How to Easily Sign Documents Electronically

The digital age has come and conquered. Gone are the days of tediously having to print, physically sign a document, and scan it back in before sending it off. Surprisingly, not as many people as you would think are aware of this newfound and useful way of conducting business in the digital age. In fact, there are a few ways to sign documents either online or on mobile apps for free. Again and unbeknownst to many, one is likely already pre-built into your device’s operating system. Which options are the least cumbersome and quicker than using a good-old-fashioned physical pen?

Using Preview in Mac

There are plenty of hidden features in Preview for macOS, and one of them is the ability to sign a document. You can save your signature into the system and reuse it again and again to sign documents. Once you are done, simply save and export the file, and you will have a signed document in hand.

Related: How To Sign Documents From Gmail

Markup in iOS

If you are an iOS user, you are in luck. Markup is a feature that was released along with iOS 9. It is a free tool for signing your documents. Markup is available in a variety of built-in apps including Notes and Mail. Just open an attachment and select the markup icon – the briefcase – to get started.

Then, select the pen tool in the bottom-left corner. Select a preferred color.

If you’d like to adjust ink thickness, select the icon on the bottom right.

Sign your document and tap done. If you are unsatisfied, tap “Undo.” For best results, use the largest display possible such as an iPad and landscape mode.

Markup does not support storage for signatures. For that, you will need a dedicated signing app.

SignEasy

SignEasy is one of the simplest and most non-intrusive apps for getting documents signed. There are no ads, it is able to store signatures, and it supports imported documents from a variety of sources.

You can import from email, photos, Dropbox, Box, Evernote, Google Drive, OneDrive, and iCloud drive. A free membership allows up to three documents to be signed, making it free to get started.

SignEasy is available online, as well as on iOS and Android.

DocuSign

For most of us, DocuSign is the most simplified way of getting documents signed and sent. It has been praised by reviewers as “professional,” “changing the way we do taxes,” and an “instant savior.” Like SignEasy, DocuSign saves your signatures. Perfect the signature once and use it every time. Three signings are available with the free plan. Furthermore, you can add documents from a large range of sources, either directly or through the app. DocuSign claims documents are secured and encrypted for safety and privacy.

Unseen in other apps and features like Markup, you can insert the date and fields such as a checkbox. If requesting a colleague to sign, you can place signing fields within the document. So, when the signee receives the document, they will know exactly where to get started.

One drawback, though, is that an in-app purchase will be required for anyone other than yourself to sign a document on your device.

Docusign for Google Chrome has a few extra features such as the ability to sign right from the current web page without having to leave it at all. You will have to sign into an account before getting started. Even so, it is as simple as filling out a few fields. In web pages and apps such as Google’s Inbox, click on the DocuSign icon to start signing.

From there, select who it is that will need to sign the document, and add your signature.

DocuSign is also available for Windows, iOS and Android.

DocHub

DocHub is one of the best available options for signing your documents, as it requires no downloads. Just sign in with Google, DropBox, or an email address. This is needed mainly so that you will be able to save signatures in the cloud. Again, perfect your signature once and never worry about it again.

The signing can be performed entirely through your desktop web browser using either your mouse or trackpad. If you want a more clean and natural looking signature, you have the option to send the link of a unique HTML5 webpage to your smartphone. From there, you can sign the document, and your web browser will update the content live.

Conclusion

Looking for a quick way to get a document signed? No need to go any further than the top apps available on the iOS App Store, the Google Play store, and the web. Import, sign, and send it on its way. It could not be easier. All key features that the average user will need to sign documents are usable with the free license of SignEasy and DocuSign. When looking to evade only being able to sign three documents for free, one may wish to use Markup or DocHub. Know of any other signing apps, webpages, ot software? Let us know in the comments.