Editing & Signing
Electronic Signature vs Digital Signature: The Difference
The two terms are used interchangeably and mean different things. What each one actually proves, and which one your document needs.
The confusion is genuine and it matters, because the two things prove different facts about a document.
Electronic signature
Any electronic mark made with the intent to sign. A drawn signature on a PDF, a typed name, a clicked "I agree", an email saying "yes, approved". It demonstrates intent, and intent is what most contract law asks for.
What it does not do is prove the document is unchanged. A signature image can be moved to another document, and the page beneath it can be edited afterwards.
Digital signature
A cryptographic operation. The document is hashed, the hash is encrypted with the signer's private key, and the result is stored with the file alongside a certificate identifying the signer. Any subsequent change to any byte of the document invalidates it, and every mainstream reader will say so.
It proves two things at once: who signed, and that nothing has changed since.
| Electronic | Digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows intent to sign | Yes | Yes |
| Proves the signer's identity | No | Yes, via a certificate |
| Detects later alteration | No | Yes |
| Needs a certificate | No | Yes |
| Effort to produce | Seconds | Setup required |
| Typical use | Most commercial agreements | Regulated filings, high-value contracts |
Which one do you need?
For the overwhelming majority of business documents — engagement letters, NDAs, purchase orders, internal approvals — an electronic signature is what is used and what is expected. It is quick, it is accepted, and it does not require anyone to obtain a certificate.
You need a digital signature when a regulator or counterparty specifies one, when the document is high-value enough that repudiation is a live risk, or when you must be able to prove the version signed is the version held. Qualified electronic signatures under eIDAS are the strongest form and carry specific legal weight in the EU.
A practical middle ground
For an ordinary agreement, an electronic signature plus a clear audit trail — dated emails, an agreed final version, both parties holding the same file — covers most of what a digital signature would give you, without the setup. Escalate when the value or the regulation justifies it.
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Open Sign PDFFrequently asked questions
Is a drawn signature on a PDF a digital signature?+
No, it is an electronic signature. Digital signatures are cryptographic and require a certificate.
Which is more legally binding?+
Both can be binding. A digital signature is easier to prove in a dispute because it evidences integrity as well as intent.
Do I need a certificate?+
Only for a digital signature. Certificates come from certificate authorities and usually cost money.
What does the "signature invalid" warning mean?+
The document changed after signing, or the certificate cannot be validated. Either way, do not rely on it without checking.