Looking for a DocuSign alternative? Compare the best free and affordable options for small businesses, including PDF.net, Adobe Sign, PandaDoc, and more.

Some of the best DocuSign alternatives are PDF.net, Adobe Sign, PandaDoc, airSlate SignNow, and Smallpdf. These provide small businesses with more flexibility, affordability, and simplicity than DocuSign’s pricey and feature-heavy platform.

Follow along as we cover each alternative in detail, comparing their features, prices, and pros and cons. By the end, you will get a clear overview of which tools suit different business sizes and signing needs so that you can choose the right one for yourself.

The best free DocuSign alternatives are PDF.net, PandaDoc, and Smallpdf.

You can also consider subscription-based Adobe Sign and airSlate SignNow as alternatives; their pricing plans range from $8 to $30 per month.

DocuSign alternatives are often better for small businesses because they cost less, offer more than DocuSign’s free plan, avoid unnecessary advanced features, and include built-in PDF editing tools.

To select the right e-signing solution for your needs, consider the number of documents you handle each day, the size of your team, and the tools you already use in your workflows.

You would want to look for a DocuSign alternative if the platform doesn’t fully fit your needs and you find yourself facing:

With plans of $10/month and scaling up to ~$40/month depending on features and billing, DocuSign can seem expensive if your business only e-signs documents occasionally.

DocuSign’s free plan limits you to one user, three envelopes, and five recipients per envelope. It is only suitable if you want to sign and store documents personally.

Complex features for simple signing needs. 

DocuSign’s priced plans are justified by its many advanced features (like +1,000 integrations), but your business might not need them at all.

Fragmented PDF editing and signing tools. 

DocuSign allows you to create documents with easy drag-and-drop editing tools, but you will have to use another tool for tasks like converting or compressing PDFs.

What to Look For in a DocuSign Alternative

You should look for the following in a DocuSign alternative:

User-friendly interface for easy onboarding. 

This ensures that your team can jump right into using the e-signing tool without having to train or invest (unnecessary) resources into overcoming a learning curve. It also prevents non-technical members from feeling excluded and minimizes interruptions to your daily operations.

Compatibility with apps and platforms your business already uses. 

The best solution integrates smoothly with tools already in your workflow, so you can reduce the time and effort it takes to switch back and forth and keep everything organized.

Tools for signing, sending, tracking, and using basic templates. 

The right e-signing tool should cover all the essentials, giving you the best value for your money, saving time, reducing errors, and simplifying your work processes.

, your solution should have safeguards, like end-to-end encryption, authentication, certification, and audit trails. Also, they must comply with standards like GDPR, eIDAS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, etc.

5 Best DocuSign Alternatives for Small Businesses

Below are the top five DocuSign alternatives for small businesses. They each offer essential e-signing capabilities for sending, signing, and tracking documents without a premium price tag. Moreover, they are easy to use and embed into existing workflows.

PDF.net is the best DocuSign alternative for 

. You can apply your signature or convert your PDF into a 

Afterward, you can choose from one of the following options to purchase a plan and download your file:

, so you won’t have to worry about downloading software. It works on Mac, Windows, and mobile devices, with HTTPS connections that ensure your data 

 You can choose from a collection of ready-made fonts and change the colors.

There are options to adjust the opacity and colors to make your handwritten signature feel more authentic.

The platform supports both JPG and PNG images.

 lets you resize and reposition it exactly where you need it to be and even 

Like any DocuSign alternative, PDF.net has its pros and cons. Here’s a brief look at both:

Additionally, if you need an e-signing solution that is 

, it works perfectly for contracts, invoices, 

, affidavits, and more. And finally, while it is known as one of the best online PDF tools for teams, it is also handy for personal use, e.g., for signing lease agreements and school applications.

Adobe Sign is a PDF software like DocuSign, with plans priced at $23.99 or $29.99 per month. It is a 

but still outshines the latter in a few key areas: secure link sharing, easy form embedding on websites, and options to build extension apps.

However, as with any other alternative, we need to consider the pros and cons:

 as part of a +10-member team. It integrates cost-effectively and lets you manage all your e-signatures and documents in one place. Additionally, it’s also worth considering if your business is seeking an 

enterprise-level solution to handle complex processes

free to $49 per month, catering to teams of all sizes. 

It offers a built-in document editor with a drag-and-drop mechanism and multi-signee support that featuresoptions to assign signers and set up signing orders.

 ensures all e-signatures are legally binding

 with timestamps and digital certificates. You can track who opened and signed a document and verify identities using a passcode, an SMS code, or knowledge-based authentication (KBA).

Below are its advantages and disadvantages:

This is a great choice if you just need to 

collect signatures and sign documents securely

, without all the extra workflows and workspaces that DocuSign charges for. It is easy to use and roll out across teams, and you can also see if it is the right fit for your business by requesting a free demo before committing to a subscription.

This is another fantastic PDF editor for small businesses. You can choose from 

All plans include unlimited users, legally binding e-signatures, and 

. Standout features include 24/7 online notarization (which DocuSign offers as a separate service) and integration with Google Docs, Gmail, Chrome, and Zapier.

When you e-sign documents with this platform, you get 

compliance with ISO 27001, SOC 2 type II, WCAG 2.0 AA level, eIDAS, and GDPR. 

, as well as built-in document virus scanning for added security.

Like the DocuSign alternatives above, airSlate SignNow has its strengths and limitations, which are shown below:

This is a solid e-signing solution if your business regularly 

handles a high volume of documents and needs an organized signing process. 

However, since it is not a free DocuSign alternative, you will need to carefully consider which plan fits your budget.

Smallpdf can be used on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux and has been around since 2013. While offering many of the same features as other affordable PDF software, this e-signing solution 

, and files are automatically deleted after one hour unless you choose to save them to your account. Furthermore, the tool itself is 

There are three purchasing plans available:

Now, let’s look at a quick breakdown of Smallpdf’s pros and cons:

You should choose Smallpdf if you want a 

 plan has a daily download limit, this tool is only suitable if your team only needs to sign a small number of documents occasionally. For high-volume or complex workflows, you can consider the 

How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Business

To choose the right DocuSign alternative for your business, keep these tips in mind:

Consider your business size and signing needs. 

If your team is small and only handles a few documents at a time, a lightweight, browser-based tool will get the job done quickly. Meanwhile, larger teams or businesses with complex workflows or multiple stakeholders may need a more advanced solution.

Focus on security features and collaboration capabilities. 

Because e-signed documents often contain sensitive information and multiple team members may need access, it is essential to choose a tool that keeps your data secure while making collaboration seamless.

Compare long-term costs and software updates. 

Unless you go with a free DocuSign alternative, you should think about how the subscription fees add up in the long run and whether that is justified by regular improvements. The best tool stays compliant and continues to grow with your business.

In practice, many small businesses gravitate toward tools that cover the basics without adding friction. PDF.net is one such option, designed around simple signing needs, reasonable pricing, and an easy learning curve, so if your priority is getting documents signed efficiently, it is easy to 

While DocuSign is a powerful platform, many small businesses find that alternatives like PDF.net, Adobe Sign, PandaDoc, and others offer a better fit for everyday workflows without unnecessary complexity or cost.

After all, the right e-signing solution has to balance ease of use, security, and pricing, while providing just the features your team actually needs. Make sure you pick a tool that keeps your signing processes efficient, secure, and scalable as your business grows.

#1. What is the best free DocuSign alternative?

. You can choose the right option for your business by considering how often you need to sign documents and your typical workflows.

#2. Are digitally signed documents legally valid?

Digitally signed documents are legally valid in the U.S. as long as the 

 accurately. These are requirements set out by the 

#3. Can I sign PDFs online without DocuSign?

. Our PDF editor is fully browser-based, so you won’t have to install software; you just need a reliable Internet connection.

5 Best DocuSign Alternatives for Signing PDFs Online

The key JPEG vs. PDF difference is that JPEGs compress single images, while PDFs store full documents; each has its own pros and cons.

The main JPEG vs. PDF difference is that the former focuses on reducing the file size for a single image, while the latter acts as a container for a full document that may contain text, images, fillable fields, etc. This core distinction leads to other contrasts in file structure and size, image quality, text selectability, multi-page support, and editing and sharing.

In this guide, we will cover all the key differences between these formats, as well as their pros and cons, so you can easily decide which one is right for your needs.

A JPEG is an image format that uses lossy compression, which reduces the file size and, therefore, makes it easier to share and store.

A PDF file presents documents consistently across devices, operating systems, and software, and can be static or interactive.

JPEGs and PDFs differ in terms of file structure, image quality, file size, text selectability, multi-page support, and simplicity of editing and sharing.

Converting to PDF is useful when sharing multiple images simultaneously, printing, making professional or official submissions, and filling out forms.

Sharing photos quickly online, extracting a single page or part of a document, editing in image software, and storing and archiving are easier after a PDF-to-JPEG conversion.

by the discrete cosine transform (DCT) technique. Its name stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the team that developed it and continues to meet four times a year to discuss 

how images are compressed, encoded, and decoded.

JPEG images include the following file name extensions:

 which removes details and data from the background to make the file 

The more aggressive the compression, the more data gets discarded; so, 

Generally, you should choose a lower compression for printing or professional use, a balanced compression for websites and social media platforms, and a high compression for previews, references, thumbnails, or large image libraries.

file format developed in the 1990s by Adobe 

to present documents consistently across different devices, operating systems, and software. Now, it is an open standard maintained by the ISO.

It publishes PDF 1.7 as ISO 32000 and develops purpose-specific subsets in parallel:

, usually containing text, images, objects, and fillable fields. Unlike a JPEG, this file format can span multiple pages and is widely used for 

JPEG vs. PDF: 6 Key Differences Explained

Here’s a table of the key JPEG vs. PDF differences:

Now, let’s take a closer look at how the two differ with a detailed JPEG vs. PDF comparison:

The key JPEG vs. PDF difference regarding file structure is due to its 

fundamental distinction in functionality.

 A JPEG file focuses on efficiently storing a single image, while a PDF file features complex layouts, multiple pages, and mixed content in a consistent way.

simple, linear structure made up of a sequence of segments 

identified by markers. The core of a JPEG is the image data, and it is read without the concept of pages or reusable components.

complex structure composed of many independent objects

, such as pages, fonts, images, and content streams. These are indexed through a cross-reference table, allowing access to any part of the file.

that identify headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, and figures, and define the correct reading order, which is essential for 

, which helps with search, indexing, archiving, and organizing PDFs.

because image data is permanently discarded. As a result, every time you re-save a JPEG, its quality is reduced.

PDF quality works differently because this format is a container. It can include 

, lightly or heavily compressed JPEGs, or vector graphics that don’t lose quality when scaled or printed. Unless you 

 itself, it simply preserves and displays images 

exactly as they were created and embedded.

 because it uses lossy compression, while the latter is larger because it preserves various elements within a document, such as text, fonts, images, etc. While PDFs can be compressed, they generally 

Text in a JPEG is not selectable, searchable, or editable

 because it is embedded into the image pixels. Even if the text is crisp, computers cannot recognize it unless optical character recognition (OCR) is applied.

, copied, and indexed, making it far more practical for both personal and professional use. For example, you can quickly search a contract for a certain clause and 

A JPEG file can only store one page at a time

, so organizing, viewing, and sharing is more difficult. If you want to go through content continuously, you will have to 

This isn’t the case with a PDF, which can 

support multiple pages and keep them all together in a single file.

 will provide you with different viewing modes, such as scrolling, page-by-page viewing, or thumbnails, so you can customize your experience.

installing software and saving your changes as a new image.

 In general, editing is not difficult at all; the downside is that every time you save the file again as a JPEG, you apply 

lossy compression, and the quality of your image can be reduced.

PDF editing is also easy, as long as you have a PDF editor that offers a wide range of tools (e.g., rearranging pages, adding highlights, making annotations, etc.) and an intuitive interface.

 because it is small in size, so you can send it quickly by email or upload it to websites and cloud platforms 

Meanwhile, a PDF file’s strength isn’t in speed, but you can choose from many channels for sharing.

 on Facebook, Instagram, and any other platforms that don’t support direct uploads.

To determine which format suits your needs—JPEG or PDF—let’s take a look at their pros and cons.

Here are the pros and cons of JPEG files:

You can combine several JPEGs into one PDF, so it is easier to send or store. This also lets you or your reader navigate the images conveniently, especially on phones or tablets.

When it comes to JPEG vs. PDF for printing, PDFs have the advantage, as JPEGs may lose quality when resized or printed, and colors can shift due to compression.

Making professional or official submissions.

 Many reports, forms, and applications require PDFs rather than image files because it is possible to verify their integrity and make sure they haven’t been tampered with via digital signatures, 

Unlike JPEGs, which require manual editing or printing and scanning, PDFs support interactive form fields. These allow you to enter text, check boxes, or select dropdown options directly in the documents.

JPEGs are smaller and easier to send via email or social media compared to PDFs. PDFs, while preserving layout, are larger and less convenient when it comes to JPEG vs. PDF for photo sharing.

Sometimes you only need a single page or part of a PDF as an image, so converting to a JPEG makes sense. Plus, JPEGs are more flexible for cropping, resizing, or embedding in other content, such as slides.

, change their sizes and placements on a PDF page, or add captions to them, you won’t be able to adjust them in the same way as a JPEG in software like Photoshop.

Unlike standalone JPEGs, a single PDF prevents images from getting scattered or accidentally modified. This makes retrieval easier down the road while ensuring the images retain their resolutions.

Change Between PDF and JPEG Easily With PDF.net

Our online editor has PDF-to-JPEG and JPEG-to-PDF tools that let you perform conversions in just a few clicks. Everything works right on your browser, so you won’t have to go through the hassle of installing separate software.

After converting your files, you can also use other tools, including our new AI ones—

, Summarize PDF, and Translate PDF—to process and polish your content.

To decide between JPEG vs. PDF, you must think about your specific needs.

The former is ideal for sharing and editing individual images, thanks to their small file sizes; the latter is better for printing, archiving, professional submissions, and combining multiple images for continuous viewing and organizing. Rather than forcing one format to do a job it was not designed for, understanding their differences helps you choose the right option and fully leverage each format’s strengths.

#1. Does converting JPEG to PDF reduce quality?

Converting JPEG to PDF does not reduce quality

, as long as the PDF is created without additional compression. The JPEG’s resolution is preserved, and the PDF simply acts as a container to store, share, and organize the image.

. While you may be able to add borders and captions to them using a PDF editor, it is 

like colors, contrast, brightness, etc., the way you can in software like Photoshop.

 because it preserves the content’s resolution and can include multiple pages in order. JPEG is not ideal for this option because it uses lossy compression, which reduces quality.

JPEG vs. PDF: Differences, Pros, Cons, and Best Use Cases

PDF vs. Word: Learn how the two formats differ in editing, compatibility, security, and printing—and when to use each one.

PDF vs. Word differences boil down to their purpose: the former is designed for preserving content, while the latter is made for creating and editing content. This key distinction affects each file format’s compatibility, file size, ease of editing, security, and more.

In this guide, we uncover each difference in more detail. Also, we explain when it’s better to choose one over the other and how to convert between PDF and Word using our online editor. Let’s begin!

The PDF format consistently displays documents and is suitable for sharing or storing documents securely.

Word formats include .DOC and .DOCX, designed for easy editing and suitable for text-heavy documents.

PDF vs. Word format differences lie in their compatibility, portability, editability, security, printing, and archiving capabilities.

You should convert from Word to PDF when you want to create templates, fillable forms, and secure documents for collecting signatures.

Word files are preferred when handling documents that are still being drafted and edited.

, or Portable Document Format, is a file format that displays documents consistently across different devices, operating systems, and software. This means PDFs are suitable for content that needs to be

These files can contain text, images, and interactive elements, and

such as e-books, white papers, reports, manuals, contracts, invoices, and 

Aside from compatibility, PDF strengths include security features as well. You can

Restricting certain actions like copying, pasting, and printing

By applying these security methods, you can

in both your personal and professional PDFs.

 created by Microsoft Word. It supports text, images, tables, charts, and other embedded elements.

as long as you have compatible software, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer, Apache OpenOffice Writer, WPS Office, Apple Pages, OnlyOffice, and Zoho Writer.

including letters, essays, reports, resumes, and proposals. However, they are not great for storing or sharing, as their display can change on different devices.

PDF vs. Word: What Are the Key Differences?

Here’s a quick overview of key PDF vs. Word differences:

File format that is universally compatible

Displays content consistently across devices, operating systems, and software

File format that is well-recognized but only compatible with certain software

Depends on specific software versions and formats

Ideal for quick edits without changing the original layout

Suitable for creating PDF templates, filling out forms, and collecting signatures

Many built-in tools, such as setting hierarchical headings, changing colors and fonts, etc

Reliable for legally binding e-signatures

Typically larger in size due to its preservation nature

Can still be large if containing high-resolution images and graphics

Tends to print out less reliably due to its non-preservation nature

May experience compatibility or layout changes as software versions evolve

Now that you’ve seen the key differences, let’s dive into a PDF vs. Word comparison.

Both PDF and Word files are well-known, but the former is more universally compatible and reliable for consistent viewing and sharing. The latter is only better for editing and ongoing document development.

, including web browsers and mobile apps, while .

DOC and .DOCXs can only be opened by compatible software

, and even then, their content can change in layout.

with compatible software, which usually offers preset 

 will provide you with as much flexibility as Word files, but they can cost up to hundreds of dollars a year.

Nevertheless, you can still mark up PDFs by adding highlights, leaving comments, inserting images, etc. It is also possible to add and delete pages, rearrange them, and number them for navigation. Also, PDFs are better for quick actions such as filling out forms, adding signatures, or applying annotations without altering the original layout.

 because there are many browser-based options you can choose from. Word files require a compatible iOS or Android app, which often have version limitations or feature restrictions.

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