Which one should you choose?

A Simple Electronic Signature (SES) is the most basic form of electronic signature, often used for less critical transactions where identity verification is not strictly necessary. This can include actions like ticking a box to accept terms, typing a name in an email, or inserting a scanned image of a handwritten signature. While SES is legally recognized, it provides the lowest level of security and is not strongly linked to the signer's identity. It is easy to forge and may not be accepted in court without additional evidence of its validity. SES can be somewhat compared to the traditional handwritten signature on a document.

An Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) provides a higher level of security and greater legal recognition than SES. It must meet specific legal requirements to verify the signer's identity and ensure that the signature is uniquely linked to the signer. AES is often used in more formal transactions, such as signing contracts, and typically involves validation methods such as an SMS code, email confirmation, or a form of government-issued ID – for example, with NextSign's eID solutions. AES also ensures that any changes to the signed document can be detected, making it legally binding in most legal cases in the EU.

A Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) is the most secure and legally binding form of electronic signature under the eIDAS regulation. It is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature. A QES is created using a qualified certificate issued by a trusted service provider, ensuring the highest level of identity verification. Common forms of QES validation include government-supported identification systems such as NemID or MitID, or certified digital signature tools. QES is widely accepted across the EU, and documents signed with a QES are automatically legally valid in court.