Digital Signature Provides Secure eSignatures
Award-winning eSignature solution
What a digital signature provides
A digital signature provides identity verification, document integrity, and a clear record of consent in one electronic process. It works by using cryptographic keys to bind a signer to a document, so any later change becomes detectable. In U.S. transactions, that helps show who signed, when they signed, and what they agreed to. signNow applies this workflow with audit trails, signer authentication, and tamper-evident records that support enforceability under ESIGN and UETA.
Why a digital signature matters
A digital signature reduces paper handling, speeds approvals, and creates evidence that supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA. For U.S. businesses, that means faster turnaround, fewer manual errors, and a clearer record if a signature is later questioned.
Common implementation challenges
Signer identity can be disputed when authentication is weak or inconsistent across different document types. Incomplete audit trails make it harder to prove intent, timing, and document integrity. Poor retention controls can leave signed records unavailable when a regulator or court asks for them. Misconfigured workflows may create access gaps, version confusion, or unsigned documents in shared folders.
Who uses digital signatures
Real estate
Real estate teams send leases, disclosures, and rental applications for remote signing.
Healthcare
Healthcare organizations collect patient forms and consent documents with HIPAA-aware workflows.
Best ROI. Our customers achieve an average 7x ROI within the first six months.
Scales with your use cases. From SMBs to mid-market, airSlate SignNow delivers results for businesses of all sizes.
Intuitive UI and API. Sign and send documents from your apps in minutes.
People who benefit most
A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox uses signNow to route the right documents to the right approvers through NetSuite, which helps keep records aligned with internal controls and document formats across business units. A COO at Optica Ventures LLC uses signNow because the interface is simple for both staff and customers, which helps reduce friction in external signing workflows and keeps turnaround times predictable across recurring agreements.
Key features and benefits
signNow combines signing, tracking, and document control so teams can manage approvals with less manual effort and clearer evidence.
Document integrity
Create a signed record that links the signer, the document, and the final version, helping preserve integrity after approval.
Audit trail
Capture signer actions in a traceable history that supports review, dispute handling, and internal controls.
Mobile signing
Use mobile-friendly signing so approvals can happen on desktop, phone, or tablet without changing the workflow.
Workflow routing
Route documents to the right people in sequence or parallel, depending on the approval process.
Reusable templates
Reduce manual follow-up with reusable templates for recurring forms, agreements, and approvals.
Signer verification
Support controlled access with authentication options that help confirm the signer before the document is completed.
How the process works
A digital signature follows a simple sequence from delivery to final record, with each step captured for later review.
Send: The signer receives a secure request and opens the document. Verify: Identity is checked before signing begins. Sign: The signature is applied and recorded with timestamps. Store: The completed file is sealed and stored with history.
Quick setup steps
Use a simple setup flow to prepare a document, assign signers, and track completion without changing your existing approval process.
Upload:
Upload the document you want signed. Assign:
Add recipients and assign signing order. Prepare:
Place signature fields and required data. Send:
Send the request and monitor progress.
Recommended workflow settings
Set up signing controls to match the document type, retention duty, and evidence needs of the workflow.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP for routine approvals |
| Signature type | SES for standard contracts |
| Audit trail | Enable full event logging |
| Document retention | 6 years for HIPAA records |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 |
Platform and device requirements
signNow works in modern browsers and on mobile devices, with secure connections over TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3.
Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Mobile devices iPhone, iPad, and Android phones
For enterprise use, managed Windows and macOS devices, SSO provisioning, and API access help keep deployment consistent across teams. Mobile signing on iOS and Android supports field work, while browser-based access keeps document review available without local software changes.
Security and compliance
Encryption:
Data protection:
Security report:
Information security:
Healthcare compliance:
Regulatory coverage:
Real-world use cases
Customer examples show how signNow fits operational signing needs across business, field, and regulated workflows.
Enterprise operations
A Xerox operations leader needed flexible routing for the right documents in the right formats.
- NetSuite integration supported document routing.
- Approvals matched internal business rules.
The workflow reduced format mismatches and helped teams move documents through NetSuite-connected processes with less manual handling.
Real estate
A founder at Martin Properties needed online execution with compliance and mobile access.
- Mobile signing supported field use.
- Built-in security helped preserve records.
The process supported remote lease and contract execution while keeping the signing record organized for later review.
Best practices for deployment
A careful setup keeps signing records easier to defend, easier to review, and easier to manage across teams and document types.
Match authentication to risk
Design the routing path carefully
Define retention before launch
Check evidence after changes
Rollout and retention timeline
This timeline combines early rollout steps with retention and policy facts that matter for regulated U.S. records.
Day 0:
Day 1:
Week 1:
7-day trial:
HIPAA retention:
Part 11 records:
UETA coverage:
Enterprise rollout:
Risks of poor implementation
Weak authentication
Incomplete records
Retention gaps
Missing consent
What the audit trail records
The audit trail captures identity, timing, and document integrity details that support later review or dispute response.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper seal:
Trail storage:
Trail export:
Pricing and plan comparison
Pricing and feature notes reflect verified annual-billing entry tiers and plan details from the supplied data set.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free trial | 7-day trial | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
| Bulk send | Business Premium | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
| Audit trail | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| HIPAA support | BAA required | BAA available | BAA available | Not verified | Not verified |
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers focus on plan limits, compliance needs, and setup questions that affect signing workflows in U.S. business use.
signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, and compliance support such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR. If you need HIPAA workflows, a BAA is required.
signNow’s Business Premium plan adds bulk send, kiosk mode, request payments, and quick invite links. If bulk sending is missing, check whether the account is on Business instead of Business Premium.
HIPAA use requires a signed BAA and controls for user identification, audit controls, and integrity. signNow supports HIPAA workflows, but the customer must configure access and retention correctly.
For 21 CFR Part 11 workflows, use unique user IDs, time-stamped audit trails, and retained document history. signNow can support regulated records, but validation and internal procedures remain the customer’s responsibility.
signNow’s Site License adds SSO, full API access, phone support, and HIPAA or 21 CFR options as add-ons. If enterprise provisioning is required, Site License is the plan to review.
The free trial lasts 7 days and does not require a credit card. If the trial ends before testing is complete, move to a paid plan to keep templates, users, and signing history active.
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.