priced as monthly subscriptions. Overall, Signwell is slightly more affordable than Formstack Sign. Both solutions also offer a discount for the upfront purchase of an annual plan. A significant difference between the solutions is that Signwell offers a basic free plan, while Formstack Sign does not.

Signwell Pricing Details

Signwell pricing ranges from free to $30 per user per month. You can save up to 20% if you choose to pay for the annual subscription. Here’s an overview of Signwell’s pricing plans:

Free plan
  • Free
  • 1 user
Personal plan
  • $10 per user per month
  • $8 per month under annual subscription
  • 1 user
Business plan
  • $30 per user per month
  • $24 per month under annual subscription
  • 3 users (additional $10 for extra users)

Formstack Sign Pricing Details

Formstack Sign pricing ranges from $20 to $32 per user per month. You can save ~20% if you choose to pay for the annual subscription. Here’s an overview of Formstack Sign’s pricing plans.

Standard plan
  • $20 per user per month
  • $16 per month under annual subscription
Pro plan
  • $32 per user per month
  • $26 per month under annual subscription
Enterprise plan
  • Contact Formstack Sign

Signwell & Formstack Sign Feature Comparison

Signwell and Formstack Sign are two electronic signature solutions that offer many similar core features. Both platforms include legally binding signatures, templates, a document editor, audit reports and flexible signing. However, as shown in the table below, each platform also includes features not found in its competitor.

FeatureSignwellFormstack Sign
Legally Binding SignaturesYesYes
TemplatesYesYes
Auto-fill DataNoNo
Content LibraryNoNo
Custom BrandingYesYes
Text-editing for Uploaded DocumentsNoNo
Multiple LanguagesYesYes
Robust IntegrationsYesNo
Real-time NotificationsYesYes
In person SigningYesYes
Multi-party SigningYesYes
Mass SignaturesYesYes
Auto-remindersYesYes
Two factor authenticationNoYes
Audit ReportsYesYes
Proposal Template LibraryYesNo
Payments through a Legal DocumentNoNo
Interactive QuotingNoNo
APIYesYes
Mobile ApplicationNoNo

Signwell & Formstack Sign Top Feature Comparison

Below we provide an in-depth comparison between Signwell and Formstack Sign in five key electronic signature feature areas – creating templates, editing documents, sending documents, signing documents, and storing documents.

Templates

Both Signwell and Formstack Sign offer the ability to create your own templates. Signwell offers its own standardized templates, while Formstack Sign does not. We also found using templates on Signwell to be more efficient than using templates on Formstack Sign.

One reason is that templates in Signwell save the document and with the fields that are positioned on it. In contrast, Formstack Sign only saves the fields and their positioning, not the document they are placed on. This means Formstack Sign customers have to upload and reupload the correct document and overlay the template.

In addition to templates, Formstack Sign comes with reusable forms. These function very similarly to the templates in Signwell. We recommend using reusable forms for your template needs rather than Formstack Sign’s own designated template feature.

Document Editor

Signwell and Formstack Sign both provide simple and easy to use document editors, where the main functionality is the addition of fields. The main difference between the two solutions’ editors is how recipients are assigned to fields. We found Signwell to be better for assigning fields to a larger number of recipients.

In Signwell, you drag a field to the document and then assign it to a recipient. Signwell also includes “Field Suggest”. This advanced feature detects blank lines for field addition in a document.

Signwell Document Editing

In Formstack Sign, you have to drag a field from each corresponding recipient’s dropdown menu. This can be difficult to navigate and can become tedious if you are adding fields for many recipients.

Formstack Sign Multiparty Signing

Sending Documents

Signwell and Formstack Sign let you send documents by email, link, or in-person. The most important difference between the tools is if you want more security when it comes to signing. In that case, we recommend Formstack Sign because the platform lets you set up password protected signing.

When sending a document by email, both solutions let you:

  • Edit a personalized message for the recipients
  • Apply a sending order for those who need to fill out the document
  • CC a completed document to people

Signing Documents

Signwell and Formstack Sign’s signing platforms are simple and very similar to each other. Both include a “Next” button to help navigate the recipient to the fields they need to sign in a document, let you download the document as a PDF, and let you decline a document.

Both solutions also have their own “nice-to-have” signing features. Signwell allows a recipient to navigate a document by page.

Signwell Document Signing

Formstack Sign includes embedded links a recipient can use to navigate their fields in a document. They also indicate the action that needs to be taken for a field.

Formstack Document Signing

Document Storage

Signwell and Formstack Sign have limited document storage, butoffer similar features – a search bar, and the ability to organize documents by status & date. However, Signwell’s storage is divided into documents and templates.

Templates in Formstack Sign are only accessible once you have uploaded a document. This is inefficient because you are unable to preview the template you want to use. You would also have to upload the correct document to overlay the template over or else you would have to start over. However, reusable forms are located in the same area documents are.

Bottom Line

Signwell and Formstack Sign are two of the simpler tools available in the electronic signature market. They are both very similar in terms of features offered and usability, but we found Signwell’s platform to be more streamlined. However, they do have some key differences – Signwell’s free plan and Formstack Sign’s additional security options.

  • Signwell is best for those who would benefit from a free plan and need a more affordable option.
  • Formstack Sign is best for those who prefer or require more security features like HIPAA compliance, password-protected signing and two-factor authentication.

If you’re interested, visit Signwell or Formstack Sign today to get started.

Amy Yang

Amy Yang is a Junior Research Analyst at SoftwarePundit, where she conducts in-depth analyses on software markets and products. Amy has expertise in content production and managing digital and social platforms. She has a Bachelor of Science in Communication & Media, and a Minor in Web Programming and Applications from NYU. You can connect with Amy on LinkedIn.

Amy is an expert in several software categories including:

  • Course creation software
  • Electronic signature software
  • Social media software
  • Website builder software

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