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Docuseal: Open-source DocuSign alternative

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Re: Docuseal: Open-source DocuSign alternative

#11

Post by somery »

Hi everyone, my name is Alex and I'm the creator of DocuSeal.

I was not happy with the existing mainstream document signing solutions so I decided to create an open-source alternative.

I've been working on this project since the middle of May and here is what the tool can do so far:

- PDF form fields builder

- 10 field types available (Signature/Date/File/Checkbox etc)

- Multiple submitters per document

- Automated emails via SMTP

- File storage on AWS S3, Google Storage, or Azure

- Automatic PDF eSignature

- PDF signature verification

- User management

- Mobile-optimized

DocuSeal can be self-hosted on-premises or used in the Cloud for free. DocuSeal was built with Ruby on Rails with a bit of Vue3 for complex UI parts like the form builder.

Looking for some feedback and would be happy to answer any questions

Re: Docuseal: Open-source DocuSign alternative

#12

Post by somery »

arnley wrote: post #7

What makes docuseal better than documenso, which is in the same space and also open source? https://github.com/documenso/documenso

Documenso doesn't have all the features that are currently available at DocuSeal - also Docuseal if free in the Cloud when Documenso is $30/month

Afaik the only thing Documenso can do is to place a signature - when with Docuseal it's possible to create more complex PDF forms with different field types like file/image/checkbox etc.

While Documenso looks like an ambitions project - DocuSeal already appears to be more robust and can become a true DocuSign alternative with all the features already available and open-source

Re: Docuseal: Open-source DocuSign alternative

#13

Post by V__ »

reisr3 wrote: post #5

What is the bar for a "legally binding digital signature"? Is this a very complicated topic - or is it quite simple? I can sign a PDF with OSX Preview for free. I can pay a bunch of money to sign with Docusign. Both produce a PDF with a digital image of my signature. I assume both documents constitute a legally binding agreement, so long as I actually preformed the digital signature. What justification do the e-signa…

As always, it depends on the jurisdiction. The EU has the eIDAS [1] which allows simple signatures such as these for most form-free-contracts (the majority). There are however some, which need a digital cert and have to be encrypted.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EIDAS

Re: Docuseal: Open-source DocuSign alternative

#15

Post by tyingq »

ketanip wrote: post #4

Very nice and easy to use product. Loved that you provided an live version to try it without any signup wall or anything. Also won't DocuSign accuse you of "misleading" their customers by using a name that is "too similar" to their ?

It does seem on somewhat dangerous ground for "trademark similarity testing", "consumer perception", etc...with "docu-".

I'd have gone with "DocSeal" or something that was a harder break from the "DocuSxxx" pattern.

Re: Docuseal: Open-source DocuSign alternative

#16

Post by V__ »

mhrmsn wrote: post #10
reisr3 wrote: post #5

What is the bar for a "legally binding digital signature"? Is this a very complicated topic - or is it quite simple? I can sign a PDF with OSX Preview for free. I can pay a bunch of money to sign with Docusign. Both produce a PDF with a digital image of my signature. I assume both documents constitute a legally binding agreement, so long as I actually preformed the digital signature. What justification do the e-signa…

I think there's more to that. A proper digital signature requires you to obtain some certificate/key from an authority which you can then use to sign documents (this doesn't even require an image of your physical signature in the document). This proves that it was actually you who signed the document. The document also can't be altered afterwards without rendering the signature invalid etc. Just adding the image of y…

It actually is for most contracts. See eIDAS.

Re: Docuseal: Open-source DocuSign alternative

#19

Post by insanitybit »

I suggest a new name. `SealDoc` etc. The `Docu` part is going to cause you trouble imo.

I would also suggest maybe an explainer about how it's possible. Specifically, what makes a contract legally binding if it uses this system? The main reason people use DocuSign/ HelloSign is, in my opinion, because it feels safe legally to do so. Are there laws that make it possible for your service to work?

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