Free or paid electronic signature?
Free plan or paid subscription: when to upgrade, which plans to choose, pitfalls to avoid.
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Certyneo Team
Writer — Certyneo · About Certyneo
Does a truly free electronic signature exist?
Yes, several platforms offer a free plan limited in volume and features. It's the ideal opportunity to test before committing.
For a complete comparison of solutions and to choose the one suited to your profile (freelancer, association, small business), see our dedicated guide on free electronic signature.
But "free" doesn't mean "unlimited": quotas of 3-10 signatures/month, basic features only, no support. For serious use, a paid plan quickly becomes necessary.
What a free plan covers
- 3-10 envelopes per month
- Simple electronic signature (SES)
- Limited or no templates
- No integrations
- No priority support
- Basic archiving (often 1 year)
The limitations that will push you towards a paid plan
- Volume: as soon as you exceed 10 signatures/month, the free plan is no longer enough
- AES needs: the advanced electronic signature is almost always reserved for paid plans
- CRM/HRIS integrations: paid
- Multiple templates: paid plans
- Support: paid
- Branding: often paid
When to stay free
- Beginner freelancer: 1-5 contracts/month
- Test before purchase: validating the platform
- Occasional use: 1-2 signatures/year
When to switch to a paid plan
- > 10 signatures/month: the free plan becomes restrictive
- Need for AES: to secure the evidence
- Need for integrations: automating workflows
- Several users: a team to equip
- Long-term archiving: 10 years for compliance
Summary comparison
| Criterion | Free | Paid Starter | Paid Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Envelopes/month | 3-10 | 20-50 | 100-500 |
| Levels | SES | SES + AES | SES + AES |
| Templates | 0-1 | 3-5 | Unlimited |
| Integrations | None | 1-2 | All |
| Support | None | Priority | |
| Archiving | 1 year | 5-10 years | 10 years |
| Price | €0 | €9-29/month | €49-149/month |
Pitfalls to avoid
- Believing that "free" means "always free": the limits arrive quickly
- Freemium models with per-OTP billing: more expensive than a subscription
- Free plans that require a card to activate
- Hidden annual commitment
Real-life case: freelancer to SME transition
A self-employed consultant starts with a free plan (3 contracts/month). Within 12 months, their business grows to 25 contracts/month. They switch to a Starter plan at €29/month:
- AES enabled (secures contracts > €5,000)
- templates for 5 recurring contracts
- Pipedrive integration
ROI within 1 month.
How Certyneo can help
Certyneo offers a free plan (5 envelopes/month, SES) to get started, then Starter, Pro and Business plans to grow with your business. Transparent pricing, no per-OTP billing, cancel at any time.
Discover Certyneo's electronic signature solution
FAQ
Is a free plan legally valid?
Yes, provided the provider is eIDAS-compliant. The resulting SES is admissible.
How much does a Starter plan cost?
Generally €9-29/month.
Can you switch to a paid plan temporarily?
Yes, most providers allow this.
How long do free plans store data?
Variable duration, often 1 year maximum. Plan for an export.
Do signatories pay?
No, never. Only the sender pays.
Conclusion
The free plan is perfect for getting started and testing. Beyond 10 signatures/month or for professional needs, switching to a paid plan is immediately justified by the ROI.
Try Certyneo to send, sign and track your documents online simply, quickly and securely.
Try Certyneo for free
Send your first signature envelope in less than 5 minutes. 5 free envelopes per month, no credit card required.
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