eSignature
Legally binding electronic signatures with configurable signature fields and signer guidance to ensure correct execution.
Comparing signNow and Apptivo helps R&D leaders weigh compliance capabilities, integration options, and subscription costs that influence deployment speed and long-term IT overhead in regulated projects.
An R&D Manager coordinates study documentation, oversees vendor contracts, and enforces retention policies. They need predictable per-user pricing, audit trails for regulatory review, and integrations with internal trackers to minimize manual reconciliation across systems.
A Clinical Coordinator manages consent forms and participant documentation requiring HIPAA-safe handling. They value mobile signing, clear authentication options, and automated notifications that reduce delays in participant onboarding and study start-up.
R&D groups and affiliated administrative teams evaluate eSignature and lead management options to ensure compliance, efficiency, and predictable costs before committing to a platform.
Decisions commonly involve cross-functional input from compliance, IT, procurement, and program managers to match product capabilities to study and project requirements.
Legally binding electronic signatures with configurable signature fields and signer guidance to ensure correct execution.
Send identical documents to many recipients in a single operation and track individual completion statuses.
Reusable templates with pre-populated fields and conditional logic to reduce setup time for recurring R&D documents.
Programmatic access for embedding signature operations into custom R&D applications and automating document workflows.
Detailed, timestamped audit logs that capture signer IP, authentication method, and document history for regulatory review.
SAML-based SSO to centralize user access and simplify account provisioning and deprovisioning across research teams.
Automated saving of signed documents to Google Drive folders, with custom folder mappings that match project namespaces and access controls.
Two-way syncing with CRM records to attach signed agreements to lead or contact profiles and preserve signing metadata for traceability.
Direct export of completed documents to Dropbox with configurable naming schemes and optional folder organization per study.
REST API for programmatic sends, status checks, and webhooks to integrate signature events into lab or trial management systems.
| Setting Name | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Reminder Frequency | 48 hours |
| Signature Order | Sequential or parallel |
| Authentication Method | Email, SMS, or OTP |
| Webhook Endpoint | Project-specific URL |
| Retention Period | 7 years |
Review supported operating systems and device types to ensure field teams and remote participants can sign when needed.
Confirm mobile and desktop compatibility, browser requirements, and any SDK or API dependencies before final procurement to avoid integration delays and ensure consistent user experience across devices.
A mid-size clinical research team needed fast patient consent collection across two sites and electronic record retention for audits.
Leading to faster enrollment and clearer documentation for regulatory review.
A university research office required CRM-linked lead intake and contract approvals that tracked investigator assignments.
Resulting in streamlined intake with added development effort to meet stricter compliance needs.
| Comparison Criteria for signNow and Apptivo | signNow (Recommended) | Apptivo |
|---|---|---|
| eSignature Availability | ||
| Bulk Send Capability | Limited | |
| API Access and Webhooks | ||
| HIPAA Support | Available | Available with configuration |
7 years from study completion
Permanent archive or institution-defined period
Conduct yearly permission audits
Quarterly exports for high-risk studies
Review prior to deletion actions
| Plan / Pricing Overview | signNow (Recommended) | Apptivo | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | OneSpan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry plan starting price | Starts at $8/user/month billed annually | Starts at $8/user/month | Starts at $10/user/month | Starts at $9.99/user/month | Contact sales for pricing |
| Mid-tier plan features | Bulk Send, Templates, API throttling | CRM lead management and basic eSign | Advanced workflows and integrations | Adobe ecosystem integration | Enterprise-grade security features |
| Enterprise support options | Premium support and onboarding available | Paid support options | Enterprise support and SLAs | Enterprise support packages | Dedicated enterprise support |
| Discounts for annual billing | Annual discounts available | Annual billing discounts available | Annual contracts available | Annual pricing available | Contact sales for discounts |
| Free trial or demo | Free trial available | Free trial available | Free trial available | Free trial available | Demo on request |