Digital, electronic and scanned signatures: how they differ
Actualizado el 18 July 2026
"Digital signature", "electronic signature", "scanned signature": they get used as if they were the same thing, and they aren't. Choosing wrong can leave a document without validity where you need it. Here's the difference, in plain terms.
1. Scanned (or drawn) signature
It's an image of your signature: you sign on paper and scan it, or you draw it on screen. It's pasted onto the PDF like a photo. It carries no information guaranteeing who put it there or whether the document changed afterwards.
Good for: most everyday paperwork, the same as signing with a pen. Not good for: anywhere a digital certificate is required.
2. Electronic signature
It's a broad term covering almost any way of accepting a document electronically: from clicking "I agree" to typing your name. Its legal validity depends on the country and the context. A scanned signature is, technically, a kind of simple electronic signature.
3. Digital (certified) signature
The strongest of the three. It uses a cryptographic certificate issued by a trusted authority. It guarantees two things: who signed (verified identity) and that the document hasn't been altered since it was signed. If somebody changes a comma, the signature is invalidated and it shows.
Good for: important contracts, official paperwork, legal documents. It's the one institutions ask for when validity is critical.
How to tell which one your PDF has
At a glance, a digital signature and a scanned one can look identical on the page. The difference is inside. You can check it with our Signature inspector: it tells you whether the PDF has a real certified digital signature or only the drawing. And if you need to add your drawn signature to a document, you can do it free with Sign PDF — being clear that it's a handwritten signature, not a certificate.