How Blueink stacks up against competitors PandaDoc and Formstack

Efficient document management is essential for businesses of all sizes. Three popular solutions—Blueink, PandaDoc, and Formstack—offer features to streamline document workflows and electronic signatures.

However, they all differ in terms of features, pricing, and target audience. 

Pricing overview for Blueink, PandaDoc, and Formstack

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Electronic signatures have become an indispensable tool for businesses, offering convenience, efficiency, and security in document signing processes. However, if you've explored different e-signature providers, you may have noticed a significant variance in pricing models. Why do some providers charge more than others? Let's explore the factors driving these differences.

One of the primary factors influencing pricing is the breadth and depth of features offered by each provider. Some platforms may offer basic e-signature functionality, while others provide a comprehensive suite of features, including document management, templates, workflow automation, and integration capabilities.

Providers offering advanced features typically charge higher subscription fees to cover the development and maintenance costs associated with these functionalities.

Scalability and usage terms also come into play.

E-signature providers often structure their pricing based on usage limits or scalability options. For instance, a provider may offer tiered pricing plans based on the number of documents or users, with higher tiers accommodating larger volumes of transactions. Plus, the level of customization and flexibility offered within each tier can influence pricing, allowing businesses to choose a plan that aligns with their specific needs and growth trajectory.

It’s important to note that you get what you pay for when it comes to ensuring the security and compliance of e-signed documents, especially in industries like finance, healthcare, and legal services. Providers investing in robust security measures, encryption standards, and compliance certifications may charge higher fees to cover the associated costs.

Compliance with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and eIDAS requires ongoing investments in infrastructure, audits, and certifications, which can impact the pricing structure.

Blueink’s standard plan, which is similar to DocuSign’s but only half the price, includes 120 bundles per year, five templates, and a real-time audit trail. Other benefits include SMS pin, selfie or ID authentication, the ability to CC additional recipients, and email or chat support.

Its business pro tier includes many of the same features, but also offers unlimited bundles, 12 templates, reminder emails, custom messaging, and attachment fields.

Those interested in learning more about the enterprise plan can contact Blueink’s sales team. This plan includes unlimited users and templates, bulk send, smart link forms, customer reporting, and more. Other perks include Teams, a customer success team and API and embedded signing access.

PandaDoc offers various pricing plans tailored to different business needs, including an essentials plan with limited features and paid plans with more advanced features.

Its essentials plan is geared towards small to medium-sized businesses looking for more advanced features. It includes unlimited document uploads, electronic signatures, and payment processing. Additional features in this plan may include custom branding, content library, and analytics to track document performance.

PandaDoc’s business plan is suitable for growing businesses or teams requiring enhanced collaboration and customization capabilities. It offers all features included in the essentials plan, along with advanced workflow automation, integration options with CRM and other business tools, and dedicated customer support.

Its enterprise plan is designed for larger organizations with complex document management needs and high-volume usage. It includes all features from the business plan, along with personalized onboarding, priority support, and advanced security features such as single sign-on (SSO) and custom user roles.

This plan offers tailored pricing and customizable solutions to meet the specific requirements of enterprise clients, often requiring direct contact with PandaDoc's sales team for a quote.

Formstack offers a range of pricing plans tailored to different needs and requirements, including its forms plan, designed for individuals and small teams looking to streamline basic data collection processes.

Its documents plan is suitable for growing businesses and teams that require more advanced features and customization options. Formstack is unique in that it has a separate pricing tier for eSignatures.

Common features

Features play a critical role in selecting an e-signature provider that aligns with your business goals and requirements. By prioritizing efficiency, flexibility, security, integration capabilities, and scalability, you can ensure that you choose a provider that not only meets your current needs but also empowers your organization to thrive in the digital age. 

Take the time to evaluate the features offered by different e-signature providers and choose one that offers the right combination of functionality and value for your business.

Bulk Send

Send one document or thousands in just a few clicks. With Blueink’s Bulk Send, you can upload a .csv, populate documents with data, and monitor signer progress in real time. Pre-configured templates make it easy to set up advanced routing and workflows, saving time and effort.

SMS Delivery

Get documents signed in minutes, not hours or days. Blueink includes SMS delivery at no extra cost in most plans, cutting completion times by up to 72%. Unlike many competitors, there are no per-message charges, making it ideal for high-volume signing.

Custom Branding

Create a professional experience that reflects your brand. Blueink lets you embed your logo in documents, brand notification emails, and even set up custom redirect URLs after signing is complete. Every step of the process is tailored to your organization’s identity.

SmartLink Forms

Empower signers to start workflows themselves. Share a SmartLink URL or embed forms directly on your website so documents can be signed without manual intervention. Perfect for commonly used documents, applications, or high-volume workflows.

In-Person Signing

Blueink makes it simple to sign documents face-to-face with in-person signing features. Pair this with authentication options and notifications to create secure, compliant signing sessions—ideal for healthcare, senior living, or any use case that requires on-site execution.

Teams

Easily manage departments and permissions within a single account. Blueink’s Teams feature ensures users only see the documents relevant to their role. Fine-grained access controls let you assign view, edit, and admin rights as needed, keeping workflows secure and organized.

Blueink offers basic document management features to organize and track signed documents. Users can access a centralized dashboard to view document status, track signature progress, and manage document history. Documents are securely stored in the cloud, making it easy to search, retrieve, and share signed documents as needed.

Plus, Blueink allows users to create and save reusable templates for common documents such as contracts, agreements, and forms. Templates can be customized with predefined signature fields, text fields, checkboxes, and other elements to streamline document creation. Users can save time and ensure consistency by using templates to generate new documents quickly and efficiently.

Workflow automation is another perk: Set up simple approval workflows, define signing order, and automate notifications and reminders to keep signature processes on track. Automation features help reduce manual intervention, improve efficiency, and ensure timely completion of document signing tasks.

Other features include bulk send, SMS delivery, custom branding, smart link forms, and in-person signing. A comprehensive list of additional features is available on Blueink’s website.

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PandaDoc offers a wide range of features including document creation, electronic signatures, document tracking, and payment processing. It also integrates with various CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and business management platforms.

As it relates to templates, its users can choose from a library of pre-built templates or create their own from scratch, allowing for consistent branding and messaging across documents. Advanced editing features include drag-and-drop functionality, rich text formatting, and the ability to embed multimedia content like images, videos, and tables.

A comprehensive list of PandaDoc’s features is available on its website.

Formstack’s key features include an intuitive interface, document templates, and customizable workflows. Formstack's e-signature solution allows users to create custom workflows and define signing order and permissions.

Formstack's e-signature solution also allows users to create custom workflows and define signing order and permissions. Users can set up multi-step approval processes, designate recipients for each stage of the workflow, and automate notifications and reminders to keep the signing process on track.

Security and compliance

Security is paramount when it comes to e-signatures, especially when dealing with sensitive documents and confidential information. Implementing robust security measures helps safeguard against unauthorized access, tampering, and data breaches. 

Encrypting documents and signatures both in transit and at rest means organizations can ensure the integrity and confidentiality of their data––providing peace of mind to both senders and recipients. Blueink is renowned for its focus on security and compliance, making it an ideal choice for industries with stringent regulatory requirements such as healthcare, finance, and legal. 

Blueink prioritizes security and compliance to ensure the protection of sensitive documents and the legal validity of electronically signed agreements and employs robust encryption techniques to secure documents and electronic signatures both in transit and at rest. This ensures that data remains protected from unauthorized access and interception during transmission and storage.

Its services are compliant with enterprise-level security standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and several others. This is a testament to its commitment to delivering reliable and compliant services.

With PandaDoc, businesses can confidently manage their document workflows while ensuring the security and compliance of sensitive information. By employing robust encryption measures, complying with electronic signature laws, and implementing comprehensive monitoring and auditing mechanisms, PandaDoc empowers organizations to streamline their processes without compromising on security or legal compliance.

Likewise, Formstack prioritizes security and compliance in online forms management, providing businesses with a trusted platform for collecting and managing sensitive data. Through the implementation of robust encryption measures, data protection regulations, and ongoing security monitoring and auditing, Formstack empowers organizations to leverage online forms effectively while safeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of the data they collect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Blueink compare to PandaDoc and Formstack in terms of pricing?‍

Blueink’s plans are typically 50% less expensive than DocuSign and more cost-effective than PandaDoc or Formstack. Unlike competitors, Blueink includes features like SMS delivery, audit trails, and authentication in its standard plan without extra fees. PandaDoc and Formstack often charge higher rates for advanced features and enterprise support.

2. Which platform offers the most security and compliance features?‍

Blueink is highly trusted for industries like healthcare, finance, and government because it complies with HIPAA, GDPR, FERPA, and more. It provides encryption for data both in transit and at rest. PandaDoc and Formstack also prioritize security and compliance, but Blueink stands out for its enterprise-level certifications and strong focus on regulatory requirements.

3. What makes Blueink’s features different from PandaDoc and Formstack?‍

Blueink emphasizes efficiency with features like Bulk Send, SMS Delivery (no per-message fees), SmartLink forms, and in-person signing—all included in most plans. PandaDoc is strong in document creation and sales-focused workflows, while Formstack specializes in forms and workflow automation. Businesses looking for a balance of affordability, compliance, and advanced signing options often choose Blueink.

4. Which solution is better for growing teams?‍

Blueink offers unlimited users in its enterprise plan and built-in Teams functionality for role-based access. This ensures businesses can scale without paying extra per user. PandaDoc is best for sales-driven teams needing templates and analytics, while Formstack is ideal for organizations focused on data collection and forms.

5. How do I decide between Blueink, PandaDoc, and Formstack?‍

Your choice depends on your business priorities. If cost-effectiveness, compliance, and responsive support are top concerns, Blueink is often the best fit. If you need extensive document editing and sales proposals, PandaDoc may be the right choice. If your workflows are form-centric and data-driven, Formstack could be a strong option.

The choice between Blueink, Formstack, and PandaDoc depends on factors such as your organization's specific needs, budget, desired features, and integration requirements. It's recommended that you try out demos or free trials of both platforms to see which one best fits your workflow and preferences. Click here to sign up for a free Blueink trial.