How to Add a Signature to PDF Without Adobe (5 Ways)

You Do Not Need Adobe to Sign a PDF

Adobe Acrobat has been the default PDF tool for decades, but you absolutely do not need it to add a signature to a PDF. In fact, for the simple task of signing a document, Adobe Acrobat is overkill — it is a large application with a complex interface, and the full version costs $22.99 per month.

There are five excellent alternatives that handle PDF signing faster, with less friction, and in most cases for free. This guide covers each one in detail with step-by-step instructions.

Method 1: SigPDF — Browser-Based Signing (Recommended)

SigPDF is a browser-based PDF signing tool that works on any device with a web browser. There is no software to download, no account to create, and your PDF is processed entirely in your browser — it never gets uploaded to any server.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open sigpdf.com in any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
2. Upload your PDF by dragging it onto the page or clicking to browse
3. Create your signature using one of three methods:
   • Draw with your mouse, trackpad, or finger on a touchscreen
   • Type your name and choose from handwriting-style fonts
   • Upload a PNG or JPG image of your existing signature
4. Click on the document where you want the signature placed
5. Drag to reposition and resize until it fits perfectly
6. Add text, dates, or other information if the form requires it
7. Download your signed PDF

Why SigPDF Is the Best Adobe Alternative

No installation. Adobe Acrobat requires downloading hundreds of megabytes of software. SigPDF runs in the browser you already have open.

No account. Adobe requires creating an Adobe ID. SigPDF requires nothing — no email, no password, no profile.

Complete privacy. Adobe may process your document through its servers. SigPDF processes everything locally in your browser. Your PDF never leaves your device. For contracts, tax forms, or medical documents, this is a meaningful difference.

Works everywhere. SigPDF works on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, and Android. Adobe Acrobat is available on fewer platforms and has different feature sets depending on the version.

Simple interface. SigPDF does one thing well. Adobe Acrobat is a massive application where the signing feature is buried among dozens of other tools.

Method 2: Preview on Mac (Built-In)

If you use a Mac, the Preview app that comes with macOS includes a capable signature feature. There is nothing to install — it is already on your computer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Right-click your PDF and select Open With > Preview (or double-click if Preview is your default PDF viewer)
2. Click the Markup icon in the toolbar (pen tip in a circle) to open the Markup toolbar
3. Click the Signature icon in the Markup toolbar (it looks like a cursive signature)
4. Create your signature using one of three methods:
   • Trackpad — draw your signature with your finger on the trackpad
   • Camera — sign on white paper with a dark pen and hold it up to your Mac's camera
   • iPhone/iPad — draw on a connected Apple device's touchscreen
5. Click on the document to place your signature. Drag corners to resize and drag the signature to reposition
6. Save with File > Export as PDF

Pros

• Free and pre-installed on every Mac
• Saves signatures for reuse via iCloud Keychain
• Works completely offline
• Camera capture is a clever way to import ink signatures

Cons

• Mac only — does not help Windows or Linux users
• No typed signatures
• Trackpad drawing feels awkward for most people
• Limited to signatures — no text fields or date stamps in the same workflow

For a detailed Preview guide, see our full post on how to sign a PDF on Mac.

Method 3: Microsoft Edge (Built Into Windows)

Microsoft Edge, the default browser on Windows 10 and Windows 11, includes a built-in PDF viewer with basic annotation features including a drawing tool you can use for signatures.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Right-click your PDF in File Explorer and select Open With > Microsoft Edge
2. The PDF opens in Edge's built-in viewer. Click the "Draw" tool in the toolbar at the top
3. Select a pen color (black or dark blue works best for signatures) and adjust the thickness if needed
4. Draw your signature directly on the document using your mouse or a touchscreen if your device has one
5. Click the Save icon or press Ctrl+S to save the annotated PDF

Pros

• Already installed on every Windows 10 and Windows 11 computer
• No download, no account, no setup
• Works offline
• Simple and fast for a quick drawn signature

Cons

• The drawing tool is basic — no signature-specific features, no snap-to-line, no resize after drawing
• No typed signatures or signature image upload
• If you make a mistake, you need to undo and redraw
• The result can look rough because the drawing tool is not optimized for signatures
• Only available on Windows (and technically macOS, but Edge is not common on Mac)

For a more in-depth look, see our guide on signing PDFs on Windows 10 and 11.

Method 4: Online Signing Tools

Several web-based tools besides SigPDF offer PDF signing capabilities. These can work as Adobe alternatives, though they come with different trade-offs around privacy and usage limits.

Popular Online Options

Smallpdf — A popular PDF toolkit that includes signing. The free tier allows 2 tasks per day. Files are uploaded to Smallpdf's servers for processing. Good for occasional, non-sensitive documents.

iLovePDF — Another well-known PDF suite with a signing feature. The free tier is ad-supported and has usage limits. Like Smallpdf, files are processed on their servers.

Sejda — A cleaner interface with 3 free tasks per day. Files are uploaded to Sejda's servers and deleted after 2 hours. The task limit is slightly more generous than Smallpdf.

Pros of Online Tools

• Work on any device with a browser
• No software installation required
• Offer a range of PDF tools beyond signing

Cons of Online Tools

• Privacy: Most upload your PDF to their servers. If you are signing contracts, tax documents, or anything with personal data, this is a concern
• Usage limits: Free tiers restrict how many documents you can sign per day
• Ads and upselling: Free versions of these tools include ads and constant prompts to upgrade
• Account requirements: Some require creating an account even for basic signing

How SigPDF Differs

Unlike these tools, SigPDF processes your PDF entirely in your browser. Your file is never uploaded to any server. There are no daily usage limits on the signing features, and no account is needed. For a detailed comparison, see our best free PDF signers comparison.

Method 5: Mobile Apps (iPhone and Android)

Your phone or tablet can serve as a capable PDF signing device, often producing more natural-looking signatures than a mouse or trackpad thanks to the touchscreen.

On iPhone and iPad

Apple Markup is built into iOS and iPadOS. Open any PDF, tap the Markup icon, tap "+", select "Signature," and draw with your finger or Apple Pencil. It is quick but limited — no typed signatures, no text fields. See our guides for iPhone and iPad.

SigPDF in Safari provides a more complete experience on Apple devices, including typed signatures and text fields. Open sigpdf.com in Safari and sign without installing an app.

On Android

Google Drive offers basic PDF annotation on many Android devices, though the experience is inconsistent and the tools are not designed specifically for signing.

SigPDF in Chrome works on any Android phone and provides the full signing feature set — drawn, typed, and uploaded signatures plus text fields. See our Android signing guide.

Adobe Fill & Sign is available as a free app with basic signing features. It requires an Adobe account and may process files on Adobe's servers.

Comparison: All Five Methods at a Glance

| Feature | SigPDF | Preview (Mac) | Edge (Windows) | Online Tools | Mobile Apps | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Cost | Free to use | Free | Free | Free with limits | Free to varies | | Installation needed | No | No (pre-installed) | No (pre-installed) | No | Varies | | Account required | No | No | No | Often | Varies | | Drawn signatures | Yes | Yes | Yes (basic) | Yes | Yes | | Typed signatures | Yes | No | No | Some | Some | | Image upload | Yes | No | No | Some | Some | | Add text/dates | Yes | Limited | No | Some | Some | | Privacy (local processing) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (server upload) | Varies | | Cross-platform | All devices | Mac only | Windows only | All devices | Platform-specific |

Which Adobe Alternative Should You Choose?

For most people: SigPDF is the most capable and private alternative. It works on every platform, requires no installation or account, and keeps your files on your device. It is the closest thing to a universal PDF signing tool that works everywhere.

If you are on a Mac and offline: Use Preview. It handles basic signatures well and is already on your computer.

If you are on Windows and need something instant: Microsoft Edge works for a quick drawn signature. It is not elegant, but it gets the job done without opening a browser tab.

If you need to sign on your phone: Use SigPDF in your mobile browser. It provides a better experience than most dedicated apps, with no download required. See our guides for iPhone and Android.

Try SigPDF — The Fastest Adobe Alternative

Stop paying for Adobe Acrobat just to sign PDFs. Open SigPDF in your browser, upload your document, add your signature, and download — all in under a minute, on any device, with no account and complete privacy.

Sign Your PDF Without Adobe -->

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to sign PDFs without Adobe?

Yes. The safety of PDF signing depends on the tool you use, not on whether it is made by Adobe. SigPDF processes your document entirely in your browser, meaning your file never leaves your device. This is actually more private than Adobe Acrobat, which may route documents through Adobe's cloud services.

Can I fill out PDF forms without Adobe?

Yes. Tools like SigPDF let you add text to any position on a PDF, which works for filling in form fields. Preview on Mac and Microsoft Edge also support basic annotation. For complex forms with interactive fields, some online tools can handle form filling as well.

Do recipients need Adobe to view my signed PDF?

No. A signed PDF is a standard PDF file. Recipients can open it with any PDF viewer — Preview on Mac, Edge on Windows, Chrome's built-in viewer, or any mobile PDF app. The signature is embedded in the document and displays regardless of what software the recipient uses to open it.

Will my signature look different if I do not use Adobe?

The visual quality of your signature depends on how you create it, not which tool you use. A drawn signature made with a finger on a touchscreen through SigPDF looks identical to one made through Adobe's drawing tool. A typed signature looks clean and professional in any tool that supports it.