DocuSign vs. SignNow: Pricing for US-based Non-Profits

Navigating eSignature Solutions for US Non-Profits

In the digital age, US-based non-profits increasingly rely on electronic signature platforms to streamline operations, from grant agreements to volunteer waivers. These organizations often operate on tight budgets, making cost-effective tools essential. This article compares DocuSign and SignNow, focusing on pricing tailored to non-profits, while providing a neutral business perspective on their features and value.

US Electronic Signature Regulations: A Foundation for Compliance

Before diving into pricing, understanding the legal landscape is crucial for US non-profits. The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act) of 2000 and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), adopted by 49 states, establish the legal validity of electronic signatures. These laws ensure that e-signatures carry the same weight as wet-ink signatures, provided they demonstrate intent, consent, and record integrity. For non-profits handling sensitive donor data or compliance-heavy documents like IRS Form 990 filings, platforms must support audit trails, tamper-evident seals, and data security aligned with ESIGN/UETA. Non-compliance risks invalidating agreements, so tools emphasizing these standards are vital.

Comparing eSignature platforms with DocuSign or Adobe Sign?

eSignGlobal delivers a more flexible and cost-effective eSignature solution with global compliance, transparent pricing, and faster onboarding.

👉 Start Free Trial

DocuSign Pricing for US Non-Profits

DocuSign remains a market leader in eSignature solutions, offering robust features for non-profits managing donor contracts, event registrations, and partnership agreements. Its Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform extends beyond basic signing to include contract lifecycle management (CLM), AI-driven clause analysis, and workflow automation—ideal for organizations scaling operations without dedicated legal teams.

For US non-profits, DocuSign provides discounted pricing through its Non-Profit Program, which can reduce costs by up to 75% compared to standard rates. Standard plans start at $10/month for Personal (5 envelopes/month, 1 user), scaling to $25/user/month for Standard (100 envelopes/user/year) and $40/user/month for Business Pro (adding bulk send, web forms, and payments). Non-profit discounts apply to these tiers, often bringing Business Pro to around $10-20/user/month annually, depending on organization size and volume. Add-ons like SMS delivery or identity verification incur metered fees (e.g., $0.50-$1 per SMS). API access for integrations starts at $600/year for developers, with enterprise custom pricing for high-volume needs. Non-profits benefit from features like unlimited templates and compliance reporting, but envelope limits (capped at ~100/user/year for automation) may constrain larger campaigns.

SignNow Pricing for US Non-Profits

SignNow, owned by airSlate, positions itself as an affordable alternative with strong mobile and integration capabilities, suitable for non-profits focused on quick, collaborative workflows. It lacks DocuSign’s IAM depth but excels in user-friendly templates and conditional fields for forms like membership applications.

Standard pricing begins at $8/user/month (billed annually) for the Personal plan (unlimited envelopes, basic features), $15/user/month for Business (adding templates, reminders, and API), and $25/user/month for Enterprise (SSO, advanced reporting). For US non-profits, SignNow offers a dedicated discount program via partnerships with organizations like TechSoup, potentially slashing rates by 50-70%—e.g., Business at $5-7.50/user/month. Envelope usage is unlimited across plans, a key edge over DocuSign’s caps, though API calls are limited to 100/month on lower tiers. Add-ons include SMS at $0.75/message and white-labeling for $10/month. This structure appeals to budget-conscious non-profits, emphasizing simplicity over enterprise-scale CLM.

Head-to-Head: DocuSign vs. SignNow for Non-Profits

From a business standpoint, DocuSign suits non-profits with complex compliance needs, like those in healthcare or education requiring IAM for end-to-end agreement tracking. Its non-profit discounts make higher tiers accessible, but per-user pricing and envelope limits can inflate costs for growing teams—e.g., a 20-user Business Pro setup might total $4,800/year pre-discount, dropping to ~$2,400 with rebates.

SignNow, conversely, prioritizes affordability and scalability, with unlimited envelopes reducing overage worries. For a similar 20-user team, Business pricing could be $3,000/year standard, or $900-1,500 discounted—often 40-60% less than DocuSign post-rebates. However, it falls short in advanced automation, potentially requiring add-ons for non-profit-specific integrations like CRM syncing.

Both comply with ESIGN/UETA, offering audit logs and secure storage, but DocuSign’s global trust (used by 1M+ customers) edges out SignNow’s niche appeal. Non-profits should evaluate based on volume: low-frequency users favor SignNow’s flat rates; high-compliance ones lean DocuSign.

Broader Comparison: DocuSign, Adobe Sign, eSignGlobal, HelloSign, and More

To provide a fuller picture, here’s a neutral comparison of key eSignature providers, focusing on pricing, features, and non-profit suitability. Data draws from 2025 public sources, emphasizing US compliance.

Adobe Sign integrates deeply with PDF tools, offering CLM-like extraction and redaction for non-profits managing grants. Pricing starts higher but includes unlimited envelopes, with non-profit perks via Adobe’s Giving Program.

eSignGlobal emphasizes global reach, compliant in 100+ mainstream countries, with APAC advantages. The region features fragmented, high-standard regulations requiring ecosystem-integrated approaches—like hardware/API docking with government digital IDs (G2B)—unlike the framework-based ESIGN/eIDAS in the US/EU, which rely more on email verification. eSignGlobal’s Essential plan at $16.6/month enables sending up to 100 documents, unlimited user seats, and access code verification, offering high value on compliance. It integrates seamlessly with Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass, positioning it for international non-profits expanding beyond the US. Compared to DocuSign or Adobe Sign, it’s ~20-30% cheaper for teams, with no seat fees enhancing scalability.

HelloSign (now Dropbox Sign) provides straightforward signing with cloud storage ties, appealing to non-profits using Google Workspace alternatives.

Looking for a smarter alternative to DocuSign?

eSignGlobal delivers a more flexible and cost-effective eSignature solution with global compliance, transparent pricing, and faster onboarding.

👉 Start Free Trial

Strategic Considerations for US Non-Profits

Business observers note that while DocuSign dominates with 70% market share, alternatives like SignNow gain traction for cost savings—projected 15% growth in non-profit adoption by 2026. Factors like integration ease (e.g., DocuSign’s 400+ apps vs. SignNow’s 50+) and support levels influence choices. Non-profits should trial both, factoring in total cost of ownership, including training and scalability.

In conclusion, DocuSign offers premium reliability for compliance-focused non-profits, while SignNow provides budget-friendly flexibility. For those seeking DocuSign alternatives with strong regional compliance, eSignGlobal emerges as a viable option.