Why You Don't Need to Download Anything
The old way of signing a PDF involved printing it, signing with a pen, scanning it, and emailing it back. Or worse: buying Adobe Acrobat for $239/year just to add a signature field.
Modern browsers can process PDFs entirely in-browser. SignBolt uses pdf-lib and pdfjs-dist to render, preview, and embed signatures server-side — without any browser extension or local software.
The result: upload a PDF, sign it, download the signed version. No account verification hoops (beyond a simple email signup). No watermarks on the free plan. No hidden upgrade prompts in the middle of signing.
How to Sign a PDF Online for Free (Step by Step)
Create a Free Account
Go to signbolt.store and sign up with your email. The free plan gives you 3 documents per month with no credit card required. Email verification takes under 60 seconds.
Upload Your PDF
Click 'Sign Document' and drag-and-drop your PDF or click to browse. SignBolt renders the document in your browser instantly using PDF.js — you can see every page before signing.
Create Your Signature
Choose how to create your signature: draw it with your mouse or finger, type it in a handwriting font, or upload an image of your handwritten signature. All three methods produce legally binding results.
Place & Resize the Signature
Click anywhere on the PDF to place your signature. Drag to reposition it. Drag the corner handle to resize it. Navigate between pages on multi-page documents.
Download the Signed PDF
Click 'Sign Document'. SignBolt embeds the signature directly into the PDF using pdf-lib — the same format courts and businesses accept. Download the signed file instantly.
Ready to sign? It takes under 30 seconds.
Sign Your PDF FreeWhat's Actually Free — And What Isn't
Lots of tools advertise "free" but hide key features behind paywalls. Here's what SignBolt's free plan actually includes:
| Feature | SignBolt Free | Adobe Acrobat Free | DocuSign Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents per month | 3 | Limited (trial) | 3 then expired |
| No credit card | No | No | |
| Audit trail | No | No | |
| No watermarks | No | No | |
| Multi-page PDFs | |||
| Mobile browser support | App required | App required | |
| Download signed PDF | Pro required |
Three Ways to Sign a PDF Online
Draw
Use your mouse or touchscreen to draw your signature. Natural-feeling and personal. Recommended for most users.
Best for: most peopleType
Type your name and choose a handwriting font. Fast and consistent across all your documents.
Best for: quick signingUpload
Upload a PNG or JPG of your handwritten signature. Highest quality for professional documents.
Best for: brand consistencyIs a Free Online PDF Signature Legally Binding?
Yes — but only when certain conditions are met. Here's what makes an electronic signature legally valid:
- The signer authenticated their identity (via email verification)
- There is an audit trail recording when, where, and how the signature was created
- The signed document has not been tampered with after signing (tamper-evident PDF)
- The signer intended to sign (consent was established)
SignBolt satisfies all four conditions. The audit trail embedded in every signed PDF includes the signer's IP address, timestamp, browser/device fingerprint, and email address. This data is preserved in the document itself and accessible from your dashboard.
Legal Compliance Summary
What Can You Sign for Free Online?
SignBolt works with any PDF. Here are the most common documents people sign online for free:
Don't see your document type? Upload any PDF — SignBolt works with every PDF format.
Signing PDFs on iPhone and Android
SignBolt is fully mobile-optimised. Open Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android, go to signbolt.store, and sign PDFs with your finger. No app download required.
The draw signature mode on mobile uses your touchscreen as a drawing canvas — trace your natural signature with your fingertip just as you would on paper.
Mobile Signing Tips
- Use landscape mode for better visibility on small screens
- Pinch to zoom in before placing your signature
- Draw mode works best with a stylus for precise signatures
- Type mode is fastest on mobile keyboards
- Long-press the PDF viewer to pan around multi-page documents
Free vs Paid — When to Upgrade
The free plan covers 3 documents per month — enough for occasional use. Here's when it makes sense to upgrade:
| Use case | Free Plan | Pro $8/mo | Business $24/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occasional personal signing (1-3 docs/mo) | |||
| Freelancer or small business (up to 50 docs/mo) | — | ||
| Send docs to others for signing | — | ||
| Document templates (NDA, contract, etc) | — | ||
| REST API for developers | — | — | |
| Bulk sending | — | — | |
| Custom branding on signed docs | — | — |