Quick comparison
Shortlist first, details second. Always double-check current pricing and plan limits on the vendor site.
| Tool | Best for | Setup time | Pricing | Why it’s here | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PandaDoc Top pick | Proposals + e‑sign | 1–2 hours | Paid | Templates + pricing + signing in one doc | Can be overkill if you only need signing |
| DocuSign | E‑signature only | 30–60 min | Paid | Simple, trusted signature workflow | Not a proposal builder |
| Proposify | Sales proposals | 1–2 hours | Paid | Great for proposal tracking and follow-up | Less “pure signature” oriented |
How we picked
- Optimized for agency workflows: delivery visibility, client collaboration, and handoffs.
- Prioritized low-friction setup and sane permissions (so you actually adopt it).
- Checked reporting and “share with clients” realism (not just feature checkboxes).
- Included a clear watch-out for each option to avoid bad fits.
Pricing checked: 7 Jan 2026. Evaluated on: setup friction, permissions, reporting, and handoff realism.
PandaDoc
Best for: agencies that send structured proposals
Choose PandaDoc if your proposal is part sales doc, part contract, part pricing table—and you want it all in one place.
- Good templates and pricing tables.
- Useful when you need approval flows and reuse.
- Best when proposals are a core revenue lever.
DocuSign
Best for: teams that just need signatures
DocuSign is the safe choice when your documents are already created elsewhere and you only need signing.
- Minimal setup.
- Great for compliance-focused orgs.
- Pair it with your proposal/document tool.
Proposify
Best for: agencies that care about proposal follow-up
Proposify is built around winning deals: tracking, follow-up, and a polished proposal experience.
- Good for sales teams and retainer offers.
- Proposal analytics are useful.
- Strong for consistent templates.
Bottom line
If you’re sending proposals as a core part of selling, PandaDoc (or Proposify) is usually a better fit than a pure signature tool. Use DocuSign when you already have docs and only need signing.
FAQ
Do I need DocuSign if I have PandaDoc?
Not usually. PandaDoc can cover signatures for many teams. DocuSign is best when compliance requirements demand it.
Which is better for agencies selling retainers?
A proposal-first tool (PandaDoc/Proposify) usually wins because templates + pricing packages matter.
What’s the fastest setup?
DocuSign, if you only need e-sign. Proposal builders take longer but can increase close rate.