airSlate Review

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 7 minutes

Founded in 2008 as pdfFiller, airSlate has evolved into a comprehensive no-code automation platform. The company rebranded to airSlate to reflect its expanded focus on holistic workflow automation, incorporating e-signatures, document generation, contract negotiation, and web forms. Its portfolio includes award-winning products like SignNow, USLegal Forms, and DocHub, acquired to enhance its offerings. airSlate serves a diverse clientele, including small businesses, enterprises, nonprofits, and government organizations, with notable clients like the New England Patriots, Xerox, and the Australian government.

The platform’s core promise is to simplify complex business processes without requiring coding expertise. By leveraging a drag-and-drop interface and over 100 no-code bots, airSlate enables users to automate repetitive tasks, integrate with third-party applications, and manage document workflows from a single platform. Its multi-cloud architecture ensures seamless functionality across various cloud applications, making it a versatile choice for organizations with diverse tech stacks.

Key Features of airSlate

airSlate’s feature set is designed to address the full spectrum of document workflow needs. Below are its primary capabilities:

1. No-Code Workflow Builder

airSlate’s drag-and-drop interface allows users to create custom workflows without programming skills. This democratizes automation, enabling non-technical users like HR managers, marketing teams, and operations staff to design processes tailored to their needs. The visual workflow builder supports complex logic, data integration, and document routing, making it suitable for both simple and sophisticated workflows.

2. eSignature Integration

The platform includes robust e-signature capabilities through SignNow, allowing users to send, sign, and track legally binding documents. airSlate supports audit trails and compliance with standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 Type II, ensuring secure and verifiable signatures. This feature is particularly valuable for industries like finance, healthcare, and legal, where compliance is critical.

3. Document Automation

airSlate automates document creation, editing, and distribution. Users can generate pre-filled documents from templates, populate them with data from integrated systems (e.g., Salesforce, NetSuite), and route them for approvals or signatures. This reduces manual data entry and minimizes errors, enhancing efficiency in processes like contract management and invoicing.

4. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

With over 100 no-code bots, airSlate automates repetitive tasks such as data extraction, document archiving, and notifications. For example, the Pre-fill Pipedrive Attachments bot can pull data from CRM records to populate documents, while the Archive to SharePoint bot saves completed files to designated storage. These bots integrate seamlessly with third-party apps, reducing the need for manual intervention.

5. Integrations

airSlate integrates with a wide range of tools, including Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google Workspace, Slack, QuickBooks, and Zoho CRM. Its API further enables custom integrations, allowing businesses to connect airSlate with proprietary systems. This flexibility ensures that airSlate fits into existing tech ecosystems without requiring significant reconfiguration.

6. Document Management

The platform offers version control, searchable storage, and real-time tracking, making it easy to organize and retrieve documents. Users can create groups to manage permissions, assign roles (e.g., Admins, Auditors), and monitor document status, ensuring accountability and transparency.

7. Analytics and Reporting

airSlate provides insights into workflow performance, identifying bottlenecks and completion rates. This data helps businesses optimize processes and make informed decisions. Advanced analytics are particularly useful for enterprises managing high-volume workflows.

8. Mobile Accessibility

airSlate offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing users to manage workflows, sign documents, and review forms on the go. Recent updates have enhanced mobile navigation and security, improving the user experience for remote teams.

Benefits of Using airSlate

airSlate’s features translate into tangible benefits for businesses, as evidenced by user feedback and case studies.

1. Increased Efficiency

By automating manual tasks, airSlate saves significant time. For instance, Claremont Graduate University used airSlate to process over 500 weekly requests and streamline adjunct contracting, freeing HR staff to focus on strategic tasks. Users report spending 5-12 hours less per week on paperwork, equivalent to an entire workday.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

airSlate’s no-code approach reduces the need for expensive developers or IT consultants. Its pricing, starting at $19/month, is competitive compared to alternatives like DocuSign, and its fast deployment (up to 10 times quicker than competitors) lowers implementation costs.

3. Improved Accuracy

Automated data capture and template-based document generation minimize human errors. Users praise airSlate for reducing mistakes in contracts, invoices, and forms, which is critical for compliance-heavy industries.

4. Scalability

airSlate caters to businesses of all sizes, from freelancers to enterprises. Its flexible pricing and enterprise-ready security make it adaptable to growing organizations. The acquisition of Instapage in 2023 further expanded its capabilities to include marketing automation, broadening its appeal.

5. Enhanced Collaboration

Features like group permissions, real-time monitoring, and help messages from admins foster teamwork. Marketing teams, for example, use airSlate’s Newsletter Approval Flow to streamline content reviews, while HR departments automate employee onboarding.

6. Compliance and Security

airSlate’s encryption, audit trails, and compliance certifications ensure data protection. Nonprofits managing government grants rely on airSlate’s audit logs to verify legal signatures, while healthcare organizations appreciate its HIPAA compliance.

Pricing and Plans

airSlate offers three enterprise pricing plans, though specific costs beyond the $19/month starting price are not publicly detailed. The plans are tailored to different business needs, with higher tiers offering advanced features like analytics and API access. A 30-day free trial allows users to explore the platform’s capabilities.

  • Free Plan: Includes basic features for small teams to test the platform.
  • Standard Plan: Starting at $19/month (billed annually), suitable for small to mid-sized businesses.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large organizations needing advanced integrations and support.

NachoNacho offers a 15% lifetime discount for new users subscribing through their marketplace, making airSlate more affordable.

User Experiences and Reviews

User reviews provide valuable insights into airSlate’s real-world performance, with a mix of praise and criticism.

Positive Feedback

  • Ease of Use: Many users appreciate the intuitive drag-and-drop interface and pre-configured templates, which simplify setup. A marketing manager noted that airSlate “replaced many manual steps in document processing,” saving significant time.
  • Customer Support: airSlate’s support team is frequently praised for responsiveness and expertise. Users highlight quick resolutions to issues, even during the free trial.
  • Versatility: Businesses across industries—HR, sales, marketing, and nonprofits—value airSlate’s ability to handle diverse workflows, from e-signatures to data storage automation.
  • Integration Capabilities: Users like the seamless integration with tools like Salesforce and Microsoft 365, which enhances productivity without disrupting existing workflows.

Criticisms

  • Learning Curve: Some users find the platform complex initially, especially for advanced automation. One reviewer noted that “the interface can be overwhelming at first,” though tutorials and support mitigate this.
  • eSignature Usability: A millennial lawyer described the e-signature functionality as “incredibly unintuitive,” citing a lack of clear guides for sending completed documents for signature. This led them to switch to DocuSign.
  • Document Locking Issues: If a user closes a document window, it may lock, requiring admin intervention to unlock or resend. This frustrates users managing high-volume workflows.
  • Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): One reviewer highlighted the absence of MFA, limiting airSlate’s suitability for handling sensitive personal data like W9s.
  • Occasional Bugs: Minor bugs and bot failures are reported, though airSlate’s support team typically addresses them promptly. Users wish for manual bot re-run options to avoid delays.

Overall Ratings

  • G2: High praise for functionality and support, with some noting complexity.
  • Trustpilot: 5-star rating based on one review, citing strong automation and CRM integration.
  • Glassdoor: 4.6/5 for company culture, with 93% employee recommendation.
  • Capterra: Mixed reviews, with strong approval for ease of use but criticism for e-signature functionality.
  • Gartner Peer Insights: 236 verified reviews, reflecting broad user engagement.

Limitations and Challenges

Despite its strengths, airSlate has notable limitations that businesses should consider:

  1. Complexity for New Users: The platform’s robust feature set can overwhelm beginners. While airSlate Academy offers free courses, the learning curve may deter small teams with limited resources.
  2. eSignature Shortcomings: The unintuitive e-signature process and document locking issues frustrate users, particularly those prioritizing seamless signing. Competitors like DocuSign may offer a smoother experience.
  3. Security Concerns: The lack of MFA is a significant drawback for organizations handling sensitive data, potentially limiting adoption in regulated industries.
  4. Integration Limitations: While airSlate supports many apps, some users report limited visualization and integration depth compared to competitors like Nintex or Conga Composer.
  5. Adoption Challenges: A survey by airSlate found that 36% of HR professionals face no roadblocks to automation adoption, but others cite technology limitations (28%), budget constraints (24%), and integration issues (24%). These challenges may affect smaller organizations.

Alternatives to airSlate

Businesses evaluating airSlate may also consider these competitors:

  • DocuSign: Known for intuitive e-signatures, DocuSign is preferred by users prioritizing signing simplicity but lacks airSlate’s comprehensive automation.
  • PandaDoc: Offers document automation and e-signatures with a focus on sales workflows. It’s less robust in no-code RPA compared to airSlate.
  • Nintex Process Platform: Provides advanced automation but requires more technical expertise, making it less accessible than airSlate’s no-code approach.
  • Formstack: Specializes in web forms and data capture but lacks airSlate’s end-to-end workflow capabilities.
  • Conga Composer: Focuses on document generation and Salesforce integration, suitable for CRM-heavy workflows but less versatile than airSlate.

Conclusion

airSlate is a powerful no-code document workflow automation platform that excels in versatility, integration, and scalability. Its drag-and-drop interface, extensive bot library, and robust integrations make it a valuable tool for businesses seeking to streamline document processes without coding expertise. Users across industries praise its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and responsive support, with success stories like Claremont Graduate University highlighting its impact on productivity.

However, airSlate is not without flaws. The learning curve, unintuitive e-signature functionality, and lack of MFA may deter some users, particularly those in highly regulated sectors or those prioritizing seamless signing. While its pricing is competitive, small businesses may face adoption challenges due to complexity or budget constraints. Compared to alternatives like DocuSign or Nintex, airSlate offers a broader automation scope but may fall short in specific areas like e-signature usability.

For organizations willing to invest time in learning the platform, airSlate delivers exceptional value, especially for complex workflows involving HR, sales, marketing, or compliance. Its free trial and airSlate Academy provide ample resources to explore its potential. Businesses should weigh their priorities—automation depth versus ease of use—and consider airSlate’s evolving feature set, bolstered by acquisitions like Instapage, as a sign of its commitment to innovation.

In a world where automation is deemed “vital” by 94% of HR professionals, airSlate positions itself as a transformative tool for businesses ready to embrace no-code solutions

I (plan to) write about business, finance, SEO, WordPress, and whatever else interests me. You might find those interesting too. For now, find me on Twitter/ X.