Best Way to Get Electronic Signature with SignNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What an electronic signature is
An electronic signature is any electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to a record with the intent to sign. For U.S. business use, the best way to get electronic signature is a platform that combines signer consent, identity verification, audit trails, and secure storage. SignNow supports this workflow with mobile apps, template-based sending, tamper-evident records, and ESIGN and UETA-aligned evidence so signed contracts, HR forms, and consent documents can be managed in one system.
Why electronic signatures matter
Electronic signatures help U.S. teams move agreements faster while keeping clear evidence of consent, identity, and document integrity. Under ESIGN and UETA, a properly captured electronic signature can be legally effective and admissible, provided the record shows intent, attribution, and reliable retention.
How the signing flow works
The signing process moves from document preparation to delivery, signature capture, and secure archival with audit evidence.
Prepare the file: Upload your document, add fields, and choose where signatures belong. Deliver the request: Send it by email, link, mobile, or kiosk. Collect the signature: Signer review and intent are captured in the record. Complete and archive: The completed file and audit trail are stored.
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.
Quick steps to send a document
A basic signing workflow moves from document preparation to routing, signing, and storage without changing the legal record.
Add the document:
Upload the file and place signature fields where they belong. Set routing:
Choose recipients and set the signing order. Deliver for signing:
Send the request by email or link. Store the record:
Save the completed file with the audit trail.
Identity and security controls
Signer ID:
Two-factor auth:
SMS OTP:
ID checks:
PKI support:
Audit log:
Record-keeping practices that matter
Good record management keeps the signature evidence, retention period, and access history tied to the same signed file.
Capture electronic consent
Match authentication to risk
Archive the audit trail
Follow record retention rules
Pricing and feature snapshot
Prices and feature availability vary by vendor and plan, and several enterprise details are not publicly verified.
| Features | 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 support | BAA available | BAA available | BAA available | Not verified | Not verified |
FAQs about electronic signature setup
These answers focus on SignNow features, plan differences, and the main U.S. compliance rules that affect signed records.
If a signer says the document was not received, check the send log and resend from SignNow. Business and Business Premium plans include email delivery records and audit trails, which help confirm whether the message left the system. For compliance, keep consent and delivery evidence under ESIGN and UETA.
If HIPAA documents are involved, use a SignNow plan with a BAA and confirm that access controls, audit trails, and encryption are enabled. HIPAA does not require a specific signature tool, but it does require safeguards under 45 CFR 164.312 and retention under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).
If a user signs on a mobile device, the signature is still valid under ESIGN and UETA when intent is clear and the record is retained. SignNow mobile apps help capture signatures on iOS and Android, and the audit trail preserves signer activity for later review.
If you need high-assurance identity checks, use the Enterprise or Site License options for stronger signer authentication workflows. SignNow supports 2FA-related controls, and regulated use cases may require ID verification or additional evidence under NIST AAL guidance, HIPAA, or FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
If a signed PDF looks altered, compare the file against the audit trail and document hash. SignNow’s tamper-evident records help show whether the content changed after signing, which matters for ESIGN, UETA, and court admissibility under FRE 901 and 902.
If you need the document history for legal review, export the audit trail from SignNow and retain it with the signed record. Business Premium and higher tiers are designed for more advanced workflows, while Site License adds full API access and SSO for larger teams.
Key features for signing workflows
SignNow combines signing methods, tracking, control, and integrations in one workflow that fits common U.S. business processes.
Flexible sending
Sign documents from the web, mobile apps, kiosk mode, or shareable links, so teams can match the signing method to the situation without changing the document process.
Audit evidence
Audit trails record signer identity, timestamps, and document events, giving teams a clear record for review, discovery, and internal controls under ESIGN, UETA, HIPAA, or FDA workflows.
Reusable templates
Templates and reusable fields reduce repetitive setup for contracts, HR forms, and consent packets, which helps teams standardize form structure while keeping sending permissions and approvals consistent.
Signer verification
Authentication options help match document risk, from simple email delivery to stronger verification approaches for regulated or sensitive transactions that need more attribution and traceability.
Mobile signing
Mobile apps support signing on iOS and Android, which helps field teams, patients, customers, and contractors complete documents without returning to a desktop.
Connected workflows
Integrations with Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Google Workspace, Box, and other tools keep documents connected to existing systems instead of creating a separate signing silo.
Who uses electronic signature tools
Different business types use SignNow for contracts, HR forms, healthcare releases, invoices, and consent packets.
A solo real estate office can send leases, disclosures, and rental applications without in-person meetings. SignNow’s templates, mobile signing, and unlimited users on paid plans help small teams keep a simple workflow while still preserving audit trails and signer attribution for each file. A healthcare practice can collect patient signatures on consent forms, intake packets, and release forms. With a BAA, audit trails, and HIPAA-aligned retention, SignNow helps reduce paper handling while keeping records tied to the signed document and the required access controls. A legal or finance operations team can route agreements, NDAs, and approvals in role-based order. Shared templates, delegated sending, and plan-based authentication controls help managers standardize intake while keeping each signer step attributable, reviewable, and easy to export for records management.
These tasks are executed by both individual contributors and centralized administrators depending on organizational policy and required controls.
Platform and device support
SignNow works in current desktop browsers and mobile apps, with encrypted connections that support standard signing workflows across devices.
Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Desktop systems Windows 11 and macOS. Mobile platforms iOS and Android apps.
For managed environments, administrators should pair browser support with device policies, user provisioning, and any required SSO or API controls. Regulated teams may also need retention settings, certificate-based workflows, or export practices that match HIPAA, FDA, or financial recordkeeping rules.
Document retention rules for signed records
Signed records often need different retention periods depending on the governing rule and document type.
6 years retention
3 years retention
6 years retention
Validation-based retention
Investor and lender retention
Risks of using e-signatures improperly
Missing intent
Weak evidence
HIPAA exposure
Retention gap
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.