KlevoElectronic signature vs digital signature
People use these terms as if they mean the same thing. They do not: one is a legal idea and the other is a technology.
The difference
| Electronic signature | Digital signature | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Any electronic sign of agreement: a typed name, a drawn signature, a tick box | A cryptographic seal made with a certificate |
| What it shows | Someone intended to sign, backed by whatever evidence is recorded | The file has not changed since signing, and which certificate signed it |
| Typical use | Everyday contracts, NDAs, invoices, forms | Regulated or government processes, and certain cross-border documents |
| Setup | Usually none | Usually a certificate from a trusted provider |
Which do you need?
For a freelance contract, a lease renewal or an NDA, an electronic signature with a good record is normally what people use. If a regulator, court or government body names a specific type, such as an EU qualified signature, follow that requirement. Our table of e-signature laws shows how this varies.
What Klevo provides
Klevo provides an electronic signature with a certificate page recording each signer’s name, time, IP address, device and a fingerprint of the signed document. It is not a qualified electronic signature under eIDAS, so use a qualified provider where the law requires one.
Frequently asked questions
Is a digital signature more legal than an electronic one?
Not automatically. Both can be valid. A digital signature gives stronger technical proof, and some processes specifically require one.
Is a scanned signature an electronic signature?
It can count as one, but an image alone is weak evidence because it is easy to copy. A record of who signed and when helps.
Updated November 5, 2026 · by the Klevo team at RRDL Limited