Updated October 2026 · Prices checked October 6, 2026
An e-Tuğra alternative, and when you still need a qualified e-imza
e-Tuğra is a Turkish electronic certificate service provider that sells qualified e-imza certificates (from ₺2,300 a year including VAT, with smart card and reader). Under Law 5070, a qualified electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten one. eSignSimple does not offer that: we provide simple electronic signatures with an audit trail. For e-government, official filings or documents that need a handwritten signature, use e-Tuğra. For everyday commercial contracts, we are simpler.
e-Tuğra is one of Turkey's electronic certificate service providers (ESHS), operating under the supervision of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK). It issues qualified electronic certificates, the basis of the nitelikli (often called güvenli) electronic signature, on a smart card with a card reader, and also sells time stamps and integration libraries. You apply online, pay by card, and collect the kit from an office or by courier.
We want to be very clear: eSignSimple is not an ESHS and does not issue certificates. We provide simple electronic signatures: a signer opens a link, signs in the browser, and we record an audit trail and a certificate of completion with a SHA-256 hash. That is not a qualified electronic signature and does not have the same legal effect as a handwritten signature under Law 5070.
When is the qualified e-imza needed? Law 5070 gives it the same effect as a handwritten signature, and many e-government services, UYAP court filings, e-invoice and KEP workflows and official applications require it. The law also excludes some acts, such as transactions subject to official form or special ceremonies, from electronic signatures altogether. For ordinary commercial contracts with no form requirement, a simple e-signature with an audit trail can be presented as evidence under the Code of Civil Procedure (HMK), with the court weighing it freely. See our Turkey guide.
How does eSignSimple compare with e-Tuğra?
| Feature | eSignSimple | e-Tuğra |
|---|---|---|
| Signature level | No (simple electronic signatures only) | Qualified electronic signature (Law 5070) |
| Same effect as a handwritten signature | No | Yes, under Law 5070 (with legal exceptions) |
| Accepted for e-government and official filings | No | Yes |
| What you buy | A signing service for sending documents | A personal certificate on a smart card, with reader |
| Price | $4.99/month (Bronze, 25 documents/month) | ₺2,300 for 1 year, ₺3,800 for 2, ₺4,600 for 3 (VAT incl.) |
| Free plan | Yes, 3 documents/month | No |
| Signer needs an account or certificate | No account, no certificate | Every signer needs their own qualified certificate |
| Identity verification | No | Yes, at application |
| Send documents to others and track status | Yes, with signing order and reminders | No; a certificate, used with signing software |
| Audit trail | Yes, with certificate of completion and SHA-256 hash | Signature itself is cryptographic proof |
| Templates / bulk send | Yes / Yes, up to 200 people per send | No |
| Hardware | None; any browser | Smart card and card reader |
| API | REST API v1 and webhooks (Silver and up) | E-signature integration libraries |
| Languages | 10 languages: English, Turkish, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), German, French, Italian, Japanese, Indonesian, Arabic | Turkish, with an English site |
How much does e-Tuğra cost?
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year e-imza | ₺2,300 (VAT incl.) | Qualified certificate, smart card, card reader, support. |
| 2-year e-imza | ₺3,800 (VAT incl.) | Same contents. |
| 3-year e-imza | ₺4,600 (VAT incl.) | Same contents. Renewals are priced separately; campaigns change often. |
Prices checked October 6, 2026 on e-Tuğra: E-İmza, e-Tuğra: 1 year e-imza package. 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 e-Tuğra the better choice?
- A qualified electronic signature with the same legal effect as a handwritten one in Turkey. We cannot provide this.
- Accepted across e-government, UYAP, e-invoice and other official systems.
- A personal certificate you own and can use with many applications for one to three years.
- Time stamps and integration libraries for developers building qualified signing into their systems.
- A licensed ESHS under BTK supervision, with physical offices and courier delivery.
Why do people switch to eSignSimple?
Your counterparties don't have e-imza
A qualified signature only works if every signer has their own certificate. Most clients, tenants or freelancers don't. With eSignSimple they open a link and sign, with no card, reader or account.
Everyday contracts don't need a qualified signature
Service agreements, NDAs, quotes and many HR forms have no form requirement. A simple e-signature with an audit trail is evidence under HMK. See our Turkey guide.
A workflow, not just a certificate
Signing order, reminders, a status dashboard and a certificate of completion for every document, plus templates and bulk send.
Low, flat price
$0 for 3 documents a month, $4.99/month for 25, or $9.99/month for unlimited documents. See pricing.
Who should pick which?
| Pick eSignSimple if… | Pick e-Tuğra if… |
|---|---|
| You send everyday commercial contracts to clients who don't own an e-imza. | You must sign on e-government, UYAP, KEP or other official systems. |
| You want signing order, reminders and an audit trail per document. | A document must have the legal effect of a handwritten signature. |
| Your signers are inside and outside Turkey. | You are a company officer or professional who signs official filings regularly. |
How do you switch from e-Tuğra to eSignSimple?
- Keep your e-Tuğra certificate for official filings and documents that need a qualified signature.
- Sort your everyday contracts, which have no form requirement, for eSignSimple.
- Create an eSignSimple account with Google and upload the document as PDF or Word.
- Add signers by email, place fields, and send; follow progress on the dashboard.
- Store the signed PDF with its certificate of completion as evidence.
Our take
For anything official in Turkey, the qualified e-imza is the tool, and e-Tuğra is a licensed provider of it. We are not a substitute: we never offer qualified or güvenli signatures. If you are unsure, read our qualified electronic signature entry.
The two tools solve different problems. A certificate lets you sign; it does not get your client to sign. For ordinary contracts with people who have no e-imza, eSignSimple collects their signatures with an audit trail you can present as evidence. Many businesses use both. See also Skribble for qualified signing in Europe.
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. e-Tuğra 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 a qualified (güvenli) electronic signature?
No. eSignSimple provides simple electronic signatures only. A qualified electronic signature under Law 5070 needs a certificate from a licensed ESHS such as e-Tuğra.
Is a simple e-signature valid in Turkey?
It does not have the effect of a handwritten signature, but for contracts with no form requirement it can be presented as evidence under HMK, and the court assesses it. See our Turkey guide.
When do I need a qualified e-imza?
For e-government services, UYAP court filings, many official applications, and whenever a document must carry the legal effect of a handwritten signature. Some acts, such as those requiring official form, cannot be signed electronically at all.
How much does e-Tuğra cost?
e-Tuğra lists ₺2,300 for one year, ₺3,800 for two and ₺4,600 for three years, including VAT, smart card and reader (checked October 2026). Campaign prices change often.
Can I use both?
Yes. Many businesses keep a qualified certificate for official filings and use eSignSimple to collect signatures from clients on everyday contracts.
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