---
title: "Deploy DocuSeal (Open-Source DocuSign Alternative)"
description: "Open-source DocuSign alternative. Sign PDFs legally. Postgres included."
category: "Other"
url: https://railway.com/deploy/docuseal-open-source-docusign-alternativ
---

# Deploy DocuSeal (Open-Source DocuSign Alternative)

Open-source DocuSign alternative. Sign PDFs legally. Postgres included.

**[Deploy DocuSeal (Open-Source DocuSign Alternative) on Railway](https://railway.com/template/docuseal-open-source-docusign-alternativ)**

- **Creator:** Nick K's Projects
- **Category:** Other
- **Total deploys:** 1

## Template content

### docuseal

- **Image:** docuseal/docuseal:3.1.5
- **Health check:** /up
- **Public domain:** Yes

### Postgres

- **Image:** ghcr.io/railwayapp-templates/postgres-ssl:17

## Documentation

# Deploy and Host DocuSeal on Railway

Self-host DocuSeal — the open-source DocuSign alternative — in one click. Upload a PDF, drag signature and text fields onto it, and send it out for legally-binding e-signatures, with PostgreSQL persistence and a volume for your signed documents.

## About Hosting DocuSeal

DocuSeal is a document-signing platform: create reusable templates from PDF/DOCX files, invite signers by email or share a link, collect signatures, and download completed, audit-trailed documents. This template pins the current stable release (docuseal/docuseal:3.1.5) and stores documents on a persistent volume with metadata in a private-only Postgres 17. The Rails `SECRET_KEY_BASE` is auto-generated per deploy, and registration is invite-only by default — the first person to open the app claims the admin account at `/setup`, so do it right after deploying.

## Common Use Cases

- Contracts, NDAs, and client agreements for freelancers and agencies — no per-envelope fees
- HR onboarding paperwork and internal approvals
- Embedding signing into your own product via DocuSeal's API and webhooks

## Dependencies for DocuSeal Hosting

- PostgreSQL 17 (included, private-only, persistent volume)
- Optional: SMTP credentials (any provider) to send signature invitations by email

### Deployment Dependencies

- [DocuSeal documentation](https://www.docuseal.com/docs)
- [DocuSeal on GitHub](https://github.com/docusealco/docuseal)

### Implementation Details

- **First step after deploy:** open your domain and complete `/setup` to claim the admin account
- Signed documents live on the volume at `/data` — treat it as legally sensitive and enable Railway volume backups
- `SECRET_KEY_BASE` auto-generated (64 chars); Postgres private-only with generated password; healthcheck on `/up`
- Add `SMTP_*` variables (see DocuSeal docs) to enable email invitations; signing links work without SMTP too

## Why Deploy DocuSeal on Railway?

Railway is a singular platform to deploy your infrastructure stack. Railway will host your infrastructure so you don't have to deal with configuration, while allowing you to vertically and horizontally scale it.

By deploying DocuSeal on Railway, you are one step closer to supporting a complete full-stack application with minimal burden. Host your servers, databases, AI agents, and more on Railway.

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