- Signing with Docusign: free, no account needed
- Sending with Docusign: the 30-day free trial
- How the Docusign plans compare
- The catch: an envelope counts when you send it
- How to try Docusign for free
- What Docusign connects to
- Who should use the free options
- What's included while you trial Docusign
- Cancelling after you've tried a plan
- Frequently asked questions
It depends which side you're on. Signing a document someone sends you through Docusign is free and you don't need an account, but sending documents for signature needs a Docusign plan once the 30-day free trial ends, and Docusign doesn't list a free sending plan.
The question comes up from two very different directions. Some people have been sent a contract and want to know whether signing comes with strings attached. Others want to send their own proposals and contracts for signature. The answer is different for each, and the detail that trips people up is how Docusign counts what you send.
Signing with Docusign: free, no account needed
Docusign's FAQ answers this directly. Recipients of your agreements don't need a Docusign account to sign. The agreement arrives by email from [email protected], and the recipient can review the document, adopt a signature and complete the signing process without creating an account.
That email address is worth remembering. Because Docusign names the address its agreements come from, you can check the sender before you click anything in a signing email that looks unexpected.
Sending with Docusign: the 30-day free trial
To send your own documents, you start with a trial. Docusign's trial page offers eSignature free for 30 days and says there's no obligation and no credit card required. After that, sending needs one of Docusign's plans.
How the Docusign plans compare
Docusign measures sending in envelopes. Its FAQ describes an envelope as an electronic record containing one or more documents sent for signature, and an envelope can have one signer or many.
| Plan | Envelope allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | Trial access for 30 days | No credit card required |
| Personal | 5 envelopes a month | Each envelope counts once sent |
| Standard and Business Pro, monthly | Up to 10 envelopes per user a month | Larger teams and more features |
| Standard and Business Pro, annual | Up to 100 envelopes per user a year | Allowance across the year |
| Signing as a recipient | Not applicable | Free, no account needed |
The catch: an envelope counts when you send it
Here's the line in Docusign's FAQ that matters most. Once an envelope is sent, it counts toward your allowance whether or not it's signed or completed. So if you send a contract, spot a typo and send a corrected version, that's two envelopes gone. If the client never signs, it still counts.
On the Personal plan's 5 envelopes a month, that adds up fast. A few habits help:
- Put every document for one deal into a single envelope, since an envelope can hold more than one document.
- Check names, dates and signing fields in the preview before you press send.
- Add every signer to the same envelope rather than sending separate copies.
- Keep a reusable version of your standard contract so you're not rebuilding it each time.
Docusign also says that if usage goes over your plan's allowance, the extra envelopes are handled outside the allowance, so it's worth knowing your number before a busy month.
How to try Docusign for free
- Go to Docusign's trial page and enter your email address.
- Choose your country and accept the terms to start the 30-day trial.
- Upload a document, add your signers and drag signature fields into place.
- Send a test envelope to yourself first so you see what your clients will see.
- Before the trial ends, decide whether your monthly sending volume fits a plan.
What Docusign connects to
Docusign says eSignature connects with more than 900 other applications, naming Microsoft, Google, Salesforce and Workday. If your contracts already live in Google Drive or Microsoft 365, that saves the download and upload dance every time you send something.
Who should use the free options
If you only ever sign documents other people send you, Docusign is completely free and needs no setup at all. If you send a handful of agreements and want to see how it works, the 30-day trial is enough to test it on real deals.
If you send contracts every week, you'll need a plan, and it's worth comparing options first. My comparison of Docusign vs PandaDoc looks at the two side by side, and my list of Adobe Sign alternatives includes other e-signature tools worth a look.
What's included while you trial Docusign
The trial is aimed at sending. Docusign's plans page lists features such as real-time notifications sent to your signers' phones, so you can see when someone has opened or signed, and identity checks that ask recipients to confirm who they are before they sign. Those are worth testing during the 30 days, because they're the features that make chasing signatures easier.
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Docusign also says its eSignature works on virtually any device, so try sending a test envelope to your own phone. Seeing the signing screen the way your clients do is the quickest way to spot a confusing field before it reaches a real customer.
Cancelling after you've tried a plan
If you go on to choose a plan and change your mind, Docusign's FAQ explains its cancellation terms for annual and monthly plans. Read them before you commit, so you know how long you have to step back.
My verdict: Docusign is free to sign and free to test for 30 days. If you send your own agreements, plan around the envelope rule, because every send counts whether it's signed or not.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to sign a Docusign document?
Yes. Docusign says recipients don't need an account to sign. You can review the document, adopt a signature and complete signing for free.
Does Docusign have a free plan?
Docusign doesn't list a free plan for sending. It offers a 30-day free trial of eSignature with no credit card required, and sending after that needs a plan.
How many envelopes does the Docusign Personal plan include?
Docusign's FAQ says the Personal plan includes 5 envelopes every month, and each one counts once sent, whether or not it's signed.
What is a Docusign envelope?
Docusign describes an envelope as an electronic record containing one or more documents sent for signature. One envelope can have one signer or many.
What email address do Docusign agreements come from?
Docusign says agreements are sent by email from [email protected].
Can a Docusign envelope have more than one signer?
Yes. Docusign says an envelope can have one signer or many.
Does a Docusign envelope count if nobody signs it?
Yes. Docusign says an envelope counts toward your allowance once it's sent, whether or not it's signed or completed.
