5 Open-Source DocuSign Alternatives

DocuSign is the industry standard for electronic signatures, but let's be honest, it's expensive and not very flexible. Plans start at $15/user/month for basic features, and if you need API access or advanced workflows, you're looking at $45+/user/month. And that's with document limits!

The good news? There are excellent open-source alternatives that you can self-host for a fraction of the cost. And the best part is that you can run any of these yourself or just use the Sliplane platform for just €9/month for full control over your document signing workflows, unlimited documents, no per-signature fees, and your data stays on your servers.

Let's explore some open-source DocuSign alternatives.

1. DocuSeal

DocuSeal is the most feature-complete open-source DocuSign alternative available. It's actively maintained, has a polished UI, and covers all the essential document signing workflows you'd expect from a premium solution.

• Features: Document templates, multi-party signing, custom fields, API & webhooks, white-labeling, audit trail, email notifications, PostgreSQL/MySQL support, and mobile-friendly interface.
• Why You Should Use It: The closest thing to a full DocuSign replacement you can self-host. Active development, great documentation, and you can deploy it in under a minute with Sliplane.
• Pricing: Free (open-source, AGPL-3.0); self-host for ~€9/month on Sliplane or use their cloud offering.

2. Documenso

Documenso is a beautifully designed open-source document signing platform built with modern technologies (Next.js, TypeScript, Prisma). It focuses heavily on user experience and has a growing community.

• Features: Beautiful modern UI, document templates, team management, API access, audit trail, custom branding, and single sign-on support.
• Why You Should Use It: If design and UX matter to you, Documenso is the prettiest option. The TypeScript codebase makes it easy to contribute or customize.
• Why Not: Fewer advanced features compared to DocuSeal, requires PostgreSQL, and self-hosting setup is more involved.
• Pricing: Free (open-source, AGPL-3.0); cloud plans start at $30/month for individuals.

3. OpenSign

OpenSign positions itself as an open-source alternative to DocuSign, PandaDoc, and other commercial e-signature platforms. It's focused on simplicity and getting the job done.

• Features: PDF document signing, templates, multi-party signing, audit logs, API access, and webhook integrations.
• Why You Should Use It: Straightforward and focused on core signing functionality. Good choice if you need something simple without bells and whistles.
• Why Not: Less mature than DocuSeal or Documenso, smaller community, and fewer integrations.
• Pricing: Free (open-source, AGPL-3.0); cloud plans available.

4. LibreSign

LibreSign is an open-source digital signature solution that integrates deeply with Nextcloud. If you're already running Nextcloud for file management, this is a natural fit.

• Features: Nextcloud integration, PDF signing, digital certificate management, multi-signature workflows, validation system, and file versioning through Nextcloud.
• Why You Should Use It: Perfect if you're already in the Nextcloud ecosystem. Privacy-focused with European development roots.
• Why Not: Primarily designed as a Nextcloud app, not ideal as a standalone solution. Less feature-rich for pure document signing workflows.
• Pricing: Free (open-source, AGPL-3.0).

5. Just Vibe Code It

Sometimes the best solution is the one you build yourself. With modern libraries, building a basic document signing system is more achievable than you might think. Here's what you'd need:

Tech Stack:

• PDF Manipulation: pdf-lib (JavaScript) or PyPDF2 (Python)
• Signature Capture: signature_pad - smooth canvas-based signatures
• Backend: Node.js/Express, Python/FastAPI, Go, or whatever you're comfortable with
• Storage: S3-compatible storage or local filesystem
• Email: Any SMTP provider for notifications

Basic Flow:

1. Upload PDF → Extract pages as images for preview
2. Define signature/field positions on each page
3. Send email with unique signing link
4. Capture signature and embed into PDF
5. Store signed document and audit trail

• Why You Should Do It: Complete control over the UX, learn valuable skills, build exactly what you need, and impress your team.
• Why Not: Time-consuming, you need to handle security and compliance yourself, and you'll probably end up wanting features that already exist in the tools above.
• Pricing: Your time + hosting costs (~€9/month on Sliplane for your backend).

Pro tip: Start with DocuSeal and customize it rather than building from scratch. You'll save weeks of development time!

Comparison

Conclusion

Each alternative serves different needs: DocuSeal for a full-featured DocuSign replacement, Documenso for beautiful UX, OpenSign for simplicity, LibreSign for Nextcloud integration, and DIY if you want to learn or need something very custom.

My recommendation? Start with DocuSeal. It's the most mature, feature-complete option, and you can have it running in under a minute. All of these can be self-hosted on Sliplane for just €9/month with no usage limits, no per-signature fees!

Cheers,

Atakan