Three ways to add your signature to any PDF document — free, fast, and legally binding. No special software required.
No credit card required · Works on any device
The easiest way to sign a PDF online. Works on any device, no software to install, and every signed document is legally binding with a full audit trail.
Go to goodsign.io/register and sign up in seconds. No credit card required, no subscription to manage. You only pay when you send a document for someone else to sign.
Drag and drop your PDF into GoodSign or click to browse. PDF, Word (DOCX), and image files are all supported. Your file is encrypted the moment it touches our servers.
Choose how you want to sign: draw your signature with your mouse or finger, type your name and pick a signature font, or upload an image of your handwritten signature. Place it anywhere on the document and resize to fit.
Your signed PDF is ready instantly. The document is flattened and sealed with a tamper-proof audit trail. Download it or send it to others for their signature.
Why GoodSign is the best option
No software to install. Works on any device including phones and tablets. Every signed document includes a legally binding audit trail with timestamps and IP addresses. You can send PDFs to multiple signers, set up templates, and use automatic reminders. Learn more about signing PDFs online.
If you have a Mac, the built-in Preview app can add a basic signature to a PDF. No additional software needed, but there are important limitations.
Double-click any PDF file on your Mac. By default, it opens in Preview. If another app opens instead, right-click the file, select Open With, and choose Preview.
Click the Markup button (the icon that looks like a pen tip inside a circle) in the toolbar, or go to Tools then Annotate then Signature.
Click the Signature button, then Create Signature. You can draw on your trackpad, hold up a signed piece of paper to your camera, or sign on your iPhone or iPad if you have one nearby.
Click your signature to place it on the document. Drag to position it and resize as needed. Save the file with Command + S.
Limitations of Preview
Adobe Acrobat Reader is free software that can add a basic signature to PDFs on Windows and Mac. Here is how to do it.
If you do not have it installed, download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) from adobe.com. Open your PDF file in the application.
Click the Fill & Sign tool from the right-hand panel, or go to Tools then Fill & Sign. This opens the signing toolbar.
Click the Sign button in the toolbar, then Add Signature. You can type your name, draw your signature, or upload an image. Click Apply when finished.
Click on the document where you want to place your signature. Resize as needed, then save the file.
Limitations of Adobe Reader
See how each method stacks up for signing PDF documents.
| Feature | GoodSign | Mac Preview | Adobe Reader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free to sign | |||
| Legally binding audit trail | |||
| Send to others for signature | Paid only | ||
| Multiple signers | Paid only | ||
| Works on any device | Mac only | ||
| No software to install | Built-in Mac | ||
| Mobile-friendly | Limited | ||
| Templates & reminders | Paid only | ||
| Tamper-proof PDF | |||
| API access | Paid only |
Preview and Adobe Reader work for adding a basic signature to a PDF. But if you need any of the following, you need a proper e-signature solution like GoodSign.
Multiple Signers
Send a PDF to two, five, or twenty people for signature. Set the signing order or let everyone sign in parallel.
Legally Defensible Audit Trails
Every action is recorded with timestamps, IP addresses, and device information. Holds up in court.
Reusable Templates
Save any document as a template for repeated use. Perfect for contracts, NDAs, onboarding forms, and recurring documents.
Automatic Reminders
Stop chasing signatures. GoodSign sends automatic reminder emails to signers who have not yet completed their documents.
Form Fields & Data Collection
Add text fields, date pickers, checkboxes, and dropdown menus alongside signature fields to collect information.
Legal Compliance
GoodSign is compliant with ESIGN, UETA, and eIDAS. Documents are tamper-proofed with 256-bit encryption.
Yes. Electronic signatures on PDF documents are legally binding and enforceable in most countries worldwide. In the United States, the ESIGN Act and UETA give electronic signatures the same legal standing as handwritten signatures. In Europe, the eIDAS regulation provides the same recognition. For maximum legal protection, use a solution like GoodSign that provides a tamper-proof audit trail with timestamps, IP addresses, and device details as evidence of the signing event.
Yes. With GoodSign, you can sign any PDF directly from your phone's browser, whether it is an iPhone, Android, or tablet. Simply open the signing link in your mobile browser, draw your signature with your finger, and submit. No app download is needed. Preview (Mac only) and Adobe Reader also have mobile apps, but they have limited functionality compared to their desktop versions.
Not with GoodSign. It works entirely in your web browser, so there is nothing to download or install. Mac users can also use the built-in Preview app. Windows users can use Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download). However, for business documents that need audit trails and multi-signer support, an online tool like GoodSign is the better choice.
Yes. Signing a PDF is free with all three methods described in this guide. GoodSign is free for the person signing the document — they never need an account or to pay anything. The person sending the document pays a small per-document fee starting at $1.50. Preview and Adobe Reader are both free for basic signing, but Adobe charges for advanced features like sending documents to others.
Yes, but only with a dedicated e-signature platform like GoodSign. Preview and the free version of Adobe Reader only let you sign documents yourself — they have no sending workflow. With GoodSign, you upload your PDF, place signature fields where you need them, enter the recipient's email, and they receive a secure link to sign. You get notified when they are done and both parties receive a completed copy.
With GoodSign, you can add as many signers as you need. Upload your PDF, use the drag-and-drop designer to place signature fields for each person, and send. You can set sequential signing (one after the other) or parallel signing (everyone signs at once). Each signer receives their own secure link and the document is automatically completed once everyone has signed.
A legally valid electronic signature needs three elements: intent to sign (the signer deliberately chose to sign), consent to do business electronically, and a record of the signing event. GoodSign provides all three automatically through its audit trail, which records the signer's intent, consent, timestamp, IP address, device details, and geolocation for every signature.
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