Alternatives / DocuSign
Looking for an open source DocuSign alternative? We compared 4 open source e-signature and document platforms by license, self-hosting, API, templates, and pricing. They all use AGPL-3.0 licenses, and three of them keep some features in paid or commercial editions.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| DocuSeal | Developers embedding signing (many features are Pro) | AGPL-3.0 + attribution term |
| Documenso | Closest self-hosted DocuSign replacement | AGPL-3.0 + commercial ee directory |
| OpenSign | Free self-hosted signing with a mobile-friendly flow | AGPL-3.0 (one directory excluded) |
| Wraft | Document generation, approvals, and signing (small project) | AGPL-3.0 |
We looked for open-source tools that overlap with DocuSign's core: sending documents for signature, collecting signatures, and keeping an audit trail. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting in its repository. DocuSign is a hosted enterprise product, so we compare self-hosting, API and embedding options, and which features are in paid editions. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Self-hosted tools produce electronic signatures with an audit trail, which are valid for many everyday agreements in many countries. Some documents or regulated sectors require advanced or qualified signatures with identity verification or certified providers, which basic setups may not provide. Confirm what your jurisdiction and use case require before replacing DocuSign.
Documenso is the closest in everyday use: a signing platform with templates, recipients, audit logs, an API, and a polished interface, available self-hosted or in its cloud. OpenSign offers a similar free flow with a mobile-friendly experience, and DocuSeal is strongest for developers who embed signing forms in their own apps.
DocuSeal's open-source edition leaves features such as white-labeling, user roles, SSO and SAML, SMS verification, reminders, bulk send, and embedded signing components to its Pro plan. Documenso keeps an ee directory under a commercial license, and OpenSign excludes one directory from its AGPL license. Only Wraft's repository is fully AGPL-3.0, though it is a small project.
All four are AGPL-3.0. DocuSeal adds a Section 7(b) term requiring you to keep its attribution in user interfaces. Documenso's packages/ee directory is under the Documenso Commercial License, and OpenSign excludes its customRoute directory from the AGPL license.
Documenso, DocuSeal, and Wraft were updated within days or weeks of this update. OpenSign's last release was in August 2026, so it moves a little slower. Wraft is small with 166 stars, so check its maturity first.
DocuSign is a proprietary hosted service priced per user and per envelope, with documents stored on its servers. Open-source alternatives let you self-host signing, keep documents and audit trails on your own infrastructure, avoid per-envelope fees, and embed signing in your own product, at the cost of running the service and handling compliance, since legal requirements for signatures vary by country.
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DocuSeal | E-signature platform | AGPL-3.0 + attribution term (Pro paid) | Yes | Developers |
| Documenso | E-signature platform | AGPL-3.0 + commercial ee directory | Yes | Teams and companies |
| OpenSign | E-signature platform | AGPL-3.0 (one directory excluded) | Yes | Free signing |
| Wraft | Document lifecycle | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | High-volume documents |
Want the closest self-hosted DocuSign replacement
Documenso offers templates, audit logs, an API, and a polished signing flow, with its ee directory under a commercial license.
Want to embed signing in your own product
DocuSeal offers a REST API and embeddable components, but embedded signing forms and many other features are in its Pro plan.
Want free self-hosted signing
OpenSign is an AGPL-3.0 e-signature tool with cloud-storage and CRM integrations and a mobile-friendly flow.
Need document generation and approvals with signing
Wraft combines templates, document generation, approval workflows, and e-signatures, but it is a small project.