New Digital Signature for Secure eSigning
Award-winning eSignature solution
What a new digital signature is
A new digital signature is a cryptographic method for signing electronic documents that helps confirm who signed, detect changes after signing, and preserve a record of the transaction. In practice, the signer uses a private key or approved signing method to create a signature tied to the document, while others verify it with the matching public key or audit record. For U.S. use, it supports secure, paperless signing across contracts, forms, and approvals while keeping the process traceable and legally defensible.
Why a new digital signature matters
It reduces paper handling, speeds approvals, and strengthens evidence of intent. Under ESIGN and UETA, an electronic signature can be enforceable when attribution, consent, and record integrity are properly documented.
Common implementation challenges
Signer identity can be weak if authentication relies only on email access or shared inboxes. Document changes after signing can create disputes when tamper evidence and audit logs are incomplete. Regulated workflows may fail if retention, access controls, or BAA requirements are not defined. Mobile signing can confuse users when device support, file formats, or consent steps are unclear.
Who uses new digital signatures
Real estate
Real estate teams send leases, disclosures, and rental applications for remote signing.
Healthcare
Healthcare teams collect patient forms, consent records, and HIPAA-covered authorizations on desktop or mobile.
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.
Typical users and real workflows
A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox uses signNow to route documents through the right approval path and keep signatures aligned with ERP data. The workflow helps teams match documents, signers, and formats without manual rework across departments and locations. A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to execute lease and property documents online with mobile access and built-in security. The process supports faster turnaround for rental and sales paperwork while keeping records organized for review, retention, and compliance checks.
Key features for secure signing
signNow supports signing workflows that balance speed, traceability, and control for teams handling routine and regulated documents.
Document integrity
Create signatures that bind to the document and reveal later changes, helping preserve integrity across approvals, contracts, and regulated records.
Audit trail
Use audit trails to capture signer activity, timestamps, and document history, which supports review, dispute handling, and internal controls.
Mobile signing
Send documents from desktop or mobile, so signers can complete forms without printing, scanning, or waiting for office access.
Workflow routing
Route documents in order, assign roles, and manage approvals for legal, HR, finance, and operations workflows.
Templates
Reuse templates for recurring forms, which reduces setup time and keeps document fields, recipients, and signatures consistent.
Status tracking
Track completion status in one place, making it easier to see where a document is waiting and who still needs to sign.
How the signing flow works
The signing process follows a clear sequence from document delivery to final record storage and verification.
Open document: The signer opens the document and reviews the request. Verify identity: The system verifies identity through the chosen authentication method. Sign and submit: The signer applies the signature and completes required fields. Store record: The platform records the event history and final document state.
Quick steps to start signing
A short setup sequence helps teams move from document upload to completed signature without extra handoffs.
Prepare file:
Upload the document and add the required recipients. Add fields:
Place signature fields, dates, and any needed initials. Send for signing:
Choose the signing order and send the request. Check results:
Review completion status and download the signed copy.
Recommended workflow settings
A practical setup keeps identity checks, recordkeeping, and access controls aligned with U.S. compliance needs.
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Authentication method | SMS OTP for higher assurance |
| Signature type | SES for routine 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 across major browsers and mobile devices, with secure connections used for document access and signing.
Desktop browsers Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari Operating systems Windows 11, macOS, iOS, Android Mobile devices iPhone, iPad, and Android phones
For enterprise deployment, managed Windows or macOS devices, SSO provisioning, and API-based automation can help standardize access. Mobile signing is supported on iOS and Android, which makes field work and remote approvals easier to manage.
Security and compliance safeguards
Encryption:
Data storage:
Controls:
Certification:
Healthcare:
Legal basis:
Real-world signing examples
Customer stories show how signNow fits document-heavy work in operations, property management, and other regulated or time-sensitive settings.
Xerox operations
A Xerox operations leader needed signatures to match NetSuite-driven document flows across teams.
- NetSuite integration kept the right documents in the right format.
- Approval routing reduced manual handoffs between departments.
The workflow supported faster routing and cleaner document control across integrated systems, while keeping signatures tied to the correct records and formats.
Martin Properties
A Martin Properties founder needed online execution for property documents without losing control over compliance and access.
- Mobile signing supported work from the field.
- Built-in security helped keep records organized.
The process made it easier to complete property paperwork remotely while preserving a clear record of execution, access, and document handling.
Best practices for reliable signing
A careful setup improves evidence quality, reduces confusion, and makes later review easier for legal, compliance, and operations teams.
Match authentication to risk
Preserve the full record
Restrict document access
Define retention up front
Risks of improper use
Weak evidence
Retention gap
Attribution risk
Record integrity
Compliance failure
What the audit trail records
The audit trail shows how the signed record was created, verified, and preserved for later review.
Signer authentication:
Timestamp capture:
Document hashing:
Tamper-evident sealing:
Audit trail logging:
Audit-trail export:
Pricing and plan limits
Public pricing and plan details vary by vendor, so the table uses verified entry-tier figures and documented limits only.
| 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 |
| Envelope cap | No cap | 100/user/year | Not verified | Not verified | Not verified |
FAQ and troubleshooting
These answers cover plan limits, compliance questions, and signing issues that teams often review before rollout.
signNow Business starts at $8/user/mo on annual billing, and the plan includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR support. If you need bulk send, check Business Premium.
signNow supports ESIGN and UETA-aligned workflows with audit trails and signer authentication. For stronger healthcare workflows, HIPAA support requires a BAA, and signed records should be retained for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).
If a signer cannot complete the document on mobile, confirm browser support and file format first. signNow works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, and also supports iOS and Android apps for signing on phones and tablets.
If you need stronger signer verification, use SMS OTP, ID verification, or other higher-assurance methods instead of email-only access. For regulated workflows, stronger authentication helps support attribution and non-repudiation under ESIGN, UETA, and internal policy.
If a signed file is missing history, check whether audit trail export is enabled and whether the document was completed inside signNow. The audit trail should capture signer actions, timestamps, and document events for later review.
If your team needs more advanced controls, the Site License plan adds SSO, full API access, and phone support, with HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, and QES options available as add-ons. That plan fits larger regulated deployments.
Vendor comparison at a glance
The table below compares core signing features and pricing signals across major vendors using verified public information where available.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESIGN and UETA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo |
| Free trial | 7-day trial | Not verified | Not verified |
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA support | BAA available | BAA available | BAA available |
Key performance indicators that demonstrate SignNow's proven track record.