Electronic signature software lets people sign a document online, records who signed and when, and stores the finished file. DocuSign and Adobe Acrobat Sign are the best-known options for larger companies. Dropbox Sign, signNow, Signeasy, Zoho Sign and SignWell suit smaller teams, and Documenso is an open-source choice you can host yourself.
This guide lists ten tools that are live today, says what each is for, and explains how to pick one without overpaying for features you will not use.
Why use electronic signature software
Printing, signing, scanning and emailing a contract takes days and loses files. An e-signature tool replaces that loop with a link. The signer opens the document in a browser or phone, signs, and everyone gets the finished copy.
Speed and convenience
A signature request goes out in minutes and can be signed from any device. Most tools remind signers automatically, and many let you set a signing order so the right person signs first. For a freelancer, a landlord or a small agency, that alone is worth the switch.
Records you can rely on
Good tools keep an audit trail: who opened the document, when they signed, and from where. That record is what you point to if a signature is ever questioned. It also beats a pile of scanned PDFs in a shared folder.
Is an electronic signature legally valid?
In many countries, yes. In the United States the ESIGN Act and UETA give electronic signatures the same standing as handwritten ones for most documents. In the European Union, the eIDAS regulation recognizes electronic signatures and defines levels, from simple to advanced to qualified. Some document types, such as wills and certain family law or notarized papers, often have special rules. Check the rules in your country and for your document type, and ask a lawyer when the stakes are high.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Notable point |
|---|---|---|
| DocuSign | Large teams and regulated work | One of the best-known names in e-signature |
| Adobe Acrobat Sign | Teams already working in PDF and Adobe tools | Part of the Adobe document ecosystem |
| Dropbox Sign | Teams that live in Dropbox | Formerly HelloSign |
| PandaDoc | Sales teams sending proposals and quotes | Document builder plus signing |
| signNow | Teams that want a workflow tool for forms | From airSlate |
| Signeasy | Mobile-first signing | Apps for phone and tablet |
| Zoho Sign | Businesses using Zoho apps | Fits into the Zoho suite |
| SignWell | Small teams and developers | Free plan and a REST API |
| Foxit eSign | Teams that already use Foxit PDF tools | Formerly eSign Genie |
| Documenso | Self-hosting and open-source fans | Open source, hosted or self-hosted |
1. DocuSign
DocuSign is the name most people think of first. It handles signature requests, templates, signing order, reminders and audit trails, and it connects to many business apps. It also offers a wider agreement platform for companies that manage contracts at scale.
Choose it if your clients already expect DocuSign, or you work in an industry where it is the default.
Think twice if you send a handful of documents a month. A larger platform may offer more than you need.
2. Adobe Acrobat Sign
Adobe Acrobat Sign is Adobe’s e-signature service, built into the Acrobat family. If your team already creates and edits PDFs in Acrobat, you can send a document for signature without leaving the tool.
Choose it if PDF is the center of your workflow.
Think twice if your team does not use other Adobe products and wants a lighter tool.
3. Dropbox Sign
Dropbox Sign was called HelloSign until Dropbox renamed it. It keeps the clean signing flow HelloSign was known for and ties into Dropbox storage, so signed documents land where your files already live.
Choose it if your team shares files through Dropbox.
Think twice if you want a document builder for proposals. That is not its focus.
4. PandaDoc
PandaDoc goes beyond signatures. You build proposals, quotes and contracts from templates, add pricing tables, and collect signatures in one place. Sales teams use it to move from quote to signed deal without switching tools.
Choose it if you send proposals and want them to look polished.
Think twice if all you need is a signature on an existing PDF.
5. signNow
signNow is part of airSlate and leans toward workflows. You can turn a form into a repeatable process with fields, roles and routing, then collect signatures along the way.
Choose it if you handle many similar documents, such as onboarding forms or service agreements.
Think twice if you only sign a few documents a year.
6. Signeasy
Signeasy is built around signing from a phone or tablet. The apps make it quick to sign a document in the moment, such as a lease or a consent form in the field.
Choose it if you or your signers are mostly on mobile.
Think twice if you want deep contract management features.
7. Zoho Sign
Zoho Sign is Zoho’s e-signature app. It works with the rest of the Zoho suite, so a deal in your CRM can lead straight to a signature request.
Choose it if your business already runs on Zoho apps.
Think twice if you do not use Zoho. The advantage comes from the integration.
8. SignWell
SignWell is an electronic signature platform for sending, signing and tracking documents. Its site says a free plan exists and that signers do not need to create an account. It supports signing order, templates, audit reports, and integrations with tools such as QuickBooks Online, Xero and Zapier, and it has a REST API for building signing into your own product.
Choose it if you are a small team or a developer who wants simple signing with an API.
Think twice if you need a large enterprise contract suite.
9. Foxit eSign
Foxit eSign is the product that used to be known as eSign Genie. The old eSign Genie address now redirects to Foxit. It sits beside Foxit’s PDF tools, so teams that already use Foxit can keep editing and signing in one family.
Choose it if you use Foxit for PDFs.
Think twice if you have no ties to Foxit and want a more widely used name.
10. Documenso
Documenso is an open-source signing platform. Its site says you can use the hosted version or self-host it by cloning the repository or using Docker. It offers templates, signing workflows, a public API, Zapier integration and embeddable signing for React and Vue apps.
Choose it if you want to control where documents are stored, or you want to embed signing in your own app.
Think twice if you have nobody to maintain a self-hosted install. Use the hosted version instead.
How to choose
- Count your documents. A few a month points to a simple tool or a free plan. Hundreds point to templates, bulk send and integrations.
- Look at your signers. If they are customers, make sure they can sign without creating an account. If they are staff, single sign-on may matter.
- Check your stack. The tool that plugs into your storage, CRM or accounting software will get used.
- Think about compliance. If you work in finance, health or the EU, confirm the signature levels and security features you need are offered.
- Test the signing flow yourself. Send a document to your own phone and sign it. If it feels awkward to you, it will feel worse to a customer.
What makes a signature hold up
- A clear intent to sign. The signer must agree to do business electronically.
- A way to link the signature to the person, usually through their email or a verification step.
- A complete audit trail with timestamps.
- A tamper-evident final document, with a copy delivered to every party.
- Secure storage so you can produce the file years later.
Most of the tools above cover these points. Where they differ is in the stronger levels of identity checking, which only some plans include.
Setting up your first signing flow
Start with the document you send most often. Upload it, place the signature, date and initial fields, and save it as a template. Add the signers as roles, such as “Client” and “Company”, rather than as named people, so you can reuse the template. Turn on reminders so you are not chasing people by hand. Send a test to yourself, sign it on a phone, and check the finished PDF and the audit report. Then store the template where your team can find it.
Common mistakes
Choosing by brand alone. The best-known tool is not always the best fit for a five-person team.
Ignoring where documents are stored. Know where the signed files live and how long they are kept.
Skipping the legal check. Some documents need more than a simple e-signature. Ask before you rely on one.
Forgetting the signer’s side. A tool that is easy for you but confusing for clients costs you signed deals.
Related reading
If you run a membership site or an online community, you may need signed waivers or agreements from members. Our guide on how to build an online community covers the setup around that. For other software roundups, see the data analysis software list, screen mirroring software for iPhone and AI background removal tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electronic signature software?
It depends on your size and tools. DocuSign and Adobe Acrobat Sign are common for larger organizations, while SignWell, Dropbox Sign and Signeasy suit smaller teams. Pick the one that fits your files and workflow.
Is there a free e-signature tool?
Some tools offer a free plan with limits. SignWell states on its site that a free plan exists, and Documenso is open source and can be self-hosted. Check each vendor’s current plan details.
Is an electronic signature legally binding?
In many countries it is, for most document types. In the United States, the ESIGN Act and UETA support this, and in the European Union eIDAS does. Some documents have special rules, so check yours.
Do signers need an account?
Often they do not. SignWell, for example, says its signers do not need to create an account. Confirm this for any tool you consider, because it affects how easy it is for customers to sign.
What happened to HelloSign and eSign Genie?
HelloSign is now Dropbox Sign, and eSign Genie now redirects to Foxit eSign. Their older names still show up in search results.
Can I self-host an e-signature tool?
Yes. Documenso is open source and its site describes self-hosting with Docker. You take on the maintenance, backups and security of the install.
How do I keep signed documents safe?
Choose a tool that stores completed documents securely and gives you an audit trail. Keep your own copy in storage you control, and limit who can access it.
Where to go next
If you are building a site where people join, pay and sign up, the theme sits under every one of those steps. You can see Reign running membership, course and community builds on the live demos, and read the course community build guide for the full path.