DocuSign CLM vs Conga: A comparison for document generation

Introduction to Contract Lifecycle Management Tools

In the evolving landscape of contract lifecycle management (CLM), businesses are increasingly relying on robust platforms to streamline document generation, negotiation, and execution. Document generation, a core function in CLM, involves automating the creation of customized contracts, agreements, and legal documents from templates and data sources. This process reduces manual errors, accelerates workflows, and ensures compliance. As organizations scale, choosing the right tool becomes critical, especially when comparing established players like DocuSign CLM and Conga. This article provides a neutral, business-oriented analysis focused on their document generation capabilities, while also exploring broader alternatives in the e-signature and CLM space.

Understanding Document Generation in CLM

Document generation is the backbone of efficient CLM, enabling teams to produce tailored documents dynamically. It typically integrates data from CRM systems, spreadsheets, or databases to populate templates with variables like client names, dates, and clauses. For enterprises, this means faster deal closures and reduced legal overhead. In 2025, with rising regulatory demands and remote work, tools must offer seamless automation, AI-driven clause suggestions, and secure e-signatures.

What is DocuSign CLM?

DocuSign CLM, formerly known as SpringCM, is an end-to-end contract management platform acquired by DocuSign in 2019. It builds on DocuSign’s eSignature heritage to provide comprehensive CLM features, including document generation as a key pillar. The platform excels in automating contract creation through its Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) suite, which incorporates AI for redlining, clause libraries, and risk assessment.

In terms of document generation, DocuSign CLM allows users to build templates with merge fields that pull data from integrated sources like Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics. It supports conditional logic for dynamic content, such as inserting payment terms based on deal size. Businesses appreciate its native e-signature integration, ensuring generated documents can be signed instantly without exporting. Pricing starts at custom enterprise levels, often around $25–$40 per user per month for core eSignature plans, with CLM add-ons increasing costs based on volume. However, envelope limits (e.g., ~100 per user annually in standard plans) can constrain high-volume generation. DocuSign CLM is ideal for sales-heavy teams needing quick, compliant outputs but may require add-ons like Identity Verification for advanced security.

What is Conga?

Conga, part of the Salesforce ecosystem since its acquisition by Apttus in 2018 and later integrated into Salesforce’s revenue lifecycle management, is a suite of tools focused on revenue operations, including document generation via Conga Composer (now part of Conga Revenue Lifecycle). It specializes in automating complex document workflows, particularly for sales contracts, quotes, and proposals.

Conga’s document generation shines in its template designer, which uses Salesforce data to generate personalized PDFs, Word docs, or even Excel reports. Features like dynamic tables for pricing breakdowns and multi-language support make it versatile for global teams. Unlike pure e-signature tools, Conga emphasizes revenue intelligence, with AI-powered insights into contract terms during generation. Pricing is Salesforce-dependent, typically $35–$60 per user per month, bundled with CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) modules. It’s particularly strong for enterprises already on Salesforce, offering deep integrations but potentially overwhelming for smaller teams due to its complexity.

Head-to-Head Comparison: DocuSign CLM vs Conga for Document Generation

When evaluating DocuSign CLM and Conga specifically for document generation, several factors stand out from a business perspective. Both platforms automate the process but cater to slightly different needs, with DocuSign leaning toward simplicity and e-signature synergy, while Conga prioritizes revenue-aligned customization.

Core Features for Document Generation

DocuSign CLM offers robust template management with drag-and-drop fields, supporting up to 100 envelopes per user annually in base plans. Its AI features, like auto-clause extraction, help generate documents from unstructured data, reducing drafting time by up to 50%. However, advanced automation like bulk sends is capped, and custom logic requires Business Pro or higher tiers ($40/user/month).

Conga, conversely, provides unlimited generation within Salesforce limits, with Composer enabling intricate merges from multiple data sources. It includes versioning and approval workflows embedded in generation, ideal for regulated industries. Conga’s edge lies in output variety—generating not just contracts but also bundled proposals—though it lacks DocuSign’s seamless e-signing without additional integrations.

Ease of Use and Implementation

DocuSign CLM scores high on user-friendliness, with an intuitive interface that non-legal users can master quickly. Setup involves uploading templates and mapping fields, often deployable in weeks. Conga, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve due to its Salesforce ties; implementation can take months for custom configurations, making it better for IT-supported environments.

Integrations and Scalability

Both integrate with major CRMs, but DocuSign CLM’s 400+ app ecosystem (including Google Workspace and Slack) makes it more versatile for hybrid stacks. Conga’s Salesforce-native design ensures zero-friction data flow but limits flexibility outside that ecosystem. For scalability, DocuSign handles global compliance via eIDAS and ESIGN, while Conga excels in enterprise revenue cycles, supporting high-volume generation for Fortune 500 firms.

Pricing and ROI

DocuSign CLM’s seat-based model ($300–$480/user/year) plus add-ons (e.g., $600/year for API) can escalate for large teams, but its ROI comes from faster signing cycles. Conga’s pricing, often $50+/user/month via Salesforce, justifies costs through revenue optimization, potentially yielding 20–30% efficiency gains in sales docs. Overage fees for envelopes or API calls affect both, but Conga avoids per-envelope charges in bundled plans.

Strengths and Limitations

DocuSign CLM is superior for straightforward, e-signature-focused generation, reducing cycle times in sales and HR. Its limitations include envelope quotas and higher APAC latency. Conga dominates in complex, data-driven scenarios like CPQ, but integration lock-in and complexity can hinder agility. Businesses should assess based on CRM usage: DocuSign for broad accessibility, Conga for Salesforce depth.

This comparison highlights that neither is universally superior; selection depends on workflow needs, with DocuSign favoring speed and Conga precision.

Broader Market: Comparing DocuSign with Alternatives

While DocuSign CLM and Conga lead in CLM, the e-signature market offers diverse options. Here’s a neutral overview of key competitors, focusing on document generation capabilities.

Adobe Sign

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, integrates e-signatures with PDF editing for seamless document generation. It automates templates via Acrobat’s merge tools, pulling data from Adobe Experience Manager or third-party apps. Strong in creative industries, it offers AI for form filling and compliance with ESIGN/UETA. Pricing starts at $10/user/month for basics, scaling to $40+ for enterprise features. It’s user-friendly for design teams but less specialized in full CLM compared to DocuSign.

eSignGlobal

eSignGlobal is a rising APAC-focused platform providing e-signature and CLM tools with strong document generation via AI-Hub. It supports global compliance across 100 mainstream countries, with advantages in Asia-Pacific where regulations are fragmented, high-standard, and strictly regulated. Unlike the framework-based ESIGN/eIDAS in the US/EU (which rely on email verification or self-declaration), APAC demands “ecosystem-integrated” standards, requiring deep hardware/API integrations with government digital identities (G2B). eSignGlobal excels here, offering native support for such systems while competing globally against DocuSign and Adobe Sign through cost-effective plans and replacement strategies.

For instance, its Essential plan at $16.6/month (annual) allows sending up to 100 documents for electronic signature, unlimited user seats, and verification via access codes—all on a compliant, high-value basis. It seamlessly integrates with Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass, lowering barriers for regional businesses. Try eSignGlobal’s 30-day free trial here to explore its generation tools, including bulk sends and AI summarization, at a fraction of competitors’ costs.

HelloSign (Dropbox Sign)

HelloSign, now Dropbox Sign, simplifies document generation with template-based automation and e-signatures. It integrates with Dropbox for storage and supports basic merges from Google Sheets. Affordable at $15/user/month, it’s great for SMBs but lacks advanced CLM depth, focusing on ease over enterprise-scale features.

Competitive Comparison Table

This table underscores a balanced market, where choices hinge on scale, region, and budget.

Conclusion

In summary, DocuSign CLM edges out for integrated e-signing in document generation, while Conga suits Salesforce-centric revenue needs. For businesses seeking DocuSign alternatives, eSignGlobal stands out as a regionally compliant option, particularly in APAC, offering scalable, affordable CLM without seat fees. Evaluate based on your ecosystem for optimal fit.