OpenSign is an open-source document signing platform that gives you full visibility into how your data is handled. It’s perfect for freelancers and agencies that want an alternative to proprietary eSign tools.
Why Open Source Matters for eSignatures
Most eSign platforms keep their code private. You send documents through their servers and trust their security practices. OpenSign flips this. The code is public. Audit it yourself or hire someone to review it. You know exactly how your documents are handled.
For freelancers sending contracts with sensitive client information, this transparency matters. You verify security rather than betting on a company’s practices. Want maximum control? Self-host on your infrastructure. Prefer simplicity? Their cloud version works immediately.
Public code also means the community constantly reviews and improves security. Bugs surface faster. Vulnerabilities get patched quickly. Many eyes are better than one company’s security team.
Core Features
OpenSign handles all the essentials. Upload a PDF, add signature fields, text boxes, date fields, and initials. Send to clients and track signatures. Collect documents in real time. The interface is intuitive. Clients see a clean signing experience without confusion or delays.
You can set signing order for multi-signature documents, require initials on specific pages, and customize email notifications. The signed documents are returned as PDFs. You get logs of every signature with timestamps. Everything you’d expect from a professional eSign tool.
The document audit trail is comprehensive. You can prove who signed, when they signed, and from what location and device. This documentation is valuable if you ever need to defend the signature in legal proceedings.
OpenSign vs Proprietary Tools
Proprietary eSign platforms charge per document or per month. OpenSign is free if you self-host, or reasonably priced on their cloud service. The long-term savings are significant if you send documents regularly.
The main limitation is community versus enterprise support. OpenSign doesn’t have a dedicated 24/7 support team like DocuSign. But for freelancers and small agencies, the community resources and documentation are solid. You’ll find answers in the documentation or community forums.
Self-hosting gives you maximum control but requires technical knowledge. The cloud version is simpler. You get DocuSign-like simplicity without DocuSign’s per-document fees.
OpenSign is free and transparent. Audit the code, self-host if you prefer, and skip monthly eSign subscriptions.
When to Choose OpenSign
Choose OpenSign if you send contracts regularly and want to avoid per-document fees. Pick it if privacy and transparency drive your business decisions. Use it if community support works for you instead of dedicated phone support.
OpenSign pairs well with Waco3 and similar proposal platforms. Send a proposal in Waco3, move to OpenSign for signatures, then invoice through the same system. The workflow is professional and direct.
Enterprise clients expecting high-end support and SLAs might require DocuSign. For most freelance and small agency work, OpenSign delivers what you need at a price that makes sense.
OpenSign shines if vendor lock-in concerns you. Because it’s open-source, you’re not trapped if pricing or features change. Fork the code and run independently if you need to.
Getting Started
Testing OpenSign is free. Sign up at opensign.org, upload a sample PDF, add signature fields, and send it to yourself. Experience the workflow firsthand before committing.
Most users find OpenSign simpler than expected. The interface is straightforward. Within an hour, you can send your first document for signature. That’s faster than learning most proprietary alternatives.
Ready to send stronger proposals?
Build, send, and track proposals in one place so follow-up is easier.
Start your free trial →
