DocuSign
Electronic signatures and agreement workflows
DocuSeal
Self-hosted platform for creating, filling, and signing PDFs
DocuSeal lets you build PDF forms, collect signatures, and manage documents securely across devices, with multi-language support, storage options, and API/webhook integration.
Overview
Overview
DocuSeal is a self‑hosted solution that enables businesses to create, fill, and sign PDF documents online. Its WYSIWYG form builder offers 12 field types—including signatures, dates, and file uploads—while supporting multiple submitters per document, automated email notifications, and built‑in e‑signature verification. The UI is mobile‑optimized and available in seven languages, with signing supported in fourteen languages, making it suitable for global teams.
Deployment & Integration
The platform runs in a Docker container and defaults to an SQLite database, but can connect to PostgreSQL or MySQL via the DATABASE_URL environment variable. Files can be stored locally or on cloud services such as AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Azure. DocuSeal provides a REST API, webhooks, and embeddable components for React, Vue, Angular, or plain JavaScript, allowing seamless integration into existing web or mobile applications. Pro features like SSO, SMS verification, and bulk sending are available for enterprises that need advanced workflow automation.
Highlights
WYSIWYG PDF form builder with 12 field types
Multi‑signer workflows and automated email notifications
Flexible storage (disk, S3, Google, Azure) and signature verification
API, webhooks, and embeddable components for custom integration
Pros
- Full data control with self‑hosted deployment
- Rich field types and multi‑signer support
- Mobile‑optimized UI with extensive language coverage
- Simple Docker‑based installation
Considerations
- Requires own infrastructure and maintenance
- Advanced features are locked behind a pro tier
- Limited out‑of‑the‑box branding without white‑label purchase
- Initial setup may be steep for non‑technical users
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Fit guide
Great for
- Companies needing on‑premise e‑signature compliance
- SaaS products that embed signing directly into their UI
- Organizations with high‑volume document workflows (KYC, contracts)
- Teams that require control over storage location and data residency
Not ideal when
- Small teams lacking DevOps resources
- Users seeking a fully managed SaaS with zero maintenance
- Projects that need extensive custom branding without paying for pro
- Environments requiring native mobile applications
How teams use it
Employee onboarding
Collect signed employment contracts and tax forms in a single, auditable workflow.
Loan approval process
Enable borrowers and lenders to sign PDFs, store documents securely in S3, and trigger automated notifications.
Real‑estate lease signing
Send lease agreements to multiple parties, capture signatures, and archive verified PDFs for legal compliance.
Fintech KYC verification
Gather ID documents, signatures, and consent forms with SMS verification and automated reminder emails.
Tech snapshot
Ruby43%
HTML24%
Vue22%
JavaScript10%
SCSS1%
Dockerfile1%
Frequently asked questions
Is DocuSeal free to use?
Yes, the core platform is released under the AGPL‑3.0 license and can be self‑hosted at no cost; premium features are offered under a paid pro plan.
What databases does DocuSeal support?
It uses SQLite by default but can connect to PostgreSQL or MySQL by setting the `DATABASE_URL` environment variable.
Can I integrate DocuSeal with my existing application?
DocuSeal provides a REST API, webhooks, and embeddable signing/form builder components for React, Vue, Angular, or plain JavaScript.
How is document data stored securely?
Files can be stored on local disk or cloud storage services (AWS S3, Google Cloud, Azure) with built‑in PDF signature verification and optional encryption.
What languages are supported in the UI?
The interface is available in seven UI languages, and signing can be performed in fourteen languages.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 11,211
- Watchers
- 11,211
- Forks
- 928
LicenseAGPL-3.0
Repo age2 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageRuby
Last synced 3 hours ago