Quick answer: Our top pick is PandaDoc, followed by DocuSign and Dropbox Sign (HelloSign). Entry prices start near $10/mo. All 5 are compared below on price, strengths and the key trade-off of each, so you can match one to your needs.
We compared the field so you can skip the trial-and-error. This guide rounds up the 5 tools we'd actually recommend for this job, with what each does best, what it costs, and who should pick it.
We weighted picks on output quality, value for money, learning curve and how well each tool fits the specific workflow in this guide. Pricing is summarised from public plans at the time of writing.
All-in-one document automation: build proposals, quotes and contracts with e-signature and payment collection in one platform, with a genuinely usable free eSign tier. A strong default when sales-teams is the priority.
Why it's on this list: All-in-one document automation that pairs a real free eSign tier with proposal and payment workflows. Made for sales teams that send proposals and quotes, not just signatures.
Standout features:
Drag-and-drop document editor with rich media (images, video, embeds)
Proposals, quotes and contracts with e-signature in one platform
Market-leading e-signature with the broadest integration ecosystem, strong enterprise compliance and an expanding agreement-management (IAM) suite. It stands out for enterprise without a heavy setup cost.
Why it's on this list: The market-leading e-signature platform with the broadest integration ecosystem and strongest enterprise trust. Made for enterprises and teams needing deep integrations and proven compliance.
Standout features:
Mobile signing apps and in-person signing
Expanding Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) suite for agreement workflows
Standout strength: Strong enterprise compliance and certifications.
Worth knowing: HIPAA-eligible only under Enterprise plans (BAA required).
Pricing: ~$10/mo Personal (annual), ~$25/user/mo Standard, ~$40/user/mo Business Pro; enterprise custom
Simple, developer-friendly e-signing with a clean UX, a free tier without transaction caps and tight Dropbox ecosystem integration. Picked here for how cleanly it handles small-business.
Why it's on this list: Developer-friendly e-signing with a clean UX and tight Dropbox integration. Aimed squarely at small businesses and developers wanting simple signing or an API.
Standout features:
Tight Dropbox ecosystem integration
Clean, simple signing UX with reusable templates
Standout strength: Free self-signing is unlimited (only outbound requests count to the cap).
Worth knowing: Supports Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) under eIDAS.
Proposal software focused on design control, content library and pipeline analytics for sales and agency teams, with e-signature built in. Best suited to teams that care most about agencies.
Why it's on this list: Design-focused proposal software with content library and pipeline analytics, e-signature included. A natural fit for agencies and sales teams that prioritize branded, designed proposals.
Standout features:
Built-in e-signature and approval workflows
AI assistance for proposal drafting
Standout strength: Strong design control for branded proposals.
Worth knowing: No free plan; 14-day trial of the Team plan, no credit card required.
Pricing: ~$35/user/mo Team plan (annual); free trial; enterprise custom
Fast, template-driven web proposals with built-in e-signature, payments and live analytics aimed at small businesses and freelancers. Picked here for how cleanly it handles freelancers.
Why it's on this list: Fast, template-driven web proposals with e-signature and payments built in for small businesses. Made for freelancers and small businesses sending proposals.
Standout features:
Template-driven web proposals (250+ templates)
Built-in legally binding e-signatures
Standout strength: Fast, simple proposal creation for small teams.
Worth knowing: Includes legally binding e-signatures and integrated payments.
If you're optimising for budget, start at the lower-priced options and only move up when you hit a real limit. If output quality or team features matter more than price, the top picks above will save you time. When two options look close, try both free tiers on one real task before committing — the right fit is usually obvious within an hour.
FAQ
What is the best option in this list?
For most people, PandaDoc is the strongest all-round pick in this guide, but the right choice depends on your budget and exact workflow.
Are there free options?
No permanent free plan stands out, but Proposify runs a trial so you can test before committing.
How were these tools chosen?
Each pick is judged on fit for the specific job in this guide — its real strengths, pricing and who it suits — using features and facts drawn from independent reviews and the vendors' own documentation, cited in Sources below.
How often is this guide updated?
We revisit pricing and rankings regularly as vendors change plans and ship features.
Sources
The features, strengths and facts cited for each pick above are drawn from these independent reviews and vendor pages: