E-signature transactions have ballooned in just five years—from 89 million to 745 million. This rapid growth positions the e-signature market as one of the fastest-expanding sectors globally. More people are discovering the benefits of e-signature solutions, not only for business but also for personal use. As the demand for e-signature solutions increases and the world shifts toward digital documentation, the adoption of e-signatures continues to gain momentum. By 2026, the global digital signature market is projected to grow to $14.1 billion, growing at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 31.0%.
In this guide, we’ll evaluate the pros and cons of using e-signatures, and discuss how they enhance e-signature security in modern workflows.
Table of Contents:
Advantages:
- Accuracy
- Time-saving
- Security
- Convenience
- Paperless
- Budget-friendly
Disadvantages:
- Security
- Complicated for some
- E-signature apps can be costly
Advantages of Using E-Signatures
Accuracy
Have you ever had to restart a form because your signature didn’t match the previous one? Even though it’s your signature, it’s common to struggle with creating identical versions each time. E-signature solutions eliminate this hassle by allowing you to save and reuse your signature across digital documents, improving consistency and efficiency.
Errors in manual signatures, like mismatches or smudges, can lead to time-wasting do-overs. With e-signatures, this issue is a thing of the past. A single, pre-created e-signature can be easily dropped into any document, streamlining workflows while reducing the costs associated with wasted paper and printing.
More importantly, accuracy is one of the most valuable benefits of e-signature solutions. According to Finances Online, e-signatures reduce scanning errors by 92% and improve audit efficiency by 80%. By adopting e-signature PDF free tools or premium software, businesses can prevent paper loss, avoid missing files, and ensure critical documents remain safely stored in digital formats.
What you should look out for in an e-signature software: One that provides accurate e-signs, with easy-to-use features and interface.
Pro tip: Aside from allowing you to submit PDF forms online and complete PDF forms online, you can also send e-signatures with PlatoForms. To add, we provide an e-signature certificate feature that contains signature information such as the date and time it was signed. Learn more here.
Time-saving
Because e-signatures are only created once, you don’t have to restart signing repeatedly. Since signing can be a bit tedious if you’re doing it on paper, electronic signatures not just save your time but also your effort. The traditional process of paper signing is time-consuming: Booking appointments, rescheduling, printing documents, meeting in person, signing, and storing documents. Since e-signature is sent online through email, both businesses and clients don’t have to go through the manual process—while saving cost, too.
Whether you’re running a business or using e-signatures for personal tasks, this time-saving feature ensures faster workflows and greater productivity.
What you should look out for in an e-signature software: E-signature software that won’t take too much of your time in creating and sending e-signatures.
Security
Paper documents are vulnerable to theft, loss, and damage, while e-signature security ensures your data remains protected. Confidential information can be securely stored and shared with encryption protocols and secure servers. In fact, 81% of businesses across industries like banking and healthcare regard e-signatures as vital for their legal and security needs.
Using the best e-signature software not only prevents crimes like document forgery but also meets compliance standards, such as the ESIGN Act, which ensures electronic signatures hold the same legal weight as handwritten ones. Choosing an e-signature solution with advanced security features, like multi-factor authentication and tamper-proof checks, is essential for protecting sensitive documents.
What you should look out for in an e-signature software: Software that offers reliable and strong security—also on a legal basis. E-signature is as valid as a physical signature and should be considered, especially if needed on confidential documents.
Convenience
The rise of remote work and digitization has made e-signature solutions indispensable. Gone are the days of sending documents via couriers or requiring in-person meetings just for signatures. With e-signatures, businesses can send, sign, and process documents from anywhere in the world.
This convenience makes e-signatures a critical tool for organizations adapting to fast-paced, globalized operations. Even for small businesses, adopting the best e-signature software for small business ensures quick and hassle-free transactions.
What you should look out for in an e-signature software: E-signature software that provides a beginner-friendly interface. Spending too much time creating e-signatures can also waste time; that’s why it’s essential to look for a tool that doesn’t have too much complexity. E-signing should be accurate and straightforward, not time-consuming and challenging.
Paperless
Adopting e-signatures reduces dependency on paper, promoting environmentally friendly practices and cutting business costs associated with printing, storage, and logistics. For industries like real estate and law, this transition not only saves time but also aligns with sustainability goals.
Free resource: Download our whitepaper now!
Budget-friendly
E-signatures help businesses save significantly, cutting costs by 55% to 78.62% through reduced printing, shipping, and administrative expenses. While premium software may involve a subscription, many e-signature PDF free tools offer affordable solutions for startups and small businesses. By minimizing paper usage and operational costs, e-signatures present a cost-effective alternative for modern organizations.
Disadvantages of Using E-Signatures
Security
While e-signature security has improved, some businesses remain concerned about potential vulnerabilities. As the use of e-signatures continues to expand in the United States and Canada, the US government implemented the ESIGN act, a policy that says e-signatures are at par legally with handwritten signatures. Hence, companies should choose e-signature apps that provide maximum security—one that can’t be hacked and leak information.
Complicated for some
Not everyone is comfortable with digital tools, and some may find the technology overwhelming. However, the growing availability of user-friendly e-signature solutions is addressing this barrier.
E-signature apps can be costly
Since e-signature usually comes from a paid subscription to software, its monthly fee can be a bit expensive for some. For example, DocuSign offers their cheapest plan for $10 a month—which is only limited to five documents per month. While this isn’t steep for some organizations, other start-ups might find it difficult to maintain monthly subscriptions like this, saying it can cost at least $120 per year.
The good thing is that, for most organizations, the long-term savings on logistics and material costs significantly outweigh the initial expenses.
This means that you’d save more business costs while making the earth a much greener place since it’s proven that e-signature solution can save as much as 2.5 billion trees in less than 20 years, according to DocuSign.
How PlatoForms Enhances E-Signatures
PlatoForms offers an intuitive e-signature experience tailored for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re looking for e-signature PDF free tools or advanced solutions, PlatoForms provides features like:
- A signature certificate with timestamp and IP address for security.
- SHA256 checksum verification to prevent document tampering
This way, you can track, store, and secure their signed documents effortlessly. Explore our e-signature solutions today!
To know more about our e-signature certificate feature, we provide detailed documentation here.
Read more: Your Guide to Using E-signatures: Things That You Need to Know!
