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.
The criterion that separates good online signature solutions from lesser ones is not signature speed (all sign in less than a minute), but the combination of eIDAS compliance + European hosting + pricing transparency. American solutions (DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, PandaDoc, Dropbox Sign) are subject to the Cloud Act which allows an American jurisdiction to require access to your contracts, even if hosted in Europe. European solutions (Certyneo in Germany, Yousign in France) are outside this scope. For serious B2B use in the EU, the combo "permanent free plan + AES included + EU hosting" offers the best sovereignty-price-compliance ratio.
Sign online in 2 minutes, no software needed
With an online signature solution like Certyneo, you no longer need to print, scan, or send by mail. You upload your document (PDF, Word), you provide the email of the signer(s), and each person receives a link to sign in just a few clicks from their computer or phone. The signature obtained has the same legal value as a handwritten signature (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) and advanced (AES) signatures legally recognized throughout the European Union. Full audit trail.
European hosting
Vos documents sont stockés en Allemagne, sous GDPR strict — sans exposition au Cloud Act américain.
Online signature solutions comparison 2026
| Solution | Free plan | eIDAS levels | Hosting | Cloud Act |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certyneo | 5 envelopes/month permanent | SES + AES | EU (Germany) | Not exposed |
| DocuSign | 30-day trial | SES + AES | US (EU option) | Exposed |
| Yousign | 14-day trial | SES + AES | France (OVH) | Not exposed |
| Adobe Acrobat Sign | 7-day trial | SES + AES + QES | US (Adobe Cloud) | Exposed |
| PandaDoc | Unlimited SES only | SES only | US (AWS) | Exposed |
| Dropbox Sign | 3 signatures/month | SES only | US (AWS) | 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/month without credit card)
Association / Cooperative
You sign meeting minutes, partnership agreements, and prefecture forms. Multiple signatories (president, treasurer, secretary) often need to sign the same document, and traceability is required by your statutory auditor.
Recommendation : Certyneo free plan (unlimited multi-signatories)
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.
- The following information shall be provided in the ETIAS Central System:
- Hébergement en Allemagne — GDPR strict
- Time-stamped audit trail on each consignment
- Email authentication + optional SMS
- Legal archiving up to 10 years
- The following information shall be provided for each of the following:
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. Certyneo offers Simple (SES) and Advanced (AES) levels, both legally recognized in the 27 EU member states. Handwritten signatures and compliant electronic signatures carry the same probative force in court.
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 up to 5 envelopes per month, no credit card needed. Beyond that, the Standard plan at €19/month includes an entire team and unlimited envelopes (instead of per-user pricing like DocuSign or Yousign).
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?
The criterion that distinguishes solutions is not signature speed (all sign in under a minute) but the combination of permanent free plan + eIDAS AES compliance + EU hosting. On this trio, Certyneo is the only one offering it for free: 5 envelopes/month without expiration, AES with OTP, hosting in Germany outside Cloud Act. DocuSign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, and Yousign offer temporary trials (30, 7, and 14 days respectively). PandaDoc and Dropbox Sign offer permanent free plans but limited to SES level without EU hosting.
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 allows you to invite as many signatories as needed, either in parallel (all sign independently, in any order they choose) or in sequence (signatory A then B then C). Each signatory receives their own email link and the final audit trail centralizes the identity proofs of all signatories in a single timestamped PDF/A.
What happens if I lose my internet connection during signing?
The online signature process resumes where it stopped as soon as you regain your connection: the email link remains valid for 30 days, and as long as you haven't clicked "Confirm signature" at the final step, no signature is recorded. Your entered data is saved on the server at each step.