Electronic vs digital signatures

People use these terms interchangeably, but they mean different things. Knowing which you need avoids over- or under-doing it.

Electronic signature

An electronic signature is any mark showing intent to sign — a drawn or typed name on the page. It is fine for most agreements.

Digital signature

A digital signature uses a cryptographic certificate to prove who signed and that the file has not changed since. It is tamper-evident and used where identity assurance is critical.

Which do you need?

For everyday consent, an electronic signature is enough. For high-stakes contracts or regulated processes, a certificate-based digital signature adds legal weight.