How to Sign a PDF Online for Free (No Adobe Needed)

Adobe Acrobat charges $19.99/month just to sign a PDF. But you don't need it. You can sign any PDF directly in your browser for free — no downloads, no subscriptions, no watermarks.

Two Ways to Sign a PDF Online

There are two methods: drawing your signature with your mouse or touchscreen, or uploading an image of your handwritten signature. Both are accepted as valid signatures for most business documents, contracts, and forms.

How to Sign a PDF — Step by Step

1. 1
   Open the PDF Editor

   Go to pdfvista.com/edit-pdf. Click 'Select PDF' and upload the document you need to sign.
2. 2
   Select the Signature tool

   Click the 'Signature' button in the toolbar (pen icon). A signature panel will appear.
3. 3
   Draw or upload your signature

   Draw tab: use your mouse or finger to sign. Upload tab: upload a photo or image of your handwritten signature.
4. 4
   Place the signature

   Click 'Add Signature'. Drag it to the correct position on the page. Resize by dragging the corners.
5. 5
   Download the signed PDF

   Click 'Download PDF'. Your signed document saves directly to your device — nothing is stored on any server.

Tips for a Professional Signature

• ✓Sign on white paper with a black pen, photograph it, and upload it — this gives the most natural-looking signature.
• ✓Use the Upload tab for important contracts — it looks more authentic than a mouse-drawn signature.
• ✓You can add multiple signatures to the same document for multi-page contracts.
• ✓After placing the signature, use the Select tool to reposition it precisely.

Frequently Asked Questions