How i agree compares to DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign

by Chris Fortune

Jul 24, 2025 10:44:59 AM

Electronic signature platforms like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign have transformed how we sign documents. They made it fast and easy to get contracts signed digitally from anywhere. However, the world of agreements is evolving. Businesses, especially in the UK, are facing new legal expectations that go beyond just collecting a quick e-signature. In this post, we’ll compare these popular e-signature tools to i agree and show why it is not just another e-sign tool but a fundamentally better DocuSign alternative for ensuring understanding, fairness, and compliance.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

Why traditional e-signature tools are no longer enough

Traditional e-signature solutions like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign capture a fast digital “yes,” but they often fail to ensure the signer actually understands what they are agreeing to. Most of these platforms were built for speed and convenience, not for educating the signer. They operate on the outdated assumption that a signature equals informed consent. In reality, many people scroll straight to the “Sign here” button without truly reading the fine print or key terms. The result is that a person’s name might be on the dotted line, but there is no proof they grasped the fees, cancellation policies, or other crucial details buried in the document.

This gap between signing and understanding is becoming a serious issue. Regulators and courts have started to question whether a signed contract really means a fair agreement if the signer did not comprehend the terms. In the UK, recent landmark cases highlight this problem clearly. In Belsner v Cam Legal Services [2022], the Court of Appeal ruled that having a client’s signature on standard terms was not enough. The solicitor had to go further and make sure the client truly understood the agreement. Similarly, in Herbert v HH Law Ltd [2019], the court sided with a client who challenged unexpected charges, finding there was a lack of clarity in how those charges were explained. And in Johnson v Firstrand Bank Ltd [2024], a finance company lost a case because key fees were hidden in the fine print. Simply tucking terms into dense paragraphs was not enough to make them enforceable. The clear lesson from these cases is that a signature alone does not prove a customer’s informed consent. Understanding matters more than ever.

Regulators have codified this shift in expectations. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), for example, introduced a new Consumer Duty that puts consumer understanding front and centre. Under Consumer Duty Section 8, companies must ensure their communications enable customers to understand the products, terms, and implications before they agree. In other words, it is not enough to send over a lengthy contract and get it signed. You need to present information in a clear, digestible way. Traditional e-signature platforms do not check whether a signer actually read or understood anything. They simply record that a document was signed. If a customer later says “I did not realise what I was signing,” a company that relied only on an e-sign tool has little defence. The old click and sign approach is now seen as risky. It may meet the bare minimum of providing a document, but it often fails the new standards of fairness and transparency.

The bottom line is that legacy e-signature methods are no longer enough on their own. They were great at digitizing paperwork, but they’re not built to handle today’s demand for informed consent and consumer protection. Businesses that stick with just DocuSign or HelloSign without additional measures could find themselves on the wrong side of a dispute or regulatory review. (We delve deeper into this topic in our blog post on electronic signatures vs informed consent, which explains why legal recognition of a signature isn’t the same as proving the signer truly agreed.)

How i agree goes beyond the signature to ensure real consent

i agree takes a fundamentally different approach to online agreements by shifting the focus from simply getting a signature to confirming understanding. In fact, i agree eliminates the need for a traditional signature entirely. Instead, it guides the user through an interactive consent journey designed to prove they genuinely know what they are signing up for.

Here is how it works. Rather than dumping a wall of text and waiting for a click, i agree breaks the agreement into clear, bite-sized sections with plain-language summaries that cut out the legalese. Important terms and obligations are highlighted and explained in simple English, often accompanied by short explainer videos or audio narration that bring the terms to life. This multi-sensory presentation using reading, listening, and watching caters to different learning styles and keeps users engaged with the content.

At each step, the user must actively acknowledge their understanding. This could be clicking an “I understand” prompt before moving forward. When they reach the end, instead of just asking for a cursive signature image or a checkbox, i agree asks the user to give a recorded voice confirmation of their consent. The user literally speaks out loud for example “I agree to these terms” and this voice recording is saved as part of the agreement record. This leverages the production effect, a psychology principle that shows people remember information better when they say it aloud. It reinforces that the person has processed the information in the contract.

All of these steps build a rich, auditable trail of informed consent. Every interaction in an i agree session is logged and timestamped. That includes when the user watched the summary video, which key points they revisited, what confirmations they gave, and any questions they asked along the way. If the signer is confused about something, i agree even allows and encourages them to send questions or request clarification before finalising the deal.

This means by the time consent is given, most of those “I didn’t get this part” issues have already been addressed. The final result is an agreement with proof not just of what the person agreed to, but how they agreed to it. You end up with a comprehensive evidence package: a voice recording of their assent, confirmation that they viewed all the important information, and a log of any clarifications asked. If a regulator or court ever scrutinises the contract, you can demonstrate that the customer was given information in a way they could understand and that they actively confirmed their understanding at each stage. It is a level of consumer protection and transparency that the likes of Adobe Sign or HelloSign simply do not provide out of the box.

Crucially, using i agree does not mean sacrificing legal enforceability or efficiency. Quite the opposite. Agreements completed through i agree are legally binding under UK and EU law just as a DocuSign signature is because the platform complies with the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and the EU’s eIDAS regulation. In other words, an i agree contract holds the same legal weight as a traditional e-signed contract, but with the added benefit that it is backed by evidence of informed consent.

Our FAQs confirm that i agree meets all the legal standards for digital signatures, while also supporting GDPR requirements and industry-specific rules like the SRA Code and FCA Consumer Duty. The system was built by UK solicitors with compliance in mind, so it aligns with regulations from day one. It even addresses specialised laws like the Law of Property Act for signed deeds, and it was validated in light of case law such as Neocleous v Rees [2019], which confirmed that electronic signatures in emails can form binding contracts. In short, i agree covers all the legal bases of an e-signature platform, then goes further by capturing the context and understanding behind the agreement.

It is clear how this approach outperforms the old click to sign method. Traditional e-sign platforms were designed to make signing quick. i agree is designed to make signing meaningful. You simply cannot rush through an i agree flow without engaging. The platform makes sure of that. And yet, it is not cumbersome. Most people still complete an i agree consent flow in under five minutes since the information is presented concisely and clearly. That is far easier than wading through a thirty-page contract on DocuSign.

The payoff for those few extra interactive steps is huge. You get a customer who actually knows what they signed and you get peace of mind that your contract will stand up to scrutiny. As our own comparison guide shows, you cannot achieve this level of comprehension and proof with a standard e-signature tool. DocuSign helped take signatures digital a decade ago. Now i agree is taking digital agreements to the next level by ensuring true consent rather than just a checkbox acceptance.

Designed for everyone: accessibility, understanding and fairness for all users

One of the standout advantages of i agree is its universal design. It is built to be understood by everyone, not just lawyers or tech-savvy customers. Traditional contracts and e-signature forms can be intimidating or confusing, especially for vulnerable customers or those with lower literacy levels. Think about it. If a ten-page legal document full of jargon lands in your inbox via HelloSign, how confident would you be that an elderly client or a non-native English speaker truly understands it?

i agree tackles this problem directly by presenting information in an accessible way. The platform uses clear, plain English in all summaries and avoids unnecessary jargon. Each agreement is structured into manageable sections, so the user does not have to digest the entire document at once. They move through it step by step, which helps maintain focus and understanding. Key points are emphasised and repeated where necessary to reinforce their importance. Because i agree includes visual and audio elements like videos and voiceovers, it also accommodates people who learn better by watching or listening rather than reading. This level of accessibility is not an afterthought. It is baked into the platform’s design to ensure no one is left behind in the agreement process.

The result of this design is a fairer, more inclusive experience for consumers. Whether the person on the other end is a young first-time customer, an older adult, or someone with a cognitive disability, i agree presents the information in a format they can grasp. The platform’s features directly support regulatory principles around treating customers fairly. The FCA’s Consumer Duty, specifically Section 8 on consumer understanding, expects firms to communicate in a way that customers can follow. It highlights good practices like layered information, engaging delivery, and information that is not hidden in a mountain of text.

i agree was built to meet these standards. It layers information into digestible chunks, delivers content in multimedia formats, and puts critical details front and centre rather than burying them in fine print. Likewise, solicitors in the UK have duties under the SRA Code of Conduct to explain things clearly and be transparent about costs and terms. Using i agree helps law firms and other regulated businesses meet these obligations by default, because the platform communicates in plain English with structured clarity. That is why early adopters of i agree include sectors like legal services, financial advice, and healthcare. In these industries, misunderstandings can have serious consequences, and every client, regardless of background, needs to fully understand what they are agreeing to.

From a business perspective, this focus on understanding has tangible benefits. When customers understand the agreement, they are far less likely to complain later or claim they were misled. Companies using i agree have reported fewer disputes and reduced complaint rates, thanks to the audio and visual records that demonstrate what the client saw, heard, and accepted. It builds trust. Clients feel respected when a business presents clear information and gives them the opportunity to ask questions.

Instead of the adversarial feeling that fine print can create, an i agree flow makes the client feel like an informed, willing participant. This not only protects your organisation legally but also enhances your reputation for fairness and transparency. In a world where customers expect openness, using i agree shows that your business does not rely on jargon or hide important details. Everyone gets the same fair, user-friendly experience. It is a win for the customer and a win for your business.

Why i agreeis the best e-signature alternative for UK businesses

Given all these factors, it is clear that i agree is not just another e-sign tool. It is the best e-signature alternative for organisations that care about compliance, customer fairness, and long-term enforceability. This is especially important for UK businesses that face strict regulations and high consumer protection standards. By choosing i agree, you are future-proofing your agreement process. You will not have to worry whether your digitally signed contracts can stand up to FCA scrutiny or court review. You will have clear evidence that your customers were informed at every stage. In contrast, relying only on a traditional platform like DocuSign might cover the legal basics, but it misses the deeper level of protection and peace of mind that comes with knowing the client truly understood the terms.

Let’s recap the key reasons why i agree outperforms DocuSign, Adobe Sign, HelloSign, and similar tools.

Proven compliance
i agree was designed with UK and EU regulations in mind. It addresses the FCA’s Consumer Duty around customer understanding, SRA rules for solicitors, and GDPR consent standards. When a regulator asks how you ensured your customer understood a contract, i agree gives you the answer. Every agreement includes a detailed audit trail that goes beyond a signature log. It is everything a compliance officer wants to see.
Enhanced fairness and trust
i agree shows your customers that you have nothing to hide. Key information is explained in plain language and not buried in dense paragraphs. This transparency builds trust from the first interaction. Clients feel more confident and respected, which strengthens your brand and reduces friction in the process. You are not just asking them to sign – you are showing them what they are signing.
Better protection against disputes
If there is ever a disagreement, i agree provides proof. While traditional e-signatures rely on a basic log file, i agree gives you voice recordings, click confirmations, and detailed records of what was shown and when. You will not be stuck in a debate about what the client saw. You will have evidence that can resolve issues quickly and decisively. This makes audits and legal reviews far simpler to manage.
User-friendly experience
Despite offering deeper protection, i agree keeps the process smooth and simple. There is no app to download. Users click a link and go through the flow in their browser. It works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Most flows take just a few minutes, and because the content is broken down clearly, customers often find it easier than scrolling through a long PDF. You get stronger compliance without making the process harder.
Built by legal experts
i agree was not just designed by engineers. It was created by UK legal professionals who understand the real-world needs of regulated industries. The platform is built on case law, regulatory guidance, and behavioural science. You do not need to persuade your compliance team to use it. Once they see how it aligns with the law, they will want it in place. It combines legal reliability with modern technology.

In summary, while tools like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign helped move contracts into the digital age, i agree moves them forward again. It ensures that digital agreements are not just fast but fair and understood. If you are looking for the best e-sign tool in the UK that meets rising expectations for transparency, i agree is the clear choice. It delivers the speed of e-signatures with the substance of true consent.

i agree stands apart as the platform designed for the future of digital contracting. It replaces the “sign and hope for the best” model with a clear, evidence-backed approach that protects both sides. Choosing i agree means transforming the way you handle agreements. It means moving from signatures alone to meaningful, informed consent that meets the standards of today and tomorrow.