Create Your Electronic Signature with signNow
Award-winning eSignature solution
What an electronic signature is
An electronic signature is a digital mark, sound, or process that shows a person’s intent to sign a record. In signNow, users can create your electronic signature by drawing, typing, or uploading a signature, then applying it to a document with identity checks, timestamps, and an audit trail. The signed file is stored with tamper-evident records so the signing event can be reviewed later. Under U.S. law, the key issue is attribution and intent, not ink.
Why electronic signatures matter
They reduce paper handling, speed approvals, and preserve evidence of consent. Under ESIGN and UETA, properly captured electronic signatures are generally enforceable in U.S. transactions when the signer’s intent, attribution, and record integrity are documented.
Frequent signing pain points
Signers may question whether the signature is attributable without strong authentication or a clear audit trail. Documents can be delayed when consent to electronic delivery is not captured before signing begins. Compliance gaps appear when retention, access controls, or BAA requirements are not aligned to the document type. Disputes become harder to resolve if timestamps, IP data, or document hashes are missing.
Who uses electronic signatures
Real estate
Used for lease packets, rental applications, closing documents, and property management approvals.
Healthcare
Used for patient forms, consent records, and HIPAA-covered workflows on desktop or mobile.
People who benefit most
Teams in property operations use signNow to move lease packets, disclosures, and renewal forms through remote signing without in-person meetings. The workflow helps keep transactions moving across listings, tenant onboarding, and closing documents while preserving a clear record of who signed and when. The interface is often described as simple for both staff and customers, which matters in high-volume real estate work. Operations leaders in distribution and software services use signNow to route internal approvals and customer-facing agreements through connected systems. In Tech Data’s customer story, the goal was faster speed to revenue and better service. In Xerox’s NetSuite workflow, the focus was on getting the right signatures on the right documents in the right formats.
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.
Core features and benefits
signNow supports a practical signing workflow with identity controls, reusable documents, and records that help preserve integrity after signing.
Signature creation
Create a signature by drawing, typing, or uploading it, then reuse it across documents. This keeps signing consistent while reducing setup time for repeat transactions and internal approvals.
Audit trail
Track each action with timestamps, signer details, and document history. The record helps show intent, supports review, and gives teams a defensible signing log for disputes or audits.
Mobile signing
Send documents from desktop or mobile without switching tools. Signers can review, complete, and return forms quickly, which helps reduce delays in sales, HR, and service workflows.
Reusable templates
Use templates for recurring forms and agreements. Standard fields and saved layouts reduce manual setup, limit errors, and keep document versions aligned across departments and locations.
Routing control
Collect signatures in sequence or in parallel, depending on the workflow. This supports approvals that need role order, while still keeping the process easy to follow.
Record integrity
Store completed files with tamper-evident records. The signed document remains tied to its history, which helps preserve integrity and supports later verification.
How the signing flow works
The signing process follows a short sequence from document delivery to final record sealing, with each action logged for later review.
Open document: The signer opens the document and reviews the request. Verify signer: Identity is confirmed with the selected verification method. Apply signature: The signature is applied and time-stamped. Seal record: The completed file is sealed with an audit trail.
Quick steps to create a signature
Use a short setup path to prepare a document, send it, and keep the completed record organized.
Upload file:
Upload the document you want signed. Prepare fields:
Add signature fields and required data. Send for signature:
Choose recipients and send the request. Save record:
Review the completed file and download it.
Recommended workflow settings
A practical setup balances signer verification, record integrity, and retention rules for U.S. business and regulated workflows.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP |
| Signature type | SES |
| Audit trail | Full timestamp log |
| Document retention | 6 years |
| Encryption | TLS 1.2/1.3 and AES-256 |
Platform and device support
signNow works in modern browsers on desktop and mobile devices, with secure connections and app support for signing on the go.
Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge Operating systems Windows 10+, macOS, iOS, Android Mobile access signNow mobile apps on iOS and Android
For managed deployments, confirm browser policy, mobile device controls, and account access rules before rollout. Enterprise teams often pair browser support with SSO, API access, and retention settings so signing records stay consistent across departments and regulated document types.
Security and compliance
Transport security:
Storage encryption:
Control assurance:
Security management:
Privacy controls:
Healthcare compliance:
Real-world use cases
Customer stories show how signNow fits document-heavy work where speed, compliance, and clarity matter more than paper handling.
Property operations
A property operations team needed faster turnaround on lease packets and renewals.
- Tim Martin, Founder, Martin Properties, used signNow for online execution.
- Mobile and offline signing helped keep documents moving.
The workflow supported efficient document return while preserving compliance and built-in security for remote real estate transactions.
Distribution operations
A software distribution team needed better internal and external document flow.
- Bob Dutkowsky, CEO, Tech Data, used signNow to improve service.
- The team focused on speed to revenue and customer service.
The result was a more coordinated signing process that fit both customer-facing and internal approval needs.
Practical setup guidance
A careful setup improves consistency, reduces signing errors, and keeps the record usable if a document is later reviewed or challenged.
Match verification to document risk
Standardize recurring document templates
Define retention before sending
Restrict access by role
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers focus on plan limits, compliance requirements, and recordkeeping details that matter when electronic signatures need to hold up in practice.
signNow Business starts at $8/user/mo on annual billing. It includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, and compliance support such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR. Pricing is higher on month-to-month billing.
signNow supports HIPAA workflows when a BAA is in place. HIPAA does not require a specific signature technology, but it does require access controls, integrity controls, audit controls, and retention of signed records for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).
For U.S. enforceability, ESIGN and UETA focus on intent, attribution, and record integrity. signNow provides audit trails, timestamps, and tamper-evident records that help document the signing event, but legal effect still depends on the transaction and proper consent.
Bulk send is included in Business Premium and above. If you need one document sent to many recipients, upgrade from the Business plan or use a higher tier that includes bulk send and related workflow controls.
signNow supports audit trails with timestamps, signer details, and document history. For regulated records, 21 CFR Part 11 workflows may require stronger access controls, unique user IDs, and documented validation beyond basic signing features.
The 7-day free trial requires no credit card. If you need longer-term use, paid plans add unlimited users, while the Site License supports high-volume usage with SSO, full API access, and add-ons for HIPAA or 21 CFR needs.
Vendor comparison at a glance
The table below compares core signing capabilities and limits across leading vendors using verified pricing and feature data.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope cap | No cap | 100/yr | Not verified |
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo |
Rollout and retention timeline
This timeline combines adoption steps with retention facts so teams can plan rollout and recordkeeping together.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Week 1:
Week 2:
HIPAA records:
Free trial:
Business plan:
Enterprise rollout:
Risks of improper use
Weak attribution
Missing logs
Retention gap
Validation failure
What the audit trail records
The audit trail captures the technical evidence behind a signature, not just the final signed file.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper-evident sealing:
Audit trail storage:
Retrieval and export:
Pricing and plan features
Pricing and feature data below reflects verified entry-tier information and plan details available from the provided ground truth.
| 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 | Yes | Not verified |
| Audit trail | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| HIPAA compliance | BAA required | BAA available | BAA available | Not verified | Not verified |
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.