Open source DocuSign alternatives: Documenso, DocuSeal, OpenSign and LibreSign
Four self-hosted e-signature tools compared as DocuSign alternatives: licenses, signing workflows, APIs, certificates and which paid features each one keeps back, checked November 2026.
DocuSign charges per sender and caps the number of envelopes on most plans, which is a lot to pay for occasional contracts, and every agreement passes through its servers. Open source e-signature tools let you upload a PDF, place signature fields, send it to signers and keep a signed copy with an audit trail, on infrastructure you control. They are a good fit for contracts, offer letters, consent forms and internal approvals. We checked each license and latest release on November 5, 2026.
One caution before you start: whether an electronic signature is legally sufficient depends on your country and the type of document. Simple electronic signatures are enough for most business contracts in the US and EU, but some documents need advanced or qualified signatures, or a wet signature. Check with a lawyer for anything unusual.
Quick comparison
| Tool | License | Built with | API and webhooks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Documenso | AGPL-3.0 | TypeScript, PostgreSQL | API | Teams that want a modern DocuSign replacement |
| DocuSeal | AGPL-3.0 with additional terms | Ruby on Rails | Yes | Reusable templates and fillable PDF forms |
| OpenSign | AGPL-3.0 | JavaScript, MongoDB | Yes | Feature-rich signing with few paid limits |
| LibreSign | AGPL-3.0 | Nextcloud app | Yes | Organizations already running Nextcloud |
Documenso: the best-known open DocuSign alternative
Documenso gives you the familiar flow: upload a document, add recipients and fields, send, and track who has viewed and signed. Signed PDFs are sealed with a digital signature certificate, and you can set up teams, reusable templates and an API for integrations. It runs with Docker and PostgreSQL, and there is a hosted service too.
Documenso is AGPL-3.0 and version 2.21.1 shipped on October 22, 2026. Note that the project no longer accepts external pull requests apart from a small group of invited contributors, so it is open source but not community-run. Choose it when you want a polished, actively developed product.
DocuSeal: templates and fillable PDF forms
DocuSeal is built around templates. You turn a PDF into a form with a drag-and-drop builder offering 12 field types, including signature, date, file and checkbox, then send it to one or many submitters in order. It supports SMTP email, storage on disk or in S3, Google Cloud or Azure, PDF signature verification, a mobile-friendly signing page and an API with webhooks. The interface is available in 7 languages and signing in 14.
DocuSeal is AGPL-3.0 with one additional term under section 7(b): any covered work must keep the original DocuSeal attribution in its user interface, so you cannot fully rebrand a modified copy. White-labeling, user roles and single sign-on are in its Pro edition. Version 3.3.4 shipped on October 26, 2026. Choose it when you send the same forms again and again.
OpenSign: a full feature set in the free edition
OpenSign covers signing requests with several signers in a set order, reusable templates, bulk sending, reminders, document expiry and rejection, email one-time-code verification for guest signers, and a completion certificate with an audit trail of timestamps and IP addresses. It also includes OpenSign Drive, a vault for organizing documents, and lets you sign with a drawn, typed, uploaded or saved signature. You can self-host it with Docker or use the hosted service.
OpenSign is AGPL-3.0 and version 3.0.1 shipped on October 26, 2026. Choose it when you want many features without paying for an enterprise plan.
LibreSign: signing inside Nextcloud
LibreSign is a Nextcloud app, so signing happens next to the files, users and sharing you already manage there. It handles signing order, roles and rules per document, internal and external signers in one request, reminders, a traceable record of every action, validation of signed documents and certificates, and an API. It is developed by LibreCode, a software cooperative.
LibreSign is AGPL-3.0 and version 15.0.10 shipped on October 27, 2026. It requires a Nextcloud server. Choose it if you already run Nextcloud and want signing to fit into those workflows. See our self-hosted Google Drive alternatives for more on Nextcloud.
How to choose
- You want a direct, modern DocuSign replacement: Documenso.
- You send the same forms and contracts repeatedly: DocuSeal.
- You want the most features without a paid plan: OpenSign.
- Your organization already runs Nextcloud: LibreSign.
Back up the database and the stored PDFs together, and keep the signing certificate safe: losing it can make later verification harder. You can browse every project in the directory.
In the directory
AGPL-3.0Documenso on GitHub (opens in a new tab)
Send documents for signature, track progress and seal completed PDFs with a certificate.
Good to know +
Good for: Teams that want a modern DocuSign replacement.
External pull requests are no longer accepted; check e-signature rules in your country.
AGPL-3.0DocuSeal on GitHub (opens in a new tab)
Turn PDFs into fillable, signable forms with a drag-and-drop builder and send them to many signers.
Good to know +
Good for: Reusable contracts and forms.
An additional license term requires keeping DocuSeal attribution; white-labeling is a Pro feature.
AGPL-3.0OpenSign on GitHub (opens in a new tab)
Request signatures in order, use templates and bulk sends, and keep an audit trail and completion certificate.
Good to know +
Good for: Feature-rich signing without an enterprise plan.
Check e-signature requirements for your country and document type.
AGPL-3.0LibreSign on GitHub (opens in a new tab)
Sign documents inside Nextcloud with signing order, reminders, validation and a full record of each request.
Good to know +
Good for: Organizations already running Nextcloud.
Requires a Nextcloud server.