Free DocuSign Alternative — Sign PDFs for Less
DocuSign charges $10+ per month for basic PDF signing. SigPDF gives you browser-based PDF signing with complete privacy — your files never leave your device. Try it instantly with no account, and download signed PDFs from just €2.08/month on annual plans.
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Why People Search for DocuSign Alternatives
DocuSign is the most recognized name in e-signatures, and for good reason. It is a powerful enterprise platform that handles complex multi-party signing workflows, integrations with hundreds of business tools, and compliance certifications for regulated industries. However, many individuals and small businesses find that they are paying for far more than they need.
The most common reasons people search for DocuSign alternatives include:
- Price — DocuSign's Personal plan starts at $10/month, with Business plans at $25/month per user and above. For individuals who sign a few PDFs per month, that adds up.
- Complexity — DocuSign's dashboard, templates, and workflow features are powerful but can feel like overkill when you just want to sign a single PDF.
- Privacy concerns — DocuSign requires uploading documents to their cloud servers. For sensitive contracts, financial records, or personal documents, some users prefer keeping their files off third-party infrastructure.
- Account requirement — DocuSign requires account creation and email verification before you can sign anything.
How SigPDF Compares to DocuSign
| Feature | SigPDF | DocuSign |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan | €2.08/month (annual) | $10/month (Personal) |
| File privacy | 100% browser-based, no uploads | Cloud-based, files on DocuSign servers |
| Account required to try | No | Yes |
| Documents per month | Unlimited | 5 (Personal) to unlimited (Business) |
| Send to other signers | No | Yes |
| Legally valid | Yes (ESIGN Act, eIDAS) | Yes (ESIGN Act, eIDAS, advanced) |
| Watermarks | Never | None on paid plans |
The Privacy Advantage
This is the most fundamental difference between SigPDF and DocuSign, and it goes beyond just features or pricing. When you sign a PDF with DocuSign, your document is uploaded to their cloud servers. It is stored there while the signing process is active, and DocuSign retains data according to their privacy policy.
With SigPDF, your PDF never leaves your web browser. The file is opened, rendered, and modified using client-side JavaScript running on your device. No network request carrying your document is ever made. This is not just a privacy feature — it is the core architecture of the tool. For contracts containing financial terms, personal information, trade secrets, or any data you want to keep confidential, SigPDF provides a level of privacy that is architecturally impossible with cloud-based signing platforms.
Who Should Switch from DocuSign to SigPDF?
SigPDF is ideal for:
- Freelancers who sign contracts, invoices, and NDAs themselves and do not need to send documents to others for signing
- Individuals who sign personal documents like lease agreements, insurance forms, or consent forms
- Privacy-conscious users who do not want their documents stored on third-party servers
- Cost-conscious users who find DocuSign's pricing too high for their occasional signing needs
- Anyone who wants simplicity — no account, no dashboard, no learning curve
When You Should Stay with DocuSign
DocuSign remains the right choice if you need to send documents to multiple signers, require certified audit trails, integrate with enterprise tools like Salesforce or Microsoft 365, or need advanced compliance certifications. SigPDF is designed for individuals signing their own documents — not for managing multi-party signing workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a truly free DocuSign alternative?
SigPDF lets you open PDFs and place signatures for free to preview the result. Downloading the signed document requires a subscription starting at €2.08/month on an annual plan. There is no fully free e-signature tool that offers unlimited usage without significant limitations, watermarks, or data collection.
Are DocuSign alternatives legally valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures created with SigPDF and similar tools are legally recognized under the US ESIGN Act (2000), the EU eIDAS Regulation (2014), and equivalent legislation in most countries. For standard documents like contracts, agreements, and consent forms, the signature tool does not need to be DocuSign specifically to be legally valid.
How much cheaper is SigPDF compared to DocuSign?
SigPDF's annual plan works out to €2.08/month, compared to DocuSign's cheapest plan at $10/month. That makes SigPDF roughly 75-80% less expensive, depending on exchange rates. For individuals who sign their own PDFs, this represents significant annual savings.
Can I import my DocuSign documents into SigPDF?
SigPDF does not have an import feature for DocuSign documents. However, you can download any PDF from DocuSign and open it in SigPDF to add your signature. Going forward, any PDF you receive can be signed directly in SigPDF without a DocuSign account.