So why trouble yourself with the headache of signing PDF docs? Well, to replace your rubber stamp. To save time. To reduce glare. But you can do so much more than just sign your name when you know how to create digital signatures! And with the help of self-signed certificates, you can use your signature on any file in almost any electronic format.Read through this article for some quick lessons in signing PDF online free Adobe tools and discover some cool ways you can start using them today!
DocuSign (Web, iOS, Android, Windows)
DocuSign is one of the most popular electronic signature apps available. Getting started with DocuSign is pretty straightforward: sign up for a free trial and, almost immediately, it’s prompting you to upload a document, prepare it for signatures, and send it to recipients.
DocuSign is set up so that it’s easy to keep track of lots of different documents at different stages in the signing process. In the Manage dashboard, there’s a sidebar with an Inbox, for any documents or “envelopes” you’ve received, a Sent box for the ones you’ve sent, and a Drafts tab for ones you’re working on. There are also Quick View options, so you can, well, quickly see any documents that you need to do something to, the ones you’re waiting on, any that are due to expire soon or where the recipient failed to sign, and all your completed documents.
DocuSign also has powerful templates and reporting features. If you’re sending the same contracts over and over again, you can set up a template in the Templates dashboard. Simply upload a file (or use one you’ve already sent as a base), add all the signature and information fields, and save it—it’s much the same process as sending out an individual document and really speeds things up.
If you’re only sending a couple of envelopes a month, the report features aren’t going to be much use. You know who has and hasn’t signed their contract! However, if you’re managing dozens of contractors or freelancers, or require all your clients to sign contracts, then they can give you a useful overview of where your business stands. Click on the Reports tab, and you’ll see things like how many envelopes you’ve sent, how quickly people sign them, and the number that are still unsigned.
DocuSign also integrates with Zapier, so you can do things like automatically send a contract to someone who fills in a Typeform or let your team on Slack know when one has been signed. Create DocuSign signature requests for new entries in TypeformUse this ZapSend Slack channel messages for signed DocuSign envelopesUse this ZapSee more DocuSign integrations powered by
DocuSign Price: From $15/month for a Personal plan with up to 5 envelopes sent per month. Unlimited documents with automatic reminders are available on the Standard plan at $40/user/month.
PDF Buddy
PDF Buddy is a great option for signing a PDF online. It requires no software installation on your computer or device.
The free version enables you to sign up to three PDF files every month. This software is great if you just need to use it occasionally.
- To get started, go to the PDF Buddy online.
- Click the Choose PDF to Edit button on the right. From here, you can select a PDF from your computer.
- When you see the PDF on your screen, go to the left side menu and select “Sign” (you’ll have to sign up for a free account).
- Then, choose the option from the popup. You can either select an image from your computer or draw your signature directly on the PDF..
- If you choose to draw your signature, a box will appear on the screen. Use your mouse to write your name.
- Once you make either signature selection, click Use, which lets you move and place it in the document as needed.
- Save the changes when you’re done, and then Download your signed PDF.
This free tool is easy to use, and it doesn’t require downloading software. However, it’s not suitable if you want to sign PDFs on a mobile device.
Adobe Acrobat X
Adobe Acrobat X allows you to change content or images without leaving PDF file. Using this software, you can edit the PDF document in your office. You can also use this software to create, secure, and distribute PDF files. It helps you to optimize PDF documents for CD/DVD applications, and also allows you to print.
Feature:
- Simple and easy to make changes in the document.
- When you edit a PDF document, an existing paragraph adjusts automatically.
- Add or edit page content in PDF from anywhere.
- Automatically checks the spelling.
Docsketch (Web)
Not every business needs to send or sign dozens of contracts a month. If that’s the case, then Docsketch, with its three documents per month free plan, might be the perfect fit.
As soon as you sign up, you’re good to start sending contracts. Just click New Document on the dashboard. You can either upload a document to be signed or build a template (though you only get one on the free plan). Whichever option you take, you’ll use Docsketch’s modern and, honestly, really nice-to-use web app to add any information and signature fields. Click Send, and it’s on its way to be signed.
Now, don’t worry—Docsketch is on this list because it’s a good, easy-to-use, and fully-featured electronic signature app. That it’s got a great free plan is just a big bonus. If you need to send more documents some months, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend upgrading to a paid plan. The $10/month Personal plan gets you 5 templates and unlimited documents, while the $30/month Business plan has unlimited templates, custom branding, and a few other nice-to-have features like data validation.
If you like to automate your workflows, Docsketch also integrates with Zapier. That way, you can do things like automatically get a Slack notification or update a Trello card when someone signs a contract.Send Slack channel messages for completed SignWell documents.Use this ZapUpdate cards in Trello when documents are completed in SignWellUse this ZapSee more SignWell and Trello integrations powered by
Docsketch Price: Free for up to 3 documents per month. From $10/month for the Personal plan with unlimited documents.
Hello Sign
The HelloSign solution makes it easy to sign PDFs online. You can also send documents for e-signature online, track requests’ status, and even capture signatures in person using a mobile device.
The free version lets you sign or edit three PDF files each month. On top of that, it also integrates with popular applications such as Google Docs, Dropbox, and Microsoft Word.
Digitally signing your PDF is as easy as following these steps.
- Open the Hello Sign website.
- Select the SIGN OR SEND button found below Hello!
- Select Upload File.
- Browse to and select your file.
- Select Next to the bottom right.
- Select I’m the only signer located at the top right of the screen. You can also click Add Signers for additional features.
- Drag and drop the Signature field to the place you wish your signature to appear on the form.
- Choose to draw it in, type it in, or upload a digital signature.
- Select Insert.
- Select Next to the bottom right.
- You can now Save to your computer or Send via email.
Smallpdf’s eSign
Smallpdf’s eSign PDF is another great online electronic signature tool that makes it easy to sign and request signatures in only a few simple steps.
- Open Smallpdf’s website.
- Browse to your file, or drag and drop it into the corresponding area, following the on-screen prompts.
- Select Create signature to the right.
- You can enter your signature using one of the methods on the left. You can choose to draw, type, or upload your signature.
- Select CREATE.
- Drag and drop the signature you created from the My Signature list to the document location where you wish to sign.
- Select Finish & Sign to the bottom right.
- Save your document on the top right by selecting Save.
- You can choose to Save to device, Save to Dropbox, Save to Google Drive, or Save to Smallpdf (pro version only).
Pdflayer
What is Integration Testing Software Testing Tutorial
Pdflayer gives developers access to high resolution HTML to PDF conversion through its automated API. This API creates customizable PDFs from a URL or raw HTML. Integration is fast and easy allowing you to add PDF conversion to your application within minutes.
Features:
- Generate customized PDFs directly from a URL or raw HTML
- PDFs are stored securely via CDNs providing quick access.
- Runs on a PDF engine based on real browsers.
- Automates PDF creation directly from your application.
- Free & premium options.
DigiSigner
DigiSigner offers electronic signature services including signing, sending, and tracking for each document.
With the free version, you can sign as many documents as you want, but if you’d like to use the sending and tracking services, you’ll have to register and only be able to send three per month.
To electronically sign a PDF using DigiSigner, follow the five steps below.
- Open DigiSigner’s website.
- As indicated, you can choose to select your file or drag and drop it in the blue box.
- From the Sign & Edit menu, drag the My Signature options and drop them to the left.
- Choose your signature using the Type, Draw, or Upload option and sign.
- Select Done.
- Select Download Document.
Conclusion
PDFs are widely used in day-to-day business operations, especially for forms that need to be filled out online. Signing PDF files is more common than ever.
Whether you’re looking to fill out online PDFs or sign them, these services can help.