There's no shortage of software promising to save your sales team time, boost conversions, and make your go-to-market process as smooth as butter. But here’s the problem: most of them sound the same, cost a small fortune, and—if we’re being honest—many are better at creating work than reducing it. If you’re running a B2B sales operation and want the real scoop on Betterproposals versus other automation tools, this guide is for you. We'll look past the sales copy and focus on what helps you actually close deals.
What “Sales Automation” Really Means (And Doesn’t)
Before diving into features and comparisons, let’s clear something up. “Sales automation” gets thrown around so much it’s basically lost all meaning. At its best, it should mean:
- Less manual data entry (nobody wants to fill in the same info three times)
- Faster proposal and contract turnaround
- Fewer dropped leads and missed follow-ups
- An easier time for reps to focus on selling, not admin
What it doesn’t mean: a magic bullet that fixes broken processes, makes your pitch for you, or turns bad leads into closed deals. Keep that in mind as you compare tools.
The Core Players: Betterproposals and Its Competition
Let’s set the stage with a quick profile of the main types of tools out there:
- Betterproposals: Focuses on fast, trackable proposals and simple e-signatures. (We’ll get into details soon.)
- PandaDoc / DocuSign: Widely used for proposals, contracts, and e-signature workflows.
- HubSpot Sales: All-in-one CRM with automation, sequences, and templates.
- Qwilr / Proposify: Polished, interactive proposals for creative or agency sales.
- Salesforce (Sales Cloud): Jack-of-all-trades CRM with heavy automation—if you can stomach the complexity.
Each has its own angle, and none are perfect. Figure out what problem you’re actually trying to solve before you dive in.
What Betterproposals Actually Does Well
Let’s start with Betterproposals, since that’s probably why you’re here. Here’s where it shines:
- Ridiculously Fast Proposals: You can spin up a decent-looking proposal in minutes. The templates are practical and don’t require a design degree.
- Live Tracking: See when a prospect opens your proposal, how long they spend on each section, and if they forward it. This helps you follow up at just the right time—no more guessing.
- E-Signatures and Payments: Built right in. No need for separate signature add-ons or chasing people for payment after a “yes.”
- Integrations: Decent, especially with CRMs like HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Zapier. Not as deep as some, but enough for most small-to-mid sales teams.
- Simplicity: The whole thing is built for speed and ease. Sales teams actually use it, which can’t be said for every tool.
Honest Drawbacks
- Not a Full CRM: If you need heavy-duty lead management or advanced automation, you’ll need to pair it with something else.
- Limited Customization: You can tweak templates, but you’re not building fully custom workflows.
- Pricing: It’s not the cheapest if you have a big team, but it won’t bankrupt you either.
Where the Alternatives Stand Out (And Fall Short)
Let’s look at where some of the common competitors really pull ahead—or fall flat.
PandaDoc / DocuSign
Pros: - Industry Standard: Everyone’s heard of them. If you send a lot of contracts, clients trust these names. - Flexible Templates: Tons of customization and more options for document types. - API Access: If you have a dev team, you can automate just about anything.
Cons: - Can Be Overkill: For simple proposals, it’s like bringing a bazooka to a knife fight. - User Experience: Not always intuitive for non-power users. - Pricing: Add-ons and volume-based pricing can get expensive fast.
HubSpot Sales
Pros: - All-in-One: CRM, email sequences, automation, and basic proposals in one place. - Great for Tracking: Deep reporting, lead scoring, and pipeline management. - Free Tier: At least to start, you can test drive before you pay.
Cons: - Cluttered Interface: There’s a lot going on, which can overwhelm smaller teams. - Proposal Features Are Basic: Not nearly as slick or tailored as dedicated proposal tools. - Can Get Pricey: Once you need automation or more seats, costs climb.
Qwilr / Proposify
Pros: - Stunning Proposals: If you’re pitching creative work, these stand out visually. - Interactivity: Embedded videos, pricing calculators, etc. - Client Experience: Feels modern to recipients.
Cons: - Setup Time: Making it look good takes effort. - Not for All Industries: Sometimes the visual flair feels unnecessary or even distracting. - Price: Premium look, premium price.
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Pros: - Customization: You can automate nearly anything—if you have the patience. - Enterprise-Ready: If you have a monster sales org, it can handle it.
Cons: - Complexity: You’ll need a consultant or admin. Not plug-and-play. - Expensive: Not a startup-friendly price point. - Slow to Deploy: Getting it “just right” takes months, not days.
How to Decide: What Actually Matters for B2B Sales Automation
Here’s what to pay attention to—and what to ignore—when you’re picking a tool for streamlining your go-to-market process.
1. Be Honest About Your Pain Points
- Are you losing deals because proposals take too long?
- Is tracking follow-ups a nightmare?
- Are you spending more time on admin than on selling?
If you can’t answer these, don’t buy anything yet. Figure out your biggest friction point first.
2. Match the Tool to the Job
- Only need proposals and e-signatures? Something like Betterproposals or Proposify is ideal.
- Want full sales pipeline tracking? HubSpot or Salesforce has you covered (if you can handle the overhead).
- Need both, but simple? Pair a lightweight CRM (like Pipedrive) with a proposal tool. Most integrate easily.
3. Don’t Get Distracted by Shiny Features
A lot of sales tools love to tout AI, automation, “deal rooms,” and analytics dashboards. Here’s the truth: most teams use about 10% of what they pay for. Focus on:
- Fast, easy document creation
- Clear tracking and follow-up reminders
- Reliable e-signatures and payments
Everything else is nice-to-have—until it isn’t.
4. Test With Real Deals, Not Demos
- Get a free trial or demo account.
- Run a real proposal or sales cycle through it.
- See where you get stuck, what your team ignores, and what your buyers actually engage with.
5. Pay Attention to Integration, But Don’t Overthink It
Yes, integration matters—but only if you’ll use it. If you’re not syncing with a CRM, don’t pay extra for deep API hooks. If you’re already using Slack, Gmail, or Pipedrive, see if your short-list tools play nice.
Pro Tips for Rolling Out a Sales Automation Tool
- Keep It Simple: Start with one or two features. Let your team master them before piling on more.
- Get Buy-In: If your sales reps hate it, they’ll ignore it. Involve them early.
- Measure Real Metrics: Track time-to-proposal, close rate, and admin time saved—not just “logins” or “active users.”
- Iterate Quickly: If a tool isn’t working after a month, move on. Don’t get stuck because of sunk cost.
Bottom Line: Pick What You’ll Actually Use
The best sales automation tool is the one that your team doesn’t dread opening every day. Betterproposals is great if you want fast, no-fuss proposals and basic tracking. If you need the kitchen sink, look at HubSpot or Salesforce—but go in with your eyes open.
Most teams overcomplicate their stack. Start with the basics, fix your biggest headache, and build from there. Keep things simple, get feedback from the people actually using the tool, and don’t be afraid to change things up if it’s not working. That’s how you actually streamline your go-to-market process—no buzzwords required.