The best e-signature app for event planners: client contracts, vendors and sign-offs

Where signatures show up in an event

• The planning agreement: scope, package or hourly rate, retainer, payment schedule, cancellation terms and what happens if the date moves.
• Vendor contracts: caterer, florist, rentals, band or DJ, photographer. Sometimes the client signs each one, sometimes you handle them on the client's behalf.
• Approvals: the design board, the floor plan, the run of show, the final guest count. Not contracts, but you want a recorded yes.
• Corporate paperwork: a master services agreement, a statement of work for each event, sponsor agreements and the client's own vendor forms.
• Guest forms: waivers for activities, photo releases at a brand event, sign-ins at a workshop.

The five side by side

One by one

HoneyBook: inquiry to paid in one file

HoneyBook's proposals let a client book, sign and pay from a single file, and every plan includes proposals and contracts. Starter is $29 a month billed annually, Essentials $49 with up to 2 team members, and Premium $109 with unlimited team members; month-to-month billing costs more. Card fees are listed from 2.7% plus 10 cents, though the comparison table shows 2.9% plus 25 cents, so ask which applies to you. It's the smoothest way here to turn an inquiry into a booked, paid client.

Dubsado: two annual plans

Dubsado sells Starter at $335 a year and Premier at $525 a year, with 3 additional users free. Its site promises legally binding contracts signed in minutes and a single send that carries the proposal, contract and invoice together. Invoices and payment schedules come on both plans, while proposals, scheduling and unlimited lead capture forms need Premier; Starter allows one active lead form. Paying once a year keeps the cost low if you're sure you'll stay.

Aisle Planner: contracts beside the planning work

Aisle Planner is made for wedding and event professionals. Proposals with interactive quotes, contracts with e-signatures, invoicing and online payments come on every plan. Sales Essentials, at $49.99 a month, leaves out the project management tools; plans with the client portal and planning tools start at $69.99 a month for up to 15 projects and rise with your project count. It fits planners who want the signed contract and the planning workspace in one login.

Planning Pod: for venues and busy teams

Planning Pod covers lead intake, a booking calendar, floor plans, banquet event orders, proposals, contracts with e-signatures, and payments with installment schedules through a branded client portal. It doesn't publish prices; you get them on a demo call. It suits venues and planning teams running many events at once, especially where BEOs drive the work.

SignMaster: the signatures your client tool handles badly

SignMaster has no proposals, invoices or project boards. A couple and a paying parent can each sign the planning agreement in a set order. An approve field lets a client sign off on the floor plan or run of show without it reading like a new contract; see approve instead of sign. Guest waivers and releases go on a public link with a QR code at the check-in table, one envelope per guest. A file upload field on your vendor agreement collects their certificate of insurance. It takes no payments, so the retainer invoice comes from elsewhere.

Which one fits

• A solo or small planning business that wants inquiry to payment in one tool: HoneyBook.
• You want automated client workflows and prefer to pay once a year: Dubsado.
• Weddings are most of your work and you want planning tools next to the contract: Aisle Planner.
• A venue, or a team running many events with BEOs: Planning Pod.
• You already have a client tool and need multi-party contracts, approvals and guest waivers signed: SignMaster.