Feature comparison
| Feature | Signpace | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes — 3 docs/month, no credit card | Limited (2 tasks/day, watermarked) |
| Starting price | $12/month (Starter) | $12/month (Pro) |
| Dedicated signing workflow | Yes (purpose-built) | One feature among many |
| PDF editing | Signing only | Yes (compress, convert, edit) |
| Send for signatures | Yes (Starter+) | Yes (Pro) |
| Audit trail | Yes (Pro plan) | Limited |
| API access | No | No |
| Mobile app | Web only (mobile-responsive) | iOS + Android |
Dedicated tool vs. toolbox
Smallpdf is a Swiss Army knife for PDFs — great for compressing, converting, and editing. Its e-sign feature works, but it's not the focus. Signpace is built exclusively for signing: the interface is faster, the signature tools are better, and the audit trail is more complete.
Free tier: Signpace is more generous
Smallpdf's free tier adds watermarks to downloads and limits you to 2 tasks per day. Signpace's free tier lets you sign 3 full documents per month with no watermarks and no credit card.
When Smallpdf makes more sense
If you need to edit, compress, convert, and sign PDFs regularly, Smallpdf's Pro plan gives you all of that in one subscription. If you only need signing, Signpace is the better-specialized tool.
When Signpace is the better choice
- You only need e-signatures (no other PDF tools)
- You want a clean, purpose-built signing experience
- You need a free plan without watermarks
- You want audit trails and legally binding signatures
When to choose Smallpdf instead
- You also need PDF compression, conversion, and editing
- You want an all-in-one PDF suite
- You need iOS/Android apps
Try Signpace for free
No credit card, no commitment. Sign 3 documents a month for free.