How to Add a Signature to a PDF Without Adobe (3 Free Methods)

Someone emails you a contract, lease agreement, or permission form. They need it signed and returned. You don't have Adobe Acrobat — and you shouldn't need to pay for it just to write your name on a document.

Here are three genuinely free ways to add a signature to a PDF without Adobe, each suited to different situations.

Why You Don't Need Adobe for PDF Signatures

Adobe Acrobat Pro is the most well-known PDF tool, but it's also one of the most expensive — $22.99/month for features most people use once or twice a year. For something as simple as signing a document, that's overkill.

The alternatives aren't just cheaper — they're often faster. No installation, no updates, no license management. Just open, sign, send.

Let's break down your options.

Method 1: Sign a PDF Online with OnlyDocs (Fastest)

This is the quickest path from "unsigned PDF" to "signed and sent."

How It Works

1. Go to onlydocs.net in any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge).
2. Upload your PDF by dragging it into the editor or clicking the upload button.
3. Select the signature tool from the toolbar.
4. Create your signature using one of three options:
   • Draw it with your mouse, trackpad, or finger (on touchscreens)
   • Type your name and choose from signature-style fonts
   • Upload an image of your handwritten signature
5. Position and resize the signature anywhere on the document.
6. Download the signed PDF.

The entire process takes under two minutes. No account needed.

When to Use This Method

• You're at a computer or have your phone handy
• You need to sign and return a document quickly
• You want a clean, professional-looking signature
• You don't want to install anything

Pro Tip: Save Your Signature

After creating your signature in OnlyDocs, save the image to your device. Next time you need to sign something, you can upload it instantly instead of drawing it again. Keep it in a folder called "Signature" for easy access.

Method 2: Use Your Mac or iPhone's Built-In Tools

If you're in the Apple ecosystem, you already have a PDF signature tool — you just might not know about it.

On Mac (Preview)

1. Open the PDF in Preview (the default PDF viewer).
2. Click the Markup toolbar button (pencil icon).
3. Click the Signature button.
4. Choose Create Signature:
   • Trackpad: Sign with your finger on the trackpad
   • Camera: Hold a signed piece of paper up to your webcam
   • iPhone: Sign on your iPhone screen (if nearby)
5. Click your saved signature to place it on the document.
6. Drag to position, resize as needed.
7. Save the file (Cmd + S).

On iPhone/iPad

1. Open the PDF in Files or Mail.
2. Tap the Markup icon (pencil in a circle).
3. Tap the + button, then Signature.
4. Draw your signature with your finger.
5. Place it on the document and tap Done.

When to Use This Method

• You're on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad
• You don't have internet access
• You're signing a simple, single-page document

Limitations

Preview works well for basic signatures but lacks features like form filling, text editing, and date stamping. If you need to fill out a form and sign it, an online tool like OnlyDocs gives you both in one place.

Method 3: The Print-Sign-Scan Fallback (When All Else Fails)

This is the old-school method. It still works, and sometimes it's the right choice.

How It Works

1. Print the PDF.
2. Sign it with a pen.
3. Scan it back to PDF using your phone's camera app (most modern phones have a document scanner built in) or a dedicated app like Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens.

When to Use This Method

• The document requires a wet ink signature (some legal contexts)
• You prefer the look of your actual handwritten signature
• You're signing for someone who can't use a computer

Why This Method Is Dying

Print-sign-scan introduces problems:

• Quality loss. Each print/scan cycle degrades the document.
• Time waste. What takes 30 seconds digitally takes 10 minutes with a printer.
• Paper waste. Printing a 20-page contract to sign page 18 is absurd.
• Alignment issues. Scanned documents often come back crooked.

Use this only when a physical signature is legally required.

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Valid?

Yes, in most cases. In the United States, the ESIGN Act (2000) and UETA (Uniform Electronic Transactions Act) give electronic signatures the same legal standing as handwritten ones for most transactions.

Similarly, the EU's eIDAS Regulation recognizes electronic signatures across all EU member states.

Electronic signatures are legally accepted for:

• Contracts and agreements
• HR documents (offer letters, NDAs)
• Real estate transactions (in most states)
• Insurance policies
• Tax documents

The main exceptions are wills, certain court orders, and specific notarized documents — which vary by jurisdiction.

Bottom line: For the vast majority of business and personal documents, an electronic signature is perfectly legal.

How to Make Your Electronic Signature Look Professional

A few tips for a clean, credible signature:

Use a Stylus or Touchscreen

Drawing with a mouse produces wobbly results. If you have a tablet, phone, or laptop with a touchscreen, use your finger or a stylus for a smoother signature.

Go with Dark Blue or Black

Black is standard. Dark blue is a traditional alternative that also signals "this was signed by hand" (since most printed text is black). Avoid colors like red or green — they look informal.

Keep It Consistent

Use the same signature every time. Save it as an image file (PNG with a transparent background is ideal) so you can reuse it across documents. This also speeds up the signing process.

Size It Appropriately

Your signature should fit naturally in the signature line area. Too large looks sloppy; too small looks like a mistake. Aim for a width that's roughly 2-3 inches when printed.

What About Digital Signatures vs. Electronic Signatures?

These terms are often confused, but they mean different things:

• Electronic signature = Any electronic indication of intent to sign (typing your name, drawing a signature, clicking "I agree"). This is what most people need.
• Digital signature = A cryptographic signature that verifies the signer's identity and ensures the document hasn't been tampered with. Used in high-security contexts like government filings or financial regulations.

For everyday contracts, NDAs, and forms, an electronic signature is sufficient. Digital signatures require certificate authorities and specialized software — they're a different category entirely.

---

---

Quick Comparison: Your Signature Options

OnlyDocs (browser): Works everywhere, multiple signature styles, can also edit the document. Best all-around option.

Apple Preview/Markup: Good if you're already on a Mac/iPhone. No internet needed. Limited editing features.

Print-Sign-Scan: Last resort. Use only when wet ink is legally required.

Final Thought

Adding a signature to a PDF should be a 30-second task, not a 30-minute ordeal involving software downloads, account creation, and credit card forms. The tools exist to make this effortless — use them.