In this article, we’ll look at the most popular signature solutions in three categories: online, free, and enterprise-level signing tools, to help you make an easy and informed decision. LynxPDF is highly recommended for your enterprise. Its electronic signature function is comprehensive and secure with reasonable pricing.
10 Best Electronic Signature Tools Comparison
First of all, it's crucial to differentiate between digital signatures and electronic signatures which are often used interchangeably but actually distinct. In this article, a digital signature refers to a specific type of electronic signature that uses digital certificates and a secure method to authenticate the identity of the signer. Electronic signature is a broad term for getting electronic documents signed quickly which can be as simple as your name typed at the end of an email.
|
Product |
Afficiency |
Security |
Pricing |
Application |
|
Adobe Acrobat |
Signing of digital signatures and electronic signatures, comprehensive document editing options. |
AES 256-bit encryption, password protection, digital certificates, audit trails. |
$287.88/annual/user |
Small to large enterprises |
|
LynxPDF |
Signning with digital signatures and electronic signatures, batch processing, regular verification of signatures. |
Regular certificate updates, role-based access control, GDPR, HIPAA compliant , audit trails. |
One-time purchase $149.99/user, $14.99/month/user |
Small to large enterprises |
|
DocuSign |
Scalable signing processes with digital signatures and electronic signatures, document tracking. |
AES 256-bit encryption, secure storage, SOC 2, GDPR compliant. |
$40/month/user |
Small to large enterprises |
|
Smallpdf |
Fast signing online with electronic signatures, intuitive UI with minimal delays. |
AES 128-bit encryption, limited audit trail |
$8/month/user, (free version 2 docs/month). |
Small-medium enterprises (SMEs) |
|
DottedSign |
Supports digital and electronic signatures, SaaS/API options. |
Advanced encryption, two-factor authentication. |
$200/annual (unlimited users), unlimited self-signing & 3 docs/month sending (free version). |
SMEs |
|
SignWell |
Fast signing with electronic signatures, batch processing. |
Data encryption in transit and at rest, audit trail |
$30/month/3 senders (free version 3 docs/month). |
SMEs |
|
DigiSigner |
Fast signing with digital signatures and electronic signatures. |
AES 256-bit encryption, compliance with e-signature laws. |
$40/month/5 senders (free version 3 docs/month) |
SMEs |
|
ComPDF |
Free online signing tool supports digital signatures and electronic signatures. 1000 free API per month is also available. |
Access control, password management, enhanced encryption standards 128 or 256, dynamic identification. |
Free with no limits. |
SMEs |
|
Jotform Sign |
Integration with Jotform platform, fast signing with electronic signatures. |
Encryption, GDPR & HIPAA compliant. |
Free (10 docs/month) |
SMEs |
|
PandaDoc |
Efficient signing with electronic signatures, contract tracking and management. |
AES 256-bit encryption, multi-factor authentication, audit trails. |
Free (5 docs/month) |
SMEs |
Enterprise-grade E-signing Solutions
Enterprise-level e-signature tools provide secure digital alternatives to paperwork for large businesses. They offer features like bulk signing, custom workflows, and integration with existing software to simplify document handling. Key examples include Adobe Acrobat Sign, LynxPDF, and DocuSign eSignature.
1. Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat Sign is an intuitive e-signature solution and combines simple and secure e-signatures with the power of Adobe Acrobat. With Adobe Acrobat e-signature, you can create, sign, send for signature, manage, and track documents – all from one Adobe platform.
Image source: Adobe Acrobat
Pros
● You can send a document to multiple signers at once to save time. Recipients get their own personalized versions.
● The interface is clean, modern, and intuitive. Its functions are impressive and cover almost every PDF need in one place.
● It is both web and mobile-based and integrates with other platforms like Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and Dropbox.
Cons
● High subscription cost, expensive for small to medium enterprises.
● A bit complicated for some users to learn and get familiar with the huge features.
2. LynxPDF
LynxPDF offers an all-in-one solution tailored for enterprise workflows, from form creation to filling, signing, and distribution. With competitive pricing and comprehensive features, LynxPDF helps enterprises across multiple industries save on costs while enhancing PDF processing and signature workflows.
Image source: LynxPDF
Pros
● Create Qualified Electronic Signatures compliant with EU, Swiss, and UK regulations to legal validity and authenticity and support certificates issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs).
● Quickly add an electronic signature from text, images, or handwritten to boost workflows and accelerate remote contract signing.
● After signing, ComPDF's certificate signature can track the changes of the file and prevent the signed document from being tampered with.
● Add signature to multiple pages at once, saving time and effort for teams managing high volumes of documents. This feature is particularly beneficial for enterprises handling bulk agreements or reports.
● Protect sensitive information with advanced encryption, customizable access rights, and secure redaction.
● Design personalized stamps on a canvas that include timestamps, personal details, images, and more. Create a more professional signature with the stamp maker.
● Affordable price for businesses of all sizes and offer flexible subscription plans.
Cons
● The platform rarely experiences minor delays when processing large volumes of documents.
3. DocuSign
DocuSign is a platform for managing electronic signatures and digital transactions. It allows businesses and individuals to sign documents electronically, including contracts and agreements, so they can reduce the amount of paperwork they have to use. Inside the app, users can prepare documents, store them, and send them to recipients.
Image source: Docusign
Pros
● Protect your agreements with enterprise-grade security and compliance controls without sacrificing the user experience. Get an added layer of security with enhanced signer identification and robust threat detection capabilities.
● Get going quickly with shared templates, collaborative commenting, and other out-of-the-box features. And take advantage of configurable workflows to tackle your trickiest agreement challenges.
● Easily integrate your agreements with your apps of choice, including Salesforce, Microsoft, Google, Zoom and more. Connect and extend your signature workflows with pre-built integrations and APIs.
Cons
● The price will be a little higher for small businesses.
● Some customization features are not as flexible as expected and limit the way you adapt the system to your specific needs.
● When a document is long, the app may speed past certain points or present them to you in a way that feels overstuffed.
Online Signature Tools
Online e-signature tools are web-based platforms to allow users to sign documents electronically without installing software. It offers convenience, accessibility, and ease of use for individuals and small teams and an unavoidable risk of data leakage. Popular options include Smallpdf, DottedSign, SignWell, and DigiSigner, each offering unique features and pricing plans.
1. Smallpdf
The new platform Sign.com of Smallpdf focuses solely on digital signing, taking the Smallpdf signing experience to the next level while still keeping it simple and easy to use.
Image source: Smallpdf Sign.com
Pros
● Signed contracts are eSealed for tamper-proof trust you can rely on.
● Connection with Smallpdf's diverse suite of PDF tools ensures a seamless experience for personal and professional use.
● With timestamped status visible at every step, you get clear tracking—something email simply doesn't offer.
Cons
● The free version only allows for two documents per month and offers basic email-based verification.
● File management and storage are not very convenient for lacking systematic organization.
● The documents cannot be processed in batches, making large-scale workflows time-consuming and inefficient.
2. DottedSign
DottedSign is a user-friendly and secure digital signature solution designed to simplify and streamline the signing and processing of documents. Its intuitive interface allows users to navigate the platform effortlessly across various devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. This versatility ensures convenience and accessibility for users on the go.
Image source: DottedSign
Pros
● DottedSign standardizes document signing with real-time tracking, automated notifications, and an intuitive interface for swift onboarding.
● The platform is intuitive and easy to upload documents, add signature fields, and send them for signing. Even first-time users will have no trouble navigating it.
● You can upgrade your system with the DottedSign API which is designed to streamline your document signing processes. You can initiate, manage, and eSign documents on your platform efficiently.
● It provides trust with AATL authorized digital certificates and transparent audit trails for every signed document.
● It connects seamlessly with Google Drive, Gmail, Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, and more, to elevate your workflow with top-tier integrations.
Cons
● Users may experience slow performance during high-volume usage and face delays.
● DottedSign may offer relatively limited customization options.
3. SignWell
SignWell is a cloud-based electronic signature solution that caters to various services such as legal, education, HR, sales automation, IT, and more. Key features include document workflows, built-in templates, document tracking and status notifications.
Image source: Signwell
Pros
● Signed documents are archived and protected from further changes, so you can rest easy knowing your documents are secure.
● Quickly track outstanding signatures and completed documents. Choose who needs to sign, in what order, and keep the process moving with automatic notifications.
● Turn any document into a template you to quickly access and send to anyone, from anywhere.
● Works seamlessly with your favorite apps, including Gmail, Dropbox, and Slack.
Cons
● Users may occasionally encounter glitches during the signing process.
● The platform's reliance solely on email for document delivery, as it lacks the option to send documents directly to phone numbers.
● The UI is a little outdated and could use a refresh, especially when it comes to navigation, and the instructions could be a bit more visual or supportive of the signing parties.
4. DigiSigner
Designed for businesses in real estate, human resources, legal and other industries, DigiSigner is a cloud-based digital signature solution that allows users to obtain legally binding signatures.
Image source: DigiSigner
Pros
● Invite your partners, customers and employees for document signing in just two clicks to get their legally binding signatures in just minutes.
● The platform ensures the security of documents by storing them securely behind a firewall and using SSL encryption for all communications.
● Create electronic signatures in PDF, Word documents, Excel files, and scanned documents in PNG and JPEG format, as well as TXT and RTF files.
Cons
● DigiSigner has trouble with document formatting, and uploaded files can't be edited directly.
● It lacks advanced features and integrations for larger businesses or complex document workflows.
● Redundant menu options are confusing and the features make it difficult to navigate and use the platform effectively.
Free Electronic Signature Software
Free electronic signature software offers basic signing features at no cost and is ideal for individuals or small businesses with limited signing needs. Best free electronic signature tools include ComPDF, Jotform Sign, and PandaDoc.
1. ComPDF
ComPDF provides free online document signing with both digital signatures and electronic signatures to all users without any restrictions and a free API that customers can integrate into their own signing processes. It integrates PDF document signing, annotation, editing, conversion, and form with cost-effectiveness.
Image source: ComPDF
Pros
● ComPDF provides free online document signing with both digital signatures and electronic signatures to all users without any restrictions and a free API that customers can integrate into their own signing processes.
● After signing, ComPDF's certificate signature feature supports tracking the document changes and preventing the signed document from being tampered with.
● ComPDF is compatible with multiple platforms (Windows, Web, Android, iOS, Mac, and Linux) and frameworks such as React Native, Flutter, and Electron.
● Design a unique interface for your products with fully customizable UI source code by a high-performing SDK.
Cons
● It can only work when connected to the Internet.
2. Jotform Sign
Jotform Sign is an online electronic signature solution and allows individuals and businesses to digitally create, sign, and manage legally binding documents. It's a user-friendly tool to automate your workflow with documents that can be signed on any device.
Image source: Jotform Sign
Pros
● Jotform Sign has a wide variety of form field types — perfect for an infinite number of use cases. Convert your PDF documents into signable documents to collect e-signatures online.
● Collect signatures from large audiences seamlessly by generating a public link for your document. Send your link once and collect multiple responses.
● Automate your e-signature document processes with the easy-to-use approval flows. Add documents and signers to your flows and get notified when everything has been signed and squared away.
Cons
● The UI such as some modern touches, better layout, UX law, and small micro-interaction needs to be updated.
● Limited customization options for the signing workflow. Needs more advanced workflow customization and branding flexibility.
● After a document is signed, editing options are restricted. This can be problematic if errors are discovered later.
3. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a document management platform to help automate your business's lifecycle. It features document generation, comment tracking, electronic signatures, and secure data integration. It provides customizable templates and a drag-and-drop editing tool to make file management simple.
Image source: PandaDoc
Pros
● PandaDoc is E-SIGN, UETA, HIPAA compliant, and SOC 2 certified to offer secure electronic signatures. It also provides SSO and a robust API for granular document and workspace permissions.
● It has a document tracking function that allows you to monitor how and where each and every document you have is being used. It has a secure and fast file sharing tool that helps you to share documents safely without losing any data.
● PandaDoc’s intuitive interface and seamless workflow automation are standout features. It simplifies the entire document process from creation to e-signature and tracking.
Cons
● The mobile experience for PandaDoc may need to be more responsive and intuitive.
● The designs of the templates and the editing function are less satisfying to handle.
● The integration is not very seamless, making it time-consuming sometimes.
Go Paperless with Trusted Electronic Signature Tools
Adopting electronic signature solutions in the digital transformation process can boost efficiency, cut costs, improve security, and build trust with clients and partners. LynxPDF, an enterprise-level editor, offers strong security, an easy-to-use interface, and flexible integration for businesses of all sizes. Its full set of e-signature features helps companies speed up paperwork and finalize deals more quickly.
