How to Sign A PDF without Adobe? Quick Sign PDF Online/with Better PDF Reader

PDFs are the most reliable file format to present and exchange documents regardless of the software, hardware, or operating systems being used. The file format is highly secure and signable, which allows users to encrypt it with up to AES-128 level encryption and improve document security.

While PDFs are widely used for security & formality, PDF signing is adopted to verify the legitimacy and authorship of the content. As a basic feature of PDF, E-signature is extremely useful when exchanging documents such as contracts and agreements, which is often used for legally binding two parties. PDF signing is also extensively used for collecting consent from respondents in online forms. 

Generally, Adobe Acrobat is the software by default for PDF signing. However, the software is quite expensive, which puts it out of reach of many home users and small businesses. So how to sign a PDF without Adobe? In this article, we will introduce 4 effective methods that allow you to do so. Just make sure to continue reading.

There is no doubt that Adobe Acrobat is a solid program. However, most users will avoid using Adobe Acrobat to sign a PDF due to its expensive pricing. The software is designed for large enterprises instead of average users.

It can also be inconvenient to sign a PDF with Adobe Acrobat. The software brings your system to a roaring halt while booting up its massive plugins. Consuming a lot of system resources, Adobe Acrobat might cause your screen to freeze while it works. Compared to lightweight programs such as iTop PDF, Adobe Acrobat is just way too bulky. 

Moreover, Adobe Acrobat is not that good when compared to most PDF editors. Some users have reported that Adobe Acrobat tends to have a low-quality of fill and vector lines that look choppy. That’s why many people want to know how to edit PDFs without Adobe. 

Meanwhile, compared to many other PDF editors, Adobe Acrobat sometimes can be complicated for average users to navigate. So how to sign a PDF without Adobe, just check out the next part!

Given Adobe Acrobat is not an ideal choice for PDF signing, in this part, we will teach you how to sign a PDF without Adobe with 4 useful methods. 

How to Sign A PDF with a Scanner & Printer

So how to sign a PDF document without Adobe? The most traditional method is to use a scanner and printer. Specifically, you can print the PDF through a printer, sign on the paper and re-scan it with a scanner to PDF.

Here’s how to sign a PDF without Adobe using a scanner and printer.

Step 1. Open PDF and print the PDF document with a printer.

Step 2. Sign the printed document with your signature.

Step 3. Scan the signed document in PDF format with a scanner.

How to Sign A PDF - Making Electronic Signature & Windows Paint

But what if you don’t have a scanner and printer? How to sign a PDF without Acrobat in this case? Don’t worry, you can make an electronic signature with the Windows Paint 3D application. The app allows you to create a digital image of an electronic signature or convert a physical signature to a digital image.

Here’s how to digitally sign a PDF without Adobe using the Windows Paint 3D app.    

Step 1. Launch the Windows Paint 3D and draw a signature with it.

Step 2. Make sure “Transparent canvas” is selected while creating your signature.

Step 3. Paste the signature to the PDF file.

That’s how to sign a PDF without Adobe using Windows Paint 3D, which can be a bit complicated. But worry, just check out the easier method in the next part.

How to Sign A PDF with Online Tools

If you want to sign a pdf with an online tool, we'd like to recommend eSign PDF, a 100% free tool to sign documents online with an electronic signature. You can just sign a PDF by uploading the file directly and no registration is needed.

Here’s how to digitally sign a PDF without Adobe using eSign PDF.

Step 1. Head to eSign PDF. Click on “Choose File” and upload a PDF.

Step 2. Click on “Your Signature” to create an e-signature. Long press on the signature you just created and drag it to the PDF. 

Step 3. Click on “Finish & Sign” and you can download the PDF with e-signature.

However, please be aware that there might be a breach of confidentiality if you upload private and sensitive documents to online services. Want to find a more secure way? Just keep reading to see how to sign a PDF without Adobe and avoid privacy leaks.

How to Sign A PDF Document on iTop PDF with One Click

How to sign a PDF without Adobe easily and safely? Just try iTop PDF Editor, the best free PDF editing software that outperforms Adobe Acrobat. With iTop PDF, you can not only sign a PDF but also make PDF editing of all sorts without hassles.

First thing first, let’s see how to electronically sign a PDF without Adobe using iTop PDF.

Step 1. Free download and Install the iTop PDF on your PC.

What makes iTop PDF a must-have software?

• Edit PDF smoothly without hassle
• Convert PDF to any format in high quality
• Split and Merge PDF files easily and quickly
• Add e-signature effortlessly to your PDF

Free Download

Step 2. Click on the “Tool” menu on top and select the “Signature” option. Click on the “Create New Signature” tab.

Step 3. You can type/draw a signature or add a signature image. Click the “Create” button to place the signature in the right place of the PDF.

That’s it. With iTop PDF, PDF signing only takes one click. Want to know what makes it the best PDF editor to use? Just check out the features down below.

Fast & Smooth Experience: While Adobe Acrobat might take forever for booting up, iTop PDF loads way faster, which is a much better solution that offers a smooth PDF editing experience.

Lightweight & Clean Software: Unlike the bulky Adobe Acrobat, iTop PDF is super lightweight that takes up very few computer resources and memory. It’s a 100% clean application without viruses and malware.

Support All Kinds of PDFs: Designed as a specialized PDF editing tool, iTop PDF supports PDFs of all sorts, allowing you to edit PDFs just like you could with Adobe Acrobat.

Enhance PDF Readability: With iTop PDF, you can easily edit your PDF and enhance its readability, presenting your PDF with the best visuals and formats possible. 

Easy to Use: With a minimalist design, iTop PDF is easy to navigate without a steep learning curve. 

Powerful Features: iTop PDF is a professional editor that can satisfy all your needs. Apart from the powerful full editing feature, you can compress a PDF file, convert PDF to/from other formats, organize and encrypt PDF files, and so much more!

Free PDF Editor: How to sign PDF without Adobe for free? iTop PDF has got you covered. It’s the best Adobe Acrobat Pro alternative—but instead, iTop PDF lets you edit a PDF fast and free.

How to sign a PDF without Adobe? This article has introduced 4 useful methods to help you out. While scanning and the Windows Paint app might take too much work, online PDF tools are just not secure for sensitive documents. That’s why iTop PDF is the best method, which allows you to make PDF signing in a simple and safe way. The feature-rich PDF editor is also a one-stop solution for PDF editing. Just try it for free and edit PDFs with ease now!