Dropbox Sign is a solid, simple signing tool with great API access. SignForge adds AI document generation, a public, tamper-evident proof log anyone can verify, and a free developer API — starting at $0/mo.
Two developer-friendly signing platforms. Different approaches to AI, verification, and pricing.
| Feature | SignForge | Dropbox Sign |
|---|---|---|
| AI & Workflow | ||
| AI assistant | Amanda (42 tools) | No |
| AI-first document drafting | 12+ types from a prompt | No |
| No signer account needed | Yes | Yes |
| Verification & Trust | ||
| Verification model | Open standards (W3C VC) | ATL-compliant PKI (HSM) |
| Public transparency log | Yes | No |
| Portable proof in signed document | Yes — open proof embedded in PDF | Certificate-based validation in supported PDF viewers |
| Public verify URL | Yes (signforge.io/verify) | No |
| Developer & Integration | ||
| Developer API | Free (5 API envelopes/mo) | From $15/mo (API plan) |
| MCP server (AI agents) | Yes (18 tools) | No |
| Embeddable signing widget | Free | API plans |
| Webhooks | Included | Included |
| Dropbox integration | No | Native |
| Enterprise & Compliance | ||
| SSO / SAML | Enterprise plan | Premium plans |
| Audit trail & signing certificate | Free — every document | Included |
| Compliance (ESIGN / UETA / eIDAS) | Yes | Yes |
| Team & role management | Business+ (orgs, roles, invites) | Standard plan+ |
| Value | ||
| Starting price | $0 (free forever) | Free (3/mo), then $15/mo |
| Free tier | 10 envelopes/mo, free forever | Trial only |
| PDF tools included | 12 free tools | No |
Comparison based on publicly available information as of August 2026. Pricing and features may vary by plan and region.
Every tool here is a capable HelloSign (Dropbox Sign) replacement. The differences are in free tiers, API pricing, and what the audit trail actually gives you.
| Tool | Free tier | Price per user | API access | Audit trail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SignForge | 10 e-signs/mo, free forever | Free · Pro from $15/mo | Free (5 API envelopes/mo) | Free — trail + certificate + verifiable proof |
| Dropbox Sign | 3 signature requests/mo | From $15/user/mo | From $15/mo (API plan) | Included |
| SignWell | 3 documents/mo, 1 sender | From $10/mo | Paid API plans | Included |
| PandaDoc | 60 docs/year (Free eSign) | From $19/user/mo | Separate API pricing | Included |
| SignNow | Trial only | From $8/user/mo (annual) | Separate API plans | Included |
Based on publicly listed pricing as of August 2026. Plans change — check each vendor for current details.
“Free” means very different things across e-signature tools. Here are the honest numbers.
If you send more than a handful of documents a month, SignForge’s 10 free e-signs are the most generous ongoing free tier in this group — and the audit trail, signing certificate, and developer API are included at $0, not gated behind a paid plan.
Teams that want AI-native document workflows and open verification — not just a signing tool.
Loved HelloSign's simplicity? SignForge keeps that simplicity and adds AI document generation and open verification on top.
Describe a document and Amanda drafts it. No templates to set up, no fields to place manually.
Dropbox Sign's API starts at $15/mo. SignForge's API is free with 5 API envelopes/mo, plus a published MCP server for AI agents.
Open proof embedded in every signed PDF. Public transparency log. Not locked to any vendor or specific PDF viewer.
Tell Amanda what you need — an NDA, service agreement, or employment contract. She generates the document, places signature fields, and sends it for signing. 42 tools, full document lifecycle. Dropbox Sign doesn't offer AI document generation.
Every signed PDF carries a W3C Verifiable Credential and embedded public keys. Verify offline, in any tool, without contacting SignForge. Dropbox Sign uses ATL-compliant PKI with HSM — strong, but certificate-based validation tied to supported PDF viewers.
REST API, webhooks, embeddable signing widget, and a published MCP server (18 tools) for AI agents — all included free. Dropbox Sign also has a well-regarded API, starting from $15/mo.
SignForge includes e-signatures, AI drafting, verification, and 12 PDF tools in one platform — no Dropbox account or ecosystem required. Everything works in your browser.
Yes. HelloSign and Dropbox Sign are the same product. Dropbox acquired HelloSign in 2019 and renamed it to Dropbox Sign in 2022. The signing product and the API (still widely known as the HelloSign API) carried over — only the name and branding changed. If you're searching for a HelloSign alternative, you're looking for a Dropbox Sign alternative.
It depends on how much you send. SignForge offers the most generous ongoing free tier in this comparison: 10 e-signs per month free forever, with the audit trail, signing certificate, developer API, and 12 PDF tools all included at $0. SignWell's free plan (3 documents/month) and PandaDoc's Free eSign plan (60 documents/year, 2 recipients max) are other workable options for occasional use. Dropbox Sign's own free plan covers 3 signature requests per month, while SignNow offers only a 7-day trial.
Yes, but it's limited: the Dropbox Sign free plan includes 3 signature requests per month. Templates, integrations, and API access require paid plans, which start at $15/month. By comparison, SignForge's free plan includes 10 e-signs per month plus free API access.
HelloSign was acquired by Dropbox in 2019 and rebranded to Dropbox Sign. The product is still available as part of the Dropbox ecosystem, with a limited free tier (3 signature requests/month) and paid plans starting at $15/month.
SignForge is an AI-native e-signature platform. Amanda AI can generate documents from a prompt, place signature fields, and send them for signing — all via conversation. Every signed PDF carries open-standards verification proof (W3C Verifiable Credential) embedded in the document. SignForge also includes a free developer API, MCP server, and 12 PDF tools. Dropbox Sign is a straightforward, well-regarded signing tool with strong API access and native Dropbox integration.
Dropbox Sign uses ATL-compliant PKI with HSM-stored keys — a strong, certificate-based approach that can be validated in supported PDF viewers. SignForge uses open standards: a W3C Verifiable Credential, embedded public keys, and a public Merkle transparency log. The proof is portable — it lives in the signed PDF and can be verified offline, in any tool, without a specific viewer. Both approaches produce legally binding, tamper-evident signatures.
Yes. SignForge includes a REST API, webhooks, an embeddable signing widget, and a published MCP server (18 tools) for AI agents like Claude and Cursor. The API is available on the free plan with 5 API envelopes per month. Dropbox Sign also offers a well-regarded API (the former HelloSign API), starting from $15/mo — it's one of the most developer-friendly options in the market.
Yes. Amanda AI can generate 12+ legal document types — NDAs, service agreements, employment contracts, consulting agreements, and more — from a simple description. She also places signature fields automatically. Dropbox Sign focuses on the signing workflow itself and does not offer AI document generation.
SignForge is a better fit if you want AI-powered document generation, open-standards verification with a public transparency log, a free developer API and MCP server, or 12 included PDF tools. It's also a better fit if you don't need Dropbox ecosystem integration and want a standalone platform.
Dropbox Sign is likely a better fit if you need native Dropbox integration for document storage and collaboration, a mature and well-documented API with an established developer community (the former HelloSign API), or ATL-compliant PKI with HSM key storage for certificate-based trust. It's also a natural choice if your team already uses the Dropbox ecosystem.
Amanda AI drafts your documents. Open-standards verification makes them portable. Developer API and 12 PDF tools included. Starting at $0/mo.
Start signing documentsFree forever. No credit card required.