sign.com
Legally binding electronic signatures and document workflow signing.
What it does
Sign.com is an electronic signature platform owned by Smallpdf that specializes in simplifying the process of creating, sending, and tracking digital signatures. It is positioned as a secure, affordable, and user-friendly alternative to enterprise tools like DocuSign. Sign.com (provided by Smallpdf) is generally legally recognized for most commercial and personal transactions in South Africa, but it is important to distinguish between the two types of signatures defined under South African law.
Core Service Offerings
Sign.com provides a focused suite of tools for digital document management:
- Electronic Signatures: Users can upload PDF, Word, or image files (PNG, JPEG) to draw, type, or upload their own digital signature.
- Signature Requests: The platform allows users to send documents to multiple recipients, set a specific signing order, and add predefined fields for error-free signing.
- Tracking & Management: A real-time activity timeline and timestamped status updates allow users to monitor who has viewed or signed a document.
- Developer API: A simple REST API is available for businesses to integrate secure eSignatures directly into their own products or internal workflows.
- Templates: Frequently used contracts can be saved as templates to streamline repetitive signing processes.
Security and Compliance
The platform emphasizes high security standards to ensure agreements are legally binding:
- Legal Standards: Signatures are compliant with eIDAS (EU) and the ESIGN Act (USA), making them legally recognized in over 32 countries.
- Tamper-Proofing: Signed contracts are “eSealed” and crypto-hashed to ensure document integrity.
- Certifications: The service is GDPR compliant and holds ISO 27001 certification for information security.
- Audit Trails: It provides a “Certificate of Completion” to document the signing process for audit purposes.
If you are using Sign.com for daily business operations (quotes, internal approvals, standard B2B contracts), it is legally binding and highly effective.
Summary Table for South African Market
| Document Type | Can use Sign.com? | Legal Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Business Contract | Yes | Standard Electronic Signature (SES) |
| Employment Agreement | Yes | Standard Electronic Signature (SES) |
| NDA / Service Level Agreement | Yes | Standard Electronic Signature (SES) |
| Suretyship / Commissioner of Oaths | No | Requires AES (SAAA Accredited) |
| Sale of a House / Land | No | Requires physical “wet-ink” signature |
| A Will | No | Requires physical “wet-ink” signature |
Part of these solutions
sign.com is delivered as part of the following ASG Africa solutions.
Want this in your stack?
Tell us about your environment and we will scope the rollout.