Yousign vs PDF24
Both Yousign and PDF24 are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the document signing space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Yousign
EU- Headquarters
- Paris, FR
- Pricing
- From €9/mo
- Open Source
- No
PDF24
EU- Headquarters
- Berlin, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- PDF24 offers a free tier, while yousign starts at €9/month. If you want to try before you buy, PDF24 lets you get started without any upfront cost.
- Data residency differs: Yousign hosts data in France, while PDF24 hosts in Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Yousign holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. PDF24 does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter if your organisation requires them for vendor approval.
- PDF24 was founded in 2006, giving it a 7-year head start over Yousign (founded 2013). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Yousign offers Electronic signatures (eIDAS compliant) and Document templates, while PDF24 provides PDF creator and Editor. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Yousign | PDF24 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yousign | PDF24 |
| Pricing | From €9/mo | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Paris, FR | Berlin, DE |
| Data Centers | FR | DE |
| Electronic signatures (eIDAS compliant) | ||
| Document templates | ||
| Signature workflows | ||
| Bulk sending | ||
| API | ||
| Audit trails | ||
| Advanced authentication | ||
| Custom branding | ||
| PDF creator | ||
| Editor | ||
| Merge/split | ||
| Compress | ||
| Convert | ||
| OCR | ||
| E-sign | ||
| Fax | ||
| Desktop app | ||
| Browser-based tools |
Pricing Comparison
Yousign
From €9/mosubscription
PDF24
Freefree
Compliance Comparison
Yousign
GDPRISO 27001DPA
PDF24
GDPRDPA
Get Started
Categories
How to Choose
You're a startup or individual on a budget
Choose PDF24
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose Yousign
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Yousign
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose PDF24
Yousign vs PDF24 — FAQ
What is the main difference between Yousign and PDF24?
Both Yousign and PDF24 are European document signing solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Yousign uses subscription pricing while PDF24 uses free. Yousign is headquartered in Paris, France, while PDF24 is based in Berlin, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Yousign or PDF24?
Yousign starts at €9/month, while pDF24 offers a free tier. Pricing models differ (subscription vs. free), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Yousign and PDF24 GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Yousign and PDF24 are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Yousign holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.