SignNow vs DocuSign (2025): The Most Affordable HIPAA-Ready E-Signature for Healthcare & Life-Sciences Sales Teams
A 2025 Comparison of the Top E-Signature Tools for Healthcare and MedTech Sales—With Full HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, and CRM Integration Support
Why Compliance Matters in 2025
Healthcare and life-sciences sales teams must comply strictly with regulations such as HIPAA, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, GDPR, and eIDAS. Both SignNow and DocuSign meet these standards once a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is executed.
Key Compliance Regulations
- HIPAA: Protects patient health information (PHI) and requires vendors handling PHI to sign a BAA.
- 21 CFR Part 11: Requires secure, tamper-evident audit trails for clinical documents.
- GDPR/eIDAS: EU regulations governing personal data privacy and electronic signatures.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
HIPAA & 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance
| Feature | SignNow | DocuSign |
|---|---|---|
| Signed BAA | Included with Business Cloud/Enterprise plans | Available but often requires higher-tier plans |
| Encryption (AES-256) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tamper-proof audit trail | ✅ | ✅ |
| 21 CFR Part 11 support | Integrated (standard healthcare templates) | Available via separate life sciences add-on |
Summary: Both platforms meet essential compliance requirements. SignNow bundles these in standard plans, unlike DocuSign, which typically charges more.
Security Infrastructure
- Both platforms provide multi-factor authentication (MFA), disaster recovery, and SOC 2 Type II certifications.
- DocuSign offers advanced ID-verification usually at higher price points.
Pricing and Cost Comparison
| Plan (Annual billing) | Monthly Cost/User | HIPAA Ready? |
|---|---|---|
| SignNow Business | $8 | With BAA add-on |
| SignNow Enterprise | $30 | With BAA |
| SignNow Business Cloud | $50 | ✅ Native |
| DocuSign Business Pro | $40 | Requires BAA request |
Cost Comparison: A 10-member team using SignNow Business Cloud pays around $500/month versus $400–$650/month or more for DocuSign Business Pro with similar compliance features.
Integration and Workflow Automation
- SignNow: Native Salesforce integration enables generating, sending, and tracking documents directly within the CRM. Prebuilt templates simplify compliance paperwork.
- DocuSign: Also integrates with Salesforce but typically requires additional enterprise licensing.
Mobility and Usability
- SignNow: Mobile app supports offline signing, syncing automatically once reconnected.
- DocuSign: Polished mobile app but requires an active internet connection to send documents.
Case Study: Faster Document Turnaround
A MedTech sales team integrated SignNow with Salesforce, reducing document turnaround from five days to just 48 hours. They utilized offline signing and automated CRM archiving to streamline the process significantly.
Implementation Checklist (1-Day Setup)
- Select and purchase SignNow Business Cloud or Enterprise plan.
- Enable Salesforce integration and map necessary fields.
- Upload regulatory-compliant templates with required audit tracking.
- Configure MFA and authentication protocols.
- Train team on offline signing features.
- Conduct a pilot test and review audit trails.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is every e-signature automatically HIPAA-compliant?
A: No, compliance requires signing a BAA with the vendor and activating security controls. Both SignNow and DocuSign provide this option.
Q: Does SignNow comply with EU regulations such as GDPR and eIDAS?
A: Yes, SignNow meets GDPR, eIDAS, and 21 CFR Part 11, alongside HIPAA requirements.
Q: Can either platform operate fully within Salesforce?
A: Both SignNow and DocuSign offer Salesforce apps. SignNow's is included in standard plans, while DocuSign typically requires enterprise-level add-ons.
Q: What happens if sales reps lose internet connectivity?
A: SignNow’s app supports offline signing and automatic syncing; DocuSign requires an active internet connection for sending.
Q: Which service scales more affordably beyond 50 users?
A: SignNow provides competitive volume discounts, significantly cheaper than DocuSign’s enterprise-level options.
Conclusion
SignNow emerges as the optimal choice for healthcare and life-sciences teams needing robust compliance features at budget-friendly prices. In 2025, it remains significantly more affordable than DocuSign, making it the preferred HIPAA-ready e-signature solution.