DocuSign is the market leader in digital signatures. Over a billion users, publicly traded, used by every second company. But is DocuSign really the best choice for you?
The Problem with DocuSign
DocuSign is excellent - if you send dozens of contracts daily. For everyone else, it's simply too expensive and too complicated.
The costs:
- Starter Plan: $10/month (only 5 documents!)
- Standard Plan: $25/month
- Business Pro: $40/month
On top of that: Even with the cheapest plan, you need an account, have to verify yourself, and the interface is made for enterprise customers - not for someone who gets a freelancer contract signed once a month.
When DocuSign Makes Sense
DocuSign is the right choice if:
- You send hundreds of contracts per month
- You need complex workflows with multiple signers
- Your company has strict compliance requirements
- Budget is not a concern
When DocuSign Doesn't Make Sense
For most of us, DocuSign is overkill:
- You sign a few contracts per year
- You just want to collect a signature
- You're a freelancer, landlord, or small business owner
- You hate subscriptions for things you rarely use
What You Actually Need
A digital signature doesn't have to be complicated. At its core, you only need:
- A contract - as PDF or text
- A link - to send to the other party
- A signature - digital but legally valid
- Proof - that the signature is authentic
That's it. No CRM, no workflows, no integration with 500 other tools.
E-Signatures Are Legally Recognized
Many think a "real" signature has to be on paper. That's not true. The eIDAS regulation in the EU and similar laws worldwide recognize electronic signatures as legally valid.
There are three levels:
| Level | Name | Security | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simple electronic signature | Basic | General contracts |
| 2 | Advanced electronic signature | Medium | Business contracts |
| 3 | Qualified electronic signature | Highest | Notarial documents |
For 99% of all contracts, level 1 or 2 is sufficient. Rental agreements, freelancer contracts, NDAs, service agreements - all no problem with a simple e-signature.
The Better Alternative: Pay per Use
Why pay for a subscription when you only occasionally need a contract signed? The pay-per-use model makes more sense:
Advantages:
- No monthly costs
- No commitment
- No account needed
- Simpler for both parties
How it works with canusign:
- Create or upload a contract
- Define the signature fields
- Share the link
- The other party signs
- You download the signed contract
Cost: €1 per contract. Or €15/month for unlimited contracts.
Comparison: DocuSign vs. canusign
| Feature | DocuSign | canusign |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $10/month | €1 per contract |
| Account required | Yes | No |
| Create contracts | Yes | Yes |
| Upload PDFs | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple signers | Yes | Yes |
| Legal in EU | Yes | Yes |
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise features | Yes | No |
| Complex workflows | Yes | No |
Who is canusign for?
- Freelancers: Your client needs to sign the contract? Send the link, done.
- Landlords: Rental agreement, handover protocol, utility bills - all digital.
- Small business owners: Service contracts, NDAs, partnership agreements.
- Individuals: Purchase agreements, power of attorney, whatever you need.
Conclusion: Simplicity Wins
DocuSign is great for large companies with complex requirements. For everyone else, it's like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
If you only occasionally need a contract signed, you don't need enterprise software. You need a simple solution that works.
Try it out: With canusign, you sign your first contract in under 2 minutes. No account, no subscription. Create contract now →