SigPDF vs Nitro PDF
Nitro PDF is a feature-rich desktop PDF editor with signing capabilities. If you simply need to sign PDFs quickly and privately, SigPDF offers a faster, more affordable alternative — starting at €2.08/month with files that never leave your browser.
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SigPDF vs Nitro PDF: Side-by-Side Comparison
Nitro PDF is a well-established PDF productivity suite that includes Nitro PDF Pro (a desktop application for Windows and Mac) and Nitro Sign (a cloud-based e-signature service). It offers comprehensive PDF editing, conversion, OCR, form creation, and signing features. SigPDF takes a focused approach — it does one thing well: sign PDFs privately in your browser.
| Feature | SigPDF | Nitro PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From €2.08/month (annual) | From $14/month (Nitro PDF Pro) |
| Privacy | Files never leave your browser | Desktop: local; Nitro Sign: cloud uploads |
| Installation | None — works in browser | Desktop app download required |
| PDF editing | Signing and text fields only | Full editing, OCR, conversion |
| Multi-party signing | No (single signer) | Yes (Nitro Sign) |
| Platform | Any browser, any device | Windows and Mac (desktop) |
| Watermarks | Never | None on paid plans |
| Account required | No | Yes |
Privacy: Browser-Based vs Desktop and Cloud
Nitro PDF Pro processes files locally on your desktop, which is good for privacy. However, Nitro Sign — their e-signature service — uploads your documents to Nitro's cloud servers for multi-party signing workflows. SigPDF processes everything in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files never leave your device under any circumstances, making SigPDF the more private option for self-signing.
Pricing: A Fraction of Nitro's Cost
Nitro PDF Pro starts at around $14/month billed annually, with business plans running higher. Nitro Sign adds additional per-user costs for e-signature capabilities. SigPDF costs just €2.08/month on the annual plan — a fraction of Nitro's cost. If signing PDFs is your primary need, SigPDF delivers that core functionality at a significantly lower price point.
Simplicity: No Download, No Setup
Nitro PDF Pro requires downloading and installing a desktop application, creating an account, and managing software updates. SigPDF requires nothing. Visit the website, open your PDF, sign it, and download. There is no software to install, no account to create, and no learning curve.
When Nitro PDF Is the Better Choice
Nitro PDF excels when you need a full-featured PDF editor — editing text and images within PDFs, converting documents between formats, performing OCR on scanned documents, creating fillable forms, and managing multi-party signing workflows. If your needs extend well beyond signing, Nitro's comprehensive toolset may justify the higher price. If you primarily need to sign PDFs, SigPDF is the faster, cheaper, more private solution.