How to Choose the Right Electronic Signature Tool in 2025


Choosing an e-signature platform isn’t as simple as just picking the popular option. It’s best to evaluate the features, security, and pricing of various tools to ensure you pick the one that meets your needs. Here, we’ll take you on a step-by-step tour to choose the right e-signature solution for your organization.
Blindly choosing an electronic signature tool without analyzing your needs, might have you end up paying more for features you don’t even use. Instead, you should carefully evaluate what suits your business before making a decision.
Identify your organization’s needs
Before selecting a tool, take a moment to analyze what exactly your business requires. Every organization is different, and what works for one may not work for another.
First, understand your business size and industry. Are you a small business, startup, or enterprise? If you are in a highly regulated field like healthcare, finance, or legal services, you might need a tool that offers advanced security and compliance features.
Next, think about how frequently you will use e-signatures. Do you send only a few documents per month, or do you need bulk sending options? Also, consider the people who will be signing your documents. Will they sign online or in person? Do they need the option to sign from mobile devices? These factors will help you narrow down the kind of electronic signature tool you need.
Let’s say you own a small business that requires only basic signing features. In that case, an easy-to-use and affordable option like BoldSign would be a great fit. It offers a simple interface, essential features at a lower price, and excellent support. On the other hand, if you’re a legal firm handling complex agreements, you might need advanced signature workflows and audit trails.
Prioritize must-have features
Once you understand your organization’s requirements, the next step is to focus on what features matter the most to you. Otherwise, choosing an electronic signature tool can be overwhelming.
We recommend you check whether each tool offers a free trial. A free trial allows you to test the platform before committing to a paid plan. If a tool doesn’t offer one, it may not be the best choice. BoldSign provides a free trial with branding options, document templates, and multiple features that competitors usually charge for.
Now, let’s talk about essential features. A good electronic signature tool should include:
A certain number of free documents for signing.
Branding options to customize emails and documents.
Audit trail and document history to track every signing step.
Advanced signature workflows for multiple signers.
Signer authentication for enhanced security.
Automated reminders to ensure timely signing.
Attachment requests for collecting necessary files.
Support in multiple languages for international clients.
Automatic field detection for quick form preparation.
Mobile apps for Android and iOS to enable signing on the go.
A tool that offers these features even in its free plan is a huge advantage. BoldSign, for example, includes branding and advanced features at no extra cost, while many competitors charge separately for them.
So, before deciding, create a checklist of features that matter to your business. Compare different platforms against your list and eliminate the ones that don’t meet your needs.
Evaluate and compare solutions
Now that you have shortlisted a few electronic signature tools, it’s time to evaluate them based on three important factors: security, pricing, and customer support.
Security should always be a top priority since e-signatures need to be legally binding, and you’ll want to protect sensitive information. Look for features like two-step authentication, audit trails, and compliance with legal standards like the E-Sign Act, UETA, and GDPR. For example, BoldSign offers enterprise-grade security with full encryption and legal compliance, making it a strong choice for businesses that prioritize security.
Next, consider pricing and cost-effectiveness. Many electronic signature tools appear affordable at first glance, but they may have hidden costs for additional users or advanced features. Ask yourself:
Does the free plan include the essential features I need?
How many documents can I sign per month before I need to upgrade?
Are there extra charges for branding, integrations, or workflow automation?
BoldSign provides more features at a lower price compared to competitors, with options like document branding included in the free plan. Checking the pricing page of each tool and comparing what’s included will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
Finally, look into customer support and reliability. If you face an issue, you need quick assistance. Make sure the platform offers email, chat, and phone support. A strong knowledge base with tutorials is also helpful. BoldSign stands out with its responsive customer support.
With these factors in mind, you should now have a clear understanding of which electronic signature tool best suits your needs.
Compare Top Tools
Choosing the right e-signature tool is easier when you can see how they stack up. Below is a comparison of BoldSign, DocuSign, and Adobe Sign across 10 key factors that matter to users like you—whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or part of a larger team.
Criteria | BoldSign | DocuSign | Adobe Sign |
Ease of Use | Highly intuitive, minimal setup, ideal for all users. Fast onboarding sets it apart. | Reliable but complex for small teams. Steeper learning curve. | Streamlined, but advanced features may overwhelm. |
Free Plan | Generous free plan with 25 signature requests/month. | 30-day trial only, no free plan. | 30-day trial only, no free plan. |
Pricing | $5/user/month (annual), budget-friendly with premium features. | $10–$15/user/month, pricier tiers for features ($45–$60). | $15–$30/user/month, less affordable. |
Security | 256-bit AES, SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR, HIPAA across all plans. | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR for all plans. | HIPAA, eIDAS, but advanced security for enterprise only. |
Mobile Apps | Seamless iOS/Android, intuitive signing experience. | Robust apps, less approachable for casual users. | PDF-focused apps, less e-signature focus. |
Branding | Free custom branding (logos, colors) across all plans. | Requires Business Pro | Business/Enterprise only. |
Audit Trails | Detailed in all plans with timestamps, IPs. | Detailed, advanced reporting in premium plans. | Included, detailed in higher tiers. |
Support | Email, knowledge base, premium options, nonprofit discounts. | Ticket-based (24hr response), premium for phone/chat. | 24/7 chat/phone, 30min–24hr response. |
Use this table to narrow down your options based on what’s most important to you—whether it’s cost, simplicity, or specific features like mobile access or integrations. Try free trials to see which tool feels right for your workflow.
Implement and optimize your choice
Choosing a tool isn’t the end—it’s the beginning. Here’s what to do next to ensure success:
Test the tool: Use the free trial to run a few real-world scenarios. Send test contracts, tweak workflows, and get feedback from your team or clients.
Train your team: A great tool flops if no one knows how to use it. Schedule a quick training session or share tutorials from the provider’s knowledge base.
Integrate with workflow: Connect the tool to your existing systems (like your CRM or cloud storage like Google Drive). Many tools, including BoldSign, offer integrations to streamline processes.
Gather feedback: After a month, ask your users how it’s working. Are there hiccups or features you’re missing?
Scale as needed: Start small, then upgrade plans or add features as your needs grow.
Final thoughts
When it comes to picking the right electronic signature tool, BoldSign stands out as a top contender, especially with its generous free trial. This trial lets you explore branding options, document templates, and advanced features at no cost, giving you a risk-free way to see if BoldSign fits your needs. Whether you’re a small business looking for simplicity or a growing team that needs robust tools, BoldSign has affordable pricing, strong security, and responsive support that make it worth a try.
Start with the free trial today, follow the steps above, and transform how your organization handles signatures.
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Note: This blog was originally published at boldsign.com
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BoldSign
BoldSign
BoldSign is a secure, legally compliant e-signature solution for businesses and individuals. It simplifies document signing with a user-friendly platform and powerful API & SDK for easy integration. Send, sign, and manage contracts effortlessly.