Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature: What's the Difference?
They sound similar but serve different purposes. Here's what you need to know.
Electronic Signatures
An electronic signature is any mark made with the intent to sign — a scanned image of your handwritten signature, a typed name, or a click on 'I agree.' The %%Sign PDF tool|/tools/sign-pdf%% adds an electronic signature image to your PDF.
Digital Signatures
A digital signature is a cryptographic mechanism that verifies document authenticity and integrity. It uses public-key infrastructure (PKI) and certificate authorities. Digital signatures are legally binding and tamper-evident.
Key Differences
- Electronic: Visual representation of intent. Easy to add. Not cryptographically secure.
- Digital: Mathematical proof of authenticity. Requires certificates. Tamper-proof.
- Legal validity: Both can be legally binding, but digital signatures offer stronger proof.
Which Should You Use?
For everyday business (contracts, agreements), an electronic signature image is usually sufficient. For regulated industries or high-value transactions, a true digital signature with certificate validation is required.