INLX vs DOCU

For growth investors, DocuSign, Inc.

(DOCU) is the stronger pick with 8. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 7% for Intellinetics, Inc. (INLX). DocuSign, Inc. (DOCU) offers the better valuation at 32. 6x trailing P/E (12. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate DocuSign, Inc. (DOCU) a "Hold" — based on 28 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, Intellinetics, Inc.

(INLX) delivered a total return of +77. 5%, compared to -75. 3% for DocuSign, Inc. (DOCU). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DOCU returned +21. 3% versus INLX's -99. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Intellinetics, Inc.

(INLX) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 38β versus DocuSign, Inc. 's 0. 95β — meaning DOCU is approximately -351% more volatile than INLX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, DocuSign, Inc. (DOCU) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 10% versus 33% for Intellinetics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), DocuSign, Inc.

(DOCU) is pulling ahead at 8. 2% versus 6. 7% for Intellinetics, Inc. (INLX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: DocuSign, Inc. grew EPS -70. 9% year-over-year, compared to -218. 2% for Intellinetics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, INLX leads at 16. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

DocuSign, Inc.

(DOCU) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 6% net margin versus -3. 0% for Intellinetics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DOCU leads at 9. 3% versus -1. 0% for INLX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DOCU leads at 79. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Intellinetics, Inc.

(INLX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 38)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (INLX: -99. 7%, DOCU: +21. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.