Is a digital signature the same as an electronic signature?

No. An electronic signature is any way of signing online. A digital signature is one kind. It comes with a coded ID that shows who signed and that nobody changed the document.

Are electronic signatures legal?

In the US, yes for most contracts: the ESIGN Act and state law treat them the same as signing with a pen. A few documents, such as wills, still need ink.

An electronic signature is enough for most business documents. Use a digital signature when a court, a government office or the other side asks for one.

Learn · Electronic signature vs digital signature

Electronic signature vs digital signature

An electronic signature is any way of signing a document online. A digital signature is one kind of electronic signature. It comes with a coded ID that shows who signed, and that nobody changed the document.

Electronic signature

Typing your name, drawing it with a finger, or clicking a “sign” button all count.

In the US, federal law (the ESIGN Act) and state law (UETA) treat it the same as signing with a pen for most contracts.

Digital signature

A digital signature adds a coded ID, called a certificate, that belongs to the signer. Software uses it to check two things. One: the signature belongs to that person. Two: nobody changed the document after it was signed.

It is used where a rule asks for it, such as some government forms.

Which one you need

Most business documents: an electronic signature is enough. Sales contracts, engagement letters, NDAs and consent forms are signed this way every day.
Check first if a court, a government office or the other side has asked for a digital signature.
Either way, keep proof. What matters in a dispute is showing who signed, what they saw, and when.

What Kapture adds

Kapture is an electronic signature tool. It also records the whole signing, so you can replay what the signer saw and did. What is a recorded e-signature?

Kapture is 25 cents per signed document with your own connected storage, or $15 a month to send as many as you want with your own storage bucket, with no per-person fees. Try it free, no credit card needed.

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Questions

Is a digital signature the same as an electronic signature?: No. An electronic signature is any way of signing online. A digital signature is one kind. It comes with a coded ID that shows who signed and that nobody changed the document.
Are electronic signatures legal?: In the US, yes for most contracts: the ESIGN Act and state law treat them the same as signing with a pen. A few documents, such as wills, still need ink.
Which one do I need?: An electronic signature is enough for most business documents. Use a digital signature when a court, a government office or the other side asks for one.
Which kind is Kapture?: Kapture is an electronic signature tool that also records the whole signing. Kapture is 25 cents per signed document with your own connected storage, or $15 a month to send as many as you want with your own storage bucket, with no per-person fees.