What is Parapho? Secure e-signatures without the per-seat price
Parapho is an e-signature platform to send, template, privately sign and verify documents, with an API. What it does, who it's for and what it costs.
Parapho is an electronic signature platform built on two beliefs: signing a document shouldn't cost much, and the documents you sign deserve serious security. This post explains what Parapho does, who it's for and how it's priced.
What you can do with Parapho
Send documents for signature
Upload a PDF, place signature, date and text fields, add your signers, and send. Each signer gets a personal link and signs on any device without creating an account. You can:
- Route to several signers one after another or all at once
- Send automatic reminders and set an expiry date
- Add an access code for sensitive documents
- Add witnesses, chosen by you or by the signer
- Hand a tablet to someone for in-person signing
- Void an envelope, and see declines with the signer's reason
Templates and forms
Drag fields onto a document once, then send it as often as you like. Templates support 13 field types and conditional fields. From a template you can bulk send a personal copy to every row of a spreadsheet, or create a public link that anyone can open to sign their own copy, which suits waivers and consent forms.
Sign your own PDFs privately
Quick Sign lets you sign a PDF in your browser without an account or an upload: the file never leaves your device. It's free and unlimited. Here's how it works.
Prove what was signed
When everyone has signed, Parapho flattens the document, appends a certificate of completion (signers, witnesses, signature images, timestamps, IP addresses, devices and the full audit trail), applies a PDF digital signature, and records a SHA-256 fingerprint. Anyone can check a copy at /verify without uploading it. More on verification.
Build signing into your product
Developers get a REST API, HMAC-signed webhooks, idempotency keys, free sk_test_ sandbox keys, and SDKs for the browser, React, Node.js and Python. See the integration guide or the developer docs.
Security on every plan
Signed agreements are among the most sensitive files a business keeps, so Parapho doesn't save security for its expensive tiers:
- Mandatory two-factor authentication for every account
- Database-level isolation: PostgreSQL row-level security keeps each workspace's data separate, even if application code has a bug
- Encryption in transit and at rest (AES-256 with AWS KMS); signing links, API keys and recovery codes are stored only as hashes
- No ad trackers, no data selling, and your documents are never used to train AI models
- HIPAA mode with a signed Business Associate Agreement on the Team plan
The security page has the full details.
Is it legally binding?
Parapho is designed to meet the US ESIGN Act and UETA, the UK Electronic Communications Act and EU eIDAS for simple electronic signatures. Every signer consents to sign electronically before signing, and every completed document carries a certificate of completion. A few document types, such as wills, still need ink. Read the full explanation.
What it costs
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Trying it out: 5 envelopes a month, 3 templates, unlimited Quick Sign |
| Solo | $3 a month ($30 a year) | Freelancers, landlords and consultants: unlimited envelopes* and templates, reminders, bulk send, public links |
| Team | $15 a month ($150 a year) | A whole company, with unlimited users, roles, private templates, branding and HIPAA mode |
| API & Embedded | $0.02 per completed envelope | Products that send documents programmatically; first 100 a month free |
*Fair use of up to 1,000 envelopes a month per workspace. Prices in USD, excluding taxes. Nonprofits and education get Team free. Why flat pricing matters.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Parapho mean?
A paraph is the flourish under a signature. Parapho is named after it.
Who is Parapho for?
Freelancers, landlords, consultants, small businesses and teams who send contracts and forms, healthcare practices that need a HIPAA BAA, and developers who want to add signing to their own product.
Do people I send documents to need a Parapho account?
No. Signers open a personal link, agree to sign electronically, and sign on any device. Only the sender needs an account.
Is Parapho a DocuSign alternative?
Yes. Parapho covers the core envelope workflow, including multiple signers, signing order, reminders, templates, bulk send, an audit trail and a certificate of completion, with flat pricing instead of per-seat fees.
Where is my data stored?
On AWS in the United States (us-east-1), encrypted at rest with AWS KMS. Parapho doesn't sell your data or use your documents to train AI models.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ by country, state and document type; check with a lawyer for anything high-stakes.