How we rank: E-signature services
The Score (0–100) is a weighted sum of the factors below. Each factor is the weighted average of its metrics; each metric is calculated from one published fact. Missing facts score zero, and a service is ranked only when enough of its Score is backed by facts.
A service is ranked only when at least 70% of its Score is backed by verified facts.
← Best E-signature Services 2026: Independent Ranking by eIDAS QES, Security and Price
Legal strength 25%
Whether the service offers a qualified electronic signature (QES) under eIDAS on any plan or as a paid add-on, either as a qualified trust service provider itself or through a provider on the EU Trusted List (weight 3), and whether every signed document gets an audit trail or certificate of completion (weight 1). Only a QES has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature across the EU.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Qualified e-signature (QES, eIDAS) | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Audit trail | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Security 25%
Whether the provider states SOC 2 (weight 2) and ISO/IEC 27001 (weight 2) for this service, and whether customer data can be stored in Europe — the EU or Switzerland — on any plan (weight 1). A certificate that covers only the provider's data centre does not count. We record the provider's statement; we do not audit it.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| SOC 2 stated | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| ISO 27001 stated | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Data stored in Europe | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Price 25%
List price of the cheapest paid plan for one user for one month, at the annual billing rate (the month-to-month price is shown next to the fact where the page gives it): $0 scores 100, $60 or more scores 0 (weight 3). Plans sold per account count at their whole monthly price. First-year promotions are ignored; EUR prices are converted at the ECB rate and the original is shown. Also a permanent free plan that lets you send documents for signature (weight 2; the number of documents per month is shown as a separate fact) and a free trial (weight 1).
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan per month | Linear from 0 (100) to 60 (0) — lower is better |
| Free plan | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Free trial | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Features 15%
A documented public API (weight 2), reusable templates (weight 1) and bulk sending of one document to many signers (weight 1) on any plan, including paid add-ons.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Public API | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Templates | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Bulk sending | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Reputation 10%
The rating of the service's own iOS app in the US App Store, adjusted for the number of ratings (weight 2), and the age of the company: 15 years or more scores 100 (weight 1).
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| iOS app rating | 3★ = 0, 5★ = 100, damped below 100,000 ratings |
| Founded | Full score at 15+ years |