DocuSeal
Open-source app for building PDF forms and collecting e-signatures, self-hosted or in the cloud
Our verdict
#2 of 3 in Self-hosted e-signature tools · Easiest to install
Pros
- Runs as a single container on SQLite, with PostgreSQL or MySQL as options
- Generates its own signing certificate, so documents sign from the first start
- Your own certificate and a timestamp server need no Pro license
Cons
- Automated reminders and bulk send from a spreadsheet are Pro features
- User roles, teams and SAML single sign-on are Pro features
- Embedded signing and the embedded form builder are Pro features
- Pro is priced per user, so its cost grows with every account
Who should skip:Teams that need automatic reminders or different permissions per user and won't pay per user for them.
Rankings and alternatives
Self-hosted e-signature tools scores
Evaluated Nov 7, 2026 Evidence ↓- Self-hosted setup 5
5/5 means: One container with a built-in database (such as SQLite) that signs documents with a certificate the app provides, so there is no database server or certificate to set up.
The official container runs on a built-in SQLite database by default, and the on-premises app generates its own signing certificate, so there is no database server or certificate to set up.
- Sending features in the free edition 3
3/5 means: Three of the five features.
Signing order, a shared signing link that needs no emails, and an expiry date are in the free edition; automated reminders and bulk send from a spreadsheet are listed as Pro features.
- API, webhooks and embedding in the free edition 3
3/5 means: An API and webhooks; embedded signing needs a paid plan or license.
The open-source feature list includes an API and webhooks, while the embedded signing form and embedded form builder are Pro features. Some API endpoints, such as creating templates from PDF or DOCX files, also need Pro.
- Digital signature options 4
4/5 means: Your own certificate, plus a timestamp server you can configure.
You can upload your own .p12, .pfx or .der certificate on-premises, and the on-premises version lets you set an RFC 3161 timestamp server. The sources describe no HSM-held signing key in the free edition.
- Team and login controls in the free edition 2
2/5 means: Two of the five controls.
The free edition has user management and two-factor login; user roles, teams and SAML single sign-on are Pro features.
- Document storage choices 4
4/5 means: Four documented storage options.
Files can be stored on disk, AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage or Azure.
Evidence and sources
Self-hosted e-signature tools scores
Self-hosted setup 2 quotes
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“By default DocuSeal docker container uses an SQLite database to store data and configurations.”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“DocuSeal On-Premises also generates its own signing certificate by default, which may not meet the requirements of your organization.”
docuseal.com/resources/add-own-signing-certificate · checked
Sending features in the free edition 5 quotes
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“Automated reminders”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“Bulk send with CSV, XLSX spreadsheet import”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“When the Preserve Order box is checked, recipients will receive the document in the order they appear.”
docuseal.com/resources/set-signing-order · checked -
“This enables the collection of signatures without the necessity of sending emails via DocuSeal.”
docuseal.com/resources/collect-signature-via-shared-link · checked -
“After the expiration date, recipients will no longer be able to use the signing link.”
docuseal.com/resources/set-expiration-time-for-template-documents · checked
API, webhooks and embedding in the free edition 4 quotes
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“API and Webhooks for integrations”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“Embedded signing form”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“The following API endpoints are available exclusively with a Pro subscription or free Developer Sandbox in the Cloud”
docuseal.com/faq/which-endpoints-are-available-only-with-the-pro-plan · checked -
“Every webhook request is signed with an HMAC-SHA256 signature, sent as the X-Docuseal-Signature header.”
docuseal.com/resources/use-webhooks · checked
Digital signature options 3 quotes
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“In such cases, you can upload your own signing certificate for use in both Cloud and On-Premises versions of DocuSeal.”
docuseal.com/resources/add-own-signing-certificate · checked -
“Supported formats include .p12, .pfx, and .der.”
docuseal.com/resources/add-own-signing-certificate · checked -
“Timestamping can only be configured in the On-Premises version of DocuSeal.”
docuseal.com/faq/how-do-i-configure-rfc-3161-timestamp-server · checked
Team and login controls in the free edition 5 quotes
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“SSO / SAML”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“When you sign in to your account, you’ll be asked to enter a time-based verification code from your authenticator app.”
docuseal.com/resources/secure-account-with-2fa · checked -
“If you’re using DocuSeal Pro, you can choose one of the available roles”
docuseal.com/resources/manage-users-and-roles · checked -
“This feature is available in the Pro plan”
docuseal.com/resources/manage-multiple-teams · checked -
“User management”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked
Document storage choices 1 quote
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“Files storage on disk or AWS S3, Google Storage, Azure Cloud”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked
Facts
License 2 quotes
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“Distributed under the AGPLv3 License with Section 7(b) Additional Terms.”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“Automated reminders”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked
Runs on 2 quotes
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“By default DocuSeal docker container uses an SQLite database to store data and configurations.”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“Try in Cloud”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked
Needs 2 quotes
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“By default DocuSeal docker container uses an SQLite database to store data and configurations.”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“it is possible to use PostgreSQL or MySQL databases”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked
Notability
Users 2 quotes
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“"pull_count":2812746”
hub.docker.com/v2/repositories/docuseal/docuseal · checked -
“235,300 businesses and individuals have signed with DocuSeal.”
docuseal.com · checked
Other quotes
Not cited by a score or fact 5 quotes
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“DocuSeal is an open source platform that provides secure and efficient digital document signing and processing.”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal · checked -
“The DocuSeal user dashboard is available in 7 languages, while the signing form supports 14 languages.”
docuseal.com/resources/languages-support · checked -
“Note: This feature is available on both on-premises and cloud Pro versions.”
docuseal.com/resources/verify-identity-via-phone-number-otp · checked -
“Annual license billed $240 / user”
docuseal.com/pricing · checked -
“3.3.5”
github.com/docusealco/docuseal/releases · checked