Electronic signatures are becoming more common in modern business environments. They allow companies to sign documents electronically rather than physically sending them to customers, business partners, vendors, or employees.
There are many benefits to electronic signatures for business.Free e signature software can improve document workflows, reduce errors and streamline payments.
They also improve security and customer experience while reducing paper consumption.
Electronic signatures are becoming increasingly important as the world becomes more digitally connected. Companies are discovering ways to use electronic signatures to increase efficiency and reduce costs as consumers increasingly trust their tablets and smartphones to conduct business.
It is not surprising that the electronic signature market is expanding at a rapid pace. FinancesOnline estimates that the global market for digital signatures was worth $2.8 billion in 2020 and will grow to $14.1 billion in 2026.
There are many electronic signing software vendors available today. Each vendor offers different features, pricing points, support packages, security specifications, and more.
Top Free Apps for Signing a Document
The best esignature services platforms simplify and automate your signature processes.
They also offer better customer service and document management. We focused our review on critical features such as ease of use and support for different types of documents, security, pricing, and other factors that can affect the overall quality of an electronic signature platform.
Continue reading to find out more about the top electronic signature software.
eSignly
eSignly is the winner for best overall, as it provides a broad range of features and a user-friendly interface. It also offers reasonable pricing and a plan that can be used for different business and personal signature requirements.
Pros
- The free version allows unlimited signatures and payment collection
- Upgraded versions include integrations and advanced pricing.
- Strong security and robust features are available to meet all signature-related requirements
eSignlyis an excellent choice for signing documents, whether you only need one signature to sign a contract once or many signatures for your business.
It is easy to use and offers something for everyone. It is our favorite electronic signature software.
If you only have basic signature requirements, the free plan may be able to meet your needs. The lowest-cost plan for $15 monthly includes templates and rich media with a drag-and-drop editor.
This plan is available for an annual fee of $10. The higher-end business plan costs $20 per month and is billed annually. It includes custom branding, approval workflows, and variousintegrations.
Extra fees will be charged for tools such as bulk mailing and forms.
eSignly makes it easy to create and upload documents for signature. When signatures depend on another person, automated workflows speed up the process.
Personalizing your sales documents using designer templates and CRM integration is possible. This will allow you to align your brand with customer experience better. Getting the necessary signatures occasionally is possible if you only need them.
eSignly is an excellent choice for all your signature needs.
eSignatures.io
We chose eSignatures.io as it is a lightweight tool that allows for quick signatures and has a flat price of $0.49 per contract.
Pros
- Predictable pricing at $0.49 per contact (discounts available for non-profits)
- Many services are free
- Send contracts can be signed quickly
Cons
- There is no subscription option for unlimited signatures
- There are fewer features than in some apps
ESignatures.io may not be as well-known as its larger competitors. However, ESignatures.io's low price of $0.49 per contract makes it attractive to businesses with lower volumes of signatures and those who don't need the extra features that come with more expensive subscriptions to other signature platforms.
There is no subscription or monthly fee. The low rate includes almost all of eSignatures.io's features to simplify document and workflow management.
This includes SMS-based contracts that are low-cost per SMS, bulk messaging, embedding, white labeling, audit trail, and integrations with many customer and sales platforms. You can also customize your templates and branding to match your company's look, which will help you stand out from your competitors.
You don't need to subscribe, but if integration planning and dedicated account managers are essential to you, there's a $3,999/month plan. This is entirely unnecessary for most users.
This app is a pay-as-you-go signature app with many useful features. It's also very affordable. This solution is excellent for those who send less than 20 signature documents monthly.
Preview for macOS
Preview is the best option for free because it is built into every modern Mac computer and allows you to quickly add a signature to almost any document.
Pros
- MacOS has a free app
- Multiple signatures can be saved to paste into PDFs or other files.
- It may already be installed
Cons
- Not available for Windows
- It does not support all file types
- Multiple signers cannot be cloud-based
Preview is a feature that comes as part of macOS. Preview is a free, included feature on MacOS. If you click on PDF files or images from a Mac desktop or laptop, you have probably used Preview.
You are just a few clicks away from adding a signature.
Preview for macOS lets you create and save your signatures or initials directly to your computer. Signing a piece of paper is the easiest way to do it.
Then, you can use your computer to create a photo. You can also use an iOS device's screen to save your signature. To keep your signature, click the Sign or Markup Toolbar buttons.
Preview allows you to merge multiple PDFs and rearrange pagespassword-protect sensitive documents to prevent others from reading them.
Preview isn't compatible with all operating systems and doesn't work well for every situation. However, it is easy to use, and the price is excellent.
HelloSign
HelloSign was chosen as the best freelancer software because it has powerful features and is affordable enough to be used by solo business owners.
Pros
- Create professional documents with signer fields. Unlimited requests
- Flat rate of $15 per user for the Essentials plan when it is billed annually
- Upgraded versions include custom branding, bulk shipping, and enhanced reporting
Cons
- No free version is available
- Two users are required to sign up for the standard plan.
- Salesforce integration is not available on the cheapest plan
HelloSign, an online signature software, is available from Dropbox. Dropbox is a popular file storage and sharing site.
Although it has many fancy features that larger companies can use, solopreneurs and freelancers may prefer the Essentials plan. This will provide a complete service for their business needs.
Essentials allow you to save five templates, send reminders or notifications, set signer fields, and validate signature data.
You can also integrate cloud storage and submit unlimited signature requests. Security features include two-factor authentication, tamper-proof documents, and cloud storage integration. The cost for one person is $15 per month, billed annually.
For $25 per month, the next plan is for you. It includes custom branding, bulk mailing, and other integrations. This plan can be purchased online for up to four users.
However, you will need to contact them if more is required. It's free to try for 30 days before you pay.
Although technical users may be able to use the HelloSign API for electronic signature integration on their apps or websites, most freelancers won't require this type of integration.
It offers enterprise-grade security tools and compliance tools that can be used for almost any job or profession.
Adobe Acrobat Pro / Adobe Sign
Adobe Acrobat Pro is an excellent choice for small businesses. Adobe Sign includes many features that companies might require, such as advanced options for signing documents on your computer or online.
Pros
- Popular business software allows you to sign and modify documents.
- Full PDF editing capabilities allow you to go beyond signing
- There are options to publish your form on the internet for free esign or payments
Cons
- The software can be complicated and has many features that could slow down your computer or eat away at your time.
Adobe Acrobat can be used to view PDF files free of charge. Adobe Acrobat Pro is available for users who have more significant needs.
This version includes all the features needed to add signatures to documents. Sign up for Adobe Sign to send your PDF online for payment and signature.
Acrobat Pro uses signatures to create documents. The Windows version is $12.99 monthly, while the Windows/Mac version is $14.99 monthly.
Additional signature features by Adobe Sign Solutions are available for an additional fee. These features can be as simple as signing PDFs or creating documents.
The regular plan only allows you to use one license. You can add multiple users to your team subscription. The Standard team subscription costs $14.99, while the Pro version costs $16.99 monthly and is billed annually.
DocuSign
We appreciate DocuSign's market-leading solution. It offers strong support for cloud-based, secure contract storage and signatures.
Pros
- One of the leading providers of online signature solutions
- DocuSign Agreement Cloud Cloud provides strong cloud support
- Start at $10 per month for eSignature Plans
Cons
- The free version is minimal
- All features require a more expensive subscription
DocuSign, the online signature company with a long history of helping people sign online, is a giant in the industry.
DocuSign will likely be familiar to anyone who has ever sold or bought a house. DocuSign is an excellent choice for businesses that have many essential contracts.
Basic accounts cost $10 per user monthly when billed annually. This includes five signatures per user, primary fields, reminders & notifications, and the use of the mobile application.
You will have to pay more if you need more. For $25 per month per user, the Standard Plan includes shared templates, comments, and custom branding. The Business Pro plan, on the other hand, offers bulk send, payments, signer attachments, and bulk send for $40.
A custom Enhanced Plan provides website and app integrations, authentication and identification, embedded signing, and many other features. For pricing information and details, you will need to contact the company. If none of these features appeal to you, and you want signatures, there is a limited free plan.
DocuSign's Agreement Cloud helps you automate and improve how you manage your contract and signature process. It is a strong contender in this market.
Other features include document analytics, identity verification, activity tracking, and a collaborative platform for contracts, negotiations, contract and negotiation, document analytics, document analysis, identity verification, document integrations, and many other integrations. Although it isn't the most cost effective solution, it can handle even the most complex and challenging signature requirements for your business.
SignNow
SignNow makes it simple to accept payments using contract signatures or charges to your preferred payment processor without a code.
Pros
- Sign a document and get paid online.
- Industry PCI payment standards support secure card payments
- No code is required to connect to your preferred payment processor
Cons
- After a 30-day free trial, the lowest plan with payments starts at $30 per user per monthly
- If you get the payments feature, it will be more expensive than competitors.
SignNow offers everything you'd expect from a signature app. Still, it also includes a powerful and simple-to-use payment platform powered by airSlate (part of the same company).
SignNow costs $8 per user annually when billed annually for its basic plan. This includes unlimited templates, primary fields, and document signing. While the next plan is $15 per user per year when billed annually, it still does not include payment capability.
This plan offers bulk sending, personalized branding, and reminders. If billed annually, the Enterprise plan is $30 per user monthly. This plan is the first to offer payment capabilities.
This plan also includes signer attachments and conditional fields. When you bill annually, you can purchase the complete airSlate Business Cloud for $50 per month. This includes integrations, compliance, support by phone, and much more.
This cost is worth it for businesses requiring more payments and online signatures. AirSlate makes connecting with payment systems such as Stripe via an online PDF editor, drag and drop form builder, or workflow automation easy.
SignNow and airSlate cover what many apps would not be able to. It's PCI-compliant for card payments and provides the necessary tools to send signature forms and contracts to the bank.
Tips for Choosing the Best Electronic Signature Software
Canon found that 28% of small- and medium-sized businesses spend too much time on paperwork to manage administrative tasks.
YouGov also found that small and medium companies lose nearly PS8.72 trillion annually. This is because they spend an average of four hours daily dealing with administrative paperwork. Businesses need to work smarter, not harder, for hours.
Businesses are now leaping to e-signature vendors. This is the part where you need to be cautious. You will be doing more than just e-signing with pen and paper.
Let's now consider the factors before you choose an e-signature option.
Tamper Evidence
When choosing an esignature vendor, you first need to consider whether there are any potential tamperings or modifications after a single signature.
Certain e-signature service providers offer a tamper evidence feature. This feature allows you to see any changes made to the document. Different service providers may have different approaches to providing tamper-proof.
Suppose you have any questions about the security level of an e-signature vendor e-signature vendor. In that case, inquiring about their tamper-proof technology is a good idea.
Ensuring that the tamper evidence has been recorded when a transaction is initiated is essential. A solution that tracks tampering evidence after the signing process has ended is not recommended.
The eSignature provider records must tamper evidence after the initial signature rather than waiting until all signatures are completed. This will ensure legal certainty.
Any unwanted modifications to the document should be visible by tamper-proof technology. You can also verify that the first signatory did not alter the composition before you send it to the second signatory.
Modern e-signature software can make a document tamper-proof by allowing it to be created. Once the document is completed, it cannot tamper with.
Comprehensiveness of the Audit Trail
The audit trail is another essential factor when selecting an e-signature vendor. An electronic signature vendor will offer an audit trail as a standard feature.
This feature tracks the actions of signatories and the documents within each transaction to create evidence of the transaction's conduct.
Different e-signature platforms have other audit trails, and the details they record can differ. It is recommended that you look for eSignatures that have a comprehensive and detailed granular audit trail.
You can access evidence for each element of the signing process with a granular audit trail.
A reliable vendor of e-signature will ensure that you have an audit trail. This allows for legal evidence to support the signing process and be used in court.
A comprehensive audit trail will include information such as the date and time of submission, consent of signatories, and IP address. You can also find cancellations or opt-outs, digital certificates issued, and the initials and signature times.
Access to Evidence
When choosing an e-signature vendor, you should consider whether the service provider can prove that the signature is legal.
As we've seen, tamper evidence technology, audit trails, and audit trails may help validate transactions. You should ensure that you have access to the information at all times.
Therefore, it would be best to look for an electronic signing solution that allows you to verify signatures independently.
The evidence of the digital signature must be attached directly to the signed document. For document integrity and validity, look for an esignature platform that uses published standards.
You could access the evidence at any time, even after many years. This facility is unavailable in all electronic signature platforms, particularly those bound by proprietary standards.
To find out more about this vendor, you will need to visit the solution provider's website. For a brief moment, this may seem possible. However, you should think about long-term scenarios.
What would happen, for example, if the vendor's servers went down? What happens if the vendor's technology has changed after ten years? Do you need to have a signature to prove it in court? These situations can lead to you being denied access to evidence proving the validity of your documents.
Conformance with Industry Standards
It is essential to ensure that vendors meet industry standards when discussing security issues with electronic signature vendors.
The ESIGN guidelines for esignatures and UETA guidelines are the best precedents to consider. These precedents are not enough. E-signature vendors must adhere to the regulations in different industries.
Financial services require compliance with the Standards and Procedures for Electronic Records and Signatures. Securities companies must comply with the Electronic Securities Transaction Act's e-signature platform.
Adherence to the Insured Retirement Institute's Esignature Standards for Straight Through Processing is crucial. HIPAA regulations can be found in the healthcare sector, while 21 CFR Part 11 applies to life sciences.
You must ensure that your e-signature solution complies with the applicable industry regulations.
Authentication Measures
When choosing an e-signature vendor, authentication should be your priority. This is vital to ensure your documents do not fall into the wrong hands.
The e-signature platform should have at least two authentication factors.
Two-factor authentication combines a password and an SMS text message sent to a mobile phone. Depending on the importance and sensitivity, there would be a wide range of information.
You may need to use higher levels of authentication. Your e-signature vendor should not leave your documents unprotected.
You need to determine whether the vendor offers multiple methods for verifying the identities of signatories based on the risk associated with the document.
Email-only authentication is one of these methods. This involves clicking on an email link and being redirected directly to the transaction.
KBA (knowledge-based authentication) is another method that can be used to authenticate the identity of signatories.
It's simple and reliable. KBA requires the user to enter their date of birth and the last three digits of their social security number and then answer multiple-choice questions.
The user can access the transaction if they answer all questions correctly.
Some vendors offer shared authentication questions in which the user must answer personal questions about the sender.
After answering all questions correctly, the user can prove their authentication to access the transaction. It is important to note that higher authentication requirements will directly lead to a better defense of the electronic signature.
Cloud Security
Most concerns about selecting the right esignature vendor revolve around the security of the esigned documents. You need to know that eSignatures are SaaS solutions and the relationship between eSignatures and the cloud.
You should seek a vendor offering a robust cloud infrastructure to protect your data's confidentiality, availability, integrity, and security.
You should also check to see if the provider of electronic signature solutions has achieved security certifications like SOC2.
Security certifications are a sign that the vendor has met stringent cloud security and data protection standards. Your vendor should confirm this aspect to avoid complaints about unauthorized access.
Solution is Easy to Use
Usability is the next important consideration when selecting an esignature vendor. A user-friendly esignature platform will help to drive the adoption of the technology.
It is not a good idea to have to navigate through the process of e-signing documents and logging in with your credentials each time. You should also avoid unnecessary nagging from prompts to install plug-ins, software, or apps. These concerns could dissuade users and cause them to abandon the eSignature process.
It is therefore advisable that you look for an e-signature solution that simplifies the process. This solution should simplify the esignature process for both customers and internal stakeholders.
It is important to ask questions like how many clicks it takes to sign a document, what method they use to send documents for signature, and how long it takes to create an agreement. This will help increase adoption of e-signature technology and reduce friction in contract acceptance.
Company Branding
Your business must have a distinct identity to stand out from the rest. Your brand is your identity. It distinguishes you from other businesses.
You need to know that the esignature vendor you choose should allow for company branding. You should look for vendors that will allow you to customize document workflows using your company logo.
This will help you maintain your company's brand identity and ensure consistency for your clients. Your business will leave a lasting impression on clients when this experience is combined with an easy-to-use document viewing and signing experience.
Integration With Business Applications and Processes
For daily tasks management, your business needs to be dependent on different business applications. You should therefore verify the integration of the eSignature platform into your internal business processes.
Users should be able to easily integrate the esignature app into their existing business processes using the esignature technology. Employee productivity will be boosted by choosing an electronic signature software that is compatible with popular business applications like Microsoft Word, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
Your electronic signature platform should be considered an investment. You should make the most of your electronic signature platform by allowing you to use them whenever and wherever it is convenient for you.
It is important to assess your current document workflows and determine how e-signature technology could be integrated with them. You should also evaluate the API of e-signature technology alongside other clients.
Mobile-Friendly Solutions
Mobile is an integral part of today's business environment. Every business's customers and employees are dependent on their smartphones for everyday transactions.
It is crucial to find an esignature vendor that allows you to e-sign documents using a mobile device. The vendor must offer optimization of the signing process on all platforms and mobile devices. You should ensure that customers have an easy experience with e-signing documents.
The Key Takeaway
Let's conclude by saying that security, legal validity and usability are the most important factors to consider when choosing the right esignature vendor.
These are just a few of the many factors that you need to consider when choosing a free signature app. It is important to consider the association of the vendor with your industry and their past experience working with clients.
You can sign documents using many free apps. DocuSign and Adobe Fill & Sign are some of the most widely used.
These apps let you sign and send documents directly from your phone or tablet without printing, scanning or faxing. Each app offers a different set of features so you need to identify your needs and select the one that suits them best.
No matter which app you use, electronic signatures can simplify and save time.
