The 4 Best Apps to Sign PDF Documents in 2026

In the European Union the eIDAS regulation recognises electronic signatures as valid, but it distinguishes between levels. A signature drawn with your finger in Acrobat or Xodo is a simple electronic signature: fine for many everyday uses, but it offers little protection if someone disputes it. Docusign produces signatures with signer verification and an audit trail, far more solid in a dispute. For important documents it is worth asking a professional.

Adobe Acrobat Reader and Xodo are the best free options: both let you draw your signature, save it and reuse it on any document with no limits and no subscription. Xodo also lets you fill in forms and rearrange pages before sending the file back.

Yes, but it is usually the paid feature. Docusign lets you sign what others send you for free, while sending documents out for signature requires a subscription. iLovePDF includes signature requests with limits on its free plan. If you only need to sign yourself, any of the free apps will do.

A drawn signature is an image of your handwriting placed on the document: convenient, but easy to copy. A digital certificate, such as the one issued by Spain's FNMT or the electronic ID card, signs the file cryptographically and lets anyone check it has not been altered afterwards. Dealings with the Spanish public administration normally require a digital certificate, not a drawn signature.