Blueink vs. DocuSign: Which e-signature Software is Better?

The way we sign documents has evolved significantly, so much that while I’m not sure what new technologies will come, I’m confident we won’t be returning to pen and paper ever again. 

We already have great tools that simplify signing documents, like Docusign, Blueink, and Hellosign. Sure—it’s not the time to return to pen and paper, but it’s the perfect time to find the best one suited for your needs. 

This post will compare DocuSign and Blueink based on their features, qualities, and pricing. Our goal is to lay out—in detail—why you should choose one over the other and help your business make an informed decision on which one to pick.

An overview of BlueInk

Blueink is a highly secure, cost-efficient, and signer-friendly e-signature platform for individuals and businesses. It’s a newcomer to the electronic signature market, established in 2014, but it has rapidly gained recognition for its focus on compliance and security. 

BlueInk's eSignature solution is specifically designed to provide seamless signing technology for businesses in highly regulated industries, where document security and compliance are the most important. Some of the key industries it serves are HR & staffing, technology, insurance, healthcare, and beyond.

Key features of BlueInk

Some of the top features Blueink provides are:

• Enhanced security: BlueInk places heavy emphasis on security, offering features like document encryption, audit trails, multi-factor authentication, and secure document storage.
• Compliance focus: The platform is built to meet the needs of industries with strict regulatory requirements, such as healthcare, finance, and legal. It provides everything a business needs to sign documents legally. 
• API: You can easily integrate Blueink’s e-signature functionality into your other business systems using its solid API. 
• Custom branding: You can add your company branding to the documents you send for signing.
• Templates: Blueink provides many professional templates, so you don’t have to start from scratch. Users can also create and save templates for frequently used documents to improve efficiency.
• SMS notification: Blueink sends timely notifications about every activity on your documents so you always know what’s happening without any delays.
• SmartLink forms: Don’t want to send PDF documents? Don’t have to! Blueink allows you to send SmartLink URLs to automate the process.  
• User authentication: BlueInk includes various authentication methods, such as email verification, SMS verification, and knowledge-based authentication, to protect your documents from threats.

An overview of DocuSign

DocuSign, founded in 2003, is a popular electronic signature software trusted by millions of businesses. It’s become a market leader in the eSignature space with a strong global presence. 

DocuSign offers a beginner-friendly dashboard designed to simplify the process of signing, sending, and managing documents, which makes it an attractive option for businesses of different industries, including retail, non-profit, mortgage, technology, government, and dozens more. 

Key Features of DocuSign

Here are some of the unique features of DocuSign: 

• User-friendly interface: DocuSign provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for individuals and businesses to sign, share, and store documents securely.
• DocuSign mobile app: You can also use DocuSign mobile app to sign and send documents from your smartphones and tablets.
• Custom branding: The platform allows users to customize the look and feel of documents with their branding. You can add your business logo, change the font, customize colors, and more.  
• Save for later templates: DocuSign offers the ability to create templates for frequently used documents, saving time and effort.
• Integration: DocuSign integrates seamlessly with 400+ popular business applications, including Salesforce, Google Drive, and Microsoft Office.
• Advanced features: DocuSign's advanced features include workflow automation, document encryption, and identity verification.

BlueInk vs. DocuSign: Comparison based on features

Now that you know about both e-signature platforms, let's compare Blueink and DocuSign based on specific features to help you choose the best-suited option for your needs:

1. Ease of use — DocuSign 

DocuSign and BlueInk aim to provide user-friendly experiences with simple dashboards, but their approach and user interfaces differ. 

DocuSign is famous as a straightforward e-signature software with a beginner-friendly dashboard and intuitive design, which makes it accessible to users of all levels. It offers simple navigation, and you can see all your documents in one place. 

BlueInk, on the other hand, is designed keeping compliance and security in mind, making it appear slightly more complex. However, Blueink’s user interface is still simplified for beginners, with a sidebar containing all options to review, sign, and share documents. With that in mind, it’s not quite as daunting as you think.

2. Compliance and security — Blueink

Security is undoubtedly the most important factor to look for when choosing the right e-signature platform, as sending and signing documents needs to be done with proper protection and compliance.

Blueink, being developed with compliance in mind, offers features like document encryption, audit trails, and strong authentication methods like multi-layered identity verification—ID selfies and SMS pins to ensure no one can access your documents without your permission.

Asides from that, every time you sign a document or someone else does it, both parties get a certificate of evidence, which is associated with the unique ID of the signer and can’t be replicated. This makes tampering with the document impossible, making the original the only valid document. 

DocuSign also provides fantastic security features such as 99.99% sign uptime, zero downtime maintenance, 24*7 active tracking, etc., but may not be as tailored to specific industry compliance requirements.

3. Mobile experience — DocuSign

Signing and managing documents on mobile devices can be revolutionary, especially when you have many things going on. Reviewing crucial documents while traveling is a superpower a mobile app provides. 

DocuSign offers a mobile app for iOS and Android. It allows users to sign and send documents on the go. You can perform almost all functions on the DocuSign mobile app, including signing documents and creating customized workflows for different clients. 

Blueink doesn’t have a mobile app yet, but you can use it in a web browser on your mobile phone.

4. Customization and templates — Blueink

Creating and using templates for frequently used documents can significantly improve efficiency as you won’t have to start from scratch each time you draft a new contract. 

Blueink offers template creation and customization options, allowing users to streamline their document workflows. You can save templates and signatures if you sign/send a specific type of contract more often. 

Blueink allows you to create custom workflows that align with industry-specific requirements, so you can use standard and advanced fields to create custom documents.

DocuSign lets you create branded contracts with customizable options like logo, background colors, font, and font colors so you can design documents matching your brand style. You can also create and save templates for frequently used documents. 

5. Integration — DocuSign

With DocuSign, you can integrate 400+ essential business applications like Google Drive, Salesforce, Zoom, Microsoft Office, etc., to streamline your business and make document signing more efficient and productive.

BlueInk also offers integration options, such as solid APIs that allow you to add Blueink’s signature facility into any business system. But its integrations may not be as extensive as DocuSign's.

6. Pricing — Blueink

Blueink is designed to make document signing cost-friendly. For businesses, the perfect plan is Business Pro, starting at $20/month (half the price of DocuSign’s Business Pro plan), with features like a real-time audit trail, unlimited users, and customer support. 

DocuSign is a pricey option with a Business Pro plan starting at $40/month with simple features like bulk send and signer attachments, but this plan doesn’t include customer support. 

7. Customer Support — Blueink 

Efficient customer support can be valuable in the business industry, especially when you run into issues and need timely assistance. Blueink provides 24*7 email and chat support with all of its pricing plans.  

With DocuSign, you only get 24*7 live customer support with the Enterprise plan. However, they have documentation that you can access anytime to find quick fixes.  

BlueInk vs. DocuSign: Which one is right for you?

The choice between DocuSign and BlueInk ultimately depends on your needs and priorities. Whether you’re a large team or individual, both options provide incredible features, so first, figure out the essential qualities you need in your e-signature provider. 

Choose DocuSign: 

• If you’re a business with many team members and can afford a pricey option. 
• If you want a beginner-friendly platform for your large team dealing with multiple documents every day. 
• If you work on many applications and want to streamline business workflow using integration. 
• If you want to sign documents on DocuSign’s mobile app. 

Choose BlueInk:

• If you’re looking for a cost-friendly option.
• If compliance and security are your primary concerns. 
• If you want your industry-specific electronic signature platform. 
• If you want to integrate only a few critical applications to make it functional. 

Both DocuSign and BlueInk offer powerful electronic signature solutions, but their areas of emphasis and strengths differ. 

Consider your industry, compliance requirements, and the specific features that align with your workflow when choosing.

Blueink is perfect for companies needing reliable e-signature software with solid security, customization options, basic essential features, and affordable pricing.

Start your 14-day free trial with Blueink now >> 

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