Electronic signature pricing: subscription, envelope or act?
Subscription, envelope or act: how are electronic signature solutions priced in France? Find out what you are actually paying for and how to choose according to your volume.
How much does an electronic signature cost?
The price of an electronic signature varies widely depending on the provider and the pricing model. Between the monthly subscription, the purchase of envelopes or per-act billing, it is easy to get lost. This article breaks down the market models and gives you a framework for choosing according to your usage.
The three main pricing models
1. The subscription with included volume
This is the most common model. You pay a monthly or annual flat fee that includes a certain number of signatures. This is the case with Yousign (from €19/month for 3 acts) or DocuSign (from $10/month, but often with annual commitments). This model suits companies that sign regularly and can anticipate their volume.
What you are actually paying for: a fixed base, even if you do not use everything. If you exceed the quota, additional fees often apply, sometimes at a high unit rate.
2. The purchase of envelopes (or bundles)
An "envelope" is a send that can contain several signatories. For example, an envelope with 3 signatories counts as a single envelope, but the price may vary if the provider bills per signatory. Universign offers packs of 5, 20 or 50 envelopes. This model is suited to occasional needs or variable volumes.
What you are actually paying for: an envelope can be used for a document with several signatories, which can be cost-effective. But be careful: some offers limit the number of signatories per envelope.
3. Billing per signed act
Here, you pay only for each signature made. This is the model chosen by Sign-Hub, with packs of acts or an optional subscription. For example, Sign-Hub offers a pack of 25 acts for €12.50 (i.e. €0.50 per act) without a subscription, or subscriptions with an included volume (Découverte: free, 10 acts/month; Starter: €9/month, 50 acts; Pro: €29/month, 300 acts).
What you are actually paying for: only the signatures actually made. It is simpler to budget for, especially if your volume is low or irregular.
What lies behind the unit price
The displayed price does not always reflect the total cost. Several factors come into play:
- The signature level: simple, advanced or qualified. A qualified signature (with a digital certificate) costs more to produce. Entry-level offers often provide simple signatures, such as Sign-Hub (simple reinforced by email and PAdES sealing).
- The included features: bulk sending, automatic reminders, branded pages, API integrations, etc. Some providers charge extra for these options.
- The number of signatories: if the price is per envelope, the number of signatories can influence the final rate.
- Hidden fees: setup fees, exit fees, document storage fees, etc.
By way of comparison, Yousign displays a public rate from €19/month for 3 acts, i.e. around €6.33 per act if you use everything. DocuSign is often more expensive, especially for small organisations. Universign offers packs from €5 for 5 envelopes, i.e. €1 per envelope. Sign-Hub, with its pack of 25 acts at €0.50 per act, positions itself clearly below.
Which model to choose according to your profile?
For occasional use (fewer than 5 signatures per month)
A subscription is often unnecessary. Opt for per-act payment or a small pack. Sign-Hub's pack of 25 acts (€12.50) is enough for a year of occasional signatures. Avoid subscriptions with commitments that will cost you even if you do not sign.
For an SME with a regular volume (10 to 50 signatures per month)
A subscription with included volume can be worthwhile. Sign-Hub's Starter offer at €9/month for 50 acts works out at €0.18 per act if you use the entire quota. This is often cheaper than per-unit packs. Compare with Yousign which, for 50 signatures, would require several subscriptions or overage fees.
For a company with variable or growing needs
Flexibility is key. Per-act models without a subscription (such as Sign-Hub packs) avoid paying for nothing. You buy a pack when you need it, with no renewal constraint.
The real cost of an electronic signature
Let us take a concrete example: a company that signs 10 documents per month, with an average of 2 signatories per document.
- With a subscription at €19/month including 3 acts (Yousign), a higher plan would be needed or overages paid. The cost can exceed €50/month.
- With a pack of 25 acts at €12.50, if each document counts as one act (regardless of the number of signatories), 10 documents cost €5 per month (by buying a pack every 2.5 months). This is clearly cheaper.
Be careful: the definition of an "act" varies depending on the provider. At Sign-Hub, an act corresponds to a signature request sent to a signatory. If you send a document to 2 signatories, this counts as 2 acts. Other providers bill per envelope, regardless of the number of signatories. You must therefore compare what you are actually paying according to your usage.
The limits to be aware of
Sign-Hub offers simple electronic signature within the meaning of the eIDAS regulation (reinforced by email verification and PAdES sealing). This does not constitute an advanced or qualified signature. For notarial acts or regulated procedures, you will need to turn to providers offering higher levels, often more expensive. Sign-Hub operates in mainland France and the DROM.
How to compare effectively?
- Identify your volume: number of documents and signatories per month.
- List the necessary features: reminders, white label, API, etc.
- Calculate the total cost over 12 months including overage fees.
- Check price transparency: rates must be public and without surprises.
Try it without commitment
Sign-Hub offers a free Découverte plan, with 10 acts per month, without a bank card. You can test the service and check the quality of the signatures. For more intensive use, per-act packs offer total flexibility. Go to sign-hub.newvisionofapps.fr to discover the rates.