A HelloSign API Alternative with a Free Plan and No Per-Request Fees
Dropbox Sign's API starts at $75/month for 50 signature requests. eSignature API gives you 50 documents free per month with no credit card, usage-based credits after that, and PDF generation built in — something Dropbox Sign doesn't offer.
- Trustpilot 4.4/5
- ESIGN Act
- UETA
- eIDAS
- SOC 2 Type II
- HIPAA
*No credit card required · 50 free documents
At a glance
| Dropbox Sign (HelloSign) | eSignature API | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $75/month (50 requests/month) | Free — 50 documents/month |
| Pricing model | Per signature request | Credits (10 per signed doc) |
| Free plan | Test mode only (no production) | Yes — 50 docs, no watermark |
| PDF generation | No | Yes — built in |
| Regional data residency | Premium plan only (contact sales) | US, EU, Singapore, Australia |
| HIPAA | Yes (all plans) | Yes (all plans) |
| SDKs | Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, Node.js, C# | REST API + Zapier, Make, HubSpot, n8n, Bubble |
Why developers switch from Dropbox Sign
A free plan that works in production
Dropbox Sign's test mode is free but can't be used for legally binding documents. eSignature API's free plan produces real, legally valid signed documents from day one. No credit card, no time limit.
PDF generation included
Dropbox Sign only handles signing — you need a separate tool to generate or prepare the PDF first. eSignature API generates the document from a template and collects the signature in one workflow.
Credits vs per-request pricing
Dropbox Sign charges per signature request sent, starting at $75/month for 50 requests. eSignature API charges 10 credits only when a document is completed and signed — not when it's sent.
Regional endpoints on all plans
Dropbox Sign limits data residency to Premium plans requiring a sales call. eSignature API provides US, EU, Singapore, and Australia endpoints on all paid plans — no enterprise gating.
Full feature comparison
| Feature | Dropbox Sign | eSignature API |
|---|---|---|
| Signing | ||
| Draw signature | Yes | Yes |
| Type signature | Yes | Yes |
| Upload signature | Yes | Yes |
| Sequential signing | Yes | Yes |
| Parallel signing | Yes | Yes |
| Recipient roles | Signer, CC (standard) | 5 roles: signer, approver, viewer, form filler, CC |
| Field types | Signature, text, date, checkbox, dropdown, radio (Standard+) | 10 field types — all plans |
| Platform | ||
| PDF generation | No | Yes |
| REST API | Yes | Yes |
| Webhooks | Yes — all plans | Yes — all plans |
| Embedded signing | Yes — all plans | Yes — all plans |
| Embedded requesting | Yes — all plans | Yes |
| Custom branding | Yes — all plans | Yes |
| SDKs | Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, Node.js, C# | REST API + no-code integrations |
| Compliance | ||
| ESIGN Act | Yes | Yes |
| UETA | Yes | Yes |
| eIDAS | Yes (SES + QES on Premium) | SES |
| SOC 2 Type II | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA | Yes — all plans | Yes — all plans |
| Pricing | ||
| Free production plan | No (test mode only) | Yes — 50 docs/month |
| Entry API price | $75/month (50 requests) | Free |
| Pricing model | Per request sent | Credits per completed doc |
| Regional endpoints | Premium only (contact sales) | US, EU, Singapore, Australia |
Dropbox Sign pricing verified from sign.dropbox.com/products/dropbox-sign-api/pricing, August 2026. Subject to change.
When Dropbox Sign is still the right choice
Dropbox Sign is a solid, well-documented API with a strong developer track record. It remains the better option in these cases:
- Dropbox ecosystem integration — if your team already uses Dropbox for storage, Dropbox Sign offers native document storage and workflow integration that eSignature API doesn't replicate.
- Broader SDK coverage — Dropbox Sign offers official SDKs in six languages (Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, Node.js, C#). eSignature API is REST-first with no-code integrations.
- QES support — Dropbox Sign's Premium plan supports Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) under eIDAS for the highest-assurance regulated markets. eSignature API supports SES only.
- SharePoint integration (legacy) — note that Dropbox Sign discontinued its native SharePoint integration in March 2026. Teams that relied on this need a custom API integration regardless.
Pricing comparison
Dropbox Sign API pricing (verified August 2026)
| Plan | Price | Requests |
|---|---|---|
| Test mode | Free | Testing only — not for legally binding production use |
| Essentials | $75/month | 50 signature requests/month |
| Standard | $250/month | 100 signature requests/month |
| Premium | Contact sales | Custom volume + data residency, QES |
- Requests are counted when sent, not when completed. A document that bounces or goes unsigned still counts.
- Data residency requires the Premium plan — contact sales.
- QES (Qualified Electronic Signatures) available on Premium only.
- SMS tools are an additional cost add-on on all plans.
- SharePoint integration was discontinued March 2026.
eSignature API pricing
| Plan | Price | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 50 documents/month, no watermark |
| Paid | Credit-based | 10 credits per signed document |
Switch from Dropbox Sign in 3 steps
Create your free account
Sign up at eSignature API — no credit card needed. Your free plan includes 50 real, legally binding documents per month from day one.
Set up your templates
Build document templates in the drag-and-drop editor or upload existing PDFs. Add your signature fields, text fields, and routing logic.
Replace your API calls
Swap your Dropbox Sign endpoints for eSignature API's REST endpoints. The structure is standard and the docs cover all common use cases. Most teams complete the switch in a day.
Common questions
Is eSignature API a good alternative to HelloSign / Dropbox Sign?
How does Dropbox Sign API pricing compare to eSignature API?
Does eSignature API support HIPAA like Dropbox Sign?
What happened to HelloSign?
Does Dropbox Sign have a free plan for developers?
Can eSignature API generate PDFs like a template, or does it only sign?
Try eSignature API free today
50 documents per month. No credit card. No per-request fees.