HelloSign became Dropbox Sign — but is it still the right choice?
HelloSign was once the go-to e-signature tool for small businesses who wanted something simpler and cheaper than DocuSign. In 2019, Dropbox acquired HelloSign and has since rebranded it as Dropbox Sign. While the core signing functionality remains solid, the product has become increasingly tied to the Dropbox ecosystem.
Aflux offers a different vision: a unified document workflow platform that includes e-signatures, bulk email campaigns, and QR code management — with the freedom to use any cloud storage provider, not just Dropbox.
At a glance
| Feature | Aflux | HelloSign (Dropbox Sign) |
|---|---|---|
| E-Signatures | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk Email Campaigns | Yes | No |
| QR Code Management | Yes | No |
| Cloud Storage Integration | Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox | Dropbox (native), others via API |
| Vendor Lock-In | None — your files, your storage | Increasingly Dropbox-centric |
| Starting Price | Free | $15/month (1 user) |
| Free Tier | Full platform, all modules | 3 signature requests/month |
| Target Audience | SMBs, freelancers, agencies | Dropbox users, small teams |
E-Signatures: comparable core, different context
Both platforms offer a clean, straightforward signing experience. HelloSign was always praised for its simplicity — and that hasn't changed under the Dropbox Sign rebrand.
Where they differ is what happens around the signature. HelloSign is purely a signing tool. Once a document is signed, you download it or it goes to Dropbox. End of story.
With Aflux, a signed document can trigger a follow-up email campaign, get linked to a QR code for easy access, or simply land in your cloud storage of choice. The signature is one step in a larger workflow.
Key differences
- Aflux works with Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox equally — no preference for any single provider.
- HelloSign naturally favors Dropbox. While it integrates with other tools via API, the deepest integration is always with Dropbox.
Beyond signatures: what HelloSign doesn't do
Bulk email campaigns
After getting a contract signed, you might need to notify a group of stakeholders, send onboarding emails, or run a marketing campaign. With HelloSign, you'd need a separate email tool.
Aflux includes a built-in bulk email module with contact management, scheduling, personalization, and delivery tracking — all in the same platform where you manage signatures.
QR code management
Need a QR code that links to a signed document, a form, or a landing page? Aflux has a QR code module built in. HelloSign has no such feature.
The storage question
HelloSign's acquisition by Dropbox means the product is increasingly built around Dropbox storage. That's fine if Dropbox is your primary cloud provider. But if your team uses Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, you're working against the grain.
Aflux takes a storage-agnostic approach. Connect Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox — or use Aflux's built-in storage. Your documents stay in whatever system your organization already uses.
This matters because:
- No forced migration to a specific cloud provider
- Teams using mixed storage environments work seamlessly
- No additional Dropbox subscription required
- Full ownership and portability of your documents
Pricing: more included, less cost
HelloSign's free plan allows just 3 signature requests per month — barely enough for testing. The Essentials plan starts at $15/month for a single user, and the Standard plan jumps to $25/month per user with team features and templates.
Aflux's free tier includes all modules — e-signatures, bulk email, and QR codes — with meaningful usage limits. The Pro plan at €18/month and Business plan at €100/month cover everything without per-user scaling that punishes growing teams.
When to choose Aflux over HelloSign
Aflux is the better choice if you:
- Need more than e-signatures — email campaigns, QR codes, unified workflows
- Use Google Drive or OneDrive as your primary storage (or a mix of providers)
- Want all modules included in every plan, not just signing
- Prefer predictable pricing that doesn't scale per user
- Value an EU-based, GDPR-first platform
When HelloSign (Dropbox Sign) might be right
HelloSign remains a solid option if you:
- Are already invested in the Dropbox ecosystem and want tight integration
- Only need e-signatures — nothing more
- Value HelloSign's mature API for custom integrations
- Need fax support (HelloSign offers this via Dropbox Fax)
The bottom line
HelloSign is a good e-signature tool, especially for Dropbox users. But if you need a broader document workflow platform that works with any storage provider and includes email campaigns and QR codes, Aflux delivers more value at a comparable or lower price.
Ready to try Aflux? Get started for free — no credit card required.