Electronic signatures
without a subscription.
You have an agreement to send. That doesn’t have to mean adding another monthly bill.
If you only request signatures occasionally, pay-as-you-go signing lets you pay for a request when you need it. Compare the full purchase terms with a monthly plan—including minimum purchases, included requests, and any expiry rules.
Start with the job you need done.
“Sign a PDF” can describe two different jobs. You might need to add your own signature to a document someone sent you. Or you might need to ask another person to review and sign your document.
For your own signature, follow the sender’s instructions. They may already have sent you a signing link. If they expect a returned PDF, check what format they want before choosing a tool.
When you’re requesting someone else’s signature, look for a workflow that invites the right person, shows them where to sign, tracks progress, and lets you keep the completed document. That is the workflow this guide focuses on.
When does pay-as-you-go signing make sense?
It can be a good fit when there are long gaps between requests: a freelancer taking on a new project, a small team getting an occasional approval, or someone sending a single agreement. The useful question is how often you expect to send—not how large your business is.
| Your pattern | What to consider |
|---|---|
| One request, then a quiet month | Pay as you go can avoid a recurring bill between documents. |
| A few unpredictable requests | Compare the total cost of those requests with the plan’s monthly fee. |
| Regular paperwork every month | A plan may offer better value if you use its included requests. |
Neither payment model is automatically the cheapest. A one-time option with a large minimum purchase may be a poor fit for one document. A monthly plan can make sense when your actual usage justifies it.
Check more than the headline price.
- What counts as a request? Check whether pricing counts documents, recipients, completed signatures, or a package sent together.
- Can you buy only what you need? Look for minimum purchases and whether prepaid credits expire.
- What happens if a request changes? Check the terms for corrections, cancellations, and resending.
- What is included? Confirm that the signing workflow, progress tracking, and finished-document access cover your needs.
- What must the recipient do? Check account requirements and any identity or email verification steps before promising a particular experience.
- What happens afterward? Know how to download the completed document and keep a copy with your own records.
Compare the same task on each option. A low per-document price is less useful if the features you need require a different plan.
Make your one request count.
Use the final document, double-check the recipient’s email, and decide who signs each field. If several people are involved, decide whether they can sign together or need to sign in order. A quick review before sending can save a round of corrections.
Our guide to sending a PDF for signature walks through those steps with a real product screen.
Where Linequill fits.
Linequill offers prepaid signing requests without a monthly subscription. Start with 5 requests for $10 USD ($2 per request). Larger packs reduce the rate to as low as $1.76 per request. Prepaid credits never expire.
One request includes the documents and signers in a package; one credit is used when you send it. Monthly plans offer 10 requests for $15, 25 for $35, or 50 for $65, with credits that expire at the end of each paid period. Compare prices and purchase terms.