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), check out our dedicated guide on free electronic signature.
But "free" doesn't mean "without limits": a quota 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 absent templates
- No integrations
- No priority support
- Basic archiving (often 1 year)
The limits that will push you towards a paid plan
- Volume: as soon as you exceed 10 signatures/month, the free plan is no longer enough
- Advanced electronic signature needs: the advanced electronic signature is almost always reserved for paid plans
- CRM/HR software integrations: paid
- Multiple templates: paid plans
- Support: paid
- Branding: often paid
When to stay on the free plan
- Beginner freelancer: 1-5 contracts/month
- Testing 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 advanced electronic signature: to secure the evidence
- Need for integrations: automating workflows
- Multiple users: a team to be equipped
- Long-term archiving: 10 years for compliance
Summary comparison
| Criteria | Free | Paid Starter | Paid Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Envelopes/month | 3-10 | 20-50 | 100-500 |
| Levels | Simple electronic signature | Simple + advanced electronic signature | Simple + advanced electronic signature |
| 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" = "always free": the limits come quickly
- Freemium models with per-OTP billing: more expensive than the flat rate
- Free plans that require a credit card to activate
- Hidden annual commitment
Concrete case: transition from freelancer to SME
An independent consultant starts with a free plan (3 contracts/month). Within 12 months, his business grows to 25 contracts/month. He switches to a Starter plan at ₹29/month:
- Advanced electronic signature activated (secures contracts > ₹5,000)
- templates for 5 recurring contracts
- Pipedrive integration
ROI within 1 month.
How Certyneo helps you
Certyneo offers a free plan (5 envelopes/month, simple electronic signature) to get started, then Starter, Pro and Business plans to grow with your business. Transparent pricing, no per-OTP billing, cancel anytime.
Discover the Certyneo electronic signature solution
FAQ
Is a free plan legally valid?
Yes, if the provider is compliant with eIDAS. The simple electronic signature produced is admissible as evidence.
How much does a Starter plan cost?
Generally ₹9-29/month.
Can one switch to a paid plan temporarily?
Yes, most providers allow this.
Do free plans store documents for a long time?
The duration varies, often 1 year max. 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.
Dive deeper
Reference articles on this topic.
Dive deeper
Our comprehensive guides to master electronic signatures.
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