At a glance
| PDFWrangle Sign PDF | Smallpdf eSign (free plan) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up required | No | No; "No account creation or installation required" (Smallpdf Sign PDF, checked 2026-10-20) |
| Free allowance | No usage limit | Sign has a "Daily download limit" on the free plan (Smallpdf pricing, checked 2026-10-20) |
| File size limit | None set | "Limited" on the free plan, no number published (Smallpdf pricing, checked 2026-10-20) |
| Where the document goes | Signed in your browser; nothing is uploaded | Uploaded; files are deleted after one hour unless you save them to your Smallpdf account (Smallpdf Sign PDF, checked 2026-10-20) |
| Signature type | Simple electronic signature (an image of your signature) | Draw, type or upload a signature; add initials, date, text or checkboxes (Smallpdf Sign PDF, checked 2026-10-20) |
PDFWrangle facts come from our own tools: they run in your browser, have no usage cap and no account, and set no file size limit (very large files depend on your device's memory).
When Smallpdf eSign is the better choice
- You need to request signatures from other people (Smallpdf pricing, checked 2026-10-20).
- You want to add the date, text fields or checkboxes, or upload an image of your signature (Smallpdf Sign PDF, checked 2026-10-20).
- You want to sign Word, Excel, PowerPoint or image files, which Smallpdf converts to PDF first (Smallpdf Sign PDF, checked 2026-10-20).
When PDFWrangle is the better choice
- You sign your own documents often and don't want a daily download limit.
- The contract or form is private and shouldn't be uploaded.
- A simple electronic signature is all the document needs.