<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’ve ever signed a contract online, you’ve used an electronic signature. But things can get confusing because people often use “electronic signature” and “digital signature” interchangeably. While they’re related, they aren’t the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The difference matters more than you’d think. One is a broad legal term for signing electronically, the other is a specific security technology built on cryptography. Knowing when to reach for each one helps you pick the right tool for everything from a quick form to a high-stakes contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we’ll explain the differences between electronic and digital signatures, how each technology works, and when to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few numbers show just how quickly signing has gone digital:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n An electronic signature<\/em><\/strong> is any electronic sound, symbol, or process that shows you intend to sign a document. That’s the official definition from the U.S. ESIGN Act, and it’s intentionally broad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In practice, that can mean a few different things. An electronic signature could be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Electronic signatures are popular because they’re fast. Instead of printing, signing, scanning, and mailing, you can sign a digital document on your device and move on. You’ll see electronic signatures on all kinds of documents, like employment offers, service contracts, and invoices. If you just need to sign something fast, check our guide on how to sign a PDF online for free<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What electronic signatures don’t offer on their own is built-in identity verification or strong protection against tampering. That’s where digital signatures come in, which we’ll cover next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes. Electronic signatures are generally legally valid in the United States and most countries worldwide, as long as they’re executed properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the US, two main laws govern eSignature validity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n ESIGN and UETA make clear that a signature cannot be denied legal effect solely because it’s in electronic form. While most states follow UETA, some, like Illinois and New York, have their own similar laws. It’s always a good idea to check your local regulations, but for most everyday uses, e-signatures are good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Electronic signatures have legal recognition in many countries around the world. Laws like the European Union’s eIDAS Regulation<\/a> set standards that make e-signatures legally binding in many countries. While rules can vary by region, the global trend is toward recognizing their legitimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For an electronic signature to be legally valid, a few key conditions generally need to be met. Here’s a quick rundown of what those are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n DocHub’s electronic signatures meet these requirements<\/a>, making them legally binding. The platform complies with both ESIGN and UETA, which makes electronic signing quick, convenient, and legally binding. It also authenticates every signer, either through an emailed signature request or their DocHub login. Check out our guide on how to add electronic signatures to a PDF<\/a> and get tips for using DocHub to sign documents online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A quick heads-up:<\/strong> laws vary by jurisdiction and document type. Some documents, like wills or certain family-law papers, may have special requirements. When the stakes are high, it’s smart to check the rules that apply to your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we’ve covered electronic signatures, let’s explore a more specific and secure subtype: the digital signature. A digital signature<\/em><\/strong> is a form of electronic signature that uses cryptography to authenticate a signer’s identity and ensure the document’s integrity has been preserved since signing. Consider it the high-tech equivalent of a notarized signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a simple way to think about it: All digital signatures are electronic signatures, but not all electronic signatures are digital signatures. <\/em><\/strong>The key difference is the technology behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digital signature technology relies on public key infrastructure, or PKI<\/a>. It pairs a signature with a cryptographic key and a trusted digital certificate. Together, they confirm who signed the document and create a tamper-evident seal. If anything in the document changes after signing, that change gets flagged\u2014and the signature becomes invalid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s what makes digital signatures so trusted in high-security situations. The cryptographic certificate, timestamp, and tamper evidence build a verifiable chain of trust. The signature stops being just a mark and becomes actual proof. Now, let’s see how digital signing works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digital signatures<\/a> can sound intimidating, but the core process is simple once you break it into steps. Here’s what happens behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DocHub uses this kind of technology to back its signed documents. For Sign Requests<\/strong>, DocHub creates before-and-after document snapshots<\/a>, generates a SHA256 hex digest of each PDF, and uploads that identifier into the Bitcoin blockchain for perpetual verification. That gives you a tamper-evident record anchored outside DocHub itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A digital signature certificate<\/em><\/strong> is a trusted electronic document that links a person’s identity to their public key. It answers a crucial question: how do you know the public key really belongs to the person who claims to own it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certificates are issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), a trusted organization that verifies identities before handing out certificates. Just as a passport office verifies your identity, a CA verifies that a key pair belongs to a specific person or organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A typical digital certificate contains:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you verify a digitally signed document, your software checks that certificate against the CA to confirm everything is legitimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DocHub uses an X.509 PKI certificate to certify PDFs<\/a>. When you download a certified copy of a document or complete a Sign Request, DocHub embeds a digital signature that proves authenticity and shows the document hasn’t been modified. These signatures are best viewed in Adobe Acrobat, where a green check confirms the signature is valid. DocHub’s signatures are also “LTV enabled,” which keeps the signature from expiring when viewed in Acrobat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that both terms are defined, here’s a clear side-by-side comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digital signatures bring real advantages when security and trust matter. Here’s what they offer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The choice really comes down to one question: how much assurance does this document need?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose an electronic signature<\/strong> when speed and convenience are the priority for a low-risk document. They\u2019re a great fit for internal approvals, routine agreements, and other transactions with trusted parties where extra security steps would only slow things down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose a digital signature<\/strong> when you need extra security for sensitive, high-value documents that might be challenged later. The added verification is worth it for things like tamper protection, identity confirmation, and a solid audit trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because risk varies by industry, document type, and company size, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. When you’re unsure\u2014especially in heavily regulated fields\u2014it’s wise to consult legal advice for your specific use case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a quick look at some common scenarios for electronic and digital signing and which type of signature works best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.dochub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Electronic-signature-vs.-digital-signature-1024x803.png\")
At a glance<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What is an electronic signature?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.dochub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DH-Create-Signatures-1024x589.png\")
Are electronic signatures legally valid?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"Infographic](\"https:\/\/www.dochub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/eSignature-Acts-by-counties-1024x683.png\")
Criteria for eSignature validity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
What is a digital signature?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do digital signatures work?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
How do digital certificates work?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.dochub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DH-Certified-documents-and-verified-signatures-1024x963.png\")
Electronic vs. digital signatures: What’s the difference?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n
\n\t Feature<\/strong><\/th> Electronic signature<\/strong><\/th> Digital signature<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n\t What it is<\/strong><\/td> Any electronic method of signing a document<\/td> A signature secured with cryptography and tied to a digital certificate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Identity verification<\/strong><\/td> Assumes the signer is who they claim to be<\/td> Verifies the signer's identity through certificate validation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Tamper detection<\/strong><\/td> Limited or no technical proof of changes<\/td> Cryptographic seal; any change invalidates the signature<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Security level<\/strong><\/td> Basic to moderate<\/td> High<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Legal standing<\/strong><\/td> Recognized under ESIGN and UETA; relies partly on context<\/td> Adds embedded proof of integrity and an audit trail<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Best for<\/strong><\/td> Everyday agreements and low-risk workflows<\/td> Sensitive, high-value, or regulated documents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n What are the benefits of digital signatures in documents?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
When should you use electronic and digital signatures?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Common use cases of electronic vs. digital signatures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"chrome-extension:\/\/gphandlahdpffmccakmbngmbjnjiiahp\/img\/logo.svg\"){kind=logo}