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Proof is an online notarization platform that also offers e-signing. Here is how SignBolt compares for non-notarization signing.
Proof (formerly Notarize) is the leading online notarization platform in the US, offering remote online notarization (RON) alongside standard e-signing. For use cases requiring notarization — deeds, powers of attorney, some real estate — Proof is a specialised tool. For general business signing that doesn't need notarization (which is most signing), SignBolt is simpler and cheaper.
| Tier | SignBolt | Proof (formerly Notarize) | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (3 docs/mo) | No free plan | — |
| Per-document | $0 on free plan | Notarization $25 per session | N/A |
| Subscription | $96-288/yr | Quote-based Business plans | Varies |
Proof's differentiator is remote online notarization — a notary witnesses the signing via video. This is required for specific legal documents (deeds, some powers of attorney, certain real-estate documents) in US jurisdictions. For regular contract signing, notarization is not required and Proof's complexity is unneeded overhead.
Remote online notarization is a US-specific concept enabled by state-level legislation in many US states. Australian law does not have a direct equivalent — Australian notarization is done by a public notary, and most Australian commercial signing does not require notarization at all.
The overwhelming majority of business signing (contracts, invoices, HR documents, service agreements, leases, NDAs) does not require notarization. For that workflow, SignBolt is the right tool — faster, cheaper, and without notarization overhead.
Proof and SignBolt both produce legally binding electronic signatures under US ESIGN and (where applicable) EU eIDAS and Australian ETA. The difference is notarization layered on top for documents that specifically require it.
Honest note: Proof (formerly Notarize) is a legitimate product with real strengths for its target customers. This page lays out where SignBolt is the better fit and where Proof (formerly Notarize) remains the right choice. Pick based on your actual use case, not on marketing claims.
Proof, formerly branded as Notarize, is the leading US online notarization platform. It provides remote online notarization (RON) — where a notary public witnesses a signing via live video call. This is used for documents that legally require notarization, primarily in US jurisdictions where RON is authorised by state law.
Very rarely. Most Australian commercial signing (contracts, agreements, HR documents, invoices) does not require notarization. Australian notarization is performed by public notaries (a specific class of legal practitioner) for documents to be used overseas, some real-property dealings, and specific circumstances. For ordinary Australian commercial signing, standard electronic signatures under the ETA are sufficient.
Yes. Proof's notarized signatures carry the legal weight of notarization in US jurisdictions that recognise remote online notarization. Its standard e-signatures also meet US ESIGN requirements. For non-US jurisdictions, the treatment depends on local law — Australian law generally recognises foreign-notarized documents on the same basis as other foreign documents.
No. SignBolt is a standard e-signature product and does not include notarization. For documents that specifically require notarization (very rare in Australian commercial signing), a notary public or (for US-facing transactions) a remote online notarization service like Proof is required. For signing that does not require notarization (the overwhelming majority), SignBolt is sufficient.
Proof charges per notarization session, typically $25 per notarized document. Business and enterprise plans are quote-based. For customers who only need notarization a few times per year, pay-per-session is efficient. For regular signing, a subscription-based product like SignBolt is far cheaper.
Proof is US-focused. The RON concept depends on US state-level legislation and US-commissioned notaries. Australian businesses that need notarized documents typically use an Australian public notary — this is different from US RON and Proof does not directly serve the Australian notarization market.
Check the document type and the jurisdiction where it will be used. Most common Australian business documents (employment contracts, NDAs, services agreements, invoices, leases) do not need notarization. Documents that commonly require notarization: certain powers of attorney, statutory declarations (which use a JP or authorised witness rather than notary), overseas-use documents, and some real-property dealings. If you are unsure, ask your lawyer or the receiving party.