In this data-driven era, the ability to create documents quickly, accurately, and consistently can be a game-changer for organizations across industries. Whether you're a legal firm drafting contracts or a real estate agency processing agreements, document generation software can do wonders for your business. It can help you increase productivity and enhance the overall experiences for all their stakeholders - employees, customers, vendors, partners, etc.
As the demand for document generation software continues to soar, the market is replete with many software, each offering unique features and capabilities. Navigating this landscape can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with document automation's intricacies.
In this listicle, we'll explore the basics of document generation software and also dive deep into eight of the top players in the market for 2024. From well-established industry leaders to innovative niche solutions, our comprehensive analysis will cover the strengths, limitations, and pricing structures.
What should you look for in Document Generation Software?
When selecting document generation software for your business, it's essential to consider several key factors to ensure you find the right fit for your unique business needs. Here are some crucial aspects to keep in mind:
- Intuitive template builder: A user-friendly template builder is crucial for creating professional-looking documents without requiring advanced technical or design skills. Look for software that offers a drag-and-drop interface, a library of pre-built templates, and customization options to match your branding.
- Data integration capabilities: Seamless integration with your existing data sources, such as customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and data management platforms (like, Google Sheets, Airtable, etc) can significantly reduce manual data entry and potential errors. Evaluate the software's ability to pull data from multiple sources and populate fields automatically.
- Ease of collaboration: It's essential to have a document generation solution that facilitates easy sharing, reviewing, and co-authoring. Look for features like real-time collaboration, version control, and commenting tools that streamline collaboration workflows.
- Automation capabilities: One of the primary advantages of document generation software is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. Look for features like conditional logic, pre-defined rules, and role-based permissions in your document automation software to streamline workflows and minimize human intervention.
- Analytics: To measure the effectiveness of your document generation efforts, the software must provide comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities. This can include insights into document usage, document creation volume, user activity, and document delivery status, enabling you to identify areas for improvement and optimize your processes.
- Security: Ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of your documents is paramount, especially in industries with strict compliance requirements. Evaluate the software's security features, such as encryption, access controls, and audit trails, to protect sensitive information.
Top 8 Document Generation Softwares:
1. Docupilot
Docupilot is a powerful yet simple-to-use document generation software that caters to teams of all types and sizes. Docupilot outshines its competitors with its advanced condition-based document generation capabilities and credit-based pricing.
With a user-friendly interface, you will quickly create and organize documents, starting from sales proposals to invoices. You can either use the template documents presented to you or design the new ones that you would later fill automatically with the required data from sources like Google Sheets, CRM systems, or web forms.
Docupilot also enables you to securely share your documents with the team, clients, or whoever needs access to those documents securely, and you decide who can see, edit, or manage the document through the access controls feature.
With Docupilot, businesses can streamline their document creation process, reducing manual effort while ensuring consistent, polished outputs.
Key Features
- Template creation: You can build templates in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Fillable PDFs, or the in-house Document Builder, and test them before deployment. Docupilot supports dynamic templates with variables, basic and advanced conditionals, loops, and tables.
- Document generation: To create documents, you can pull data from multiple sources, such as a data capture form, online applications, Zapier, or via an API.
- Document delivery: Docupilot supports automated workflows for document delivery via email, uploads to online storage, or send for e-signing.
- Integrations: Docupilot supports integration with 70+ apps, including Zapier, DocuSign, Airtable, and Salesforce (via Zapier).
2. DocuSign
DocuSign is a pioneer cloud-based e-signature platform that has become a versatile tool for businesses across various industries, providing efficient solutions to a wide range of document-related challenges. It offers multiple products that automate the entire document lifecycle, from generating documents and contracts to collecting data via webforms, all the way through signing and managing agreements end-to-end. While suitable for individual users with occasional needs, DocuSign shines for businesses that frequently create agreements, contracts, or forms and require secure digital signatures.
Key Features
- Reusable templates: A key feature that helps users streamline workflows and saves valuable time when dealing with commonly used types of agreements. These templates save tags and field placement and retain workflow routing and other settings.
- Customized branding: This option is available in most pricing plans. One can add customized branding (Logo, Font, Colors) on the notification emails and web pages that recipients see.
- Digital signature: The electronic signature feature accommodates various document types and provides legally binding e-signatures. Recognized as admissible in court and widely accepted for numerous business transactions worldwide.
- Advanced analytics: It offers advanced analytics that shows you key metrics related to your document and account activity. Docusign also enables users to create custom reports and dashboards to gain strategic insights.
Pros
- Ability to distribute documents for signatures to multiple parties seamlessly.
- Highly intuitive and user-friendly interface.
- Strong security with encryption and multi-factor authentication features.
- It has over 400 integrations, including a Salesforce integration.
Cons
- Premium pricing compared to alternatives
- Users would require technical expertise to implement and customize a few features
- Limited flexibility for complex document workflows/advanced needs
3. DocuBee
Docubee is an intelligent contract automation platform designed to simplify the entire contract lifecycle. Its key strength lies in user-friendly accessibility, enabling even non-technical users to quickly generate, manage, share, and sign contracts without extensive training. Powered by conditional logic-based workflows and generative AI technology, Docubee enables diverse businesses to automate their most complex contracts and agreements through an adaptable interface.
Key Features
- Collaborative capabilities: Seamless collaboration is effortless with Docubee with real-time editing, suggestions, redlining, and comments available in the latest update. This feature accelerates the creation and finalization of contracts between concerned parties. Additionally, one can gain quick insights into contract status, including participant views, actions, and signatures, for enhanced transparency and efficiency
- AI Generator: With a simple prompt and a few specific pieces of information, the OnTask AI Document Generation tool creates a secure document with the appropriate legally binding terminology that can be edited and finalized.
Pros
- It is easy to use and intuitive for any kind of user.
- Sending out contracts to users for signature is fast and easy.
- The robust feature set of OnTask is simple and intuitive.
- Unbeatable pricing compared to competitors.
Cons
- Integration capabilities are not as seamless as some alternatives.
4. Formstack Documents
Formstack Documents (formerly WebMerge) is a versatile document generation solution that allows businesses to create dynamic documents in just a few clicks with a drag-and-drop interface. Its power stems from deep integration capabilities, seamlessly connecting with hundreds of popular apps and the Formstack ecosystem to streamline the complete document workflow - from pulling data into templates, collecting e-signatures, sending files to cloud storage, updating CRM records, and more. While suitable for businesses of all sizes, Formstack Documents particularly caters to industries with document-intensive processes, such as accounting, education, healthcare, and real estate.
Key Features
- Multiple formats: Creating templates on Formstack is easy and fast. It offers users the flexibility to build or use templates in a variety of formats, including Word, fillable PDF, PowerPoint, Excel, or the Formstack Documents Editor.
- E-Signature capabilities: It Integrates with Formstack's e-signature solution for secure and legally binding digital signatures. Or you can integrate with popular eSignature apps like DocuSign too to secure signatures.
- Compliance: The tool is HIPAA compliant and maintains comprehensive audit trails. You can be assured your documents are safe and secure with features such as data encryption, SSL, secure downloads, and firewall technology.
Pros
- Effortless initial setup process.
- Seamless integration with leading platforms like Salesforce, Podio, and Zapier.
- Ability to craft fully customized documents based on data from forms.
- The support staff is knowledgeable, easy-going, and quick to respond.
Cons
- Slightly pricey compares to other tools in the market.
5. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a leading document management solution tailored for sales and marketing teams, catering to mid-size and enterprise organizations. While its core functionality centers around creating professional proposals, quotes, contracts, and other sales collateral, PandaDoc's true strength lies in its robust collaboration capabilities. Features like real-time co-editing, approval workflows, commenting, and version tracking ensure seamless teamwork throughout the document lifecycle.
Key Features
- 450+ templates: PandaDoc offers a drag-and-drop document editor, making it easy for users to create templates. Additionally, with over 450 pre-designed templates included, users can easily edit and customize them to suit their business needs.
- Version control: This feature allows multiple people to work on the same document simultaneously while keeping track of the changes made. In addition, version control allows you to recover the last version of the document if it gets lost or damaged.
- Content Library: With Content Library, you don't have to recreate content. You can save blocks of content and entire pages or documents to the Content Library and re-use them in new documents and templates.
- Real-time notifications & reminders: After every document is sent out from the platform, PandaDoc will send you web and mobile notifications about its progress and status. In this manner users can stay informed about document delivery fails, documents being opened, documents being completed and comments being posted.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for creating and sending documents, perfect for complex contracts
- Customizable integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other platforms
- Responsive customer support provides quick assistance with screen videos
Cons
- The mobile app could be more functional
- Requires a learning curve to master all document management software features
6. Docmosis
Docmosis is another feature-rich document generation platform suitable for businesses of all sizes. From startups and SMEs to global corporations, Docmosis caters to diverse users seeking efficient document creation. One of Docmosis' strengths is its seamless integration with Microsoft Word, allowing users comfortable with the popular word processor to set up and manage templates without extensive programming knowledge. Also, it enables non-technical users to generate documents in multiple formats, including PDFs, HTML, DOC, ODT (Open Document Text), or text files with relative ease.
Key Features
- Dynamic content: Users can insert dynamic text into the body, headers, and footers of their templates. They can also add or remove content based on data or calculations, loop over repeating data, and dynamically insert images, QR codes, barcodes, or add watermarking.
- Multiple documents: Its unique architecture allows multiple documents to be generated in parallel.
- Self-hosted: It is equipped with a self-hosted document generation engine that successfully integrates with custom-built software applications and third-party apps.
Pros
- It is incredibly user-friendly, requiring minimal training for widespread adoption.
- Rapid implementation of Word-designed templates
- Seamless document management with MS Office and LibreOffice compatibility
Cons
- The installation process could be more user-friendly
7. Documint
Documint is a user-friendly yet sophisticated document generation platform designed to automate business document creation for enterprises. While suitable for diverse use cases, Documint has gained particular popularity among Airtable users due to its native integration capabilities. It allows the seamless merging of data from Airtable rows, including linked record fields, into documents within seconds without additional automation setup. Beyond its Airtable synergy, Documint prides itself on simplifying real-time document generation processes through an intuitive interface. Additionally, Documint's outstanding customer support provides personalized assistance, further enhancing the overall user experience.
Key Features
- Bulk document creation: It is ideal for generating large quantities of documents, such as invoices, contracts, or personalized correspondence, with minimal effort.
- Automated document generation: Users can link data sources like order information or customer databases to automatically generate personalized documents.
Pros
- Abundant options for customizing your documents.
- Quick and easy to get started.
- Comprehensive feature set at an affordable price point.
- Exceptional customer support.
8. Adobe Acrobat Sign
Adobe Acrobat Sign is part of the Adobe family of apps and it works well with most other business-related tools you’ll see on the market today. Like most of the other apps on our list, Acrobat Sign uses an online, cloud-based system to create, sign, manage, and track documents.
Its unique strength lies in advanced live PDF editing capabilities that go far beyond basic modifications offered by most e-signature solutions. This level of full-featured PDF handling, coupled with Adobe's industry-leading expertise, allows Acrobat Sign to empower users to conveniently manage critical document workflows from start to finish without the hassle of switching between multiple software.
Key Features
- Real-time tracking and management: With real-time notifications and reminders, it’s a breeze to track and manage every document you send out to be signed.
- Microsoft Office integration: Seamless integration with Microsoft Office enables users to effortlessly sign and send documents for signature directly from their Microsoft 365 applications.
- Bulk sending via Mega Sign: When it's time to distribute one agreement to multiple signers, Mega Sign allows you to effortlessly send personalized forms to each recipient with just one click.
- Customize your e-signature process: With Adobe Sign, you have the flexibility to add branding details such as your firm's logo or a personalized welcome message to emails requesting e-signatures, ensuring a professional and personalized touch.
Pros
- Over 80 integrations with key business apps.
- The document progress tracking feature is highly useful.
- Easily editable templates.
- Compatibility across various devices, including Windows, Mac, iPad, and more, enabling document signing from anywhere.
Cons
- Requires an enterprise subscription for many advanced features.
- Some users may find it occasionally challenging to use.
Conclusion
When choosing document generation software, assess your business needs first, then evaluate the available tools and their features.
However, if you're still uncertain where to begin your document automation journey, consider exploring Docupilot – a robust and user-friendly document generation platform with widespread acclaim. The easy-to-use template builder, the ability to automatically pull data from multiple sources, and custom workflow-building capabilities make the process of document creation extremely effortless on Docupilot. Check out our website today to learn more or request a personalized demo tailored to your specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is Document Generation Software?
Document generation software is a powerful tool that empowers businesses to create documents faster and at scale using predefined or custom templates. Whatever document you need to create - whether it's contracts, proposals, or invoices - document generation software allows you to produce them with a consistent format, brand voice, and style. And the best part? It speeds up the entire document creation process, from start to finish. With document generation software, businesses can minimize errors, reduce manual effort, and ensure brand consistency across all communications.
The importance of document generation is steadily increasing, particularly among businesses that manage extensive document workflows daily. Industries such as legal, healthcare, real estate, hr, and aviation stand to benefit significantly from the implementation of document generation software, which can serve as a transformative solution for streamlining document processes and improving overall efficiency.
2. Does Docupilot have a free trial?
Yes, Docupilot does offer a free trial for 30 days.
