Best Self Hosted Alternatives to eSign Genie

Documenso is an open-source document signing platform designed as an alternative to proprietary e-signature services. It provides an embeddable signing experience, developer APIs, and tools for creating, sending, and collecting legally compliant signatures.

Key Features

• Open-source core with an AGPL-3.0 license and a public repository containing the full source code and developer docs.
• REST/tRPC-style API surface and webhook support for real-time event notifications (document.created, document.signed, document.completed, etc.).
• Reusable templates, direct-share signing links, and embeddable signing UI to integrate signing flows into other applications.
• PDF viewing and manipulation capabilities (PDF rendering and programmatic edits) plus planned PDF-signing tool support in the ecosystem.
• Payments integration support (Stripe) and platform billing primitives for monetizing signing workflows (some payment features marked as coming soon).
• Production-ready deployment options: self-host via Docker or run the hosted service; includes Docker image and GitHub Container Registry artifacts.
• Developer-friendly stack and quickstart: TypeScript-based codebase, Prisma ORM, Tailwind CSS UI, Node.js runtime, and local development scripts.

Use Cases

• Embedding contract signing into a web application so customers can complete agreements without redirecting offsite.
• Automating document workflows: generate templates, send documents programmatically, and respond to signing events via webhooks.
• Running a private, auditable signing service for regulated or privacy-sensitive organizations that require reviewable source code.

Limitations and Considerations

• License: the project is released under AGPL-3.0, which imposes strong copyleft requirements that may be restrictive for some proprietary deployments.
• Feature maturity: several platform features (template marketplace, some payment experiences) are listed as "coming soon" and may be evolving; enterprise-grade SLA/support options are available but distinct from the open-source repo.
• Platform dependencies: self-hosted installations require Node.js (v22+), a PostgreSQL database, and configuration of SMTP and signing certificates, which adds operational requirements.

Documenso aims to provide a full-featured, developer-first e-signature platform that can be self-hosted or consumed as a hosted service. It focuses on embeddability, API automation, and an open-source governance model for organizations that want control over their signing infrastructure.

DocuSeal is an open-source document filling and eSignature platform designed as an alternative to services like DocuSign. It lets you build fillable forms, send signing requests, and produce signed PDFs with verification, optimized for desktop and mobile use.

Key Features

• WYSIWYG PDF form builder with multiple field types (e.g., signature, date, file upload, checkboxes)
• Multi-party submissions with automated email delivery via SMTP
• Automatic PDF eSignature generation and signature verification
• File storage on local disk or S3-compatible/object storage providers
• User management plus API and webhooks for integrations
• Embeddable signing and form-building components for web and app integration
• Optional enterprise capabilities such as SSO/SAML, roles, reminders, and bulk send/import

Use Cases

• Sending contracts, agreements, and HR documents for eSignature
• Embedding document signing inside a SaaS product via API/webhooks
• Building and distributing fillable document templates for repeated workflows

Limitations and Considerations

• Some advanced capabilities (e.g., SSO/SAML, roles, reminders, bulk send) are offered as paid “Pro” features.

DocuSeal fits teams that need a modern eSignature workflow with strong developer integration options. It is suitable for both standalone document signing portals and embedded signing experiences inside other applications.

docassemble is a free, open-source expert system for building guided web interviews that collect information from users and apply rules and logic to produce outcomes. It is widely used for document automation, but it can also submit applications, store user input, and integrate with external systems.

Key Features

• Guided, logic-driven interviews that adapt questions based on prior answers
• Document assembly and generation in common formats (PDF, DOCX, RTF)
• Interview authoring using YAML, with Markdown for text and Python for logic
• Multi-user workflows for scenarios involving multiple participants
• Extensibility through Python code and reusable packages
• Background tasks for running work outside the active user session
• API capabilities for integrating with third-party services and automating input/output

Use Cases

• Legal and administrative form automation with downloadable, filled documents
• Intake and eligibility screening that dynamically adjusts questions
• Guided applications that store submissions and exchange data with external APIs

docassemble is a flexible platform for building structured, rules-based web interviews while keeping development approachable through YAML and Markdown with optional Python for advanced logic. It fits teams that need reliable conditional flows, reusable interview components, and automated document output.

Signature PDF is an open-source web application for signing and manipulating PDF documents directly in the browser. It supports both solo signing and shared multi-signer workflows, alongside common PDF organization and optimization tools.

Key Features

• Add signatures, initials, stamps, text, strike-through annotations, and watermarks to PDFs
• Multi-signature workflow via a shared link (optional server-side PDF storage)
• Page organization tools: merge, reorder, rotate, delete, extract pages, and generate booklets
• PDF optimization: compress PDFs to reduce file size
• Edit PDF metadata (add, modify, or remove predefined fields)
• Optional server-side encryption for stored PDFs using a symmetric key known to signers
• Optional server-side digital signature using certificate tooling (NSS database and pdfsig)

Use Cases

• Collect signatures from multiple people on the same document using a shareable link
• Prepare PDFs by merging files, extracting pages, and standardizing page layout before sending
• Reduce PDF size for email delivery or archiving while retaining a usable document

Limitations and Considerations

• Multi-signature mode requires storing PDFs on the server, which impacts storage and retention planning
• Digital signature support depends on additional system tools and certificate setup on the host

Signature PDF is well-suited for organizations that need a lightweight, browser-based PDF signing and editing workflow. It combines signing, page management, metadata editing, and compression in a single self-hostable interface.

Ackify is a self-hosted proof-of-read platform that records cryptographic acknowledgements when users read or accept documents. It generates tamper-evident signatures and an immutable audit trail to support compliance workflows such as GDPR acknowledgements, security policies, and training attestations.

Key Features

• Ed25519 cryptographic signatures for irrefutable, per-user/per-document acknowledgements
• Document checksum support (SHA-256/512, MD5) to detect tampering
• Flexible authentication: OAuth2 providers (Google, GitHub, GitLab, custom) and MagicLink (passwordless email)
• One signature per user/document enforced at the database level
• Immutable audit trail built on PostgreSQL with triggers and timestamping
• Expected signers management with email reminders and sign status tracking
• Public embeddable widgets (iframe/oEmbed) for integration with Notion, Outline and other tools
• Admin dashboard (Vue 3) for document management, signer overview and multilingual UI
• REST API and Docker Compose deployment for easy automation and integration

Use Cases

• Prove employee acknowledgement of security policies, codes of conduct, or operational procedures
• Record training completions and attestations for compliance audits
• Collect GDPR or contractual acknowledgements from staff or external collaborators

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires at least one authentication method configured (OAuth2 credentials or an SMTP server for MagicLink)
• Focuses on proof-of-read acknowledgements rather than full legal e-signature workflows; not a replacement for advanced e-signature services
• Production hardening (scaling, HA, backups) depends on operator-managed infrastructure and PostgreSQL setup

Ackify is a focused, audit-ready solution for organizations that need verifiable acknowledgements of documents. It prioritizes cryptographic integrity, simple integrations and an admin experience suited for compliance teams.