Electronic signature prices: comparison and complete guide
Electronic Signature Price Calculator
Cost estimates
The results provided are given for information only and do not engage our responsibility in any way.
Today, electronic signatures represent a strategic investment for companies wishing to digitalize their document processes. Understanding the pricing of these solutions is essential to making the right choice. Prices vary considerably according to functionality, volume of use and level of security required. Choosing the right electronic signature site requires a thorough cost analysis.
What is the price of an electronic signature?
The price of an electronic signature corresponds to the total cost of acquiring and using a digital signature solution. This generally includes the monthly or annual subscription fee, per-signature charges and integration costs.
Pricing models fall into three main categories: fixed subscription, pay-per-use and hybrid. The fixed subscription offers an unlimited number of signatures for a fixed monthly fee. Pay-as-you-go invoices each signature individually. Hybrid formulas combine a basic package with additional paid signatures.
Factors influencing the cost of an electronic signature
The volume of signatures is the main determining factor, with precise pricing thresholds. VSEs handling 0 to 10 documents a month benefit from free or €5-8/month packages. SMEs handling 10 to 50 monthly signatures pay between €10-20/month per user. Above 50 signatures, rates rise to €0.80 to €1.50 per signature. Larger companies with more than 200 monthly signatures negotiate preferential rates of €0.30-€0.70 per signature, with sliding-scale discounts of up to 40%.
The level of security required directly determines pricing in three distinct categories. Simple signatures, suitable for internal commercial contracts, cost €8-15/month and are suitable for SMEs in the service sector. Advanced signatures with qualified certificates, mandatory for public procurement and banking contracts, cost €25-45/month per user. Qualified eIDAS signatures, required in regulated sectors such as healthcare, finance and notary, cost in excess of €80-150/month, with strong authentication and certified time stamping.
Advanced functionalities generate significant additional costs, depending on sector requirements. Delegation of signature is a premium option invoiced at an additional 15-30%, particularly used by law firms. API integration costs €200-500 to implement, plus €20-50/month. Enhanced authentication (SMS, biometrics) adds €5-15/month per user. Interface personalization increases costs by 25-40%. The real estate and HR sectors favor automated workflows (+30-50€/month), while the pharmaceutical industry requires certified archiving (+20-35€/month).
Price comparison by solution type
To help you choose, here is a structured comparison of the main categories of electronic signature solutions with their 2024 pricing:
Consumer SaaS solutions: These platforms offer attractive rates, with free 14-30 day trials. DocuSign charges 10-15 euros per user per month (standard offer including 100 monthly signatures). Adobe Sign starts at 12-18 euros per month with 150 signatures included. HelloSign charges 8-13 euros per month for 50 signatures. These prices generally include email authentication, basic templates and standard cloud storage.
French professional platforms: These solutions are slightly more expensive, but offer enhanced compliance with French law. Yousign charges 8-12 euros per user for 30 monthly signatures, with advanced legal features such as proof of integrity, qualified time-stamping and management of complex workflows. Universign offers packages from 15-25 euros for 50 signatures, including eIDAS certification, legal archiving and strong authentication. Additional users generally cost 5-8 euros per month.
Tailor-made solutions for large enterprises: These offers require a customized quote, with rates starting at 500-1000 euros per month. They include dedicated hosting, 24/7 priority support, specific developments and full API integration. Premium features include delegated signing, full interface customization and guaranteed SLAs.
Hidden costs to consider
Technical integration generates initial costs that are often underestimated, averaging 15 to 25% of the total deployment budget. Connecting to a simple CRM requires 2 to 4 days of development (1,500 to 2,500 euros), while complex ERP integration can take 8 to 12 days (4,000 to 8,000 euros). Standard REST APIs reduce these timescales, unlike legacy systems requiring specific connectors. Migration from a legacy signature solution adds a further 1,000 to 3,000 euros, depending on the volume of documents to be transferred.
User training represents an investment of 2 to 4 hours per person, or 150 to 300 euros per trained user. Group sessions reduce this cost to 100 euros per participant. Premium technical support adds 20 to 30% to the annual subscription cost. Internal IT resources mobilized during deployment represent the equivalent of 0.5 to 1 FTE for 2 to 6 months, depending on the size of the organization.
Storage costs for signed documents gradually mount up. Beyond 1 GB, suppliers charge 8 to 15 euros per additional GB per month. Legal archiving with probative value requires certified solutions costing 50 to 200 euros per month. Regulatory compliance (RGPD, eIDAS) generates annual audits costing 2,000 to 5,000 euros. Security updates and corrective maintenance represent 10 to 15% of the initial subscription cost.
Optimize your investment in electronic signatures
Analyze your real needs to avoid over-sizing. Calculate your average monthly volume of signatures over 12 months. Identify essential features versus convenience options.
Price negotiation remains possible with most suppliers. Annual contracts benefit from discounts of 10 to 20%. Large volumes justify preferential rates. Implementation and services can be negotiated as a package.
The return on investment can be measured quickly. An electronic signature eliminates printing, mailing and physical storage costs. The average saving is 15 to 25 euros per document processed. Reduced signature times improve cash flow and customer satisfaction.
How to choose the best solution for your budget
To select the electronic signature solution best suited to your financial needs, a methodical approach is essential. Start by establishing an evaluation grid with weighted criteria where each aspect is given relative importance: price (30%), functionality (25%), security (25%) and support quality (20%). This objective method will enable you to compare offers over and above the price.
Our recommendations vary according to the size of your organization:
| Company size | Recommended monthly budget | Solution type |
|---|---|---|
| VSE / Self-employed | 10-30€ | Consumer SaaS solutions |
| SME | 50-200€ | Professional platforms |
| Large companies | 500€ and more | Custom solutions |
During demonstrations with suppliers, ask these key questions:
- What additional costs are not included in the basic subscription?
- How does pricing change if my needs increase by 50%?
- What are the exit conditions and associated costs?
- Is technical support included or billed separately?
- Do you offer discounts for long-term commitments?
Before signing your contract, use this essential checklist:
✓ Check automatic renewal conditions
✓ Confirm data backup and export arrangements
✓ Review guaranteed service levels (SLAs)
✓ Analyze confidentiality and data protection clauses
✓ Validate security certifications
Finally, don't hesitate to negotiate rates. Suppliers generally offer discounts of 10-15% for annual versus monthly payments. Ask for extended trial periods (minimum 30 days) and free training for your teams. For large volumes, negotiate cost caps or sliding-scale packages. These strategies will enable you to optimize your investment while obtaining a solution perfectly adapted to your budgetary constraints.
Frequently asked questions
Find out the answers to the most frequently asked questions about pricing and choosing an electronic signature solution tailored to the needs of legal professionals.
What is an electronic signature and how much does it cost?
The electronic signature is a technical process that identifies the signatory and guarantees the integrity of a digital document. Prices generally range from €5 to €50 per user per month, depending on functionality. Basic solutions cost around €5-15/month, while advanced solutions with enhanced legal compliance can reach €30-50/month per user.
How can I effectively compare the prices of electronic signature solutions?
To compare prices, evaluate the cost per user, the number of documents included, storage costs and advanced features. Consider the total cost of ownership, including training, integration and technical support. Check whether pricing includes regulatory compliance, legal templates and strong authentication options required by law firms.
What are the best electronic signature solutions for lawyers?
Lawyers prefer solutions offering strict legal compliance, such as DocuSign, Adobe Sign or European solutions like Yousign. These platforms offer specialized features such as contract templates, full traceability, reinforced authentication and integration with legal software. The choice depends on the firm's budget, document volume and security requirements.
How do you choose the right electronic signature solution for your practice?
Analyze your needs: monthly document volume, types of contracts processed, level of security required and necessary integrations with your management software. Assess ease of use for your customers, compliance with French and European regulations, and the quality of technical support. Test trial versions to validate ergonomics and functionality before committing.
What are the main legal uses of electronic signatures?
Lawyers use electronic signatures for client contracts, fee agreements, confidentiality agreements, powers of attorney and private deeds. It speeds up the validation of urgent documents, facilitates remote signatures and reduces printing and mailing costs. Electronic signatures are particularly useful for mergers & acquisitions, real estate contracts and commercial agreements requiring several signatories.
What are the legal rules for using electronic signatures?
In France, electronic signatures are governed by the eIDAS regulation and the Civil Code. It must guarantee identification of the signatory, document integrity and non-repudiation. For important legal documents, opt for a qualified electronic signature with a certificate issued by a trusted third party. Keep technical evidence and document signature processes to ensure probative value in court.
