In today’s digital world, handwritten signatures on paper are no longer practical. That’s where digital signature apps come in handy. With digital signature apps, you can securely sign and send agreements from any device, whether it’s a desktop or mobile, anytime and anywhere. No need to grab a pen!
The best electronic signature apps go beyond simply allowing you to add your signature digitally. They ensure that your signatures are legally binding and offer encryption to protect your important documents.
Some online signature maker apps even provide additional features, like embedding details to create a robust audit trail that can hold up in court if needed. But with so many available options, how do you choose the right app?
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 digital signature apps available this year. We’ll dive into each app’s features, pricing, pros, cons, and more, giving you all the necessary information.
Table of Content
What is Digital Signature?
An electronic message, document, or transaction’s integrity and validity can be confirmed using a digital signature, which is a cryptographic technique. It offers a technique to make sure that a digital document was sent by the stated sender and that it hasn’t been tampered with after being signed. The equivalent of handwritten signatures in the physical world is the digital signature in the current technological world.
How to Create a Digital Signature?
There are different methods available for doing the digital signature depending on various websites or applications. Some of the most readily used steps are as follows:
- Select a digital signature maker application from any free platform.
- Click on Upload Document, to upload the doc which needed to be signed.
- After that, upload your signature or digitally sign on the white screen itself to directly insert it into the doc.
- Check for the proper alignment of the content after putting the sign, to avoid any issue.
- Save your digitally signed document in the respective folder of your system and rename it at your convenience.
- Optional: You may also share the link for the application with your friends and relatives, for digital signature maker.
Best Digital Signature Apps
Below, in this section, we have listed some of the most used and popular E-Signature apps. Here in this section, we will be able to find the paid as well as the free electronic signature app. So, keep reading the article to find the best app for you.
1. Signaturely
Are you looking for a straightforward solution? Look no further than Signaturely, which is one of the best digital signature apps. While it may not have all the fancy extras, it offers unparalleled ease of use.
Here’s how Signaturely works:
- Upload your document.
- Select the designated signing area on the document by simply clicking on it.
- Send the document to the intended signer.
- They will receive an email with a link to sign and can draw their signature on any desktop or mobile device.
- Signaturely even sends automatic reminders if the signer takes too long, ensuring the process stays on track.
Pros
- Time-saving templates
- Automatic reminders
- Collaboration ftableeatures
- Easy sending
- Digital paperwork management
- Audit logs for compliance purposes
Cons
- Free plan does have some limitations in accessing the documents.
Pricing
Get started with your first signature request on the free plan, or upgrade to their paid plans, starting at $20 per month or $192 per year.
Official Website: Signaturely
2. signNow
With signNow, you can access a comprehensive suite of tools that simplify and streamline your document management process.
One of the standout features is Document Groups. Say goodbye to the hassle of individually signing multiple documents. Bundle them together and send them out as a single batch for an efficient digital signature collection. What’s more, you can create complex routing workflows to ensure documents reach the right recipients in the right order based on their roles.
Pros
- Access to document templates
- Utilize fillable fields for easy form completion
- Foster team collaboration
- Stay productive with mobile apps
- Enjoy efficient account management
Cons
- More suited for those with a higher volume of document needs rather than casual users.
Pricing
Experience yourself with their free trial to compare your options. Affordable plans are available, starting at $8 per user per month.
Official Website: signNow
3. SignWell
Designed for business users, SignWell is perfect for those requiring occasional document signing. Its emphasis on security and convenience makes it a top choice for businesses of all sizes.
Pros
- Streamlined Workflows
- Multiple Signatures, One Document
- Form Field Suggestions
- Document Sharing and Tracking
- Audit Reports
Cons
- Mobile device browser is required for accessing the document link
- Document and template editing functionalities are not available
- Integrations offered are limited in scope
Pricing
SignWell offers a free plan allowing up to three documents per month for a single sender. The Personal plan starts at $8 per month for those requiring more.
Official Website: SignWell
4. Dropbox Sign (formerly known as HelloSign)
An eSignature app offered by Dropbox, the renowned file-sharing service, provides a wide range of document templates, including non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), offer letters, lease agreements, and more.
Pros
- A diverse selection of document templates
- Strong emphasis on compliance and security
- Seamless integration with Dropbox and other tools
Cons
- Customer support could be improved
- Annual payment is required for the best pricing options
Pricing
Paid plans begin at $15 per month when billed annually, and you can explore its features with a 30-day free trial.
Official Website: Dropbox Sign
5. DocuSign
DocuSign is the world’s leading digital signature and agreement app, trusted by billions of users. Renowned for its exceptional security and compliance standards, it offers robust features. In addition to its popularity, DocuSign sets itself apart with premium functionalities like SMS document deliveries, signing Insights, ID verification, and more.
Pros
- Digital signatures and notarization
- Unique premium features
- High level of security
- User-friendly interface
- Convenient mobile app
- Clickwraps for easy acceptance
- Valuable Insights and SMS document deliveries
Cons
Customer service could be improved based on discussion forum feedback.
Pricing
Pricing plans start at $10 per month, and you can start experiencing its capabilities with a 30-day free trial.
Official Website: DocuSign
6. SignEasy
True to its name, it offers a straightforward solution for businesses to sign, send, and manage their agreements hassle-free. With a quick sign-up process, you can start uploading and preparing your contracts for sending in no time. Plus, recipients can sign and return them within seconds.
Pros
- Automate workflows
- Convenient drag-and-drop data fields
- Manage multi-document envelopes
- Approve with just one click
- Utilize reusable templates
- Enable in-person signing
- Self-sign documents
- Enhance security with QR codes
- Attach additional files
Cons
Limited free trial period and higher pricing
Pricing
Starting at just $15 per user per month when billed annually, SignEasy offers various plans. Test it out risk-free with a 14-day free trial; no credit card is required.
Official Website: SignEasy
7. Secured Signing
Designed to meet enterprise needs, this app provides advanced collaboration and security features. It offers various authentication methods, including SMS, passcode, and video confirmation.
Pros
- Supports Smart tag feature for PDF and MS Word documents
- Keeps detailed logs of signing steps with an audit trail
- Enables secured online verification of signatures
- Enhances signatures with video confirmation
- Supports face-to-face signatures for added security
Cons
- The user interface can be complex
Pricing
Choose the plan that suits you:
- Basic: Free plan with 1 sender and 3 documents per month
- Business: Starts at $9.95 per month per sender for up to 10 documents
Official Website: Secured Signing
8. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is an all-in-one solution. It offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop document builder, enabling you to choose from over 750 professional templates and customize them by adding content blocks and form fields, including signatures.
Once you’ve crafted your forms, you can easily share them with signers via direct links or embed them on your website.
Pros
- Seamlessly upload unlimited documents
- Excellent free plan available
- Access documents on the go with the mobile app
- Wide range of templates to choose from
- Effortlessly edit documents with the drag-and-drop editor
- Receive support via email and chat
- Personalize your documents with custom branding
Cons
- Paid plans are priced per user, which may be costly for large teams
Pricing
PandaDoc offers paid plans starting at $19 per month per user.
Official Website: PandaDoc
9. Adobe Sign
This paid Adobe product goes beyond simple PDF signing namely “Adobe Fill In and Sign“, offering a range of powerful features. The mobile app lets you easily scan and upload PDFs for signing. Plus, you can create customized agreements using reusable templates and add your branding.
Pros
- Seamless integrations
- User-friendly interface
- Robust document creation tools
- Advanced tracking capabilities
Cons
- Minor bugs in the mobile app
- Room for improvement in the UI
Pricing
Starting at just $12.99/month for individuals or $14.99/month for teams, Adobe Sign offers flexible plans. Take advantage of the free trial to explore its full potential.
Official Website: Adobe Sign
10. eSignatures.io
When it comes to mobile-based digital signatures, eSignatures.io stands out as a top choice. This flexible platform follows a pay-as-you-go pricing model, ensuring cost-effectiveness. What sets eSignatures.io apart is its sleek and intuitive user interface, making document sending a breeze. Recipients can securely sign contracts with just a few clicks.
The contract templates offered by eSignatures.io are fully responsive, optimizing the mobile signing experience. You can even send contracts directly to the signer’s mobile device via SMS messages.
Pros
- Unlimited users
- Bulk sending option
- Branding customization
- Efficient user management
- Highly affordable
- Exceptional value for money
- Ideal for mobile document sending and signing
Cons
- Support could be improved.
Pricing
With eSignatures.io, you only pay $0.49 per sent contract, making it a highly reasonable choice for your digital signature needs.
Official Website: eSignatures.io
Wrapping up
If you’re seeking a user-friendly app solely for electronic document signatures, any option from our list will meet your needs. However, for business professionals who demand efficient sending, signing, and comprehensive management of electronic documents on a larger scale, selecting the perfect app that aligns seamlessly with your unique workflow is crucial.
FAQs on Best Digital Signature Apps in 2024
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
The main difference lies in the level of security and verification involved. An electronic signature is a broad term that refers to any electronic method of indicating consent or approval. It can be as simple as a scanned image of a handwritten signature or a click on an “I agree” button.
On the other hand, a digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that uses encryption technology to verify the authenticity and integrity of the document. It is based on a cryptographic algorithm that creates a unique digital fingerprint, or hash, of the document, which is then encrypted using the signer’s private key.
How are digital signatures verified?
The verification process of digital signatures depends on the type of signature used. For simple digital signatures, the verification is typically based on the evidence of intent, such as capturing the IP address or timestamp of the signer. In the case of digital signatures, a more rigorous verification process is involved.
The recipient uses the signer’s public key to decrypt the digital signature and verify the document’s integrity and authenticity. The public key is usually obtained from a trusted certificate authority (CA) that issues digital certificates to individuals or organizations.
What are the risks of Esignature?
Digital signature maker app, Esignature offers numerous advantages, but there are also potential risks to consider. Some of the risks associated with digital signatures include:
- Forgery or unauthorized use of a signature: If proper security measures are not in place, there is a risk of someone forging or using a digital signature without authorization.
- Legal and regulatory compliance: Different countries and industries have varying laws and regulations regarding digital signatures. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in legal issues.
- Technical vulnerabilities: Digital signature systems can be susceptible to hacking, malware, or other technical vulnerabilities that may compromise the security and integrity of the signatures.
- Lack of universal acceptance: Despite widespread acceptance, there may still be instances where certain organizations or individuals do not recognize or accept digital signatures.
What are the benefits of digital signature?
The benefits of digital signature are as follows:
- Convenience and efficiency: Sign documents from anywhere, anytime, eliminating the need for physical paperwork.
- Cost savings: Save on printing, shipping, and storage costs associated with physical documents.
- Improved workflow: Streamline document processes, reduce manual tasks, and increase productivity.
- Enhanced security: Ensure document integrity and authenticity with encryption and authentication mechanisms.
- Legal validity: Electronic signatures are legally recognized in many jurisdictions, offering a viable alternative to handwritten signatures.
Read More About Digital Signature: Digital Signatures and Certificates