Best Signature Generators: 10 Online Signature Makers

A clean digital signature saves more time than you'd think. No printing, no scanning on a kitchen table, no blurry phone photo of a contract sent back at midnight.

The ten signature makers below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the tool's own website, read this week. They're for handwritten-style signatures on documents; if you mean the sign-off block at the bottom of your emails, my piece on email signature marketing covers that.

Online signature generators compared

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free account, a free allowance or an open source version. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Adobe Acrobat	PDF tools with an online fill and sign feature	Signing PDFs in a familiar app	Not stated
CreateMySignature	Free online electronic signature generator	A downloadable signature with no account	Yes
iLovePDF	Online PDF toolkit with a sign tool	Signing PDFs next to other PDF jobs	Yes
Jotform	Form builder with a signature generator	Signatures alongside forms and e-sign	Not stated
Sejda	Online PDF editor with fill and sign	Filling forms and adding a signature	Not stated
Signature Maker	Free web-based handwritten signature maker	Quick handwritten-style signatures	Yes
Signaturely	E-signature app with an online signature generator	Typing or drawing a signature to download	Not stated
SignWell	E-signature software with a signature maker	Making a signature on any device	Yes
Smallpdf	Online PDF tools with an eSign feature	Adding signatures to PDFs in the browser	Yes
Xodo Sign	Online electronic signature tool	Sending documents for others to sign	Yes

Ten signature generators worth trying

Adobe Acrobat

Best for: People who already open contracts and forms in Acrobat and want to add a signature without switching to another tool.

CreateMySignature

Best for: Anyone who wants to draw or type a signature, download it and reuse it on documents without registering first.

iLovePDF

Best for: Office teams that merge, split and compress PDFs regularly and want to sign documents with the same online toolkit.

Jotform

Best for: Small businesses that already collect information with online forms and want signatures created in the same platform.

Sejda

Best for: Freelancers who need to fill in a PDF form, add their signature and send it back in a few minutes online.

Signature Maker

Best for: People who want a handwritten-style digital signature made in the browser for documents, emails or a website.

Signaturely

Best for: Solo business owners who want to type or draw a signature and then send contracts for signing from the same tool.

SignWell

Best for: Freelancers who want to draw a signature with a touchpad, mouse, phone or tablet and sign a set number of documents.

Smallpdf

Best for: Busy professionals who want to drop a signature onto a PDF online and upgrade only if they need more features.

Xodo Sign

Best for: Small teams that want to sign their own documents online and also collect legally binding signatures from clients.

Is a typed or drawn signature legally valid?

In England and Wales, the Law Commission's statement of the law is clear and reassuring. An electronic signature is capable in law of being used to execute a document, including a deed, provided the person signing intends to authenticate the document and any formalities relating to execution are satisfied.

That second condition is the one to watch. Most everyday contracts and forms have no special formalities, but some documents, such as deeds, can carry extra requirements. For those, check what's required before you rely on a quick signature image.

A signature image or an e-signature workflow?

Signature generators make an image of your signature that you place on a document yourself. E-signature apps go further: they send the document to other people, record who signed and when, and keep the finished copy.

If you only ever sign your own paperwork, a free generator is enough. If you send proposals and contracts to clients every week, an e-signature app with tracking will save you chasing.

Questions to ask before you pick a signature maker

1. Can I type, draw and upload a signature?
2. Can I download it with a transparent background?
3. Do I need an account to use it?
4. Can it send documents to other people to sign?
5. Does it keep a record of who signed and when?
6. Will it work on my phone as well as my laptop?

Signs your signature setup needs an upgrade

• You print, sign and scan. A generator removes all three steps.
• You chase clients for signatures. Use an e-sign tool with reminders.
• You can't find signed copies. Store them in one place.
• Your signature looks pixelated. Export a larger, cleaner version.

Do you make a signature generator or e-signature tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on choosing a signature generator

Make your signature once, save it somewhere safe and reuse it. A typed signature in a neat script is perfectly fine for most business paperwork, and it's far easier to read than a wobbly mouse drawing.

Once you're sending agreements to clients regularly, move to a tool that collects signatures and stores the signed copy for you. Pair it with a solid contract template for freelance clients and you'll spend less time on admin and more on the work.

Frequently asked questions

What is a signature generator?

A signature generator creates a digital version of your signature from typing, drawing or an uploaded photo, so you can add it to documents online.

Are online signature generators free?

Several are free to use and others offer free plans or trials. The free plan column above shows what each tool's own site says.

Is an electronic signature legally binding?

The Law Commission says an electronic signature is capable in law of executing a document, including a deed, if the signer intends to authenticate it and any formalities are met.

What's the difference between a signature generator and e-signature software?

A generator makes an image of your signature. E-signature software also sends documents to others, records who signed and keeps the completed copy.

Can I use a signature generator on my phone?

Yes. Many tools let you draw a signature with your finger on a phone or tablet, as well as with a mouse or touchpad.

Should I type or draw my signature?

Either can work. A typed signature in a script font is usually neater and easier to reuse than a drawn one.