Best electronic signature software: 7 reliable providers compared

Across Europe, every other contract is still printed, signed, and scanned, often unnecessarily. Choosing the best electronic signature software for your company can remove that friction, but only if the solution is legally valid, intuitive, and GDPR-compliant. In this article, we explain what to look for and present seven providers in detail.

We compare seven well-known tools and outline the features every e-signature platform should include. Beyond price, usability, and security, we also cover the EU legal framework. You’ll see how the offerings differ and why having all three signature standards (SES, AES, and QES) in a single application matters.

Best electronic signature software – key takeaways

• Electronic signatures save time, reduce costs, and enable legally valid approvals in minutes. However, not all digital signing solutions meet European data protection and legal requirements.
• Three points are crucial: eIDAS compliance, ease of use, and hosting in the EU or Switzerland. Only with these in place do your data remain protected and contracts enforceable at all times.
• Good e-signature services provide all three signature standards (SES, AES, and QES) in one interface. Connectors to CRM, HR, or accounting systems ensure smooth processes.

Why should you choose the right e-signing software now?

Paper contracts cost time, tie up employees, and slow down revenues. A suitable e-signing tool can shorten the time to sign a document to just minutes. Not every tool adheres to European requirements. Some platforms store documents outside the EEA and charge per signature, which can increase costs and create uncertainty regarding GDPR compliance.

As a European e-signature service, we offer all three signature standards in one interface. Your teams sign via browser or API and hit every deadline. Because hosting is in Switzerland, confidential data remains in Europe and audit trails are available immediately.

Electronic signatures continue to gain importance. New legal regulations in Europe make their legally valid use easier and expand everyday use cases:

What are the key criteria when selecting the best electronic signature software?

A good e-signature solution should always be legally compliant, easy to use, and fit your workflows. Maximum legal validity for almost any document is only achieved if the service meets eIDAS requirements and offers a qualified electronic signature (QES). Also check server location: hosting in the EU or Switzerland protects your data reliably and simplifies audits.

The user interface should be intuitive and support signing on the go, for example on mobile devices, so your teams can approve documents from anywhere. Equally important are integrations that connect the tool directly with your CRM, HR, or accounting systems.

Look closely at the pricing structure. Clear plans without hidden surcharges make planning easier. Fast, native-language support ensures questions are resolved quickly.

Features e-signing software should offer

A reliable e-signature platform needs certain features, so your contracts are handled securely and smoothly. Only when all building blocks fit together will the entire signing process run without friction.

Make sure all three recognized signature standards are available without extra contracts. The software should offer drag-and-drop workflows, allow a visible signature with your company logo, and integrate into your systems via API or plug-ins.

The eIDAS Regulation defines three e-signature standards (source: Skribble).

Make sure your data is protected with EU or Swiss hosting, ISO 27001 certification, and encrypted transmission. Every signature should create a complete, timestamped audit file that you can use as evidence if required.

1) Skribble: European e-signature service focused on security

Skribble is a European e-signing provider with ISO 27001-certified data centers in Switzerland. At Skribble, QES is handled directly on the platform, so no additional contracts with third parties are required. Integrated identity verification via ID card or SMS ensures only authorized people can sign. Via API, you can embed signatures in CRM, HR, or ERP systems.

Prices (as of August 2025):

• Individual: €9 per month per user for up to 120 simple e-signatures per year
• Team: €23 per month per user, includes all three signature standards (SES, AES, QES)
• Pro: €36 per month per user, with extensive QES usage, advanced features, and integrations
• Scale: custom pricing for companies with more than 20 users or high signature volumes

Strengths:

• High legal validity thanks to QES, compliant with eIDAS and Swiss law
• GDPR-compliant, data hosting in Switzerland
• One account for SES, AES, and QES
• Direct integration via API and plug-ins

2) Adobe Sign: Cloud-based tool with many integrations

Adobe Sign is part of Adobe Document Cloud. The application runs in the browser and integrates well with familiar programs such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. It also works smoothly with other Adobe products, such as Acrobat.

Adobe offers several team plans for businesses, all of which include a basic e-signature solution: 

Prices (as of August 2025):

• Acrobat Standard for teams: $14.99 per month per license
• Acrobat Pro for teams: $22.19 per month per license
• Acrobat Studio for teams: US$29.99 per month per license

Strengths:

• Easy to use in a web browser
• Strong integrations with existing software
• Document management features such as templates and archiving

The qualified electronic signature with Adobe Sign is only available through third parties. Some features, such as SSO or API access, are included only in the enterprise version.

3) DocuSign: Well-known provider from the US

DocuSign is one of the world's best-known tools for electronic signatures. The service is used by companies that rely on a stable platform with numerous functions and integrations. The application is web-based and available in several languages.

Prices (as of August 2025):

• Personal: €9 per month (5 signatures per month)
• Standard: €23 per month per user
• Business Pro: €38 per month per user
• Advanced subscriptions: on request

Strengths:

• Broad range of integrations, for example Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google Workspace
• Many document management functions
• Well-rated mobile app

QES with DocuSign is available only with an extra contract and minimum quantity.

4) Dropbox Sign: The successor to HelloSign

Dropbox Sign (formerly HelloSign) is a cloud-based e-signature solution and part of the Dropbox product portfolio. Thanks to direct connections to Dropbox, Google Drive, and other tools, it allows you to get started quickly.

Prices (as of August 2025):

• Essentials: €17.50 per month per user
• Standard: €29 per month per user
• Premium: pricing on request

Strengths:

• Integrates with popular tools such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and HubSpot
• Unlimited signature requests starting from the lowest paid tier
• Clean information design and user experience

QES is available as an add-on. API usage is not included in all plans.

5) Xodo Sign (formerly eversign): Cloud-based software for SMEs

Xodo Sign is a user-friendly e-signature solution with basic functionality for electronic signing. It allows documents to be signed quickly and easily online. In-person signing and template management are included depending on the plan.

Prices (as of August 2025):

• Basic: $20 per month per user 
• Professional: $32 per month per user
• Enterprise: on request
• API Access: $0.12–$2.50 per document

Strengths:

• Unlimited documents in all paid plans
• Web-based on all devices
• Includes templates, audit trails, and team management

Xodo Sign does not include QES in their standard plans. Primary hosting is located in the United States.

6) PandaDoc: Sales-focused with strong document creation

PandaDoc combines electronic signatures with features for creating and managing contracts. Sales teams in particular benefit from templates, a drag-and-drop editor, analytics, and CRM integrations. The platform is aimed at users who want to control complete document workflows in addition to signing.

Prices (as of August 2025):

• Starter: $35 per month 
• Business: $65 per month per user
• Enterprise: on request

Strengths:

• Easy-to-use editor for quotes and contracts
• CRM integrations and mass send capability
• GDPR and SOC 2 compliance

QES is available from PandaDoc for an additional fee.

7) Yousign: European and user-friendly

Yousign is a French provider that offers simple and advanced e-signatures. The qualified electronic signature is available through third parties.

Prices (as of August 2025):

• Free: €0 (1 user, 2 signature requests per month)
• One: €11 per month (1 user, 10 signatures per month)
• Plus: €30 per month per license (unlimited)
• Pro: €48 per month per license (advanced features)

Strengths:

• EU-based provider with data hosting in France
• Clear plans for small teams
• Automatic reminders and templates from the Plus plan onward

As with several other providers, QES at Yousign is available only with additional costs via external partners.

Conclusion: Which e-signature software is right for you?

There is a wide range of e-signature services, and the biggest differences are in hosting and European data protection. Many U.S.-based tools store data outside the EU, and some don’t offer all signature standards or require extra contracts for QES.

Strong e-signature software must deliver three things: legal assurance, simple operation, and seamless integration. This is exactly where we come in. Skribble offers you:

• SES, AES, and QES directly in one interface
• GDPR-compliant hosting in Switzerland
• Intuitive use for all teams, in the browser or via API
• No contracts with third parties for legally valid QES

Whether you are a start-up or an enterprise, if you want to implement paperless contracts quickly and securely, you will find a reliable partner in us and can start right away.

Best electronic signature software: Frequently asked questions