Adobe Acrobat Electronic Signature Features for SignNow Users

Award-winning eSignature solution

What adobe acrobat electronic signature features does

Adobe Acrobat electronic signature features let people sign documents electronically and track the signing process in a PDF-based workflow. A sender uploads a document, adds signature fields, and sends it to one or more recipients. Each signer reviews the file, applies an eSignature, and the system records the event history, including timestamps and signer activity. The result is a signed document that can be stored, shared, and reviewed with a clear record of what happened during the transaction.

Why adobe acrobat electronic signature features matters

It reduces paper handling, speeds approvals, and preserves a defensible record for U.S. transactions. Under ESIGN and UETA, properly captured electronic signatures can be enforceable when intent, consent, and attribution are documented.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common implementation pain points

Signer confusion increases when the document lacks clear instructions, required fields, or a simple review path.
Identity checks can be too weak for higher-risk agreements if the workflow relies only on email access.
Audit records become less useful when teams skip retention rules or export files without the supporting history.
Mobile signing can fail when PDFs are not optimized for small screens or field placement is inconsistent.

Real estate

Real estate teams use it for leases, disclosures, and rental applications that need fast turnaround.

Healthcare

Healthcare organizations use it for patient forms, consent records, and HIPAA-covered documents.

Typical users and personas

A NetSuite operations lead at Xerox uses signNow to route documents in the right order and keep formats aligned across systems. This fits teams that need controlled approvals, ERP-connected workflows, and fewer manual handoffs between departments and external signers.
A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to execute lease and property documents online with compliance and mobile access. This suits real estate operators who need fast signing, clear records, and the ability to work from the office or on-site.

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Field routing

Create signing workflows that guide recipients through the right fields in the right order, reducing missed signatures and back-and-forth corrections.

Audit history

Capture a complete event history so each signature request includes time, activity, and document status for later review.

Mobile signing

Send documents from desktop or mobile, which helps teams collect signatures when people are away from a desk.

Reusable templates

Use templates for repeat agreements so recurring documents stay consistent and take less time to prepare.

Multi-signer flow

Support multiple signers on one file, making it easier to handle approvals, countersignatures, and sequential review.

Document integrity

Store signed PDFs with a tamper-evident record that helps preserve document integrity after completion.

Integration options for connected workflows

Connected systems move documents into existing business workflows, reduce duplicate entry, and keep signature requests tied to the records teams already use.

How the signing flow works

The signing process follows a simple sequence from document preparation to completed record storage.

Prepare document: Upload the PDF and place signature fields.
Assign signers: Add recipients and set the signing order.
Distribute request: Send the request and track activity.
Complete and save: Collect signatures and store the completed file.

Quick setup steps

Use this short setup path to prepare and send a document for electronic signature.

Upload file:
Upload the document you want signed.
Place fields:
Add signature, date, and text fields.
Add recipients:
Enter recipient emails and roles.
Send request:
Review the workflow, then send it.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP for higher-risk documents
Signature type	SES for routine agreements
Audit trail	Enable full event logging
Document retention	6 years for HIPAA records
Encryption	TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256

Platform and system requirements

Use a current browser on Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android with a reliable internet connection and PDF support. TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3 helps protect data in transit, and mobile apps support signing on phones and tablets.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Device basics Stable internet and PDF support

For enterprise deployments, managed devices, SSO, and API access help standardize access and document control. Regulated teams should confirm retention, authentication, and export requirements before rollout, especially when HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, or internal policy rules apply.

Security and compliance snapshot

Encryption:

TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Storage protection:

AES-256 at rest

Security report:

SOC 2 Type II available

Management system:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare compliance:

HIPAA support with BAA

Privacy and trust:

GDPR and eIDAS aligned

Operations workflow

A NetSuite operations leader needed document routing that matched internal formats and approval order.

Xerox used signNow with NetSuite integration.

The team kept the right documents in the right sequence and reduced manual format handling across departments.

Real estate execution

A real estate founder needed online execution for property documents without losing compliance or mobile access.

Martin Properties completed documents online.

The workflow supported mobile signing, clear records, and faster turnaround for property-related documents.

Best practices for reliable signing

A careful setup improves attribution, record quality, and long-term document usability without adding unnecessary complexity.

Set clear signing order

Use role-based routing for documents that require sequential approvals, and keep signer instructions short so recipients know exactly what to do next.

Choose the right identity check

Match authentication strength to document risk, using stronger verification for financial, healthcare, or property records that need better attribution evidence.

Standardize repeat documents

Keep templates for recurring agreements, then review field placement before each send to avoid missing signatures or misplaced dates.

Preserve the full record

Export completed files with the audit trail and store them under a defined retention policy so records stay usable for review or dispute response.

FAQ and troubleshooting

These answers focus on signer access, compliance, and record quality issues that matter in U.S. eSignature workflows.

If a signer cannot complete the request, check whether the recipient email is correct, the link is still active, and the document has required fields. signNow templates and reminders can reduce resend issues. For regulated records, confirm ESIGN consent and retention rules before resending.

If HIPAA records are involved, use a BAA and keep the signed file, audit trail, and access controls in place. signNow supports HIPAA workflows when the account is configured correctly, but the covered entity still needs internal retention and access policies.

If a document needs stronger evidence, use a higher-assurance authentication method and keep the audit trail. signNow plans support different workflow needs, and the Site License can add SSO and full API access for controlled deployments.

If the audit trail looks incomplete, confirm that the signing session finished and that the completed PDF was exported with its event history. A defensible record should show timestamps, signer activity, and document status changes.

If a PDF will not open correctly on mobile, test it in Chrome, Safari, or the signNow app on iOS or Android. Keep the file simple and avoid unsupported form elements that can interfere with field placement.

If you need U.S. enforceability, make sure the workflow captures intent, consent, and attribution under ESIGN and UETA. signNow’s audit trail and signer records help support that evidence, but legal review may still be needed for high-risk documents.

Recommended	DocuSign	Adobe Acrobat Sign	PandaDoc
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope limits	Unlimited	Envelope cap	Envelope cap

Setup day:

Create the account and prepare the first workflow.

First send:

Send the first document after field review.

Team onboarding:

Train users during the first week.

Free trial:

7-day free trial, no credit card required.

HIPAA retention:

6 years per 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

Part 11 records:

Keep secure history and timestamps.

Business plan:

$8/user/month billed annually.

Enterprise rollout:

Add SSO, API, and advanced controls.

Risks of poor implementation

Weak attribution

Document may be disputed.

Missing audit trail

Record may fail review.

No BAA

HIPAA exposure may increase.

Poor retention

Evidence weight may drop.

Signer authentication:

Verify signer identity before the session starts.

Timestamp capture:

Record each action with a UTC timestamp.

Document hashing:

Hash the document before and after signing.

Tamper-evident sealing:

Apply tamper-evident sealing to the final PDF.

Record storage:

Store the event log with the signed file.

Audit-trail export:

Export the audit trail for review or evidence.

	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 days	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 compliance	BAA required	BAA available	BAA available	Not verified	Not verified

28M+Documents signed

13+Years in business

4.6/5Average G2 rating