The UK's leading e-signature alternative
for informed consent

Why e-signature tools like DocuSign fall short in regulated industries

See why companies choose i agree over DocuSign and Adobe Sign.

 The problem with e-signatures in UK law firms and financial services 

not enough

E-signature tools like DocuSign and Adobe Sign serve a purpose: capturing a fast, digital "yes."

But they rely on an outdated assumption — that a signature equals informed consent. In many situations, that simply isn't true.

  • Did the user understand the fees?
  • Did they notice the cancellation clause?
  • Were the key terms clear and accessible?
  • Would they be able to recall what they agreed to?
  • Or did they just scroll to the end and click? (Probably)

A signature can’t answer any of those questions. Traditional methods:

  • Capture signatures, not comprehension
  • Leave organisations exposed to regulatory or client trust issues
  • Encourage "scroll and sign" behaviour
Why e-signatures aren’t enough: the real risk of misunderstood agreements

i agree vs DocuSign, Adobe Sign and HelloSign: feature comparison

Feature i agree DocuSign Adobe Sign HelloSign
Ensures understanding
Yes
No
No
No

Unlike DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign, which simply record that a document was clicked and signed, i agree actively guides clients through the key terms of their agreement. Using plain English summaries, highlighted clauses, and structured prompts, clients are walked through what they're agreeing to — step by step. This means you can demonstrate not just that consent was given, but that it was genuinely informed.
Informed consent, not just signature
Yes
No
No
No

A signature has never been proof of understanding — it's proof of presence. i agree replaces the signature with a consent journey that captures comprehension at every stage. This is particularly critical in regulated sectors where a client later claiming "I didn't understand what I signed" can trigger complaints, FOS referrals, or regulatory scrutiny. i agree gives you a defensible record that stands up to that challenge.
Works without traditional signature
Yes
No
No
No

i agree is legally valid under UK law without requiring a wet or electronic signature. Consent is captured through a sequence of auditable actions — watching, reading, asking questions, and verbally confirming — all timestamped and recorded. This approach aligns with how UK courts and regulators increasingly assess whether consent was truly informed, not just whether a box was ticked.
Use video & plain language
Yes
No
No
No

DocuSign and Adobe Sign present documents as they are — dense, legalistic, and easy to skip. i agree wraps every agreement in a short explainer video and plain English summary so clients actually engage with what they're signing up for. This isn't just better for clients — it's better for your firm, reducing the "I didn't realise that" conversations that eat into your team's time.
Handle questions before agreement
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited

All platforms offer some form of communication, but i agree is the only one that logs client questions as part of the consent record itself. If a client asks a question before confirming their agreement, that Q&A is captured, timestamped, and attached to their consent audit trail. This transforms a potential dispute trigger into a piece of supporting evidence.
Photo verification
Yes
No
No
No

i agree includes identity verification at the point of consent, confirming the person agreeing is who they say they are. DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign do not offer this by default. For regulated firms dealing with vulnerable customers, high-value agreements, or motor finance claims, this layer of verification adds meaningful protection against later disputes over whether the right person consented.
Full audit trail
Limited
Limited
Limited
Limited

Most e-signature platforms produce a basic audit log showing when a document was opened, signed, and sent. i agree goes significantly further — recording every action taken during the consent journey, including which sections were read, which video was watched, what questions were asked, and the verbal confirmation given. This rich audit trail is specifically designed to satisfy FCA Consumer Duty requirements and SRA client care obligations, giving you evidence of how consent was given, not just when.

Beyond e-signatures: how informed consent platforms work

no signatures

  • Traditional signatures are a poor measure of understanding. They can be forged, skipped, misunderstood — or worse, completed without even reading the document. In regulated industries, that’s a real liability.

  • i agree replaces the signature with a sequence of clear, auditable actions. Instead of scribbling on a PDF or clicking a box, clients engage through short explainers, video or voice prompts, and confirm their understanding by watching, speaking, or answering key questions. The result is an agreement that’s not just fast — it’s genuinely informed.

  • Each action is timestamped and recorded, creating a rich audit trail that proves how consent was given, not just when. This makes compliance easier, disputes less likely, and trust stronger.

See how our informed consent platform works
Try our e-signature alternative for free

When to choose an e-signature alternative: regulated industries, vulnerable customers, and high-dispute environments

Use case Why i agree is better
Consumer agreements Present information in a way consumers can understand
Regulated financial products Meet informed consent obligations and FCA consumer duty guidance
Vulnerable customers Simplified formats that are the same for everyone
High-dispute environments Reduce “I don't understand” claims with audit trail of every component of the informed decision

  • Plain-language summaries to reduce legalese

  • Short explainer videos to bring terms to life

  • Highlighting and repetition of key points

  • Interactive prompts to confirm the consumers agreement

You can’t do that in DocuSign — but you can in i agree

Why UK law firms and financial services firms choose i agree over DocuSign

  • It’s built by solicitors

  • It’s backed by behavioural science, not just tech trends

  • It aligns with case law and regulatory guidance

  • It adds zero friction to your current process — but drastically improves the outcomes

  • It builds trust with consumers

 
See how informed consent meets FCA Consumer Duty and SRA compliance requirements

DocuSign helped take signatures digital.

i agree is the UK's leading e-signature alternative for informed consent

E-signature alternative UK: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to DocuSign in the UK?
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i agree is a UK-based platform that goes beyond traditional e-signature tools like DocuSign. Instead of focusing on collecting signatures, we capture informed consent through video, audio, and clear explanations. It's designed specifically for regulated industries where understanding matters.

Is i agree legally valid without a signature?
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Yes. Consent doesn’t have to be captured with a signature to be legally binding. i agree complies with UK laws, eIDAS, and other relevant frameworks by recording auditable actions like voice confirmation and video explainers that prove intent and understanding.

How is i agree different from other e-signature tools?
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While most tools focus on speed and simplicity, i agree focuses on clarity and comprehension. We offer explainers, voice/video confirmations, and audit trails that show the user understood the key terms — not just that they clicked “Sign.”

Does i agree work for regulated firms like solicitors or financial advisors?
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Absolutely. i agree is built with UK compliance in mind — including FCA and SRA-regulated sectors. We provide defensible consent records that help firms meet their obligations around transparency and client understanding.

Can I use i agree instead of HelloSign or Adobe Sign?
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Yes. i agree is a complete alternative to tools like HelloSign and Adobe Sign — especially if your priority is ensuring the client actually understands what they’re agreeing to. We’re ideal for firms that need more than just a quick tick box.

Does i agree integrate with other systems?
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Yes. Our platform includes API access (available with higher licence tiers) and can be integrated into your workflows or CRM. We’re happy to work with your tech team to ensure smooth adoption.

If you have more questions, take a look at our full FAQs page where we cover a wider range of topics in more detail. It’s a quick way to find answers and explore other subjects that might be useful to you.

Read more of our FAQs