What is an Electronic Signature Everything You Need to Know in 2026

 

An electronic signature is a digital way to sign documents and agreements online. It represents a person’s intent to approve or agree to the contents of a document in a secure and legally valid manner. They are widely used in modern business because they help teams approve contracts faster, reduce paperwork costs, and support remote work.

By using an eSignature software, companies can streamline document workflows, improve efficiency, and maintain better control over their agreements.

Read ahead to find out how EzSignly eSignatures can be a game-changer for your document processing needs.

How Electronic Signatures Work

They work by using secure technology to confirm the identity of the signer and protect the document from changes.

Once you sign a document, the eSignature helps ensure that the file cannot be altered without detection. Additional authentication methods, such as passwords, one-time codes, or biometric checks add another layer of security.

For secure and efficient eSignatures, try our platform - a trusted and legally recognized way to sign documents online.

What are the different types of Electronic Signatures?

They differ in security, verification, and legal recognition. Choosing the right type depends on the document’s purpose, importance, and regulatory requirements. Understanding these differences helps ensure documents remain valid, and legally compliant.

Standard Electronic Signatures (SES)

SES, often called e-signatures or virtual signatures, is the most basic form of electronic signing. They are commonly used for everyday online documents and rely mainly on the signer’s intent to approve a document.

SES are easy to use and quick to apply, but they offer limited security, because they do not include strong identity verification or encryption.

Digital Signatures and Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES)

Digital signature online and AES provide a higher level of security. These signatures verify the signer’s identity and usually rely on public key infrastructure (PKI) technology.

AES are well suited for important business documents, such as contracts and formal agreements. To be legally valid under regulations like eIDAS, AES must meet specific technical and security requirements, including protection against document tampering.

Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)

QES are the most secure type of online signatures and are specific to the European Union. QES build on the requirements of digital and advanced eSignatures and require identity verification through an EU-authorized certificate authority.

In the EU, a qualified eSignature carries the same legal value as a handwritten signature and does not require additional proof in legal proceedings.

Wet Signatures (Non-Electronic)

Wet signatures are traditional handwritten signatures created using pen and paper. While they are not electronic, they are still required in certain legal situations where digital signatures are not permitted.

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What Are the Benefits of Using an Electronic Signature?

As remote work and digital collaboration continue to grow, more businesses are adopting electronic signing software to manage documents faster and more securely. eSignatures help teams reduce manual work, improve efficiency, and support modern, flexible workflows.

Below are the key benefits of using electronic signing software:

Faster Signing Process

An eSignature software allows contracts and agreements to be signed in minutes instead of days. There is no need to print, scan, or mail documents. This speeds up approvals and helps businesses close deals faster.

Easy Digital Storage

Documents signed with an electronic signature software are stored digitally, making them easy to organize, search, and retrieve. Digital storage also reduces paper waste and lowers long-term storage costs.

Improved Security

When implemented correctly, an online digital signature is often more secure than a handwritten signature. Encryption, audit trails, and identity verification help protect documents and provide legal evidence if disputes arise.

Streamlined Workflows

Electronic signatures can be built into templates and document workflows. This automation reduces repetitive tasks and creates a smoother signing experience for both senders and recipients.

Better Support for Remote Work

With a digital signing software, documents can be signed from anywhere using any device. This makes collaboration easier for remote and hybrid teams.

How to Choose Electronic Signature Software

The right software is important for creating secure and efficient document workflows. The right tool should protect your data, meet legal requirements, and be easy for everyone to use.

Here are the key features to consider when selecting eSignature software.

Security

Leading eSignature software offers encryption, multi-factor authentication, and detailed audit trails. These features help protect sensitive documents and prevent unauthorized access.

Legal Compliance

Make sure the software complies with relevant regulations such as eIDAS in Europe or the ESIGN Act in the United States. Compliance ensures that your electronic signatures are legally valid and enforceable.

What Is the Best eSignature Platform?

A wide variety of platforms exist, allowing users a quick and secure way to sign documents.

Below are some of the most commonly used options for signing digital documents, along with what they are best suited for.

EzSignly:

It is a full-featured & optimized with Electronic Signature Platform price made for teams of all sizes. It offers secure document signing, simple workflows, and tools that make it easy to manage agreements.

With this eSignature software, users can upload documents, add signature fields, send them to recipients, and track progress, all from one interface.

Other Popular eSignature Platforms

PandaDoc

PandaDoc is a well-known eSignature and document management platform. It lets users type, draw, or upload signatures, and includes tools for creating and managing documents. PandaDoc supports legal standards like ESIGN and UETA and offers templates and workflow automation for business users.

DocuSign

DocuSign is another widely used electronic signature platform, known for reliability and integrations with many business tools. However, pricing may be higher compared with some other options, and advanced document management features may vary by plan.

Final Note

The best eSignature platform depends on your specific needs. Some users prioritize ease of use, while others focus on security, compliance, or workflow automation. Sign Up for EzSignly’s free account and experience smart, secure, and legally compliant eSignatures.