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ZealiD vs standard e-signatures

Simple and advanced e-signatures are the right choice for most everyday agreements. When a document needs the legal effect of a handwritten signature across the EU, it needs a qualified signature. Here is how the three levels differ under eIDAS, and where ZealiD fits.

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In short

Standard e-signatures cover most agreements.Under eIDAS, Art. 25(1), an electronic signature can't be refused as evidence in court just because it is electronic. Simple and advanced signatures are quick, familiar and right for most everyday contracts.

A qualified signature counts as handwritten.Art. 25(2) eIDAS gives a qualified electronic signature the same legal effect as a handwritten one, and it is recognised in every EU member state. Only a provider on the EU Trusted List can issue the certificate behind it.

ZealiD adds the qualified level.ZealiD AB is a qualified trust service provider. In Trust Circle, each client verifies once and signs with a qualified signature. ZealiD's qualified signature also works inside the e-signature tool you may already use.

Overview

Standard e-signatures and ZealiD, side by side

Simple and advanced e-signatures
ZealiD Trust Circle
What it is
Simple (SES): any electronic data used to sign, such as a typed name or a click. Advanced (AES): linked to the signer only, able to identify them, and shows if the document changed afterwards (Art. 26 eIDAS)
Qualified (QES): an advanced signature made with a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate (Art. 3(12) eIDAS)
Legal effect
Can't be refused in court just for being electronic (Art. 25(1)). How much it proves depends on the tool and the evidence it keeps
The equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature (Art. 25(2))
Across the EU
Not covered by the automatic recognition between member states in Art. 25(3)
A QES based on a qualified certificate from one member state is recognised in all of them (Art. 25(3))
Who checks the signer
Depends on the tool, from an email address to an ID check
ZealiD verifies each signer with an ID document and a face check in the ZealiD app. Included in every plan, no fee per check. Valid for two years. 265+ ID documents from 50+ nationalities
Who can provide it
Any e-signature tool
Only a qualified trust service provider on the EU Trusted List. ZealiD AB, QTSP for qualified signatures, Swedish Trusted List. Certifications and audits
Best for
Most everyday agreements
Documents that need the legal effect of a handwritten signature, or strong proof of who signed
Cost
Depends on your e-signature tool and plan
Micro €40 a year. Solo €15.20, Starter €39.20 (3 users), Professional €119.20 (10 users) a month, billed yearly. ZealiD pricing. QES included: Micro 10 a year, Solo 5, Starter 15, Professional 75 a month
Client portal and KYC
Depends on the tool
A Trust Circle per client or matter, and a KYC add-on on Professional, €100 a month
Works with your tool
Your e-signature tool, as today
ZealiD's qualified signature works inside Adobe Acrobat Sign, DocuSign and Microsoft (Starter and up)

Sources: Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS), EUR-Lex, Articles 3, 25 and 26; EU Trusted List; ZealiD pricing and qualified electronic signature. Checked November 2026.

The differences

Where they really differ

Three levels, one regulation

eIDAS defines three levels of electronic signature. A simple signature can be a typed name or a click. An advanced signature must be linked to the signer only and show if the document changed. A qualified signature is an advanced one, based on a qualified certificate from a provider on the EU Trusted List. Only the qualified level has the legal effect of a handwritten signature in every member state. ZealiD issues qualified signatures.

Electronic signatures under eIDAS

Simple (SES)Everyday
Advanced (AES)Linked to the signer
Qualified (QES)Like handwritten

An email address, or a verified person

With many simple signatures, the proof of who signed is the email address the link went to. For a qualified signature, the provider must verify the signer before issuing the certificate. In ZealiD, each signer verifies once in the ZealiD app with an ID document and a face check. It stays valid for two years, and it's included in your plan with no fee per check.

SA
Sofia AlbrechtClient · verified once · valid until Nov 2028
eIDAS verified
A test you can run yourself

Check which documents need a qualified signature

List the documents your firm signed last quarter. For each, ask three questions. Does a law or the other party ask for a handwritten signature? Would you need to prove who signed if it were disputed? Is the signer in another EU country? Documents with a yes are the ones to sign with a qualified signature. Keep the rest on the e-signature tool you have.

Your documents from last quarter

A handwritten signature is requiredYes / No
You may need to prove who signedYes / No
The signer is in another EU countryYes / No
Documents with a yesCount

What each one costs

The cost of simple and advanced signatures depends on the e-signature tool you use. A qualified signature always comes from a qualified provider, either inside your tool or directly. Trust Circle plans are billed yearly, with identity verification and a set number of qualified signatures included.

Standard e-signatures

Simple signatureDepends on tool
Advanced signatureDepends on tool
Qualified signatureFrom a QTSP

Check your e-signature tool's plan

Trust Circle

Micro€40 / year
Starter (3 users)€39.20
Professional (10 users)€119.20

A month, billed yearly. ID checks and QES included

See pricing →

Which one is right for you?

Choose standard e-signatures if:

  • Your documents don't need the legal effect of a handwritten signature
  • You sign many everyday agreements and want the simplest flow
  • Your signers shouldn't have to identify with an ID document
  • An email address is enough proof of who signed

Choose Trust Circle if:

  • A law, regulator or the other party asks for a qualified signature
  • You need to prove who signed, with a verified identity
  • Your signers are in different EU countries
  • You also verify clients and share files with them

Use both if: most of your agreements are everyday ones. Keep your e-signature tool for those, and add ZealiD's qualified signature, inside that tool or in Trust Circle, for the documents that need it.

What Trust Circle doesn't do

Live sanctions and PEP screening, beneficial ownership checks and the risk decision stay with your firm.

It doesn't replace your e-signature tool for everyday agreements. Keep it for those, and use ZealiD where you need the qualified level.

What our customers say

Following a challenging couple of weeks during which our previous TSP partner refused to accept the latest form of identity documents from Malta, it became crucial for us to locate a provider who could smoothly integrate it into our system. ZealiD offers a robust platform and a competitive pricing model which is among the finest in the industry.
Zak Cassar RoseDirector & COO, Binderr
Paper procedures are a no-go for modern businesses with complicated signing journeys and long delays. It was time for us to go digital, and ZealiD came through with a user-friendly and simple solution that cut our signing cycles from weeks to just minutes ensuring the highest level of security.
Stéphane SabbagueCEO, CALIPIA

ABN AMROMicrosoftDLA PiperBird & BirdBinderrOyster HRCALIPIA

More comparisons

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Verify, share and sign in one place

  • Identity verification in every plan, no fee per check
  • Verified once, valid for two years
  • ZealiD AB is a qualified trust service provider on the EU Trusted List
  • Documents stored in Stockholm, EU
Try Trust Circle See pricing
Plans from €40 a year.

Common questions

What is the difference between SES, AES and QES?

A simple electronic signature (SES) is any electronic data used to sign, such as a typed name. An advanced signature (AES) is linked to the signer only and shows if the document changed. A qualified signature (QES) is an advanced signature made with a qualified device and based on a qualified certificate. eIDAS on EUR-Lex.

Is a simple e-signature legally valid?

Yes. Under Article 25(1) eIDAS, a court can't refuse an electronic signature as evidence only because it is electronic or isn't qualified. How much it proves depends on the evidence your tool keeps.

When do I need a qualified electronic signature?

When a document needs the legal effect of a handwritten signature, for example where a law or the other party requires one. Rules differ by country and document type, so check what applies to yours. About qualified signatures.

Is a qualified signature recognised in other EU countries?

Yes. Under Article 25(3) eIDAS, a qualified signature based on a qualified certificate issued in one member state is recognised as a qualified signature in all the others.

Can I add a qualified signature to the e-signature tool I already use?

Yes. ZealiD's qualified signature works inside Adobe Acrobat Sign, DocuSign and Microsoft, from the Trust Circle Starter plan. ZealiD with Adobe Acrobat Sign.

Who issues ZealiD's qualified signatures?

ZealiD AB itself. It is a qualified trust service provider on the Swedish Trusted List, supervised by PTS and audited every year by TÜViT and SRC Security. Certifications and compliance.