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Best Document Signing Apps for Online Documents
Dwight Pavlovic
|
June 26, 2023
Important transactions can now happen faster and more easily thanks to document signing apps. Whether you’re signing a new apartment lease or finalizing a statement of work (SOW) for work, you need a secure and convenient way to handle agreements online, often with short notice.
In this article, we’ll outline the 10 best document signing apps available today, including their pricing and features, so you can get more done, more quickly. We’ll also add a bonus option that you may already have without even knowing it.
Why should I sign documents online?
Signing documents online is a convenient and secure way to handle important business. With so many of us working remotely and using mobile technology like laptops and smartphones, it's easier to use a service that allows you to esign documents rather than relying on traditional pen-and-paper.
For everyday users, using digital signatures helps you handle business at your own pace. It also means reduced printing and mail expenses, and faster turnaround for you and your partners. As more companies shift to digital signatures, you can expect to see more of your legally binding agreements managed digitally.
Are digital signatures really safe?
Esign and digital signature software is arguably safer than preserving agreements in physical documents. For instance, forging or tampering with a digital agreement is much more complicated than manipulating a physical document.
Online agreements have multiple layers of security, like digital certificates and electronic records that create a verifiable audit trail. This means that using the right document signing app should almost always be more secure than conventional alternatives.
Top 10 document signing apps
All of the document signing apps on our list feature both web and mobile apps, and most offer a large range of pricing options. You can even find limited free plans for more basic needs. All pricing is accurate as of June 2021.
1. Adobe Sign
Geared toward professionals, Adobe offers a streamlined Acrobat PDF Pack with e-sign for $9.99 per month, which you can upgrade to Adobe Pro for only $14.99 per month. Pro adds new features like password protection for PDFs, mobile editing, and the rest of the Acrobat Pro DC.
Adobe Sign’s 7-day free trial is loaded with features, like Adobe esign functionality, the ability to request digital signatures, and advanced features like specialized form fields and payment handling.
Note: Adobe provides a free tool for completing forms called Adobe Fill & Sign. It’s one of several free PDF tools available via the Adobe Document Cloud, and it allows unregistered users to upload forms to fill out and sign.
Key features:
- Part of the Adobe Document Cloud suite
- Web and mobile versions
- Extensive base of users
2. DocuSign
One of the most well-known apps on our list, DocuSign is an undeniable leader when it comes e-signatures and online contracts. This is a big advantage for users of all kinds because it ensures that the person on the other end of the contract is probably familiar with it.
DocuSign offers a simple basic plan, and is easy to scale for deeper functionality at a variety of prices. You’ll find additional security features, like allowing you to draw your signature, payment collection, and real-time commenting. And if you just want to get a feel for how it all works, DocuSign has a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.
Key features:
- Variety of subscription options
- Web and mobile versions
- Extensive base of users
3. OneSpan Sign
OneSpan Sign has a great industry reputation with an enterprise client list filled with household names like NASA, IBM, and BMW. Based on reviews, users tend to favor OneSpan for security features and its extensive compatibility with other business applications like Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
OneSpan Sign is available in Professional and Enterprise plans, but you can also demo certain features (contact the company directly for pricing options). Though OneSpan Sign doesn't offer a free or basic plan, their Professional plan offers a lot of functionality for the price. That includes a range of implementation options, extensive security accommodations, and generous user limits.
Key features:
- Professional and Enterprise plans
- Web and mobile versions
- Enterprising pricing by volume
4. HelloSign
HelloSign is a Dropbox subsidiary and newer arrival to the e-signature space. Existing Dropbox users will enjoy the simple and fairly familiar interface, though HelloSign has a more streamlined and sophisticated look. It also features extensive integration with Google and other platforms, as well as a limited free plan.
If you only handle a few documents per month, you can request electronic signatures for free using HelloSign’s basic plan. Higher paid plans focus on new features like data storage and SSO integration, with extensive customization and analytics options. Developers can even test out virtual signature integrations with their project before committing.
Key features:
- Variety of subscription options
- Limited free plan available
- Web and mobile versions
5. PandaDoc
More than just a cute name, PandaDoc is a popular independent option that emphasizes efficiency and automation. Its features focus heavily on streamlining workflow, which means plenty of integrations with systems like Salesforce, plus one of the more versatile free plans available.
While PandaDoc’s free plan offers limited functionality, there are actually no limits on features like signature requests and uploads. But if you want to customize your forms and use templates, you’ll want the Essentials tier level ($19 per month per user). You’ll find even more functionality at the Business level ($49 per month per user), as well as flexible pricing for Enterprise users.
Key features:
- Emphasis on automation and workflow
- Limited free plan available
- Web and mobile versions
6. SignNow
SignNow is a popular option with a long list of recognizable clients, like Xerox, CBS Sports, and GoFundMe. It’s owned by Boston software company airSlate, and it provides a secure, cloud-based framework for managing agreements.
Great API support and extensive security compliance makes SignNow an especially attractive option for enterprise users, but it offers robust mid-level plans, too. All SignNow plans accommodate multiple users, customization, and template options, regardless of pricing.
Key features:
- Variety of subscription options
- Web and mobile versions
- Geared toward ease of use
7. eversign
eversign has built a strong reputation for user-friendliness and customer service. Their interface and options are designed with a variety of industries and applications in mind, showing a strong awareness of how customers use the platform.
They also offer competitive pricing, with a streamlined free plan and a distinct approach to handling multiple users. Unlike other services, eversign supports small and mid-sized teams as part of their professional plans (starting at $39.99 per month). They also have a robust basic plan at $9.99 per month (reduced to $7.99 monthly when billed annually).
Key features:
- Variety of subscription options
- Limited free plan available
- Web and mobile versions
8. SignRequest
SignRequest has flexible pricing options, including a free plan that features Google integration. Paid subscriptions provide team support, as well as customization and unlimited templates. They offer custom plans for enterprise users, too, with lots of API information to consider beforehand.
The company is based in Amsterdam, so all SignRequest pricing is shown in euros. According to their website, they also plant a tree through the Eden Project for every paid license, which is a nice perk for environmentally-minded users.
Key features:
- Variety of subscription options
- Limited free plan available
- Web and mobile versions
9. SignEasy
One of the most affordable paid options available, SignEasy provides a solid list of features for clients of all sizes. It also offers one of the best basic plans on our list. At $8 per month, you get a lot, including great security, support for mobile, access to workflow features, and offline signing.
If you have a heavier volume of agreements, the Pro plan ($15 per month for a single user) offers unlimited requests, tons of software integrations, and client management options. Business and Enterprise options provide even more affordable ways to scale up. You’ll also find free trial options for all of their standard pricing plans.
Key features:
- Variety of subscription options
- Web and mobile versions
- Geared toward ease of use
10. pdfFiller
While pdfFiller launched in 2009 to help professionals work with Adobe Acrobat and PDFs, the brand quickly expanded beyond its roots. Since then they’ve expanded into document and form management, building their own list of prominent clients like Netflix and Pepsi. They also provide an impressive features index, starting with their dynamic PDF support.
You can get a demo of those features via the pdfFiller homepage, where you can upload your file directly or via cloud storage providers like Google Drive and Dropbox. It offers a functionality-packed basic plan at a competitive price ($8 per month for Basic), with an even more robust premium plan for multiple users ($15 per month per user).
Key features:
- Part of the airSlate Business Cloud
- Web and mobile versions
- Stresses ease of use
11. Bonus: Microsoft Office support
But what if you don’t need a new app or subscription with more thorough e-signature features? If you already use Microsoft Word, you’re in luck. You can electrically sign a Word document in Microsoft Office by simply selecting the Signature Line option under the Insert tab. You can learn more about how this works at Microsoft Support.
Summary
As we continue to sign more of our paperwork digitally, it’s important to know which e-signature service is the right fit for you. For those who need an easy-to-use free plan, PandaDoc is a strong choice. If you need to add users for a workplace setting, check out eversign. When it comes to enterprise-level options, OneSpan Sign has the features you need.
The beauty of this rise in digital signatures is, of course, the variety of virtual signature apps available to meet that growing need. As our list shows, there are plenty of options and features out there for any user, regardless of scale and budget.
