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Digital Signature vs. Electronic Signature: What's the Difference?
Understanding the difference between digital signatures and electronic signatures is essential for businesses and individuals seeking secure, legally valid ways to sign documents online. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct technologies and legal assurances.
Below is a breakdown by SignWith.co, the only pay-per-doc e-signature tool out there
What Is an Electronic Signature?
An electronic signature (e-signature) is any electronic process that indicates acceptance of an agreement or a record. This could be as simple as typing your name, clicking an I Agree button, drawing your signature on a touchscreen, or inserting a scanned image of your handwritten signature into a document.
Electronic signatures are widely used for their convenience and speed, making them ideal for everyday agreements and approvals.
- Typed names, scanned signatures, tick boxes, or even verbal agreements recorded electronically.
- Generally offers basic verification; may not authenticate the signer's identity or guarantee document integrity.
- Legally recognized in many jurisdictions if certain requirements are met, but the strength of evidence and enforceability can vary.
What Is a Digital Signature?
A digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that uses cryptographic technology to secure the document and verify the identity of the signer.
Digital signatures rely on public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificates issued by trusted authorities, ensuring that the signature is authentic, tamper-proof and legally robust.
- Uses encryption to create a unique digital fingerprint of the document, which is bound to the signer's verified digital certificate.
- Provides high-level security, guaranteeing both the signer's identity and the integrity of the signed document. Any alteration after signing invalidates the signature.
- Typically recognized as more authoritative and admissible in court, especially for sensitive or high-value transactions.
Key Differences: Electronic Signature vs. Digital Signature
| Feature | Electronic Signature | Digital Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Any electronic method to indicate agreement | Cryptographically secured e-signature with identity proof |
| Security | Basic; may lack identity/authenticity verification | High; uses encryption and trusted certificates |
| Authentication | May not verify signer's identity | Verifies signer's identity via digital certificate |
| Tamper Detection | Limited or none | Tamper-evident; changes invalidate signature |
| Legal Standing | Legally valid if requirements met; varies by region | Strong legal standing; widely accepted in regulated sectors |
| Use Cases | Everyday agreements, internal approvals | Financial, legal, government, and sensitive transactions |
| Validation | Harder to validate; may not be court-admissible | Easily validated; court-admissible |
| Authority | Not always certified by trusted authority | Certified by trusted authorities (CAs) |
| Technology | Simple (image, typed name, etc.) | Advanced (PKI, cryptography, digital certificates) |
Big Picture
- Electronic signatures are convenient and easy to use for general agreements, but may not offer robust security or identity verification.
- Digital signatures provide enhanced security, authenticity, and legal validity, making them the preferred choice for high-risk or regulated transactions.
At SignWith.co, we provide secure, legally compliant electronic signatures that cover 99% of daily business needs - without the complexity or subscription cost of traditional electronic signature platforms like Docusign.
SignWith is the only pay-per-doc e-signature tool out there, allowing to you to e-sign a document for as low as ~$0.5. Does not get better than this.
Ready to experience secure digital signing?
SignWith.co makes it simple to implement electronic signatures, tailored to your business needs.