Sign a document online for free in 2026: the guide

Signing a document online for free has become the norm for individuals, freelancers and micro-enterprises: no more need to print, sign manually, scan and then send back. But free does not mean without rules: there are free solutions compliant with French law and the eIDAS regulation, and others that have no legal value. In this guide, we separate the genuine free options, their real limitations, and how to use them without any unpleasant surprises.

What does "free" mean in electronic signature?

Three categories coexist on the market. Firstly, fully free and compliant tools: Certyneo (5 envelopes/month), Yousign (3/month depending on periods), Adobe Sign Free (14-day trial then limited). Secondly, free but non-compliant tools: Adobe Acrobat Reader with Fill & Sign (no strong legal value), signature images pasted into Word. Thirdly, free trials of paid solutions, limited in time.

The real free plans compliant with eIDAS

For an individual, freelancer or very small business, Certyneo's free plan covers the majority of needs: 5 envelopes per month, SES and AES signature (OTP email), full audit trail, cryptographically signed PDF, unlimited storage of signed documents. No bank card requested, no trial period that automatically converts to a paid subscription. It's a genuine freemium plan, not a commercial gimmick.

Limitations to be aware of

All free plans have assumed limitations: number of monthly envelopes (generally 3 to 10), number of signatories per envelope (often 1 or 2), no API, no reusable templates, no personalised branding. For intensive professional use (over 10 signatures/month), you need to move to a paid plan. But to validate a lease, sign an employment contract, get a quotation signed, free is more than sufficient.

What you absolutely must NOT do

Three free practices to ban absolutely for any document at stake. One: pasting a scanned signature image into Word or PDF. No value as evidence, risk of repudiation. Two: using Adobe Fill & Sign for serious contracts. Mouse handwriting signature has no certificate. Three: sending a PDF by email and asking for an OK in return. Email exchanges can count as consent, but do not constitute an electronic signature within the meaning of eIDAS.

How to sign for free in 3 minutes

With Certyneo: 1) create your free account on certyneo.com/signup (30 seconds, email + password). 2) Upload your PDF. 3) Add your email as signatory (to self-sign) or your counterparty's email. 4) Place the signature zones. 5) Send. The document comes back signed with certificate, timestamp and audit trail. Total cost: £0.

The legal value of a free signature

Crucial point often misunderstood: a free electronic signature from an eIDAS-compliant freemium plan has EXACTLY the same legal value as a paid electronic signature of the same level. There is no legal discount on quality. The only difference is in features (number of envelopes, API, multi-user). In other words: an employment contract signed on Certyneo's free plan is just as enforceable as an employment contract signed on a £30/month Pro plan.

When to switch to paid

Switch to a paid plan as soon as: you exceed 5-10 signatures/month on a recurring basis, you need an API for CRM integration, you want reusable templates (purchase order, standard NDA), you manage multiple users or roles, you need QES level (qualified signature) for certain regulated documents. Certyneo's paid plans start at £9/month — see /pricing for details.

Get started for free

Create a free account on certyneo.com/signup and send your first signature in less than 5 minutes. No bank card, no commitment, no forced conversion. To understand the different legal levels (SES, AES, QES), see our complete eIDAS guide at /guide/eidas.