Comparison
ihatesignature vs Dropbox Sign (HelloSign)
Dropbox Sign, previously HelloSign, is a well-regarded signing service with a genuinely developer-friendly API. It handles sending, templates, reminders and audit trails, and integrates naturally if your files already live in Dropbox.
Credit where it is due
Where Dropbox Sign is the better choice
- One of the better e-signature APIs, widely used by software teams
- Templates and team features for repeatable signing workflows
- Audit trails and completion certificates on every document
- Natural fit if your file storage is already Dropbox
- A free tier that covers a small number of documents per month
Where this tool fits
Where ihatesignature is the better choice
- Free with no monthly document cap for signing your own documents
- No account and no upload — the file is processed in your browser
- One-off signing without introducing your clients to a platform
- Useful precisely where Dropbox Sign is overkill: internal sign-offs and single documents
The short answer
Dropbox Sign earns its place when documents must be sent and tracked, and its API is a real strength. For signing a document you already have, a subscription and a cloud copy are both unnecessary.
Side by side
ihatesignature compared with Dropbox Sign
Both options produce a legally valid electronic signature. The difference is what happens to the document — and which parts of the job each one is actually built for.
| Feature | ihatesignature | Dropbox Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Your document stays on your device | Yes — nothing is transmitted | No — documents are stored in their cloud |
| Account required | No | Yes |
| Cost to sign your own documents | Free, no caps | Free tier is capped per month |
| Works with unreliable connectivity | Yes, once the page has loaded | No — needs a round-trip to the server |
| Send a document to others to sign | No — you sign your own documents | Yes — their core purpose |
| Audit trail and completion certificate | No — you retain the executed file | Yes |
| Templates, reminders and team seats | No | Yes |
| API and third-party integrations | No | Yes |
| Typical entry cost | Free | Free tier with a monthly document cap, then paid per-user plans |
Pricing and plan limits change frequently, so treat the cost figures as indicative and check the vendor's own page before relying on them. Everything else in this table describes capabilities, which change far more slowly.
Keep going
Other comparisons
FAQ
Dropbox Sign and ihatesignature: questions
Is Dropbox Sign the same as HelloSign?
Yes. HelloSign was rebranded to Dropbox Sign after Dropbox acquired it. Documentation and integrations sometimes still refer to HelloSign, and its API is still commonly identified by that name.
What is Dropbox Sign's free tier?
Dropbox Sign offers a free tier capped at a small number of documents per month, with paid plans beyond it, priced per user. This tool has no monthly cap for signing your own documents, because there is nothing to store.
Do I need a Dropbox account to use Dropbox Sign?
Dropbox Sign works as a standalone service with its own account, though it integrates tightly with Dropbox storage. This tool requires no account at all, on either side.
Which should I choose?
If you send documents out and need tracking, Dropbox Sign is a solid choice and its API is a genuine differentiator if you are building software. If you sign your own PDFs and prefer that they never be uploaded, use this and keep your money.
Can I combine them?
Yes. Create and reuse your signature here, and use Dropbox Sign for the workflows that require sending, tracking and an audit trail.