Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature — What's the Difference and Which One Do You Need?

They kinda do.
But not really.

If you’ve ever been confused by the difference, you’re not alone — and if all you need to do is sign a PDF and send it, it’s even more frustrating when technical terms get thrown around.

So let’s break it down the simple way:

• What’s a digital signature?

• What’s an electronic signature?

• Which one do you actually need?

• And when should you care?

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First: What Is an Electronic Signature?

An electronic signature, or e-signature, is the broad, general term.

It’s any symbol, name, or mark that’s added to a document in digital form to indicate agreement.

So when you:

• Draw your name on a screen

• Type your name and add it to a PDF

• Upload an image of your signature

• Click an “I agree” checkbox in a contract

• Use a tool like SignPace to create a signature and drop it on a doc

That’s an electronic signature.

It’s legally valid in most countries, including under the U.S. E-SIGN Act, UETA, and eIDAS in the EU — as long as both parties agree and there’s intent to sign.

It’s simple, accessible, and works for 90% of what people need to do:

• Freelance contracts

• NDAs

• Job offers

• Rental agreements

• School forms

• Approvals, consent forms, check-ins, etc.

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Pros of Electronic Signatures:

• ✅ Fast and easy to use

• ✅ No special software required

• ✅ Works on PDF, Word, image files, and online forms

• ✅ Legal in most contexts

• ✅ Works great with tools like SignPace

When it’s enough:

If you just need to get a signature on a document — and everyone involved agrees to it — an electronic signature is almost always enough.

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Then What’s a Digital Signature?

A digital signature is a type of electronic signature — but it’s way more secure and technical.

Here’s the best way to think of it:

Every digital signature is an electronic signature. But not every electronic signature is a digital signature.

A digital signature uses cryptographic encryption to verify:

• That the document hasn’t been changed

• Who signed it

• When it was signed

• That it was signed with a secure digital certificate (like a private key)

These are used for more sensitive or high-trust scenarios — think government, banking, corporate contracts, legal disclosures.

You’ll usually see digital signatures with:

• SSL certificates (like HTTPS websites)

• DocuSign or Adobe Sign when connected to an enterprise account

• Documents that must comply with PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)

• International tax forms or encrypted government documents

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Pros of Digital Signatures:

• ✅ Verifiable and tamper-proof

• ✅ Tied to digital certificates or personal IDs

• ✅ Meet compliance standards (HIPAA, FDA, EU, etc.)

• ✅ Used in high-security environments

When you need one:

If you’re working with financial institutions, legal filings, or regulatory documents that require validation, then yes — you may need a true digital signature backed by a certificate.

Otherwise, it’s overkill for most everyday use.

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So... Which One Do You Actually Need?

Here’s the simple answer:

If you're just trying to sign a document online — you need an electronic signature.

That includes:

• Freelancers sending NDAs

• Landlords sending leases

• HR teams onboarding new hires

• Teachers or admin staff signing permission slips

• Students submitting signed PDFs

• Small business owners approving invoices

You don’t need encryption keys, certificate chains, or secure signers.
You need a clear mark of intent that’s quick and legal — and that’s exactly what an electronic signature gives you.

And if that’s you, you can do it right now, here:
👉 Create your electronic signature online
👉 Upload and sign PDF documents

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What Tools Use Digital Signatures vs Electronic Signatures?

So unless you’re operating at a regulatory level or large enterprise legal scope, you’ll rarely need a digital signature in the cryptographic sense.

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The Bottom Line

Use a digital signature when:

• You’re required to meet compliance or legal standards

• You’re signing sensitive, high-stakes documents

• You’re working in a regulated industry (finance, healthcare, government)

Use an electronic signature when:

• You just want to sign a document

• You’re working with clients, landlords, vendors, or employers

• You need a fast, no-fuss way to sign something online

• You don’t want to download apps or create accounts

And if you’re here looking for that —
SignPace was built for it.

You can:

• Draw or type your signature

• Sign PDF documents online

• Use it on phone, tablet, or laptop

• No login, no fee, no watermark

Simple, legal, and done in seconds.