Application for Digital Signature: signNow Guide and Pricing

Award-winning eSignature solution

What an application for digital signature does

An application for digital signature is software that lets people sign documents electronically while preserving identity, document integrity, and a record of the signing event. In practice, the sender uploads a file, adds signer fields, and routes it for review and signature. The signer verifies their identity, signs on a browser or mobile device, and the system records timestamps, IP data, and document history. The finished file can then be stored, shared, or exported with its audit trail intact.

Why digital signatures matter legally

An application for digital signature reduces paper handling, speeds approvals, and creates a record that supports enforceability under ESIGN and UETA when intent, consent, and attribution are documented.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common digital signature pain points

Signer identity can be weak when teams rely only on email access or shared inboxes.
Missing consent records can create disputes about whether the signer agreed to electronic delivery.
Poor template design can cause skipped fields, wrong routing, or incomplete documents.
Weak retention practices can make it hard to produce records during audits or litigation.

Businesses

Businesses use digital signature software for contracts, HR forms, approvals, and customer onboarding across desktop and mobile workflows.

Teams

Teams use it for lease agreements, patient forms, tax records, and consent documents that need traceable signatures.

Typical users and real workflows

A NetSuite operations director at Xerox uses signNow to route the right documents to the right approvers, with formats and steps aligned to ERP workflows. The value is control, fewer manual handoffs, and cleaner internal routing across departments and document types.
A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to execute rental and property documents online, including mobile signing and offline access. The workflow supports fast turnaround, better recordkeeping, and a practical paperless process for real estate transactions that still needs clear audit evidence.

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Intuitive UI and API. Sign and send documents from your apps in minutes.

Templates

Create reusable templates for recurring agreements, forms, and approvals so teams send the same document structure without rebuilding fields each time.

Audit trail

Track signer activity with timestamps, identity details, and document history so each completed file has a clear record of the transaction.

Mobile signing

Collect signatures on phones, tablets, and desktops so people can sign where they are, without printing or scanning.

Routing

Route documents in order or in parallel so approvals follow the right sequence for legal, HR, finance, or operations workflows.

Form fields

Use fillable fields, checkboxes, and initials to capture structured information before signature, reducing follow-up and incomplete submissions.

Tamper evidence

Store signed files with tamper-evident records so the final document remains tied to its signing history and integrity checks.

Integrations that connect signing workflows

Connected systems move documents, signer data, and completed files between business tools without rekeying or duplicate uploads.

How the signing flow works

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

Prepare file: Upload the document and add signer fields.
Route for signature: Send the request to one or more recipients.
Sign electronically: Signer reviews, signs, and completes required fields.
Save records: System stores the completed file and audit trail.

Quick steps to start signing

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

Upload:
Upload the document into signNow.
Add fields:
Place signature, date, and text fields.
Set routing:
Choose recipients and signing order.
Send:
Send the document for signature.
Finish:
Download or store the completed file.

Setting	Recommendation
Authentication method	SMS OTP
Signature type	SES
Audit trail	Enabled
Document retention	6 years (HIPAA 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2))
Encryption	AES-256 at rest

Platform requirements for signing

Use a modern browser or mobile app to prepare, sign, and manage documents on supported devices.

Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
Desktop systems Windows, macOS
Mobile systems iOS, Android

For regulated workflows, keep browsers updated, use managed devices where possible, and confirm that your retention, authentication, and export settings match internal policy. signNow supports browser-based signing on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, plus mobile use on iOS and Android.

Security and compliance snapshot

Transport security:

TLS protects data in transit

Storage encryption:

AES-256 protects stored data

Independent controls:

SOC 2 Type II available

Security management:

ISO 27001 certified

Healthcare use:

HIPAA support with BAA

U.S. legality:

ESIGN and UETA aligned

Enterprise operations

A Xerox operations leader needed flexible routing across NetSuite-connected workflows and document formats.

Right document, right format, right route.

The workflow reduced manual handling and supported more precise signature routing across internal and external processes.

Real estate

A Martin Properties founder needed online execution for property documents with mobile access and strong recordkeeping.

Mobile signing and offline access mattered.

The process supported faster turnaround, clearer compliance records, and less dependence on paper-based exchanges during property transactions.

Best practices for digital signatures

A careful setup improves evidence quality, reduces signing errors, and makes later review easier for legal, compliance, and operations teams.

Route by role

Use role-based routing so each signer receives the document only when their approval is required, which reduces confusion and unnecessary edits.

Lock required fields

Add required fields before sending so the signer cannot complete the document without entering dates, initials, or other needed data.

Match retention rules

Keep a retention policy that matches your record type, such as HIPAA, finance, or HR rules, and export completed files regularly.

Choose stronger verification

Review authentication strength before sending sensitive records, and use stronger verification for healthcare, finance, or high-value agreements.

FAQ and troubleshooting

These answers focus on plan limits, compliance needs, and workflow issues that affect electronic signature use in U.S. business settings.

signNow Business starts at $8/user/mo billed annually. It includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR support.

signNow supports ESIGN and UETA workflows. For HIPAA use, a BAA is required, and signed records should be retained for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

If a signer cannot complete a document, check field placement, routing order, and recipient email. signNow templates and signer roles help prevent skipped steps and misdirected requests.

For stronger identity checks, use SMS OTP or other higher-assurance methods. Weak KBA-style questions are less reliable and should not be used for sensitive records.

If you need court-ready evidence, keep the audit trail, timestamps, and completed PDF together. signNow records signing activity that supports ESIGN and UETA attribution.

For regulated records, confirm whether your workflow needs HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, or eIDAS support. signNow offers plan and add-on options that vary by use case.

signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trail	Yes	Yes	Yes
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo
Free trial	7-day trial	Not verified	Not verified
Envelope cap	No cap	100/year	Not verified

Day 1:

Set up the account, templates, and routing rules.

Day 2:

Send the first document and confirm the audit trail.

Week 1:

Onboard the team and review signer roles.

HIPAA retention:

Keep signed PHI records for 6 years per 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

ESIGN consent:

Capture electronic consent before the first signed transaction.

UETA adoption:

UETA is adopted in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Free trial:

signNow includes a 7-day free trial, no credit card required.

Part 11 records:

For FDA records, keep secure audit trails and validation evidence.

Risks of improper digital signing

Weak attribution

Document may be disputed in court.

Missing trail

Audit evidence may be rejected.

Retention gap

HIPAA records may fail review.

Part 11 failure

FDA records may be rejected.

Signer authentication:

Verifies the signer through the selected method.

Timestamp capture:

Records each action in UTC time.

Document hashing:

Calculates a hash of the file.

Tamper-evident seal:

Locks the record against later changes.

Audit export:

Exports the trail with the completed PDF.

Retrieval:

Preserves evidence for later review or litigation.

	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