Online signature: sign your documents in a few clicks
Online signing lets you sign a document from any device in under 2 minutes, with no printing, no software to install and nothing to post. Compliant with the European eIDAS Regulation, it is admissible in court throughout the European Union, and its qualified form has the same legal standing as a handwritten signature. This guide explains how it works, compares the leading solutions in 2026 and helps you choose the one that suits your professional profile.
No commitment · No credit card · eIDAS legal value
What is electronic signature?
Online signature — also called electronic signature online or dematerialized signature — refers to signing a document without paper support, from a web browser or mobile application. In practice, you upload your document (PDF, Word, image), you indicate the email of the signatory or signatories, each receives a secure link by email, and signs in two clicks from any device. The signed document automatically returns to the sender with a timestamped audit trail (who signed, when, from which IP) that constitutes legal proof.
Online signature is not a simple signature image pasted into a PDF — it is a cryptographic electronic signature compliant with the European regulation eIDAS (EU) No. 910/2014. eIDAS defines three levels: simple signature (SES), advanced signature (AES) with identity verification by OTP, and qualified signature (QES) with identity proof by a qualified provider. All three are legally admissible in the 27 EU Member States, with increasing probative weight. For the majority of B2B contracts (quotes, NDAs, commercial agreements, invoices), SES is more than sufficient.
What separates good online signature solutions from the rest is not signing speed (they all sign in under a minute), but the combination of eIDAS compliance + European hosting + transparent pricing. US providers (DocuSign, Adobe, PandaDoc, Dropbox) are subject to the CLOUD Act, which allows a US court to demand access to data even when it is hosted in Europe. European providers (Certyneo, a French company hosting in the EU; Yousign in France) fall outside that scope. For professional use in the EU, also check what the free plan covers: at Certyneo it includes simple signatures; advanced signatures by SMS start on the Personal plan, and qualified signatures are available pay-per-use.
Sign online in 2 minutes, no software needed
With an online signature solution like Certyneo, you no longer need to print, scan or post anything. You upload your document (PDF, Word), enter the email address of the signer(s), and each person receives a link to sign in a few clicks from their computer or phone. The resulting signature is admissible in court throughout the European Union (eIDAS Regulation).
Why sign online with Certyneo?
2 minutes to sign
Download your PDF, add signatories, and you're set. No installation, no account needed for the signer.
eIDAS compliant
Simple (SES), advanced (AES) and qualified (QES) signatures, legally recognised throughout the European Union. Full audit trail.
European hosting
Your documents are stored in the European Union, under strict GDPR — with no exposure to the US CLOUD Act.
Online signature solutions comparison 2026
| The solution | Free plan | eIDAS levels | Hosting | The Cloud Act |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certyneo | 5 envelopes for 14 days, then 2/mo permanent | SES, AES and QES | EU | Not exposed |
| DocuSign | Free signer account; 3 send requests via the app | SES (AES on quote, QES as a paid option) | Not specified | Exposed |
| Yousign | 2 signature invitations/month | SES + AES + QES depending on the plan | Europe-based | Not exposed |
| Adobe Acrobat Sign | PDF signing; 2 signature requests every 30 days | SES + AES + QES | Not specified | Exposed |
| PandaDoc | 60 documents per year | Not specified | Not specified | Exposed |
| Dropbox Sign | 3 documents to sign per month | SES; AES and QES as a paid option | Not specified | Exposed |
How to sign a document online?
3 steps, less than 2 minutes.
- 1
Upload your document
Drag and drop your PDF or Word document into the Certyneo window. No installation required.
- 2
Add signatories
Provide the email of each signer and place the signature fields in the right places in the document.
- 3
Everyone signs online
Each signer receives a link by email and signs in just a few clicks from their computer or phone. You are notified at each step.
Which online signature solution based on your profile?
Online signature does not serve the same needs depending on your activity. Here's how to choose the right tool and the right plan for your use case.
Freelancer / self-employed
You send a few quotes and contracts per month, usually with a single client signatory. Your priorities: simplicity, speed, and solid legal proof in case of dispute (non-payment, service dispute).
Recommendation : Certyneo free plan (5 envelopes for 14 days, then 2/mo without credit card)
Association / Cooperative
You sign AGM minutes, partnership agreements and forms for public authorities. Several signatories (chair, treasurer, secretary) often need to sign the same document, and traceability matters on the day a member challenges a decision.
Recommendation : Certyneo Personal plan at €9/month (up to 5 signers per envelope)
SME / Micro-enterprise (< 25 contracts/month)
You send HR contracts, customer quotes, supplier mandates. You need AES for sensitive contracts and EU hosting for GDPR compliance. An API is useful if you want to automate from your CRM or HR tool.
Recommendation : Standard plan at €19/month (team + REST API)
Security and compliance
An online signature is only as valuable as the guarantees it provides. Here's what Certyneo offers by default.
- eIDAS compliance (SES, AES and QES)
- Hosting in the European Union — strict GDPR
- Time-stamped audit trail on each consignment
- Email authentication + optional SMS
- Signed documents archived in your account, with an optional digital vault
- PAdES seal: any change made after signing is detectable
Frequently asked questions about online signatures
Does an online signature have the same value as a handwritten signature?
Yes, provided you use a solution that complies with the European eIDAS Regulation (EU) 910/2014. Simple (SES) and advanced (AES) signatures are admissible as evidence in all 27 EU member states; only the qualified signature (QES) legally has the same standing as a handwritten signature. Certyneo offers all three levels: SES from the free plan, AES by SMS from the Personal plan, and QES pay-per-use.
Do I need to create an account to sign a document online?
No. Only the person who SENDS the document for signature needs a Certyneo account (free). Signatories receive a simple link by email and sign in two clicks, without registration.
What document formats can I sign online?
PDF, Word (.docx), and most office formats. The system automatically converts them to PDF before signing to guarantee the integrity of the final document.
How much does online signature cost with Certyneo?
Free for up to 5 envelopes over 14 days, then 2/month, with no credit card. The Personal plan at €9/month gives you 25 envelopes and advanced signatures by SMS; the Standard plan at €19/month gives you 100 envelopes, up to 10 users and API access. Qualified signatures are charged per use.
How do I sign a PDF from my phone?
The signer receives a link by email. By clicking it, they open the document directly in their mobile browser — no app needed. They can draw their signature with their finger or click to sign if a pre-defined signature is associated with their email.
What is the best online signature solution in 2026?
What distinguishes the solutions is not signing speed (they all sign in under a minute), but the combination of free offer + eIDAS levels + hosting. Certyneo offers 5 envelopes over 14 days, then 2/month with no expiry, with simple signatures and EU hosting outside the CLOUD Act; advanced signatures start on the Personal plan at €9/month. Yousign offers 2 signature invitations per month, Dropbox Sign 3 documents per month and PandaDoc 60 documents per year. DocuSign's free tier only allows 3 send requests via its app, and Adobe 2 signature requests every 30 days.
Is an online signature valid for an employment contract?
Yes. An employment contract signed online with an eIDAS-compliant solution has the same legal value as a paper-signed contract. For a permanent or fixed-term contract, advanced signature (AES, with identity verification by OTP) is recommended as it strengthens proof of the employee's identity. The electronically signed contract must be kept for a minimum of 5 years after the end of the contractual relationship.
Can you sign online with multiple signatories in parallel?
Yes. Certyneo lets you invite several signers, within the limits of your plan (2 per envelope on the Free plan, 5 on Personal, 15 on Standard), either in parallel (everyone signs independently, in any order) or in sequence (signer A, then B, then C). Each signer receives their own link by email, and the final audit trail brings together their proof of identity in a single sealed, timestamped PDF.
What happens if I lose my internet connection during signing?
Nothing is lost: until you have clicked “Confirm signature” at the final step, no signature is recorded. Once your connection is back, simply reopen the link you received by email, valid for 30 days by default, to resume signing.