Electronic Signature vs Digital Signature: What Is the Difference?

Answer first: an electronic signature is any mark showing you agree — drawn, typed, or clicked — and it covers nearly all everyday paperwork under laws like the US ESIGN Act and EU eIDAS. A digital signature is specifically a cryptographic seal from a certificate authority. You need the first constantly; you need the second rarely, and only when someone explicitly demands it.

Side-by-side comparison

	Electronic signature	Digital signature
What it is	Intent to sign, any form	PKI cryptographic seal
Examples	Drawn squiggle, typed name, "I agree" click	Adobe Approved Trust List cert, qualified eIDAS cert
Proves identity?	By context (email, account, IP)	By certificate math
Tamper-evident?	Only if flattened + protected	Yes, cryptographically
Cost	Free	Paid certificates / platforms
Covers	~95% of daily paperwork	Regulated + high-assurance cases

The legal backbone in one paragraph

US federal law (ESIGN, 2000) and state UETA versions give electronic signatures the same effect as ink where parties consent; the EU's eIDAS regulation tiers signatures from simple to qualified across member states. Neither law cares what your signature looks like — consent and record-integrity matter, not penmanship. This is general information, not legal advice; notarized instruments and some court documents play by stricter rules.

Decision rule: which do I need?

Did anyone demand a certificate, token, or "qualified" signature? → digital signature via a CA-backed service.
Is it a will, notarized deed, or court filing? → check jurisdiction rules first.
Everything else — offers, leases, HR, school, freelance paperwork → a free electronic signature suffices. Place one in 30 seconds.

After signing: lock what matters

A flattened e-signature cannot be dragged off, but the PDF itself remains editable like any file. For salary letters and contracts, add a password with Lock PDF before sending — tamper-resistance through encryption rather than ceremony.

Conclusion

Do not buy cryptography for a problem consent already solves. For everyday documents, a free electronic signature placed with the PDF signer is valid, fast, and all the recipient needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an electronic and a digital signature?

Electronic signature is the broad legal term: any mark showing intent to sign (drawn, typed, clicked). Digital signature is a narrow technical term: a cryptographic seal from a certificate authority proving identity and tamper-evidence. All digital signatures are electronic signatures; few electronic signatures are digital ones.

Are electronic signatures legally valid?

Generally yes in the US (ESIGN Act 2000 + state UETA) and EU (eIDAS) when parties agree to sign electronically. Notarized deeds, wills, and some court filings may still need qualified or witnessed signatures — check what your recipient accepts.

When is a simple drawn signature enough?

Offer letters, leases, HR forms, school permission slips, freelance NDAs and statements of work — anywhere the parties know each other and just need agreement on record. This covers the vast majority of everyday signing.

When do I need a certificate-based digital signature?

Regulated filings, high-value contracts requiring non-repudiation, government submissions that specify it, and cross-border deals where the counterparty demands PKI proof. Your bank, court, or agency will say so explicitly.

What does flattened signature mean?

The signature image becomes permanent page content rather than a movable annotation — it cannot be dragged off with a click and the file opens in any reader. Like any PDF it can still be edited with PDF software, so password-protect sensitive files afterwards.

Where can I place a free electronic signature now?

The free sign PDF tool: draw, type, or upload a signature, flatten it into any PDF, no account. For certificate-grade signing you need a CA-backed service instead.