When you're signing documents online, you’ll often see the terms electronic signature and digital signature. They sound similar — but they’re not the same thing. And if you’re working in a regulated environment (or just want to be sure your contracts are solid), it’s worth understanding the difference.
Let’s break it down — and show you how Connie’s signature system goes further than the basics.
What’s an Electronic Signature?
An electronic signature (or e-signature) is any electronic process that shows someone intends to sign something. That includes:
Typing your name
Clicking “I agree”
Drawing your signature with your finger or mouse
Long Pressing a button
Swiping to sign
Under the eIDAS regulation (the EU law on electronic identification and trust services), these are valid and legally binding — as long as they can show intent and link the signature to the signer.
What’s a Digital Signature?
A digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that uses cryptography as well, to lock down the document. It ensures:
Authentication – verifying the identity of the signer
Integrity – proving the document hasn’t been changed after it was signed
Digital signatures are the technical foundation behind Advanced and Qualified Electronic Signatures under eIDAS.
💡 Read more about eIDAS in our article eIDAS explained
What Does Connie Offer?
Connie gives you eIDAS-compliant signatures that are secure, user-friendly, and legally solid — and in many cases, go beyond the baseline requirements:
Simple Electronic Signature (SES) – but stronger than "simple":
Swipe to Sign on mobile and Long Press to Sign on desktop — these actions clearly demonstrate intent, creating a stronger link between signer and action
Every signed document is sealed using the PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures (PAdES) standard — even for SES, this ensures the document is locked and tamper-proof
Timestamps are created by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) — which is not required for SES, but we include it to enhance auditability and trust
👉 In short: Our SES is far stronger than the minimum — it’s technically sealed and timestamped like a digital signature, while keeping the signing experience smooth and intuitive.
Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) – for higher-assurance needs:
Sign with Danish MitID (with more countries coming soon!)
Strong identity verification plus digital sealing and QTSP timestamping
Complies fully with eIDAS requirements for AES
This is ideal for higher-risk documents or workflows that need strong legal evidence of identity and integrity.
Why This Matters
Most platforms stop at the basics. At Connie, we believe secure signing should be easy, compliant, and built for the real world. That’s why we:
Offer intuitive signing on any device
Use cryptographic seals and qualified timestamps even on SES
Support national eIDs for AES (starting with Denmark)
Store everything in the EU and follow strict data protection practices
DISCLAIMER: Connie is not a law firm and this article should not be relied on as legal advice.