Free NDA Template — Download and Sign Online

Need a non-disclosure agreement? You don't need to hire a lawyer for a standard NDA. Below is a free template you can download and sign online with SignBolt in under 60 seconds.

What Is an NDA?

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legally binding contract that establishes a confidential relationship between parties. The party signing the NDA agrees not to disclose certain information shared with them.

NDAs are used in virtually every industry:

• Freelancers — Before sharing project details with a contractor
• Startups — Before pitching to investors or partners
• Businesses — Before sharing trade secrets with potential partners or employees
• Real estate — Before sharing property financials or tenant information

Two Types of NDAs

1. Unilateral (One-Way) NDA

One party discloses confidential information, and the other party agrees to keep it secret. This is the most common type — used when hiring freelancers, sharing business plans, or disclosing proprietary information to a potential partner.

2. Mutual (Two-Way) NDA

Both parties share confidential information and agree to protect each other's secrets. Common in joint ventures, partnerships, and merger discussions.

What Should an NDA Include?

A solid NDA should cover these key elements:

1. Parties involved — Full legal names of all parties
2. Definition of confidential information — What exactly is being protected (be specific)
3. Exclusions — Information that is NOT covered (public knowledge, prior knowledge, independently developed)
4. Obligations — What the receiving party must do (keep secret, limit access, not copy)
5. Duration — How long the NDA lasts (typically 1-5 years)
6. Consequences of breach — What happens if someone breaks the agreement
7. Governing law— Which jurisdiction's laws apply

How to Sign an NDA Online

Once you have your NDA ready (whether from our template or your lawyer), signing it electronically is simple:

1. Go to signbolt.store/sign
2. Upload your NDA (PDF format)
3. Click to place your signature where indicated
4. Download the signed NDA and send it to the other party

Electronic signatures on NDAs are legally binding under the ESIGN Act and UETA in the US, eIDAS in the EU, and the Electronic Transactions Act in Australia.

Tips for Freelancers Using NDAs

• Always sign an NDA before sharing work samples or portfolio pieces that contain client information
• Keep NDAs reasonable — A 10-year NDA for a small project is excessive. 1-2 years is standard for most freelance work.
• Be specific about what's confidential — Vague NDAs are harder to enforce. List specific categories of information.
• Include a carve-out for your portfolio— If you're a designer or developer, negotiate the right to show the work in your portfolio after a reasonable period.
• Get both parties to sign — An unsigned NDA is just a piece of paper. Use SignBolt to get signatures from both parties instantly.

Common NDA Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too broad — If everything is confidential, nothing is. Courts may not enforce overly broad NDAs.
• Missing a time limit — An NDA without an expiration date may not be enforceable in some jurisdictions.
• Not defining what happens at termination — Specify whether confidential materials must be returned or destroyed.
• Using a template without reading it — Even our template should be reviewed and customised for your specific situation.

What Does It Cost to Sign NDAs Online?

Dedicated e-signature tools are cheaper than most people expect — especially compared to DocuSign.