ds160.io vs Docketwise for the DS-160
Docketwise creates the DS-160 on the official site from its questionnaire, and your team opens it there, reviews it and signs it. ds160.io fills in and reviews every page, then either signs it through to the confirmation page or stops so your team can check it and sign it. Here is how the two compare, taken from Docketwise's own help centre and pricing page.
| Topic | ds160.io | Docketwise |
|---|---|---|
| Where the answers come from | A questionnaire you send the client as a link, which they can answer in any of 10 languages. Your team reviews the answers in English. | The Smart Form questionnaire, completed by your team and/or your client. Clients can be invited to it in several languages. [1] [3] |
| What happens on the official site | Every page is filled in, the photo is uploaded, and CEAC's review pages are clicked through and saved. | A new DS-160 application is created on CEAC with the questionnaire's answers. Docketwise says this should take no longer than 10 minutes. [1] |
| Signing and submitting | Your choice per workspace: it signs and submits once you type CEAC's security code and returns the confirmation page, or it stops before signing so your team checks the application on CEAC and signs it there. | Your team finishes it: Docketwise says to open the application on CEAC, review it, and eSign it to submit. [1] |
| Opening the application on CEAC | Not needed when it signs for you. When it stops before signing, the submission shows the Application ID, surname letters, year of birth and security answer. | Retrieve it on CEAC with the code CEAC displays, the Application ID, and the security answer, which Docketwise shows on the Intake tab. [1] |
| Record of what was filed | A PDF of every page CEAC showed back for the application, including the Sign and Submit page, and the confirmation page when it signs. | Not described in Docketwise's DS-160 help article. [1] |
| Security question | Answered for you: a new answer for each submission, or one answer your workspace sets for every application. | You select the security question and enter the answer when you start the e-file. [1] |
| Which plans include it | Every business workspace. | Pro and Advanced plans only; not the Basic plan. [2] [4] |
| Price | $15 per client form, invoiced monthly. Unlimited team members, no subscription, and re-running a filing costs nothing extra. | Per user, per month: Pro $100 on yearly billing or $120 on monthly; Advanced $120 on yearly billing or $140 on monthly. [4] |
| Other forms | The DS-160 only. | Handles other immigration forms too, and its CEAC e-filing also covers the DS-260. [2] |
Keep Docketwise for everything else
ds160.io does one form. If Docketwise runs the rest of your practice, you do not have to leave it: keep your cases there and file DS-160s through ds160.io. Your client answers the questionnaire, your team reviews the answers, and you decide whether we sign or stop for your review.
Try it on one case first
Your first client form is free. Run one case through ds160.io alongside your current process, with stop before signing on, and compare what reaches CEAC before you decide. We can also talk through bringing across DS-160 cases you have already started.
Sources
Docketwise's side of the table is taken from these pages, checked on 15 September 2026.
- Docketwise Help Center, “E-Filing Form DS-160”
- Docketwise Help Center, “E-Filing Forms with Docketwise”
- Docketwise Help Center, “Translate Smart Forms”
- Docketwise pricing
Docketwise is a trademark of its owner. ds160.io is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Docketwise. Features and prices change, so check Docketwise's site for current details, and if you spot something out of date, tell us and we will correct it.