The short answer: DocuSign does not offer a genuinely free plan — only a 30-day trial. OpenSign™ is a free DocuSign alternative that lets you sign an unlimited number of documents at no cost, send signature requests, build reusable templates and download a tamper-proof certificate of completion. It is also open source, so you can self-host it for full control of your data.
Why people look for a free DocuSign alternative
DocuSign is powerful, but its pricing is a common frustration. The entry "Personal" plan is paid and capped at a handful of documents per month, and most useful features sit behind higher tiers. If you only need to sign the occasional contract, offer letter or NDA, paying a monthly subscription is hard to justify.
That is why "free DocuSign" and "free DocuSign alternative" are among the most searched eSignature queries. People want the same simple signing experience without the price tag — or the vendor lock-in.
What OpenSign gives you for free
- Unlimited self-signing — sign as many documents as you want, forever.
- Signature requests — send documents to others to sign by email.
- Reusable templates — set up a document once and reuse it.
- Legally binding eSignatures — compliant with the ESIGN Act, UETA and eIDAS.
- Audit trail & certificate of completion — every action is timestamped and logged.
- Open source — inspect the code, contribute, or host it yourself.
For a detailed breakdown of free-plan limits, read our guide on unlimited signatures on OpenSign.
OpenSign vs DocuSign at a glance
| Feature | OpenSign™ | DocuSign |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes — unlimited self-signing | No (trial only) |
| Open source | Yes (AGPL) | No |
| Self-hosting | Yes | No |
| Reusable templates | Yes | Paid tiers |
| Audit trail & certificate | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Higher tiers |
| Data ownership | Full (self-host) | Vendor-hosted |
Is a free eSignature legally binding?
Yes. Electronic signatures created with OpenSign are legally binding in the United States under the ESIGN Act and UETA, and across the EU under eIDAS. Each completed document includes a certificate of completion with a timestamped audit trail showing who signed, when and from where — the same evidentiary standard you expect from paid tools.
How to switch from DocuSign to OpenSign
- Create a free account at app.opensignlabs.com.
- Upload a PDF or recreate your most-used document as a template.
- Add signature, initial, date and text fields by dragging them onto the page.
- Send the request, or sign it yourself.
- Download the signed PDF and its certificate of completion.
Ready to try it? Create a free OpenSign account and start signing documents in minutes — no credit card required. Prefer to run it yourself? OpenSign is 100% open source on GitHub.
Want to compare more options first? See our roundup of the best DocuSign alternatives or the best open-source DocuSign alternative.