Free or paid electronic signature?
Free plan or paid subscription: when to switch to paid, which plans to choose, pitfalls to avoid.
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Writer — Certyneo · About Certyneo
Is there such a thing as a truly free electronic signature?
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 the 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 no templates
- No integrations
- No priority support
- Basic archiving (often 1 year)
The limits that will push you toward a paid plan
- Volume: once you exceed 10 signatures/month, the free plan is no longer enough
- AES needs: advanced electronic signature is almost always reserved for paid plans
- CRM/HR integrations: paid only
- Multiple templates: paid plans
- Support: paid
- Branding: often paid
When to stay on a 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 AES: to secure the evidence
- Need for integrations: workflow automation
- Multiple 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" = "always free": the limits come quickly
- Freemium models billed per OTP: more expensive than a flat plan
- Free plans that require a credit card to activate
- Hidden annual commitment
Concrete case: freelancer to SME transition
An independent 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 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, SES) to get started, then Starter, Pro, and Business plans to grow with your business. Transparent pricing, no per-OTP billing, cancel anytime.
Discover Certyneo's electronic signature solution
FAQ
Is a free plan legally valid?
Yes, if the provider is eIDAS compliant. The resulting SES is admissible as evidence.
How much does a Starter plan cost?
Generally €9-29/month.
Can you switch to a paid plan temporarily?
Yes, most providers allow this.
Do free plans store documents for long?
Duration varies, often 1 year max. Plan for an export.
Do signers 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 under 5 minutes. 5 free envelopes per month, no credit card required.
Go deeper on the topic
Our comprehensive guides to master electronic signatures.
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