The best way to sign documents online is to apply an electronic signature or digital signature. Read on and discover which online signing tools are best.

The best way to sign documents online is by using a simple, secure tool to apply an e-signature or digital signature. These wet signature alternatives are becoming increasingly important because work now happens across locations and devices.

Documents are often shared, reviewed, and legally signed remotely, so using online signing tools is a faster and more practical option than printing and scanning. In this guide, we will cover the top seven tools you can use to sign documents online and provide tips on how to do it securely.

Signing documents online involves typing, drawing, or inserting a signature into a file and saving or sending it electronically; in most cases, the document is a PDF.

PDF.net offers one of the best ways to sign documents online, as it doesn’t require registration right away and has an incredibly intuitive interface.

Other PDF signing tools to consider include Adobe Acrobat Sign, DocuSign, HelloSign, Smallpdf e-Sign, and airSlate SignNow.

To sign documents online securely, you should password-protect them, avoid using public Wi-Fi, store your signed files in protected folders, and save a copy for recordkeeping.

What Does “Signing Documents Online” Actually Mean?

“Signing documents online” usually refers to both 

electronic signatures and digital signatures

. However, they aren’t exactly the same.

An electronic signature, or e-signature, is any

 electronic way of showing intent to sign

Inserting an image of your signature into a document

 identity verification and tamper detection

. Therefore, it is considered more secure and is commonly used for 

Both types of signatures can be legally valid under the 

 and UETA in the United States. They regulate and recognize these signatures’ legality as long as there is affirmative consent from the signer and reliable recordkeeping of signed documents that are legible and reproducible.

However, certain documents, such as wills, 

 or additional formalities depending on state law, so electronic signing is not universally accepted for these documents.

In the context of signing documents online, the 

 is the most common because it preserves formatting and is widely supported across devices and platforms.

 and digital signatures. Here are a few reasons why you might want to use them:

multiple signers review the same documents

work across devices and operating systems.

 since they reduce printing, scanning, mailing, and document handling expenses.

 by providing you with a single space to upload, sign, send, and track documents. They also have notifications for reminders and status updates, along with audit trails and certifications.

These are the top seven tools that you can use to sign PDFs online based on features and ease of use:

 is a fully browser-based editor. It is the ideal e-signature solution for 

students, freelancers, small businesses, and everyday users

, as long as there is an internet connection.

The PDF editor offers the following features:

Option to save the e-signature for future use

Option to resize and reposition the e-signature easily when placed on the PDF

Option to adjust the color and opacity of the e-signature

, you can use PDF.net’s full suite of tools to 

. Aside from downloading, everything is available for you to use without registering for an account or purchasing a plan.

However, like every tool, PDF.net has its pros and cons. Here’s a quick overview:

Overall, PDF.net offers one of the best ways to sign documents online when you are tight on time and just want a 

. With three pricing plans starting at $1.45 weekly for limited access, $1.95 weekly for full access, and $19.95 per month annually, it is a 

if you are concerned about affordability.

This digital signature software caters to 

, with plans starting from $23.99. It is best known for 

Integrations with Microsoft Word, Teams, Workday, Salesforce, and more

 for sharing quickly and easily, especially on the go

Live status updates and notifications for tracking

Reusable forms and templates with the option to apply custom branding

 make it suitable for enterprise users as well. It 

, manages users’ identities, maintains 

, encrypts documents and assets at rest with AES 256-bit, etc.

That said, let’s quickly examine Adobe Acrobat Sign’s advantages and disadvantages:

Generally, if you are already working within Adobe Acrobat’s ecosystem, it makes sense to opt for this digital signature software. It can handle high volumes of documents and complex processes easily.

 that started as a tool for signing documents online. It has over one million customers and is widely adopted by Fortune 500 companies. The platform includes features like:

Document generation and creation with 20+ tags and fields

Five routing options and seven authentication options

Open APIs and integrations to customize your flow of signing and collecting signatures

However, despite several advantages, DocuSign has its disadvantages as well. Here’s a quick overview:

excellent option if you want a scalable way to 

. You can integrate it with third-party software such as Salesforce, Workday, SAP, Oracle, as well as extension apps such as HubSpot, Slack, Monday.com, Asana, Jira, etc.

HelloSign, now Dropbox Sign, is another option you can consider when looking for the top e-signature tools. It allows you to:

To ensure secure e-signatures, this tool provides a non-editable audit trail that thoroughly tracks and 

 every action taken on a document. You can also manage team permissions and settings from a centralized dashboard, so everything stays safe.

Now, let’s see some of the pros and cons of HelloSign:

already use Dropbox for managing documents, 

you should choose this e-signature solution; it is more convenient and cost-effective this way. However, be ready to spend some money, as the less expensive 

($25 per month) plans are both rather limited in terms of features.

Smallpdf offers a free PDF signer that works on Mac, Windows, iOS, 

, and Linux. However, with their free plan, you are limited in the number of documents you can sign per month. If you want unlimited access to Smallpdf e-Sign, you can subscribe to 

 ($216 per month) with minimal 2 users, and 

With e-Sign, you get the following features:

Documents are automatically deleted after one hour

Integration with Google Workspace, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox

Despite being free at first, Smallpdf e-Sign has other pros, as well as drawbacks:

Smallpdf e-Sign is worth considering if you want to 

. It is designed to be simple, so you won’t have to worry about overcoming a steep learning curve. However, without a subscription, it is not the best PDF signer for businesses.

This is another e-signature solution that you can consider when seeking the best way to sign documents online. It stands out with an 

 where you can manage all your contacts and documents. It provides the following key features:

Options to add signature fields to documents, request attachments, set notifications, and create customized signing invitations

Kiosk mode options for collecting signatures on iPads and iPhones

Four authentication methods and a document ID for each PDF

Now, let’s examine the pros and cons of airSlate SignNow:

SignNow from airSlate is a good option if you are seeking an 

solution for your small to mid-sized business

. However, it can be an overkill for students, freelancers, and professionals who work with lower volumes of signed documents.

can be used to sign documents. All of these options are convenient for one-time signatures, as you don’t have to install additional software.

 You won't get audit trails, multi-signer capabilities, or tracking notifications, so you should reserve them for informal approvals.

Here’s a quick overview of their advantages and disadvantages:

If you need to electronically sign a PDF 

when you don’t have a reliable Internet connection 

and can only work offline, built-in tools are your best bet. However, these are only recommended for occasional signing of documents that don’t require legal compliance.

Best Way to Sign Documents Online: 7 Top PDF Signing Tools

The answer to “How to sign an NDA?” is simple: you should read it thoroughly, confirm the accuracy of the details, and add a signature to it.

To sign an NDA, you must first read through it carefully and confirm that all details are accurate. Once the document is ready, the next step is simply to sign it using the format provided, which is typically electronic for digital agreements and handwritten for printed ones.

NDAs are commonly used as a condition for employment, partnership, and other business deals or activities, so knowing how to sign them properly is essential. They are usually PDFs, so in this guide, we will explain the key steps of signing an NDA in this format and cover common mistakes you should avoid.

An NDA protects certain confidential information from being shared; it can be unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral.

It can be used by employers and their employees, freelancers, investors, and partners; plus, it is common for situations involving outsourcing, product testing, and settling legal situations.

To sign an NDA, you need to start by reading all clauses carefully and verifying the details; then, you sign it according to the format provided and return it to the other party.

You can sign an NDA using our PDF editor and return it to other parties by email, mail, or fax.

, is a contract between at least two parties that 

prevents confidential information from being shared

you can face damages, fines, lawsuits, or court orders. 

For example, in Ajaxo Inc. v. ETrade Financial Corp, ETrade violated an NDA it signed with Ajaxo by using the latter’s wireless-trading technology and was 

What details are considered confidential (e.g., business plans, procedures, designs, client lists, etc.)

Who is allowed to access the information, and within what capacity

There are several types of NDAs, including:

 This is when only one party shares confidential information and the other party agrees to keep it private. It is often used with freelancers, investors, and employees. According to a 

 Both parties share confidential information with each other and agree to protect it. This is frequently used in partnerships, joint ventures, or when two businesses are collaborating.

 There are more than two parties involved, and at least one shares confidential information that the others must keep private. This is useful when multiple companies or teams are working together.

Companies have NDAs to protect their proprietary assets, tools, systems, etc. Employees are often required to sign NDAs before onboarding or attending a meeting where confidential information will be discussed.

 Information is usually shared with these individuals, but they are not legally tied to the company long term, so NDAs ensure they can’t take the information to other clients or competitors.

New companies have ideas, business models, prototypes, and patent-pending innovations that act as their competitive advantage. To avoid these from being shared or copied, investors are typically required to sign NDAs.

Sensitive information, such as pricing structures, is often shared between companies in collaboration. However, they still want to keep it protected, so they will have NDA signature requirements.

 To make sure the vendors they are hiring can complete their tasks properly, companies will have to share insider information. NDAs ensure this stays within the scope of the vendors’ outsourced work.

Before release, products are often beta-tested by people outside of an organization. However, to prevent pre-launch leaks, they are generally asked to sign an NDA. For example, if you are invited to try out a new game, the NDA prevents you from sharing screenshots of the design.

NDAs are sometimes also used in these situations to keep details like terms, payment amounts, and allegations private and avoid reputational damage. In the U.S., though, most states now restrict the use of 

Is an Electronic Signature Legally Valid for NDAs?

for NDAs if it meets the criteria of the ESIGN Act and UETA. The 

 is a federal law that gives e-signatures the same legal validity as wet signatures. The UETA has the same purpose but is a model state law. It has been adopted by 49 states; New York is the exception, with its own set of rules under 

So, when is an electronic signature legal for NDAs? It is when you

 comply with these requirements from the ESIGN Act:

The person signing has to clearly demonstrate affirmative consent.

The NDA must be kept in records reliably and accessibly.

The NDA must be reproducible in a legible format.

Your NDA can be signed electronically even if it 

If your NDA is attached to documents like wills, trusts, codicils, or family matter papers, which can’t be signed electronically, it is best to 

. For NDAs involving highly sensitive intellectual property (IP), trade secrets, or cross-border parties, you will also want to 

How to Sign an NDA: 4 Key Steps Explained

Now that you know what an NDA is, let’s take a closer look at the non-disclosure agreement signing process.

The first step of signing an NDA is to read through it carefully to 

 what information is confidential, how long you must maintain confidentiality, and other relevant obligations and restrictions.

Paying attention to clauses about penalties or consequences is especially important to avoid accidental breaches. 

, as a single overlooked detail can have serious implications.

If you’re unsure about specific clauses or legal language, you can use 

 to ask questions directly about your NDA. This way, you can quickly learn about confidentiality scope, duration, penalties, or unclear obligations before you sign the agreement.

Once you thoroughly understand your NDA, 

. Parties' full legal names and titles should be included, and dates, obligations, consequences, and any references to attachments or exhibits should all be clear. Mistakes or omissions can

lead to legal issues, so take the time to verify everything carefully.

 helps you ensure clarity, you can use our PDF editor to mark up your document. These can be deleted afterward, leaving you with a clean NDA for signing.

#3. Choose How You Will Sign (Wet vs. Electronic)

choose between wet signatures and electronic signatures.

The former might be required in certain cases involving highly sensitive IP information or other documents that can’t be signed electronically. Otherwise, e-signatures are legally valid for most NDAs and offer convenience, speed, and secure audit trails.

You should consider your legal requirements and all parties’ preferences to make a decision.

After signing the NDA, you need to return it to the other party; all parties should have agreed on the method beforehand.

 This involves scanning the NDA and then 

These are returned automatically if you are using an e-signature platform or portal. If not, you can email the NDA to the other parties.

Regardless of the method chosen, it is important for you to 

, you can refer back to it later on and protect yourself in case of disputes.

You can password-protect your signed PDF NDA to 

 and give yourself peace of mind. PDF.net has a 

 tool that allows you to do this in minutes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Signing NDAs

Here are common mistakes to avoid when signing NDAs:

You might miss critical clauses regarding the obligations, restrictions, and penalties, which can lead to breaching or violating the agreement. Given that an NDA is legally binding, this can result in legal action that damages you financially and reputationally.

Most NDAs will specify how long you need to maintain confidentiality. Paying attention to the start and end dates, as well as renewal provisions, is necessary to avoid accidentally disclosing the protected information.

Using a nickname, an abbreviated name, or misspelling the name when signing can affect enforceability. So, you should make sure you always sign with your full legal name.

There are many ways to sign an NDA online, but they are not all secure. You don’t want to expose sensitive details while trying to protect other confidential content. Therefore, it is important to choose a secure e-signature platform that provides encryption, authentication, and an 

Not checking whether the NDA is unilateral or mutual. 

Misunderstanding whether obligations apply to one or all parties might cause you to unintentionally breach the agreement. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you should make it a habit to confirm the type of NDA from the first step, even before you start reading it.

that works well for NDAs, contracts, and other important documents.

You won’t have to download anything; just open the platform, and right on your browser, upload your NDA, add your signature, and download the signed version.

HTTPS connections and automatically delete your information 

shortly after processing, so there’s no risk of your data being stored or accessed by others.

 from the toolbar at the top of the page.


 box or upload it manually by pressing the 

Upload your PDF file by dragging it into the upload box or by clicking the Choose File button.

 There are also options for changing the colors.


Select your e-signature method by typing, drawing, or uploading an image, and customize the signature color.

Click ‘Place in PDF’ to add your signature to the document.

Reposition it on the signature line and resize it by adjusting the corner handles if you want.


Move the signature to the correct line and resize it using the corner handles as needed.

Click ‘Download’ in the top-right corner, then select ‘Download PDF’ to save your signed document.

: If your NDA is not already a PDF, you can use our conversion tools. The 

 is recommended because it preserves your layout, can be stored stably for a long time, and is widely used in professional settings.

It is easy to sign an NDA once you know the key steps and have a reliable tool like PDF.net. You just need an internet connection and to review your NDA thoroughly before signing.

Don’t forget to spell-check your PDF and return the signed version of your NDA through a secure sharing method. If necessary, you can 

Signing NDAs properly offers you legal peace of mind; you can start your employment, collaborate with others, or share sensitive details without worrying about unintended leaks or disputes.

after careful review of all clauses and with a secure signing platform, like PDF.net, 

if the parties agree on using electronic signatures. You should thoroughly double-check the names, dates, and details of the scope of confidentiality before signing, and save a copy for your personal records afterward.

#2. Are electronic signatures valid in all countries?

. In the U.S., they are legally valid under the ESIGN Act, UETA, and ESRA. In the EU, electronic signatures are valid under 

, which sets standards for security and legality. To ensure enforceability, it is always best to check your local laws for electronically signing NDAs.

if you proceed without reading the NDA and clarifying any ambiguous language beforehand

. For example, in the BladeRoom vs. Emerson case, Emerson was initially found liable for misusing confidential information, but 

 after the court ruled the NDA had been misinterpreted.

 but this can affect your ability to work with the other parties or access certain information. Rather than refusing right away, you can consider negotiating terms that you are not comfortable with and clarifying or modifying clauses.

How to Sign Documents on Android (PDFs, Word, and More)

How to Protect Your E-Signature in a PDF: 5 Simple Methods

How to Sign an NDA: A Step-by-Step Guide

Electronic signatures are safe because they typically go hand-in-hand with encryption, authentication, and tamper-evident seals

Are electronic signatures safe? Many people ask this when handling contracts, agreements, or other important documents. The answer is yes; 

. Their safety relies on encryption, authentication methods, and tamper-evident technology that protect both signer identity and document integrity.

However, vulnerabilities can arise if a platform lacks proper security measures. In this guide, we will explain what makes electronic signatures secure and highlight the essential and advanced features to look for in a reliable e-signature platform.

 when supported by encryption, authentication, and tamper-evident seals that ensure signer identity and document integrity.

, such end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications, protect e-signed files throughout their lifecycle.

, encrypted storage, and automated proof of authenticity, reducing risks of forgery and loss.

 with AES-128 encryption and automatic document deletion for added security and privacy.

How Does Electronic Signature Security Work?

E-signature security refers to the process of ensuring the integrity, authenticity, and legality of 

 to confirm that a signature truly belongs to the signer and that the document has not been altered after it was signed. Usually, there is an electronic record, a certificate of completion, and a tamper-evident seal.

 a secure electronic record of the transaction

. It includes essential details, such as the signer's identity, the date and time, and the actions taken on the document. Electronic records act as proof in case of disputes and are often stored in encrypted formats to prevent unauthorized access.

E-Signature

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How to Sign an NDA: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are Electronic Signatures Safe: Here’s What You Need to Know

How to Add a Signature in Word: 4 Easy Methods Explained

How to Sign PDFs Digitally: Fast and Easy With PDF.net Tool

What Is Signatory Authority: Definition, Types, and How to Get It

ESIGN Act: Digital Signature Laws in America Explained

Do Banks Accept Electronic Signatures? All You Need to Know

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