Sign a document online for free in 2026: the guide

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

What does “free” mean in electronic signature?

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

The real free eIDAS compliant plans

For an individual, a freelancer or a 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 credit card required, no trial period which automatically switches to a paid subscription. It's a real freemium plan, not a commercial lure.

Limits to know

All free plans have accepted limits: number of monthly envelopes (generally 3 to 10), number of signatories per envelope (often 1 or 2), absence of API, absence of reusable models, absence of personalized branding. For intensive professional use (beyond 10 signatures/month), you must upgrade to a paid plan. But to validate a lease, sign a permanent contract, have a quote signed, free is more than enough.

What you absolutely should NOT do

Three free practices to absolutely ban for any document at stake. One: Paste a scanned signature image into Word or PDF. No evidentiary value, risk of repudiation. Two: use Adobe Fill & Sign for serious contracts. The handwritten mouse signature has no certificate. Three: send a PDF by email and request an OK by return. The exchange of emails may constitute consent, but does 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 a signatory (to self-sign) or the email of your counterparty. 4) Place signature areas. 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 the functionalities (number of envelopes, API, multi-users). In other words: a CDI signed with the free Certyneo plan is as enforceable as a CDI signed with the Pro plan at €30/month.

When to go 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 models (purchase order, standard NDA), you manage several users or roles, you need the QES level (qualified signature) for certain regulated acts. Certyneo paid plans start at €9/month — see /pricing for details.

Get started for free

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