Electronic signature or e-signature software lets people sign contracts digitally with a formal signature, speeding up contractual processes. However, most solutions provide much more than that. From form libraries to PDF editing and cloud storage, e-signature software makes document management more straightforward – especially for companies that handle contracts involving remote parties.
To sign or not to sign? That’s the question that runs through everyone’s mind when presented with a contract. This is usually because there’s not enough time to read it through.
Moreover, traditional wet signatures can be easily forged. Thankfully, this is impossible with electronic signature software like signNow, as all of the software’s customizable signatures are legally binding, where a number of compliances protect documents from signature forgeries.
Furthermore, the company provides robust malware security for any uploaded document and lets users define the authentication methods for signers. The multiple integrations signNow supports elevate the experience to the next level.
All this is offered for reasonable prices, starting at $8 a month per user, and subscriptions always kick off with a 7-day free trial.
An intuitive PDF editor with comprehensive e-signature functionalities, DocHub stands out in the electronic signature industry as reliable and secure software. It provides a high level of personalization with several custom fields, as well as a quick way to bulk-send sign requests for up to 50 people. Moreover, it integrates with several apps for an even more streamlined workflow.
DocHub is available for free, but it’s worth forking out for a paid subscription due to its unlimited access and extra features. Opting for an annual billing cycle rewards users with a discount of 29%, and the company provides 210 days to test the software risk free through its 30-day free trial and 180-day money-back guarantee.
Signing documents electronically saves both time and paper, so it’s not surprising that wet signatures are fading into the background. Developed by the same Swiss team behind FAX.PLUS, one of the most reliable online fax services, Sign.Plus is a relative newcomer in the world of e-signature software. Every aspect of the platform speaks of Swiss precision, especially how documents are edited and signed. Users can create their own reusable templates, eliminating the hassle of recreating the same documents over and over again. The software is also secure, as signatures created are legally binding, and it’s compliant with numerous regulations, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS. Moreover, Sign.Plus integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, letting you sign documents directly from Gmail. Most importantly, it’s possible to use the software for free if it’s mainly you signing documents.
Signing a contract without thoroughly reading it first can be disastrous. Still, this often happens when others are around and everyone in the room is in a hurry. However, this is no longer an issue with pdfFiller, a document management solution with advanced e-signature features. For as low as $8 per month, it not only lets users peacefully read through and sign a document in their own time, but also allows them to edit any PDF to their liking. Furthermore, documents can be shared with multiple recipients and edited as a team. pdfFiller is secure, too, as it keeps documents safe by providing end-to-end encryption and password protection. Also, the software integrates smoothly with various third-party programs. The best part is that anyone can try pdfFiller without any risk for seven months, as it offers a 30-day free trial followed by an incredible 180-day money-back guarantee.
Creating official forms and tracking down the required signatures is one of those time-consuming activities that businesses could do without. However, if you ditch wet signatures and start using e-signature software, this doesn’t have to be the case. This technology is fast and secure, and most companies provide free forms and templates, removing the task of creating them from scratch.
PandaDoc is a popular choice among e-signers, as it provides document editing tools alongside electronic signature options. Moreover, contact management is a piece of cake with the platform, as it’s possible to request signatures from multiple signers and save recipients’ contact details.
The software provides the means to get legally binding e-signatures and secures documents with various methods, such as two-factor authentication (2FA). What’s appealing for newcomers is that PandaDoc can be used free of charge, letting users experience the platform with no strings attached. If that’s not enough, all paid subscriptions can be tried out for free for 14 days.
From PDF to photo editing, Adobe seems to have a solution for everything. Adobe Acrobat Sign is the company’s take on electronic signature software, and it’s one of the most feature-packed platforms in the industry.
In addition to offering the means to create legally binding e-signatures, Adobe Acrobat Sign also showcases long years of experience in PDF editing with its comprehensive document customization tools. The software’s advanced signature placeholders, such as payment collection fields, are particularly noteworthy.
The platform also helps both individuals and companies with various reusable contract templates. Adobe Acrobat Sign even has a couple of pre-made business form templates, such as W-9 documents.
The e-signature software is secure, too, protecting its users by enforcing strong passwords and offering knowledge-based authentication. The cherry on top is Adobe Acrobat Sign's free trial and fair prices, which start at $12.29 a month.
E-signatures come with plenty of benefits for both individuals and companies. From convenience to higher security and lower costs, there are plenty of reasons to invest in e-signature software:
There are several ways to create an electronic signature:
While many electronic signature services offer free versions, they often have significant limitations. They restrict the number of signatures and document exports and provide only the most basic features available.
Free versions are also less secure since there is no way of verifying signers or requesting further means of authentication. Some apps also add watermarks to documents signed while being free. Ultimately, free electronic signature software only makes sense for people who only need to sign documents occasionally.
On the flip side, electronic signature software shows its full potential when paid for. In addition to significantly upgrading the features offered by free services, paid e-signature software offers unlimited document sending and reusable templates. Furthermore, they protect your privacy in various ways, such as with two-factor authentication, end-to-end document encryption, and document tracking.
| Free | Paid |
|---|---|
| Limited signatures | Unlimited signatures |
| Limited document sending | Unlimited document sending |
| Basic features | Advanced features |
| Basic security | Advanced security |
| May sell information to third parties | Doesn't sell information to third parties |
| No collaboration | Team collaboration tools |
Electronic signature software is, in general, pretty affordable – especially when you consider that you’re also investing in a cloud-based document management platform. Prices start around $10 per user per month, but the most comprehensive plans can go up to $40 per user per month.
Unfortunately, most e-signature providers have their own way of breaking down their tiers. For example, while custom branding might only be available in the top-tier plans for a few e-signature software templates, others will provide this feature in a mid-tier plan.
Nevertheless, e-signature software companies usually offer two billing cycles – monthly and annually – where the longer you commit, the cheaper the service.
Yes, electronic signatures are legal and are considered legally binding. This is ensured by the electronic Identification, Authentication, and Trust Services (eIDAS) regulation in Europe, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada.
Other countries like Japan have their own laws, mostly accepting policies regarding e-signatures. Meanwhile, the U.S. made e-signatures legal through the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act of 2000 – famous for having been signed electronically by then-president Bill Clinton – and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA).
Electronic signature services must comply with the aforementioned regulations, and many also adhere to additional policies, such as HIPAA, Soc 2 Type II, PCI DSS, and GDPR. They use a digital seal, the electronic equivalent of a physical stamp, to make documents legally binding. Finally, any paper can be notarized either by the app or a third-party service like Notarize.
Therefore, any contract signed with an e-signature is enforceable and serves as admissible evidence in court.
The IRS accepts various types of e-signatures, including typed, scanned (or otherwise digitized ones), and those written with a sign pad, stylus, or electronic signature service.
Yes, electronic signature software is perfectly safe. In fact, when done correctly, e-signatures are considered more secure than wet signatures.
While anyone skilled enough can imitate someone’s wet signature, e-signature software combats con artists with several security features, such as two-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, audit trails, and location restriction. Some software even allows for additional safety checks to guarantee security, such as requiring biometric authentication.
Audit trails, in particular, are necessary to guarantee that signatures are admissible in court, as they track and timestamp documents to show who (and when) edited and signed them. They also reveal signers’ browsers and IP addresses, providing an extra layer of reassurance.
Overall, leaving wet signatures behind in favor of electronic signature software is the way to go. Electronic signature software makes businesses’ workflows more streamlined, as signing processes become quicker and much safer.
Additionally, e-signature platforms also make document management smoother, as providers usually offer cloud storage, user-friendly document management features, and integration with other business software.
While every business (no matter how big or small) can take advantage of electronic signature software, this technology is highly recommended for companies who handle a high volume of contracts and important documents such as:
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