Let's dig into the relative performance of DocuSign (NASDAQ:DOCU) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q3 productivity software earnings season.

Rising employee costs and the shift to more remote work has increased the ever-present pressure to improve corporate productivity, which in turn has driven rising demand for productivity software that enables remote work, streamline project management and automate business tasks.

The 17 productivity software stocks we track reported a mixed Q3; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 2.1% while next quarter's revenue guidance was 0.6% below consensus. Stocks have faced challenges as investors prioritize near-term cash flows, but productivity software stocks held their ground better than others, with the share prices up 18% on average since the previous earnings results.

DocuSign (NASDAQ:DOCU)

Founded by Seattle-based entrepreneur Tom Gonser, DocuSign (NASDAQ:DOCU) is the pioneer of e-signature and offers software as a service that allows people and organisations to sign legally binding documents electronically.

DocuSign reported revenues of $700.4 million, up 8.5% year on year, topping analyst expectations by 1.5%. It was a decent quarter for the company, with a beat of analysts' analysts' billings and revenue expectations. Next quarter's revenue guidance came in higher than Wall Street's estimates. Profits were also better-than-expected in the quarter, showing not only topline momentum but expense efficiency and leverage.

"DocuSign had a solid third quarter, delivering record non-GAAP operating margin and free cash flow," said Allan Thygesen, CEO of DocuSign.

The stock is up 29.2% since the results and currently trades at $61.3.

Is now the time to buy DocuSign? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Best Q3: Pegasystems (NASDAQ:PEGA)

Founded by Alan Trefler in 1983, Pegasystems (NASDAQ:PEGA) offers a software-as-a-service platform to automate and optimize workflows in customer service and engagement.

Pegasystems reported revenues of $334.6 million, up 23.6% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 12.8%. It was an incredible quarter for the company, with a significant improvement in its gross margin and an impressive beat of analysts' revenue estimates.

Pegasystems pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 24.3% since the results and currently trades at $47.28.

Is now the time to buy Pegasystems? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.

Weakest Q3: Box (NYSE:BOX)

Founded in 2005 by Aaron Levie and Dylan Smith, Box (NYSE:BOX) provides organizations with software to securely store, share and collaborate around work documents in the cloud.

Box reported revenues of $261.5 million, up 4.6% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.2%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with underwhelming revenue guidance for the next quarter and full-year.

Box had the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. The stock is down 4.7% since the results and currently trades at $25.43.

Read our full analysis of Box's results here.

Five9 (NASDAQ:FIVN)

Started in 2001, Five9 (NASDAQ: FIVN) offers software as a service that makes it easier for companies to set up and efficiently run call centers, and offer more tailored customer support.

Five9 reported revenues of $230.1 million, up 16% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 2.5%. It was a weaker quarter for the company, with underwhelming revenue guidance for the next quarter and a decline in its gross margin.

The stock is up 37.8% since the results and currently trades at $77.68.

Read our full, actionable report on Five9 here, it's free.

Jamf (NASDAQ:JAMF)

Founded in 2002 by Zach Halmstad and Chip Pearson, right around the time when Apple began to dominate the personal computing market, Jamf (NASDAQ:JAMF) provides software for companies to manage Apple devices such as Macs, iPads, and iPhones.

Jamf reported revenues of $142.6 million, up 14.5% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 1.8%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with a decline in its gross margin. On the other hand, the strong free cash flow stood out as a positive in these results.

The stock is up 23.1% since the results and currently trades at $19.91.

Read our full, actionable report on Jamf here, it's free.

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The author has no position in any of the stocks mentioned