Updated September 2026 · Prices checked September 24, 2026
A DocuSeal alternative for people who do not want to self-host
DocuSeal is an open-source document signing platform you can self-host for free or use in the cloud (Pro from $20/user/month), with embedded signing, SMS and ID add-ons. eSignSimple is not open source and cannot be self-hosted; it is a hosted tool with a free plan of 3 documents a month, Bronze from $4.99/month (25 documents) and unlimited documents on Silver at $9.99/month. Developers who want to embed signing or run it on their own servers should pick DocuSeal.
DocuSeal started as an open-source alternative to DocuSign and has a large GitHub following. You can run it on your own servers, use the hosted cloud version, or buy a Pro license for on-premises features. It also sells API usage, embedded signing and a React embedding component.
eSignSimple is a hosted product only. Files are encrypted at rest on our servers, signers need no account, and every completed document gets a certificate of completion with a SHA-256 hash. We do not publish our source code.
Numbers below come from DocuSeal's pricing page on the date shown.
How does eSignSimple compare with DocuSeal?
| Feature | eSignSimple | DocuSeal |
|---|---|---|
| Open source / self-hosting | No (hosted only) | Yes |
| Free cloud plan | Yes, 3 documents/month | Basic: 10 signature request emails/month |
| Paid cloud plan | Silver: $9.99/month, unlimited documents (Bronze $4.99/month for 25) | Pro: $20/user/month, unlimited signature requests |
| Embedded signing / React component | No | Yes ($0.20 per completion) |
| API | REST API v1 and webhooks (Silver and up) | Yes; usage-based pricing for some features |
| Sandbox / test mode | No | Yes |
| SMS 2FA / ID verification | No | Yes (Pro; ID checks $2 each) |
| EU qualified signatures | No (simple electronic signatures only) | $2–$4 per QES |
| Company logo / white label | Yes, your logo and brand color (Gold) | Yes (Pro) |
| Bulk send | Yes, up to 200 people per send (Silver and up) | Yes (spreadsheet) |
| Word upload | Yes (Word converted to PDF) | Check DocuSeal's docs |
| Audit trail | Yes, with certificate of completion and SHA-256 hash | Yes |
| Automation (Zapier, Make, n8n) | Via our API and webhooks | Yes |
How much does DocuSeal cost?
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Basic | $0 | Legally binding e-signature, multiple signers, 10 request emails per month. |
| Cloud Pro | $20/user/month (the page also lists yearly pricing) | Unlimited signature requests, your logo, own email address, bulk send, SMS 2FA. |
| Self-hosted open source | Free | Run it on your own server; community support. |
| On-prem Pro | $20/user/month license | White-label, your logo, full control over your data. |
| Usage add-ons | $0.20 per completion (API, embedded); $2 per ID check; $2–$4 per QES | As listed on the pricing page. |
Prices checked September 24, 2026 on DocuSeal pricing. Vendors change prices and may show different prices by country and currency, so confirm before you buy.
eSignSimple pricing, for comparison
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 3 documents a month (a document counts when it is sent), unlimited signers, templates, audit trail and certificate of completion. |
| Bronze | $4.99/month or $39.99/year | 1 sender, 25 documents a month, automatic reminders. |
| Silver | $9.99/month or $89.99/year | 1 sender, unlimited documents, bulk send (up to 200 people per send), web forms, REST API and webhooks. |
| Gold | $19.99/month or $179.99/year | Everything in Silver, team seats for up to 5 senders with shared templates, your logo and brand color, priority support. |
Where is DocuSeal the better choice?
- Open source: you can inspect the code and self-host it on your own infrastructure.
- Embedded signing, a React component and a test mode for developers building signing into their product.
- SMS two-factor, ID verification and EU qualified signatures as pay-per-use options.
- White-label and your-own-email options on Pro.
Why do people switch to eSignSimple?
No servers to run
No updates, backups or certificates to maintain; sign up with Google and send your first document in minutes.
Flat, low price for one sender
$9.99/month for unlimited documents on Silver versus $20/user/month for DocuSeal Cloud Pro.
A useful free plan
3 full documents a month for free, with unlimited signers, templates and the audit trail.
Word files included
Upload a Word document and we convert it to PDF before you place fields.
Who should pick which?
| Pick eSignSimple if… | Pick DocuSeal if… |
|---|---|
| You want a hosted tool and have no interest in running servers. | You must self-host or want open-source code you can audit. |
| You are a single sender who wants a flat monthly price: $4.99 for 25 documents or $9.99 for unlimited. | You embed signing in your own app and need a sandbox. |
| Simple electronic signatures meet your needs. | You need SMS, ID checks or QES on demand. |
How do you switch from DocuSeal to eSignSimple?
- Export completed documents and audit logs from DocuSeal (or back up your self-hosted database and files).
- Create an eSignSimple account with Google.
- Upload your template PDFs or Word files and place fields with drag and drop.
- Recreate signer roles, web form links and bulk send lists.
- Replace DocuSeal API calls with our REST API v1 and webhooks, then decommission the old setup.
Our take
If self-hosting or open source is a requirement, DocuSeal is one of the best options available and we are not a substitute.
If you just want to send documents without running infrastructure, a hosted tool with a flat price is less work.
We compare published features and prices from each vendor's own website and list the sources above. Where we could not verify something, we say so. DocuSeal is a trademark of its owner; eSignSimple is not affiliated with it. See how we protect documents on our security page and what each plan includes on pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is eSignSimple open source?
No. eSignSimple is a hosted service and cannot be self-hosted. If you need open source, DocuSeal and Documenso are good options.
Is DocuSeal free?
The open-source version is free to self-host. DocuSeal's cloud Basic plan is free with 10 signature request emails a month (checked September 2026).
Does eSignSimple offer embedded signing?
Not yet. Signers complete documents on our hosted signing page via a unique link.
Can I automate eSignSimple?
Yes, through our REST API with API keys and webhooks when documents are completed.
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