How to sign a PDF on laptop—do I need an electronic or digital signature?

To sign a PDF on a laptop, you can use a PDF browser with drawing or text tools to add an ordinary electronic signature. A certificate-based digital signature requires software that supports digital signing. If you want both options in one application, PDFgear is a professional PDF editor that supports electronic and digital signatures.

When you add a handwritten signature to a PDF, it is an electronic signature. A digital signature uses a digital ID to enable signature verification and detect subsequent document changes. Choose the type requested by the recipient.

Sign a PDF with PDFgear for free

PDFgear’s desktop app supports both electronic and digital signatures, allowing you to sign a PDF on Windows or Mac for free without creating an account. You can also sign a PDF offline without uploading it, making it suitable for documents containing personal information.

To electronically sign a PDF document with a visible signature:

1. Install the PDFgear desktop app from its official website.
2. Open your PDF in PDFgear.
3. Select Fill & Sign > Signature > Create Signature in the top toolbar.
4. Choose Picture, Type, or Handwriting to create your signature.
5. Click OK, place and resize the signature, then save the signed copy.

Choose Picture to insert a signature image into a PDF, Type to enter your name, or Handwriting to draw a signature on a PDF. These options create ordinary electronic signatures without certificate-based verification.

To add a digital signature to a PDF:

1. Open your PDF in PDFgear desktop app.
2. Click Encrypt with Certificate under Fill & Sign.
3. Drag to select the signature area, then choose your digital ID and enter its password if prompted.
4. Apply the digital signature and save a separate signed copy.

If you prefer not to install software, PDFgear’s website also provides an online tool to sign a PDF online without signing up. It adds ordinary electronic signatures and processes files locally in your browser, so you can sign a PDF without uploading it to a server.

Sign a PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader supports both ordinary electronic signatures and certificate-based digital signatures. These signing functions do not require an Acrobat Pro subscription, although obtaining a certificate accepted by the recipient may cost money.

For a typed, drawn, or image signature:

1. Open the PDF in Acrobat Reader.
2. Open Fill & Sign and choose Add initials.
3. Select Type, Draw, or Image.
4. Apply the signature, position it on the page, and save a copy.

For a certificate-based digital signature:

1. Open the PDF and select All tools > Use a certificate > Digitally sign.
2. Draw a rectangle where the signature should appear.
3. Select your digital ID, or choose Configure New Digital ID to configure one.
4. Review the details and enter the digital ID password if prompted.
5. Click Sign and save the signed PDF.

The difference between electronic and digital signatures determines which method fits the document. For most everyday forms and agreements, an ordinary electronic signature is sufficient when the recipient accepts it. For government submissions, regulated workflows, or documents requiring certificate-based verification of the signer’s identity and document integrity, use a digital signature with a certificate accepted by the receiving organization.

When you add a digital signature to a PDF, use a digital ID the recipient trusts. Signing with a locally available digital ID can work offline; certificate-status checks and trusted timestamp services may require an internet connection.