Signature remains important in the digital era like today. Some documents — like job contract and invoice — require a signature for the legalization. Today, you don’t have to print your document to a paper to get a signature. You can get it on your PDF document with the tools we are going to cover below.

A PDF signature tool (a tool that allows you to sign a PDF document) typically makes use of a trackpad or mouse to enable you to sign the document. Some tools, like SignEasy, also allows you to add a signature to a PDF document via a touch screen device so you can sign a document with your forefinger.

Make sure to understand your needs before choosing a PDF signature tool as some apps are aimed at companies that use a signature on a regular basis. If you just occasionally sign a PDF document, choosing a tool that offers personal use might is a wiser idea. Here are the tools you can use to sign a PDF document.

1. SignEasy

SignEasy is a great PDF signature tool for businesses. You can use this tool to either request a signature to your clients/colleagues or add your own signature to a PDF document. For business use, this tool allows you to send documents to multiple people for signature in a serial or parallel sequence. You can then track the progress of the sent document to check who has signed the documents you sent. SignEasy itself is a freemium tool with the free version is limited to 3 documents. SignEasy will save your signature as you add it to a PDF document. Next time if you want to sign another PDF document, you don’t need to create a new signature anymore. SigEasy is also available for Android.

2. SmallPDF

SmallPDF is a great online PDF tool. The main use of this tool is actually to convert PDF to Word, Excel, and other raw document formats — and vice versa. But, it also comes with other features including the ability to sign a PDF document. The e-signature feature of SmallPDF also allows you to request a signature or add your own signature. You can create your signature using a trackpad or mouse. If you have a touch screen laptop, you can also create a signature using your forefinger. SmallPDF allows you to import a PDF document from Google Drive and Dropbox. If you use SmallPDF to request a signature, you can also track signer progress. In SmallPDF, you can sign a PDF document for free without creating an account.

3. DocHub

DocHub gets the most out of the smartphone technology to help you create an e-signature. When adding a signature to a PDF document with this tool, there is an option to create a signature using a smartphone. No, you don’t need to install an app on your smartphone. DocHub will send you the link of the docuement via text message. If you prefer to create the signature using a mouse, this option is also available. DocHub is a freemium PDF signature tool. The free version allows you to sign 5 signatures per month. You can also save 7 signatures.

4. HelloSign

HelloSign is a subsidiary of Dropbox. Dropbox acquired HelloSign earlier this year (2019). Even so, HelloSign also supports Google Drive in case you have some documents to sign stored on Google Drive. You can use HelloSign to request a signature to your business partners or add your own signature to a PDF document. HelloSign also uses a freemium business model. If you just need to add a signature once, you can use the free version of HelloSign, which allows you to sign 3 documents per month.

5. DocuSign

DocuSign is a suited option for companies that deal with PDF documents on a regular basis. It is a less suited option for freelancers who occasionally send a PDF invoice as there is no free plan offered. DocuSign is a premium PDF signature tool. It offers department-specific solutions for financial services, real estate, banking, and so on.

6. Sejda

Sejda is pretty similar to SmallPDF. It is an online PDF tool that you can use to edit and convert PDF files. This tool also has a feature to sign a PDF document. Sejda allows you to sign a PDF document for free without creating an account. You can create the signature using a trackpad or a mouse. Once the signature is added, you can download your PDF document or save it to Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive. You can also directly share the document via email or print it instead. While you can use Sejda via web browser, desktop version is also available in case you feel more convenient to work with a desktop app. The desktop app of Sedja is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you use the free version of Sejda, you are restricted to 3 tasks each day.

7. PDF Pro

PDF Pro is another online PDF tool that you can use to edit and convert PDF files. This tool also has a feature to sign a PDF document for free without creating an account. There are three options to add a signature to your PDF document. You can type the signature, draw the signature with your mouse or upload an image that contains your signature. PDF Pro allows you to download the signed PDF document or share it via email. The desktop version (Windows only) of PDF Pro is also available if you feel more convenient to work with a desktop app.

Final words

PDF is a portable file format. Basically, it is not intended to be edited. However, if — for a certain reason — you need to edit a PDF document, you can convert your PDF into a raw format (DOCX, ODT, RFT, XLSX, and so on) and edit it with an appropriate app such as Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, Writer, Microsoft Excel or other apps according to the format of the raw file. You can use tools like https://onlypdf.net/ to convert a PDF file into a raw format. If you just need to add a signature to your PDF file, there is no need to convert your PDF into a raw format. You can simply use one of the tools on the list above.