SignNow vs Adobe Acrobat Sign: which should you choose?
Quick answer: SignNow is built for budget, while Adobe Acrobat Sign suits pdf-editing. For most users Adobe Acrobat Sign is the stronger default, but SignNow can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. SignNow has the lower entry price.
SignNow and Adobe Acrobat Sign look similar on the surface; the differences show up in practice. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| SignNow | Adobe Acrobat Sign | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Esignature | Esignature |
| What it's known for | One of the lowest per-user prices for full e-signing and compliance, with no per-user scalability penalty; part of the airSlate platform. | Native e-signature bundled with the full Acrobat PDF editor, deep Microsoft and Creative Cloud integration and enterprise-grade compliance. |
| Pricing | ~$8/user/mo Business (annual), ~$15/user/mo Business Premium; API/volume tiers higher | ~$12.99/mo Acrobat Standard (individual), ~$22.99-29.99/user/mo for Teams; enterprise custom |
| Best audience | Budget-conscious and high-volume teams needing compliance. | PDF-heavy teams and Microsoft/Adobe-centric enterprises. |
| Best for | budget, high-volume | pdf-editing, microsoft-users |
| Entry price | ~$8/user/mo (annual) | ~$12.99/mo |
| Biggest strength | Among the lowest per-user prices for full e-signing. | PDF editing and signing in a single tool. |
| Main caveat | Interface feels more utilitarian than premium rivals. | Transaction-based pricing can create hidden costs at volume. |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
SignNow key features
- Low-cost full e-signing with unlimited templates
- Fillable fields, signing order and in-person signing
- Bulk send, document groups and signing-link invites (Premium)
- Payment requests inside documents
Adobe Acrobat Sign key features
- E-signature bundled with full Acrobat PDF editor
- Detailed audit trail (signer, time, IP) on every document
- Workflow Designer with advanced routing and multi-step signing (Enterprise)
- Deep Microsoft and Creative Cloud integration
Pricing tiers side by side
SignNow plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Business | ~$8/user/mo (annual) | Core signing, templates, HIPAA/BAA available |
| Business Premium | ~$15/user/mo (annual) | Reminders, bulk send, payment requests, document groups |
| Enterprise | ~$30-50/user/mo | Advanced controls and integrations |
| airSlate Business Cloud | Custom | Full workflow automation suite |
Adobe Acrobat Sign plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Acrobat Standard (individual) | ~$12.99/mo | Individual signing + PDF editing |
| Acrobat for Teams | ~$22.99-29.99/user/mo | Team signing and admin |
| Acrobat Sign Solutions / Enterprise | Custom | Workflow Designer, advanced routing, API |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where SignNow wins
One of the cheapest routes to compliant, full-featured e-signing without per-user penalties.
- Among the lowest per-user prices for full e-signing.
- HIPAA/BAA available even on the entry Business plan.
That makes it the stronger pick for budget-conscious and high-volume teams needing compliance.
Where Adobe Acrobat Sign wins
Native e-signature inside the full Acrobat PDF editor with enterprise Microsoft integration.
- PDF editing and signing in a single tool.
- Enterprise-grade compliance and deep Microsoft integration.
That makes it the stronger pick for pDF-heavy teams and Microsoft/Adobe-centric enterprises.
Verdict: choose by fit
There is no single winner; it depends on where you sit.
- Choose SignNow if you fit its core audience — budget-conscious and high-volume teams needing compliance.
- Choose Adobe Acrobat Sign if you fit its core audience — pDF-heavy teams and Microsoft/Adobe-centric enterprises.
FAQ
Is SignNow better than Adobe Acrobat Sign?
Adobe Acrobat Sign is the stronger default for most users, but SignNow can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between SignNow and Adobe Acrobat Sign?
SignNow is one of the cheapest routes to compliant, full-featured e-signing without per-user penalties. Adobe Acrobat Sign is native e-signature inside the full Acrobat PDF editor with enterprise Microsoft integration.
Which is cheaper, SignNow or Adobe Acrobat Sign?
Entry pricing differs: SignNow starts at ~$8/user/mo (annual), while Adobe Acrobat Sign starts at ~$12.99/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for SignNow and Adobe Acrobat Sign: