Adobe Acrobat: The Reference for Electronic PDF Signing

Adobe Acrobat is widely recognized as a global reference for PDF electronic signature. This solution developed by Adobe offers comprehensive features for digitally signing your documents, although alternatives like Drime offer significant competitive advantages, particularly in terms of pricing and collaborative features.

How to Sign a PDF with Adobe Acrobat

To electronically sign a PDF with Adobe Acrobat, you have several methods at your disposal. The most direct approach involves opening your PDF document in Acrobat and selecting "Sign electronically" from the global toolbar. You can also access this feature through "All Tools > Fill & Sign."

Once the tool is activated, here are the steps to create and apply your signature:

1. Click on "Add Signature" in the quick action toolbar

2. Choose your preferred method: type your name (which will be converted into a signature), draw your signature using your mouse, or import an existing image

3. Click "Done" to save your signature

4. Position your signature at the desired location in the document by simply clicking where you want it to appear

Additionally, Acrobat allows you to add initials in a similar way by selecting "Add Initials" and following the same steps. Created signatures and initials are then stored for future use, making it easier to sign new documents.

However, unlike Drime which allows simultaneous PDF modification and offers more affordable pricing (starting at $2.99 per month with 3 signature requests), Adobe Acrobat often requires a more expensive subscription to access all its signature features.

For advanced functionality, Acrobat Sign also enables you to send documents for others to sign. Recipients receive an email containing a link to the document requiring signature, without needing to install any software.

Electronic Signature on Mobile with Acrobat

Adobe offers mobile applications for signing PDFs on smartphones or tablets, providing valuable flexibility for professionals on the move. The Acrobat Reader mobile app is available on both iOS and Android, allowing users to sign documents anywhere, anytime.

With the mobile app, you can:

• Take a photo of a printed form, fill it out, and sign it directly

• Easily open email attachments

• Create a signature using your finger or stylus on the touchscreen

• Instantly email the signed document

Furthermore, by connecting to Adobe Document Cloud, your signatures, initials, and forms are synchronized across all your devices, enabling you to access your customized signatures on any platform.

The Adobe Sign mobile app serves as a mobile complement to Adobe's professional electronic signature services. It allows users to initiate and manage signature workflows and collect electronic signatures in person from clients.

While Acrobat offers a comprehensive mobile solution, Drime also provides a responsive interface accessible on all devices, with the added advantage of integrating signatures within a broader collaborative environment.

Legal Value of Acrobat Signatures

Adobe Acrobat Sign is renowned for the legal validity of its electronic signatures. These signatures are legally admissible and enforceable in numerous countries worldwide, in compliance with international regulations.

Within the European Union, Acrobat Sign is compliant with the eIDAS regulation, which forms the legal foundation for standardizing electronic signatures across all member states. In the United States, the E-Sign Act and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) serve as the legal basis for electronic signature usage.

Adobe Acrobat Sign offers various levels of electronic signatures, including:

• Simple electronic signatures for everyday documents

• Advanced electronic signatures with enhanced authentication

• Qualified electronic signatures, legally equivalent to handwritten signatures

Every document signed through Acrobat Sign automatically generates an audit trail and certificate to prove signature authenticity. Moreover, if you use a regulated and highly secure digital signature, it will be cryptographically linked to the document and can maintain validity for up to 10 years.

However, it's crucial to note that implementing a qualified electronic signature through Acrobat is particularly demanding. It typically requires a physical device (smart card or cryptographic USB key) to be provided to the signatory by a certification authority representative, following identity verification either face-to-face or via video conference.

Faced with this complexity, Drime offers a solution compliant with European regulations while simplifying the user experience, featuring a more intuitive interface and more affordable pricing for French small businesses, medium enterprises, and independent professionals.

PDFelement: A Simple and Intuitive Alternative

For those seeking an easy-to-use PDF electronic signature solution, PDFelement positions itself as an intuitive alternative to traditional solutions. This software offers comprehensive features that enable users to create and manage digital signatures without excessive complexity.

Creating a Digital Signature with PDFelement

Creating a digital signature with PDFelement follows a simple and accessible process. To begin, simply open the PDF document you wish to sign in the application. Then, navigate to the "Protection" tab and click on "Sign document." This action allows you to trace the area where you want to add your signature using your mouse.

PDFelement offers several methods to create your signature:

1. Use the integrated writing pad to sign directly

2. Upload an existing image of your signature (JPG or PNG formats)

3. Type your name and automatically convert it to a stylized signature

If you're using this feature for the first time, you'll need to create a digital ID by clicking "Add digital ID." This step requires you to provide some personal information such as your name, email address, and company name, which are essential for authenticating your signature.

Additionally, PDFelement offers a "Custom Stamps" feature that allows you to easily store and reuse your signatures for future documents, representing significant time savings for frequent users.

Using a Certified Digital ID

Using a certified digital ID with PDFelement significantly enhances the legal validity of your electronic signature on PDF. Unlike a simple signature image, a certified ID guarantees both the signer's authenticity and the document's integrity.

When creating a signature with PDFelement, you have two main options:

• Create your own digital ID directly within the application

• Import a certified digital ID from a recognized third-party authority

While PDFelement allows you to generate your own ID, it's generally recommended to use a third-party certified ID for better legal recognition. This external certification assures recipients that the signed document is authentic and hasn't been tampered with.

The usage process is straightforward: after clicking "Sign document" and determining the signature location, a dialog box appears allowing you to select your digital ID. Your credentials are then displayed, and you can finalize the signature by clicking "Sign."

However, while PDFelement requires these various steps, Drime offers a more integrated approach with electronic signatures directly accessible in its collaborative environment, further simplifying the process.

Free Electronic Signature PDF with PDFelement

PDFelement provides free options for PDF electronic signatures, particularly through its trial versions and mobile applications. The platform is available across multiple operating systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, enabling document signing on various devices.

The software offers numerous features beyond simple signatures:

• Opening, saving, annotating, and printing PDF documents

• Modifying graphic elements in PDFs

• Password protection for enhanced security

• Converting PDFs to other formats (Word, text, etc.)

• Creating and automatically recognizing form fields

For users with limited electronic signature needs, PDFelement's free version may suffice. However, accessing all features, particularly certified digital signatures, requires purchasing a license.

In comparison, Drime offers a more economical solution with its Starter plan at just $2.99 per month, including 500 GB of storage and 3 signature requests, or even a free version with 20 GB of storage. This option is particularly advantageous for individuals and small organizations needing a comprehensive solution at an affordable price.

If security is your priority, it's important to note that while PDFelement adheres to certain security standards, Drime offers AES 256-bit encryption and full compliance with eIDAS regulations, ensuring optimal protection of your sensitive documents and legal recognition across Europe.