Program for Electronic Signature With signNow Features

Award-winning eSignature solution

What a program for electronic signature does

A program for electronic signature lets people sign documents electronically instead of printing, scanning, or mailing paper copies. It captures a signer’s intent, attaches the signature to the record, and stores supporting evidence such as timestamps, identity checks, and document history. In the U.S., this workflow helps organizations send agreements, collect approvals, and keep records in one place. signNow supports that process with signing links, templates, audit trails, and access controls that make the record easier to manage and verify.

Why electronic signatures matter

A program for electronic signature reduces turnaround time, paper handling, and manual filing while supporting enforceability under ESIGN and UETA when consent, intent, and record retention are handled correctly.

Why teams look for DocuSign alternatives

Common implementation pain points

Getting signer consent wrong can weaken enforceability and create disputes over whether the person agreed to electronic delivery.
Weak identity checks can make it harder to attribute the signature to the right person in a later challenge.
Missing audit details can leave gaps in the evidence needed to show who signed, when, and from where.
Poor retention practices can make signed records harder to retrieve for audits, litigation, or internal reviews.

Who uses it

Organizations use electronic signatures for contracts, approvals, and regulated forms that need a clear signing record.

Where it applies

It fits lease agreements, onboarding packets, patient forms, tax documents, and internal approval workflows.

People who benefit most

A director of NetSuite operations at Xerox uses signNow to route the right signatures on the right documents in the right format, tied to ERP workflows and approval rules.
A founder at Martin Properties uses signNow to process leases and related forms online with built-in security, mobile access, and records that support compliance-focused real estate work.

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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.

Templates

Templates reduce repetitive setup by turning approved forms into reusable signing workflows for contracts, intake packets, and internal approvals.

Audit trail

Audit trails record signer actions, timestamps, and document history so teams can review the full signing path later.

Mobile access

Mobile signing lets people review and sign documents on iOS or Android without waiting for desktop access.

Routing

Role-based routing sends each document to the right signer in the right order, which helps reduce manual follow-up.

Form fields

Fillable fields collect names, dates, initials, and other data before signing, which cuts down on incomplete forms.

Access control

Access controls help limit who can view, edit, or send documents, which supports cleaner internal governance.

Connected systems and workflows

Connected systems move documents, signer data, and completed files between signNow and the tools teams already use.

How the signing flow works

The signing process follows a simple sequence from document preparation to completed, stored records.

Prepare: Upload a document or start from a template.
Route: Add fields, recipients, and signing order.
Send: Send the signing request and track progress.
Complete: Store the completed file with its audit trail.

Quick setup steps

Use a short setup sequence to prepare, send, and close out a signing request.

Select file:
Choose a document or template.
Add fields:
Place signature and data fields.
Set recipients:
Enter recipients and set order.
Review:
Review the package before sending.
Finish:
Track completion and download records.

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

Platform and device requirements

Use a modern browser or mobile app to sign, send, and manage documents across desktop and mobile environments.

Browsers Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari support web signing.
Operating systems Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are supported.
Mobile devices Mobile apps are available for iPhone and Android.

For regulated deployments, managed devices, SSO, and controlled retention policies help align access and recordkeeping with internal standards. signNow’s browser-based workflow also supports teams that move between office and field work, while mobile apps keep signing available on iOS and Android when desktop access is not practical.

Security and compliance controls

Encryption:

TLS protects data in transit

At rest:

AES-256 protects stored data

SOC 2 Type II:

SOC 2 Type II available

ISO 27001:

ISO 27001 certified controls

HIPAA:

HIPAA support with BAA

Compliance:

eIDAS and ESIGN support

Technology distribution

Tech Data used airSlate SignNow to improve internal and external customer service while increasing speed to revenue.

Faster document turnaround
Better customer service

The workflow helped reduce delays in sales and service processes while keeping documents organized across teams and customers.

Enterprise operations

Xerox used signNow with NetSuite to route the right signatures on the right documents in the right formats.

NetSuite integration
Format-aware routing

The integration supported more precise document handling and helped the team match approvals to the correct business process.

Best practices for reliable signing

Good setup choices make signing records easier to defend, retrieve, and manage across teams and document types.

Standardize repeatable documents

Use templates for repeatable forms, then lock approved fields so senders do not alter required language or signature placement.

Right-size signer verification

Match authentication strength to document risk, using SMS OTP or ID verification for higher-stakes transactions and approvals.

Set retention by record type

Keep retention rules aligned with the document type, including HIPAA records that require 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

Check the evidence package

Review audit trails before archiving, and confirm timestamps, signer identity, and document history are complete and readable.

Recommended	DocuSign	Adobe Acrobat Sign	PandaDoc
ESIGN and UETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit trails	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo
Envelope cap	No cap	100/year	Not verified

Day 1:

Set up the workspace and prepare the first template.

Day 2:

Send the first document for signature.

Week 1:

Onboard the core team and review routing rules.

7-day trial:

signNow offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card.

HIPAA retention:

Retain signed PHI records for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

Part 11 records:

Keep secure history and timestamps for FDA-regulated records.

ESIGN consent:

Capture electronic consent before relying on e-delivery.

UETA coverage:

UETA supports electronic records in most U.S. states.

Risks of poor eSignature handling

Unclear attribution

Document challenge

Missing audit trail

Evidence gap

No BAA

Compliance finding

Poor retention

Record dispute

Signer authentication:

Verifies the signer before the record is accepted.

Timestamp capture:

Stores UTC timestamps for each signing event.

Document hashing:

Creates a hash that changes if the file changes.

Tamper-evident sealing:

Seals the record so later edits are detectable.

Event history:

Logs the full event history from send to completion.

Audit export:

Exports the audit trail for review or records requests.

	Plan / Feature	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc
Starting price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free trial	7-day trial	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

Troubleshooting and FAQ

These answers cover plan limits, compliance questions, and setup issues that affect signing workflows and record quality.

signNow Business includes legally binding eSignatures, audit trails, templates, mobile apps, and unlimited users on paid plans. If you need HIPAA support, confirm a BAA is in place before handling PHI.

signNow supports HIPAA when a BAA is required and the workflow follows HIPAA Security Rule controls for access, integrity, and audit logging. Signed records containing PHI should be retained for 6 years under 45 CFR 164.530(j)(2).

For U.S. enforceability, ESIGN and UETA focus on consent, intent, and attribution. signNow’s audit trail helps document who signed, when they signed, and what was signed, which supports evidentiary use in disputes.

If a signer cannot access the document, check browser support first. signNow works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, and also offers iOS and Android apps for mobile signing.

Bulk send is included in Business Premium, while Enterprise adds advanced signer authentication and formula fields. If your team needs higher-volume distribution, review plan features before assigning users.

For regulated records, use the audit trail and retention settings together. 21 CFR Part 11 workflows need secure timestamps, access controls, and documented history, while HIPAA-covered records require 6 years of retention.

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