Terms Guide
DocuSign vs. Adobe Sign: what’s different?
DocuSign and Adobe Sign offer similar core functionality as electronic signature solutions, but they are not a 1:1 match.
Key differences exist in nomenclature, user interface, and specific feature sets. Users are advised to refer to comparison table below for a detailed overview. DocuSign and Adobe Sign offer similar core functionality as electronic signature solutions, but they are not a 1:1 match. Key differences exist in nomenclature, user interface and specific feature sets. Users are advised to refer to comparison table below for a detailed overview.
| DocuSign Nomenclature | Adobe Sign Nomenclature |
|---|---|
| Envelope | Agreement |
| Envelope ID | Agreement/ Transaction ID |
| Template | Adobe Sign templates consist of two components: document & reusable form fields and workflow. |
| Document template: a reusable document shared across all teams. | |
| Form field template: a reusable set of form fields that can be applied to an document | |
| Workflow: defines the routing order, roles and settings for sending the template. | |
| PowerForm | Web Form |
| Bulk Send | Send in Bulk Note: a minimum of 2 recipients is required to initiate the Mega Sign or Send in Bulk feature. |
| Signing Group | Recipient Group |
| Certificate of Completion | Audit Report |
| Initiator/ Requestor | Sender is a recipient who initiates the sending of an agreement for signing or approval. |
| Preparer | Form Filler is a recipient who enters data in an agreement but is not required to provide a signature. |
| Needs to Sign | Signer is a recipient who is required to sign their signature on an agreement. Each signer must have at least one required signature form field assigned to them. If the system does not detect a signature field for the Signer, it will automatically generate a signature block at the end of the document. |
| Needs to View | Acceptor is a recipient who is not required to provide a signature on an agreement but they must open and review it. |
| Receives a Copy | Carbon copy (CC) is a recipient who receives a complete copy of the agreement, no action is required of them. |
| Delegation of Authority | Delegator is a recipient that can reassign their signing or approval responsibility to someone with the appropriate Delegation of Authority (DOA). Note: The Delegator role can be assigned in the workflow and/ or configured in the user's account settings. |