Best Legal Software 2021

Best Electronic Signature Software for Lawyers

Searching for the best electronic signature solution for your law firm? We've listed the five top e-signature tools based on the features that lawyers value most.

Efficiently and securely collecting signatures for important documents is a critical part of any law firm. Electronic signature software streamlines the documentation process and reduces agreement turnaround time.

There are a variety of electronic signature solutions available, and selecting the best solution can be time consuming. To accelerate the purchasing process, we created a list of the five best electronic signature solutions for lawyers, and offer a detailed look into their pricing and features.

Table of Contents

What Features Matter Most to Lawyers?

Electronic signature software includes useful features that help lawyers securely send, track, and receive signed documents. Here are some of the most important and legal-specific features found in electronic signature solutions:

FeatureDescription
Court-admissible electronic signaturesEvery solution listed below allows you to collect electronic signatures that are lawful and court admissible. However, there are several types of documents that can not be legally e-signed such as divorce papers and court orders.
Data protectionMost electronic signature software includes stringent security measures that allow you to securely send and receive signed documents. Solutions help keep your data confidential with advanced encryption, and some solutions include two-factor authentication. Below, we include a table that highlights some of the security features found in electronic signature software.

Editing capabilitiesMost solutions include a built-in editor that allows you to add fields to your documents. Additionally, some solutions allow you to edit the text copy of documents directly in the application.
Status trackingMany solutions include tracking tools that will notify you when documents have been viewed, declined, voided and completed.
Automated remindersSome solutions include automated reminders that will send notifications for unsigned documents to your clients. You can customize the time intervals that the reminders are sent.
Audit trailsMost solutions include audit trails that record document activity. Information collected in audit trails include document statuses, party names, time stamps, and public ip addresses.
Payment collectionSome solutions include payment processing tools. This allows law firms to quickly collect payments from clients for important items such as retainer agreements.

How Much Does Electronic Signature Software Cost?

Electronic signature software typically costs between $15 to $60 per month. Solutions that are more expensive generally include a wider breadth of features such as two-factor authentication, recipient authentication, and password access for documents.

There are a variety of free-to-use electronic signature solutions available. Also, many legal practice management solutions include built-in electronic signature tools. Although native electronic signature features may not be as robust as features found in third-party standalone solutions, it may be sufficient for your law firm’s needs.

Does Electronic Signature Software Integrate With My Legal Practice Management Solution?

Many legal practice management solutions offer electronic signature software in their platforms. Some vendors include native electronic signature tools. Additionally, many vendors offer built-in integrations with third-party solutions, and others integrate with e-signature software through Zapier. Below are a few legal practice management solutions that offer electronic signature tools:

AbacusNext
  • DocuSign
CASEpeer
  • HelloSign
Clio
  • Built-in e-signature software
  • DocuSign
  • HelloSign
  • Lawyaw
  • PandaDoc (through Zapier)
  • signNow (through Zapier)
  • ZorroSign
MyCase
  • Built-in e-signature software
PracticePanther
  • DocuSign (through Box integration)
  • HelloSign (through Zapier)
  • PandaDoc (through Zapier)
  • signNow (through Zapier)

Is Electronic Signature Secure?

The solutions listed below offer robust security features that allow you to send and receive signed documents securely. Our top electronic signature solutions offer the following features to your data confidential:

  • Audit reports
  • HIPAA compliant
  • International law compliant
  • Secure document storage
  • SSL encryption
  • Two-factor authentication

Additionally, each of our top electronic signature solutions maintain certifications in various regulatory and industry standards. Here are the document storage security and international law compliances each solution ensures.

SolutionSecure Document StorageInternational Law Compliant
DocuSign
  • ISO 27001:2013
  • SOC 1 Type 2
  • SOC Type 2
  • CSA STAR Program
  • PCI DSS
  • APEC PRP
  • eIDAS
  • GDPR
  • BCRS
signNow
  • SOC 2 Type 2
  • PCI DSS
  • 21 CFR Part 11
  • eIDAS
  • GDPR
PandaDoc
  • AWS
  • SOC 2 Type 2
  • FERPA
  • ISO 27001
  • FedRAMP
  • DoD CSM
  • GDPR
  • Privacy Shield
Formstack Sign
  • AWS
  • SAS 70 Type 2
  • FDA
  • PCI DSS
  • GDPR
  • Privacy Shield
HelloSign
  • ISO 27001
  • SOC 2 Type 2
  • SAS 70
  • eIDAS
  • GDPR
  • Privacy Shield

The Best Electronic Signature Software for Lawyers

Here is a list of the top electronic signature solutions for lawyers. These vendors offer useful and legal-specific features that make them particularly useful for law firms.

DocuSign

DocuSign is an electronic signature solution that supports law firms of all sizes through quick turnaround times, cost reductions, and document privacy & security assurances. DocuSign offers key legal and security features like legally binding signatures, recipient authentication settings, multiparty signing, access codes for documents, and audit trails. DocuSign also integrates with many document management systems commonly found at law firms like iManage, netdocuments, Intapp, and Doxly.

DocuSign’s Business Pro plan costs $60 per user per month. It is one of the most robust solutions available, but also one of the least affordable. Also, only its Advanced Solutions plan allows you to send unlimited documents. We recommend DocuSign for those who have the budget and need the most advanced security compliances & features on the market.

DocuSign
Rating: 92
Starting Price: $15 per month

DocuSign is the most popular electronic signature tool used by over 500,000 customers to automate their document agreement processes. It is the most robust software solution in the market, but remains very easy to use. Overall, it is an ideal solution for companies of all sizes that should definitely be on your short list.

Pros:
  • DocuSign includes support for mass signatures and in person signing
  • DocuSign integrates with over 350 applications
  • DocuSign allows you to integrate payment methods into documents
Cons:
  • DocuSign does not support the ability to edit uploaded documents
  • You can only upload a limited number of document types (PDF, Docx, Excel)
  • DocuSign only offers unlimited documents for uploading and sending for Advanced Solutions users

signNow

signNow is an electronic signature solution that helps streamline legal procedures by automating signing processes, data collection, and document management. SignNow offers features like legally binding signatures, multiparty signing, two-factor authentication, audit trails, and Advanced Threat Protection for signing links. signNow also integrates with systems like Virtual Law Direct and iManage Work.

SignNow’s Business Premium plan costs users $30 per month. Among the advanced solutions on the market, it is one of the most affordable options. We recommend signNow for those who need an advanced solution with a wide range of security compliances at a lower price.

signNow
Rating: 89
Starting Price: $20 per month

signNow is one of the most popular electronic signature tools with over 45,000 customers. The application is robust – it includes many nice-to-have features and options not found in most other solutions. signNow is also reasonably priced compared to its competitors. It is an ideal solution for companies that need an advanced electronic signature solution, and prefer to save money by not purchasing DocuSign.

Pros:
  • signNow allows you to edit and sign documents using a mobile application
  • signNow supports mass signatures and in person signing
  • signNow lets you to collect payments in documents through Stripe and Payeezy
Cons:
  • signNow does not include a template or content library
  • signNow does not give you the ability to receive recurring payments through the platform
  • signNow’s custom branding is limited to adding your company’s logo – you cannot customize colors or the design of your documents

PandaDoc

PandaDoc is an electronic signature solution that supports law firms through accelerating contract reviews, increasing compliances, and streamlining documentation. PandaDoc offers key legal and security features like legally binding signatures, multiparty signing, audit trails, and workspace and member permissions for Enterprise users. PandaDoc also secures your data through encryption and stores your documents in the AWS cloud platform.

PandaDoc’s Business plan costs $59 per user per month. It is one of the most popular electronic signature solutions in the market. However, this solution is specifically designed to support sales teams. We recommend PandaDoc if sales features like interactive quotes and content libraries are important for you and your business.

PandaDoc
Rating: 90
Starting Price: $25 per month

PandaDoc is an electronic signature tool used by over 20,000 companies. While PandaDoc can be used for any type of legal agreement, it does have a specific focus on supporting the deal process for sales professionals. This solution is best for sales professionals, and any organization that has a more complex document workflow.

Pros:
  • PandaDoc’s free plan allows you to send unlimited documents
  • PandaDoc offers a library of over 450 templates
  • Includes valuable sales features like interactive quotes, a content library, and in-document payment processing
Cons:
  • Its document editor is missing standard editing features like being able reorder pages
  • The ability to collect mass signatures comes at an extra cost
  • PandaDoc does not give you the ability to receive recurring payments through the platform

Formstack Sign

Formstack Sign is an electronic signature solution that modernizes your legal processes by automating documents and protecting legal data through encryption. Formstack Sign offers key features like legally binding signatures, audit trails, multi-party signing, advanced password settings, session timeouts, and role permissions settings. Formstack Sign also offers secure document storage with the AWS cloud platform.

Formstack Sign’s Pro plan costs $32 per user per month. It is one of the more affordable solutions in the market, but is not as advanced as many of its competitors, like DocuSign. We recommend Formstack Sign for those who need an effective e-signature solution with a wide range of security features and compliances.

Formstack Sign
Rating: 82
Starting Price: $20 per month

Formstack Sign is a basic electronic signature tool used by over 10,000 businesses for faster, more versatile document signing. It includes key features like flexible signing, audit reports and templates. It’s best for smaller companies, and should be evaluated next to Docsketch and DocuSign.

Pros:
  • Formstack Sign packages all the must-have features into an easy-to-use application
  • Includes an moderately optimized flow for mobile web including the ability to send documents via SMS
  • You can send unlimited documents for only $20 per month
Cons:
  • Formstack Sign does not include any features built specifically for proposal or sales processes
  • Formstack Sign was originally built for the insurance industry – as a result, it only integrates with software systems used by insurers
  • Formstack Sign does not have a feature to automate version control

HelloSign

HelloSign is an electronic signature solution that securely stores and encrypts your documents and data. HelloSign offers key features like legally binding signatures, multiparty signing, audit trails, two-factor authentication, and user permission codes. Overall, HelloSign is designed to support contract authenticity.

HelloSign’s Business plan costs $50 per user per month. It is one of the more advanced tools in the market. We recommend HelloSign if you need an advanced solution without the bells and whistles offered by other advanced competitors.

HelloSign
Rating: 87
Starting Price: $20 per month

HelloSign is one of the most popular electronic signature tools in the market with over 80,000 customers. HelloSign’s main features include reusable templates, flexible signing, and integrations with software like Salesforce and Zapier. Overall, we found that HelloSign is ideal for those who need a more advanced electronic signature solution, but do not need all of the bells and whistles offered in high-end solutions like DocuSign.

Pros:
  • HelloSign offers a free plan that includes three signature requests a month
  • HelloSign supports in person signing and mass signatures
  • HelloSign offers key integrations with software like Salesforce and Zapier
Cons:
  • HelloSign does not let you edit the text of uploaded documents
  • HelloSign does not let you collect payments through your documents
  • HelloSign is difficult to use on mobile – it does not offer a dedicated mobile application
Lloyd Park

Lloyd Park is a Research Analyst at SoftwarePundit, where he conducts in-depth analyses of software markets and products. Lloyd also has experience managing the development of software platforms and is an expert in content production & media software. You can connect with Lloyd on LinkedIn.

Lloyd is an expert in several software categories including:

  • Dental software
  • Email marketing software
  • Field service management software
  • Legal software
  • Property management software

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