HelloSign

What is HelloSign?

HelloSign is an electronic signature platform developed by HelloSign, Inc., founded in 2011 by Joseph Walla in San Francisco, California. The company was acquired by Dropbox in 2019 for $230 million, becoming a key component of Dropbox’s productivity and workflow tools. HelloSign was built with a focus on simplicity and user experience, aiming to make electronic signatures accessible and affordable for small to medium-sized businesses who found enterprise solutions like DocuSign too complex or expensive for their needs.

What distinguishes HelloSign from competitors is its emphasis on simplicity without sacrificing essential functionality. The platform provides a clean, intuitive interface that allows users to send documents for signature in minutes without extensive training. Despite its simplicity, HelloSign includes robust features like templates, team management, and API access that make it suitable for growing businesses. The Dropbox integration creates natural workflow synergies for the millions of users already in that ecosystem.

HelloSign serves primarily small to medium-sized businesses, startups, and individual professionals who need legally binding electronic signatures without enterprise complexity. The platform has processed millions of signature requests across industries including real estate, legal services, human resources, and general business operations. With competitive pricing, generous free tier, and the backing of Dropbox’s infrastructure, HelloSign offers an attractive alternative to more expensive and complex e-signature solutions.

Key Features

• Electronic Signatures: Legally binding electronic signatures compliant with ESIGN, UETA, and eIDAS regulations, recognized globally for business agreements.
• Simple Interface: Clean, intuitive design that requires minimal training, allowing users to prepare and send documents for signature quickly.
• Templates: Create reusable document templates with pre-positioned signature fields, reducing preparation time for frequently used agreements.
• Team Management: Add team members, set permissions, manage templates, and maintain centralized control over organizational signing activities.
• Dropbox Integration: Native integration with Dropbox for seamless document storage, sharing, and workflow management.
• HelloSign API: Developer-friendly API for embedding signature capabilities into applications, websites, and custom workflows.
• Audit Trail: Detailed audit trails documenting every action taken on documents, providing legal evidence of the signing process.
• In-Person Signing: Support for face-to-face signing scenarios using shared devices, useful for retail and service businesses.
• Mobile Apps: iOS and Android applications for sending, signing, and managing documents on mobile devices.
• Branding: Customize signature requests with your company logo and colors to maintain professional brand consistency.

Latest Updates

HelloSign continues to evolve with new features, improved Dropbox integration, and enhanced capabilities for business users.

• Enhanced Dropbox Integration: Deeper integration allowing documents to be sent for signature directly from Dropbox with automatic storage of signed documents.
• Improved Templates: Enhanced template management with better organization, sharing capabilities, and field customization options.
• Updated API: Expanded API capabilities with new endpoints, better documentation, and improved webhook support for developers.
• Mobile App Improvements: Redesigned mobile applications with better performance, offline viewing, and enhanced signing experience.
• Bulk Send: Ability to send the same document to multiple recipients simultaneously for mass signature collection.
• Advanced Fields: New field types including dropdowns, checkboxes, and date pickers for more complex document requirements.
• Signer Attachments: Allow signers to attach required documents during the signing process for complete documentation collection.
• Improved Reporting: Enhanced analytics and reporting features for tracking signature status and team performance.

System Requirements

Web Browser

• Google Chrome (latest version, recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox (latest version)
• Microsoft Edge (latest version)
• Safari (latest version for Mac)
• Stable internet connection required

Mobile

• iOS: Version 13.0 or later
• Android: Version 7.0 (Nougat) or later
• Storage: 75 MB

API Integration

• REST API access from any platform
• SDKs available for Node.js, Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, C#
• Webhook support for event notifications

How to Install HelloSign

Web Access

1. Visit hellosign.com and click Get Started Free
2. Sign up with email or connect with Google/Dropbox
3. Verify your email address
4. Complete your profile setup
5. Upload a document and start collecting signatures

# HelloSign is web-based
# Access at: https://app.hellosign.com

# API access for developers
# Base URL: https://api.hellosign.com/v3

# Example: Get account info
curl -u 'API_KEY:' \
     https://api.hellosign.com/v3/account

# Example: Send signature request
curl -u 'API_KEY:' \
     -F 'file[0]=@document.pdf' \
     -F 'signers[0][email_address]=signer@example.com' \
     -F 'signers[0][name]=John Doe' \
     https://api.hellosign.com/v3/signature_request/send

Mobile Installation

1. Open App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
2. Search for “HelloSign”
3. Tap Install to download
4. Open and sign in with your account
5. Enable notifications for signature requests

Dropbox Integration

1. Open Dropbox and navigate to a document
2. Click the three dots menu and select “Send for signature”
3. HelloSign interface opens within Dropbox
4. Add recipients and signature fields
5. Send directly from Dropbox workflow

Pros and Cons

Pros

• User-Friendly: Exceptionally simple interface that requires minimal training, allowing immediate productivity for new users.
• Generous Free Tier: Free plan includes 3 signature requests per month indefinitely, more useful than many competitor trials.
• Competitive Pricing: Significantly more affordable than DocuSign and Adobe Sign for comparable functionality.
• Dropbox Integration: Seamless integration for Dropbox users creates efficient document workflows.
• Developer-Friendly API: Well-documented API with generous rate limits included in all paid plans.
• Legally Valid: Full compliance with major e-signature laws ensures documents are legally binding.
• Clean Design: Professional-looking signature requests and signing experience that reflects well on your business.

Cons

• Fewer Integrations: Integration marketplace is smaller than DocuSign, limiting connectivity with some business tools.
• Limited Enterprise Features: Lacks some advanced enterprise capabilities like complex approval workflows or SSO on lower tiers.
• Dropbox Ownership: Some users prefer independent vendors not owned by larger platforms with their own agendas.
• Template Limits: Lower tiers have restrictions on number of templates, limiting utility for document-heavy workflows.
• Less Brand Recognition: Smaller brand awareness compared to DocuSign may cause friction with some recipients.

HelloSign vs Alternatives

Who Should Use HelloSign?

HelloSign is ideal for:

• Small Businesses: Companies seeking affordable e-signatures without enterprise complexity find HelloSign’s simplicity and pricing attractive.
• Dropbox Users: Organizations already using Dropbox benefit from seamless integration and unified document workflows.
• Startups: Early-stage companies appreciate the generous free tier and reasonable pricing as they grow.
• Developers: Teams needing API access for embedded signatures get excellent documentation and included API calls.
• HR Departments: Human resources teams handling offer letters, policies, and onboarding documents find HelloSign straightforward.
• Freelancers and Consultants: Independent professionals needing occasional signatures benefit from the free tier and simple interface.

HelloSign may not be ideal for:

• Large Enterprises: Organizations requiring advanced features, extensive integrations, or dedicated support may need DocuSign.
• Complex Workflows: Businesses with sophisticated approval chains or conditional routing may find HelloSign limiting.
• High-Volume Users: Those sending hundreds of documents monthly might find per-document pricing expensive.
• Microsoft-Centric Organizations: Companies heavily invested in Microsoft ecosystem might prefer Adobe Sign’s integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HelloSign legally binding?

Yes, HelloSign electronic signatures are legally binding and enforceable. The platform complies with the U.S. ESIGN Act, UETA (state laws), and the European eIDAS regulation. HelloSign maintains comprehensive audit trails that document the entire signing process, providing evidence of signature authenticity if ever challenged. The platform uses industry-standard security practices and generates tamper-evident signed documents. Courts consistently uphold properly executed electronic signatures.

How does HelloSign compare to DocuSign?

HelloSign and DocuSign both provide legally valid e-signatures but target different markets. HelloSign emphasizes simplicity and affordability, making it ideal for small to medium businesses with straightforward needs. DocuSign offers more advanced features, extensive integrations, and enterprise capabilities at higher price points. HelloSign’s API is more accessible on lower tiers, while DocuSign’s brand recognition is greater. Choose HelloSign for simplicity and value; choose DocuSign for complex enterprise requirements.

What does HelloSign cost?

HelloSign offers a free tier with 3 signature requests per month. Essentials plan costs $15/month for one user with unlimited signatures. Standard at $25/user/month adds team features and templates. Premium pricing is custom for larger organizations. All paid plans include API access. Compared to DocuSign, HelloSign typically costs 30-50% less for equivalent functionality, making it attractive for cost-conscious buyers.

Can I embed HelloSign in my application?

Yes, HelloSign provides a developer-friendly API that allows embedding signature workflows into websites, applications, and custom systems. The API includes signature requests, templates, and embedded signing that keeps users within your application. SDKs are available for popular programming languages including Node.js, Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, and C#. API access is included in all paid plans with generous rate limits, and documentation is comprehensive with code examples.

How does the Dropbox integration work?

HelloSign integrates natively with Dropbox, allowing you to send documents for signature directly from the Dropbox interface. Right-click any document in Dropbox and select “Send for signature” to open HelloSign’s signing workflow. Signed documents automatically save back to Dropbox. You can also access HelloSign features through Dropbox Business admin console. This integration creates seamless document workflows for teams already using Dropbox for file storage and collaboration.

Final Verdict

HelloSign has carved out a strong position in the e-signature market by delivering essential functionality with exceptional simplicity and competitive pricing. For small to medium businesses, startups, and individuals who find enterprise solutions like DocuSign overly complex or expensive, HelloSign provides an excellent alternative. The generous free tier allows genuine evaluation, and paid plans offer outstanding value for the features provided.

The platform’s strengths include an intuitive interface that requires minimal training, Dropbox integration that enhances existing workflows, and developer-friendly API access on all paid plans. The pricing structure is straightforward and affordable compared to market leaders. For organizations whose e-signature needs are important but not their core complexity, HelloSign delivers exactly what’s needed without overwhelming extras.

HelloSign best serves businesses that value simplicity and cost-effectiveness over advanced enterprise features. While it may lack some sophisticated capabilities of DocuSign, most small to medium businesses don’t need those features anyway. For Dropbox users specifically, the native integration makes HelloSign an obvious choice. For straightforward e-signature needs at reasonable prices, HelloSign represents one of the best values in the market.