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Esup-Signature

esup-portail.org

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Spec score 8.8 #8 of 68 in E-Signature Software

What it is

Esup-Signature is free, open-source software for building document-signing workflows, sending documents to sign, and tracking completion with proof. Workflows can set signers, signature types, and whether everyone at a step must sign. Supported operations include verification and visa, as well as simple, advanced, and qualified electronic signatures. When a workflow mixes signature levels, simple signatures must precede advanced or qualified ones. Any document format can be signed, but only PDFs show a visual signature; other formats use XAdES signatures. The software can check document integrity and display proof files, and it uses the European Commission’s DSS solution for eIDAS signatures and certificate-based verification. PDF forms can become web forms and draw prefilled data from institutional LDAP or custom sources. Users can delegate signing or data entry and transfer requests. Esup-Signature is free at free under the Apache 2.0 license. It is not offered as a hosted service and must be installed on an institution’s own server.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Esup-Signature is a web application for signing documents and creating multi-step signature workflows.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Intended users
The documentation identifies internal agents, staff, and students, as well as external partners, citizens, and consultants, as users.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Audience
The documentation addresses internal agents, staff, and students, as well as external partners, citizens, and consultants.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Deployment
The FAQ says Esup-Signature is not offered as a hosted service and must be installed on an institution’s local server.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Integrations
Documents can be integrated manually, retrieved from a folder, or injected through a web service; document stores such as Nuxeo and Alfresco can connect through CMIS.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Security
For hardware-backed signing, Esup-DSS-Client can use a certificate stored on a physical key so the certificate does not leave that key.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Support
The consortium says its minimum project support includes identifying project actors and applying necessary security patches and fixes for defects that prevent normal operation.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Founded
2019Read 4 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
API access
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · esup-portail.org
Audit trail
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · esup-portail.org
Authentication
Internal users can authenticate through CAS or Shibboleth, while external users can use ProConnect, FranceConnect, or SMS codes.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Bulk sending
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · esup-portail.org
Delegation
Users can delegate signing or data entry, and transfer pending and future requests to another person.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Document formats
It supports signatures on all document types; visual signatures are available on PDFs, while other formats use XAdES signatures.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Document templates
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · esup-portail.org
Document verification
The application can check the integrity of simply signed documents and display their proof file, and it can verify certificate-signed documents with the DSS Signature engine.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Document workflows
Users can send documents for signature, start predefined processes, fill documents online, and manage signature workflows.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Forms
PDF forms can be turned into web forms and prefilled using institutional LDAP data or custom data sources.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Hardware keys
With Esup-DSS-Client, users can sign using certificates on physical keys or cards, keeping the certificate on the device.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Hosting limit
The FAQ says Esup-Signature is not offered as a hosted service and must be installed on an institution's local server.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Price and licensing
The FAQ describes Esup-Signature as free and open-source software.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Security and verification
The product integrates the European Commission's DSS solution for eIDAS signatures and can verify certificate-based signatures with DSS Signature.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Signature order
bothRead 23 Sep 2026 · esup-portail.org
Signature order limit
A simple signature cannot follow an advanced or qualified signature in the same workflow.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Signature types
The application supports verification, visa, simple image-based signatures on PDFs, advanced eIDAS signatures, and qualified eIDAS signatures.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
SMS authentication
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · esup-portail.org
Technical requirements
The FAQ identifies Java, Maven, Git, and PostgreSQL as minimum technical knowledge for implementation, and lists Spring, CAS, Shibboleth, Apache, Tomcat, and LDAP knowledge as useful for full operation.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Workflow restriction
In a workflow that mixes signature levels, simple signatures must come before advanced or qualified signatures.Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org
Workflows
Workflows can define signers, signature types, and whether every signer at a step must sign.Read 11 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org

Plans and prices

Esup-Signature (open source) Free Apache 2.0 license · must be installed on the institution’s own server Read 12 Oct 2026 · esup-portail.org

Every Esup-Signature plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports simple, advanced, and qualified electronic signatures.
  • Workflows can set signers and signature requirements.
  • PDF forms can become prefilled web forms.
  • Supports delegation and transfer of signing requests.
  • Free at free under Apache 2.0.

Limits

  • Must be installed on an institution’s own server.
  • Visual signatures are supported only for PDFs.
  • Mixed-level workflows require simple signatures first.
  • Implementation calls for Java, Maven, Git, and PostgreSQL knowledge.

Who it suits

The documentation describes use by internal agents, staff, and students, as well as external partners, citizens, and consultants. It suits institutions able to install and operate software on their own servers.

Verdict

Esup-Signature covers document workflows, multiple signature types, and verification, with options for hardware-backed certificates. Its self-hosted requirement means institutions need local technical capacity.

Where Specifiction places it

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