Here’s Our PandaDoc Review (+ a Better Alternative)

Quick Summary

This article reviews PandaDoc’s features, strengths, and limitations, highlighting its document creation, e-signatures, automation, pricing, and integrations, while offering insights into potential downsides for smaller teams.

Seeking an Honest PandaDoc Review?

If you’ve been on the hunt for an all-in-one document signing and management tool, there’s a good chance PandaDoc has popped up in your search. 

It promises streamlined workflows, fast signatures, and better productivity, but does it actually live up to the hype? 

In this SignWell article, we’re going to break down what PandaDoc does well, where it may let you down, and introduce a better alternative that puts ease of use and efficiency front and center.

But first…

Why Listen to Us

At SignWell, we’ve helped over 65,000 businesses simplify how they send, sign, and manage documents. With millions of documents signed through our platform, we’ve seen firsthand what teams actually need from tools like PandaDoc and where those tools can fall short. We know what speeds up your workflow, what causes unnecessary friction, and what truly makes an e-signature solution worth sticking with.

What is PandaDoc?

PandaDoc is a document workflow automation platform designed to help fast-scaling teams accelerate the ability to create, manage, and sign digital documents, including proposals, quotes, and contracts. The cloud-based platform streamlines document processes by eliminating manual tasks and enabling businesses to create professional documents quickly.

Beyond basic electronic signatures, PandaDoc provides tools for document creation, template management, workflow automation, and analytics. You can integrate it with popular CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, enhancing your sales processes and client communications.

Key Features of PandaDoc

Document Creation & Customization

• Drag & Drop Editor: Easily build professional documents using a block-based editor, allowing for intuitive customization.
• Content Library: Store and reuse frequently used text, images, and other assets to maintain consistency across documents.
• Custom Branding & Themes: Apply your company’s branding elements to documents, ensuring a cohesive and professional appearance.
• Smart Content: Adapt document content dynamically based on recipient inputs, reducing the need for manual edits.

E-Signature Capabilities

• Legally Binding E-Signatures: Collect secure and compliant electronic signatures that adhere to regulations like ESIGN and UETA.
• Sequential and Parallel Signing: Define the order of signers or allow multiple parties to sign simultaneously for faster processing.
• Audit Trails: Maintain detailed records of document actions, providing transparency and accountability.

Collaboration & Workflow Automation

• Real-Time Collaboration: Enable multiple team members to work on the same document simultaneously, enhancing productivity.
• Commenting and Markup: Facilitate feedback and discussions directly within documents through comments and annotations.
• Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like approvals, reminders, and follow-ups to streamline document processes.
• Workspaces: Organize documents and templates by teams, departments, or projects for better content distribution.

Document Tracking & Analytics

• Real-Time Document Insights: Monitor document status in real-time, including views, time spent, and interactions.
• Custom Notifications: Receive alerts when recipients open, view, or sign documents, allowing timely follow-ups.
• Automated Reminders: Set up automatic reminders for recipients who haven’t taken action on a document.

Payment Processing

• Integrated Payments: Collect payments directly within documents using integrations with payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and QuickBooks.
• ACH Payments: Facilitate bank transfers directly from contracts and quotes for seamless transactions.

Security & Compliance

• Access Control: Define who can access and edit documents to protect sensitive information.
• Encryption: Ensure documents are stored and transmitted securely using encryption protocols.
• Compliance Standards: Adhere to industry regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2 Type 2, and PCI DSS for data protection.

Pricing

• Starter ($35/seat/month): Best for quick document creation and signing, with unlimited uploads, real-time tracking, and 24/7 support.
• Business ($65/seat/month): Ideal for sales teams needing CRM integrations, custom branding, approval workflows, and bulk send features.
• Enterprise (Custom pricing): Designed for advanced workflows with CPQ, automation, SSO, API access, and dedicated team workspaces.

A 14-day free trial is available for new users to test PandaDoc’s capabilities.

What We Like

• Easy to Use: PandaDoc’s interface is clean and intuitive. We got up and running with minimal training, and building documents felt straightforward from day one.
• All-in-One Workflow Tool: It covers everything, from document creation and e-signatures to payment collection and automation. Great for startups or small teams looking to streamline their stack.
• Responsive Customer Support: Their live chat and email support were consistently quick and helpful whenever we had questions or needed guidance.
• Good Value for Money: Compared to other tools we’ve tested, PandaDoc’s pricing is competitive and offers solid features for the cost, especially for growing businesses.
• Strong Tracking and Notifications: We appreciated the real-time updates on document views and signatures. Automated reminders made follow-ups easier and faster.

What We Don’t Like

• No Included Phone Support: Phone support isn’t part of the base plans; you’ll need to pay extra for it. That’s a downside if you prefer talking to a human right away.
• Integration Friction: We ran into hiccups connecting PandaDoc with platforms like Salesforce and Stripe, which occasionally slowed down our process.
• Email Deliverability Issues: Some of our recipients reported PandaDoc emails landing in spam, which delayed signatures and created extra follow-up work.
• Overkill for Smaller Teams: While feature-rich, it felt like too much for simpler use cases. Smaller teams may end up ignoring many of the advanced features.
• Glitches & Formatting Quirks: We occasionally saw variables not populate, slow load times, and minor layout issues, especially with more complex documents.

Meet SignWell, a Simpler, Smarter Alternative to PandaDoc

At SignWell, we believe e-signature software should be simple, intuitive, and efficient. Whether you’re sending a contract or onboarding a client, SignWell helps you do it faster with fewer clicks and zero confusion.

Unlike PandaDoc’s robust but sometimes bloated platform, SignWell focuses on the essentials: fast document sending, legally binding signatures, and simple automation that works out of the box.

It’s the go-to tool for startups, SMBs, and legal teams who want an easy way to manage contracts without the high cost or steep learning curve.

Key Features of SignWell

Electronic Signatures

• Legally Binding Signatures: SignWell ensures all electronic signatures are compliant with U.S. and international laws, including ESIGN, UETA, and eIDAS, providing the same legal standing as handwritten signatures
• Multiple Signature Options: Users can choose between hand-drawn, typed, or image-based signatures, catering to diverse preferences.
• In-Person Signing & Signer Delegation: Facilitates both remote and in-person signing scenarios, with options to delegate signing responsibilities when necessary.

Document Management & Templates

• Customizable Templates: Convert frequently used documents into templates for quick access and dispatch, streamlining repetitive tasks.
• Bulk Sending: Send documents to multiple recipients simultaneously, enhancing efficiency in large-scale operations.
• Document Organization: Organize documents using folders, tags, and categories, ensuring easy retrieval and management.

Workflow Automation & Tracking

• Automated Reminders & Notifications: Set up automatic reminders for pending signatures and receive instant notifications upon document views and completions. 
• Signing Order Control: Define the sequence in which multiple parties should sign a document, ensuring orderly execution.
• Audit Trails: Maintain detailed records of all document activities, including timestamps and user actions, enhancing transparency and accountability. 

Security & Compliance

• Data Encryption: Employs robust encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information during transmission and storage.
• Compliance Standards: Adheres to major electronic signature regulations, ensuring legal validity across various jurisdictions.
• Access Controls & Permissions: Set granular permissions to control who can view, edit, or sign documents, enhancing security.

Integrations & API

• Third-Party Integrations: Seamlessly integrates with over 5,000 applications, including Google Workspace, Dropbox, Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, and more, embedding into existing workflows.
• API Access: Offers robust API capabilities, allowing businesses to incorporate SignWell’s functionalities into their custom applications and systems.

Accessibility & Support

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Access and sign documents from any device with internet connectivity, ensuring flexibility and convenience. 
• Responsive Customer Support: Provides dedicated support through email, phone, or Zoom, assisting users promptly with any queries or issues.

Pricing

• Free Plan: 1 sender, 3 documents/month, 1 template, limited reminders & notifications.
• Light Plan: $12/month, 1 sender, 5 templates per sender, unlimited documents, advanced features like bulk send and template links.
• Business Plan: $36/month for 3 senders, unlimited templates & documents, custom branding, data validation, in-person signing, and more.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large teams, includes all Business plan features plus high-volume API, dedicated support, and custom plans.

Panadoc vs. SignWell: Side-by-Side Comparison

Why Choose SignWell Over PandaDoc?

Intuitive User Experience That Just Works

Managing documents should feel effortless, not overwhelming. SignWell is designed with simplicity at its core, eliminating the frustration commonly associated with complex document platforms.

Unlike PandaDoc, which requires extensive onboarding and training, SignWell enables immediate productivity with:

• Zero-setup electronic signatures that work instantly
• Drag-and-drop document upload for quick processing
• Automated workflows that reduce manual tasks
• Intuitive interface that requires no technical expertise
• Smart templates that adapt to your specific needs

Our customers consistently report that SignWell is “easier to use and more elegant than similar complex alternatives like Panadoc.

Transparent and Affordable Pricing

Budget predictability is relevant for growing businesses. SignWell offers straightforward pricing that scales with your needs, not your headcount.

Key pricing advantages over PandaDoc include:

• No per-user fees for signers – unlimited recipients on all plans
• Transparent monthly rates without hidden charges or setup fees
• Scalable plans that grow with your business needs
• Free plan available for testing and light usage
• No long-term contracts are required for flexibility.

With SignWell’s affordable paid pricing starting at $12 per month, businesses save significantly compared to enterprise-focused platforms while accessing all essential features.

Lightning-Fast Document Processing

Time is money, especially when waiting for signatures on critical agreements. SignWell delivers 40% faster turnaround times on contracts and agreements, helping you close deals and complete processes more efficiently.

Speed advantages include:

• Instant document processing without rendering delays
• Mobile-optimized signing that works on any device
• Automated reminders that keep documents moving
• Real-time notifications for immediate status updates
• Bulk sending capabilities for multiple recipients

Reliable Customer Support When You Need It

SignWell provides support by email, phone, or live chat whenever you need assistance. Our dedicated team ensures you get personalized help, not generic responses.

Support advantages include:

• Responsive customer service with fast resolution times
• Multiple contact options, including phone and video calls
• Comprehensive onboarding to get you started quickly
• Detailed documentation and learning resources
• Proactive assistance for optimization and best practices

Enterprise-Grade Security Without Enterprise Complexity

Security shouldn’t require a computer science degree to understand. SignWell provides robust protection with transparent security measures that give you confidence without complexity.

Security features include:

• Enterprise-level encryption for all documents and data
• Comprehensive audit trails for legal compliance
• SOC 2 Type II compliance that meets industry standards
• Secure document storage with reliable backup systems

Seamless Integration Capabilities

Your document workflow should connect naturally with the tools you already use. SignWell integrates easily with popular apps like Gmail, Slack, and Dropbox. Need something more tailored? Our flexible API lets you build custom workflows that fit your business perfectly.

Integration benefits include:

• Popular platform connections, including CRM and project management tools
• Webhook support for real-time data synchronization
• Zapier integration for no-code automation
• Developer-friendly documentation for technical teams

Conclusion

PandaDoc is a comprehensive document management platform with powerful features, but it comes with complexity and costs, which can be drawbacks for many users. If you’re looking for a more intuitive, affordable, and efficient alternative, SignWell delivers the essential functionality you need without unnecessary complications.

SignWell provides a simple, professional, and elegant solution that helps businesses get contracts signed quickly while maintaining the security and reliability required for important business documents.

Ready to experience faster, simpler document management with SignWell? Start with our free plan today.