Updated September 2026 · Prices checked September 24, 2026
An iLovePDF alternative focused on getting documents signed
iLovePDF Premium is cheaper than eSignSimple ($4/month billed yearly or $7 monthly versus our $9) and bundles a full PDF suite with iLoveSign, including a few advanced signatures (AES). eSignSimple is the better pick if signing is your main workflow and you want bulk send, web forms, an API with webhooks and a certificate of completion, and a free plan with 5 real signature requests. Note that our free tools need a free account, while iLovePDF's basic tools do not.
iLovePDF is one of the most-used PDF websites. Its signing product, iLoveSign, sits inside the same subscription: self-signing is unlimited on every plan, signature requests are limited on the free Basic plan and unlimited on Premium, and Premium includes 5 advanced electronic signatures (AES).
eSignSimple does not try to be a PDF suite. We focus on the request-and-proof part of signing: upload a PDF or Word file, place fields with drag and drop, send to one or more signers in order, and download a signed PDF with an audit trail.
Below are the numbers from iLovePDF's pricing page and a plain list of what each tool does better.
How does eSignSimple compare with iLovePDF?
| Feature | eSignSimple | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|
| Starting paid price | $9/month, billed monthly | $4/month billed yearly ($48/year) or $7 monthly |
| Free signature requests | 5 documents/month | Limited on Basic |
| Paid signature requests | Unlimited (Personal) | Unlimited (Premium) |
| Advanced electronic signatures (AES) | No (simple electronic signatures only) | 5 included on Premium; custom on Business |
| PDF suite (merge, compress, convert, OCR) | No | Yes, full suite |
| Use tools without an account | No, a free account is required | Yes for essential tools |
| Audit trail | Yes, with certificate of completion and SHA-256 hash | Yes |
| Templates | Yes, on every plan | Yes |
| Bulk send | Yes, up to 200 people per send | Multiple requests listed |
| Web forms | Yes (public link, single-signer templates) | Not listed |
| API | REST API v1 and webhooks | Separate developer product (iLoveAPI) |
| Custom branding | No | Yes |
| Desktop and mobile apps | Mobile browser (no native app) | Yes |
How much does iLovePDF cost?
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | Essential iLovePDF tools, limited document processing, limited signature requests. |
| Premium | $4/month billed yearly ($48) or $7 billed monthly | 1–25 users. All tools, unlimited processing, unlimited signature requests, 5 AES, web/mobile/desktop, no ads. |
| Business | Custom | 25+ users, custom contracts, account manager, SSO. |
Prices checked September 24, 2026 on iLovePDF 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 | 5 documents a month (a document counts when it is sent), unlimited signers, audit trail and certificate of completion, templates, web forms, API access. |
| Personal | $9/month, billed monthly | 1 sender, unlimited documents, templates, bulk send (up to 200 people per send), web forms, reminders, REST API and webhooks. |
| Team | $19 per sender/month | Coming soon. Team seats, shared templates and branding are not available yet, so today every sender needs their own account. |
Where is iLovePDF the better choice?
- Lower price: $4/month billed yearly for the whole PDF suite plus signing.
- A few advanced electronic signatures (AES) included, which eSignSimple does not offer at all.
- Every common PDF task in one place, including OCR and conversion, plus desktop and mobile apps.
- Custom branding and SSO on higher plans.
- Essential tools work without an account.
Why do people switch to eSignSimple?
A signing workflow, not a single tool
Signing order, automatic reminders, templates, bulk send to up to 200 people and a public web form link, all in one place.
Developer access without a second product
Our REST API and webhooks come with every account and follow the same plan limits.
Clear evidence
The certificate of completion records who signed, when, from which IP address, and the SHA-256 hash of the final file.
A useful free plan
5 full signature requests a month, free, for as long as you like.
Who should pick which?
| Pick eSignSimple if… | Pick iLovePDF if… |
|---|---|
| Requesting signatures is the core task, not PDF editing. | You want the cheapest bundle of PDF tools plus signing. |
| You want bulk send, web forms and an API with webhooks. | You occasionally need an advanced electronic signature (AES). |
| Simple electronic signatures are enough for your documents. | You prefer desktop apps or tools that work without an account. |
How do you switch from iLovePDF to eSignSimple?
- Download signed files and audit trails from iLoveSign.
- Create a free eSignSimple account with Google.
- Upload your PDF or Word document and place signature, date and text fields.
- Add signers, choose a signing order and send; save the setup as a template.
- Keep iLovePDF for editing if you like; the two tools do different jobs.
Our take
On price alone, iLovePDF is hard to beat, and it offers AES, which we do not. We would not tell an iLovePDF user who is happy with it to switch.
The case for eSignSimple is workflow: when you send the same documents to many people and want templates, bulk send, web forms and an API, a signing-first tool saves time.
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. iLovePDF 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
How much is iLovePDF Premium?
iLovePDF's pricing page listed $4/month billed yearly ($48) or $7 billed monthly when we checked in September 2026.
Does eSignSimple offer advanced electronic signatures?
No. We provide simple electronic signatures with an audit trail. If you need AES or QES under eIDAS, use a provider that offers them.
Can I use eSignSimple's Sign PDF tool without an account?
No, our free tools require a free account. iLovePDF's essential tools can be used without one.
Is iLoveSign included with iLovePDF?
Yes. Signature requests are limited on the free Basic plan and unlimited on Premium, according to iLovePDF's pricing page.
Get your next document signed today.
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