NDA review

NDA review for freelancers and contractors

NDAs are common before discovery calls, proposals, and client projects. A short NDA can still include broad confidentiality duties, non-compete language, unusual penalties, IP restrictions, or obligations that last longer than expected.

US freelancersPrivate first-pass reviewNot legal advice
Common risks

What to review before you sign

These are business issues Signoti can help organize into plain-English flags and questions.

Overbroad confidential information

Check whether the NDA covers everything you learn, public information, independently developed ideas, or your own pre-existing knowledge.

Duration and survival

Understand how long confidentiality obligations last and whether trade secret language is separated from ordinary business information.

Hidden work restrictions

Some NDAs include non-compete, non-solicit, or no-circumvention language that affects future clients.

Return, deletion, and proof

Review what you must return or delete, how quickly, and whether the obligations are practical for backups and work records.

Example

Example NDA review issue

Contract language

Recipient shall not provide services to any competitor or potential competitor of Discloser for two years after disclosure.

Possible Signoti flag

This goes beyond confidentiality and may restrict future freelance work with a broad group of companies.

Question to ask

Can the NDA remove work restrictions and focus only on protecting confidential information?

FAQ

Questions about this review

Should freelancers sign every NDA a client sends?

No. Many NDAs are routine, but you should still review scope, duration, penalties, exclusions, and hidden work restrictions before signing.

Can an NDA include a non-compete?

Some NDAs include language that functions like a non-compete or non-solicit. Signoti can flag that language, but legal enforceability depends on jurisdiction and facts.

Can Signoti review mutual and one-way NDAs?

Yes. Upload the NDA PDF and Signoti can create a first-pass review in plain English.

If an NDA includes non-compete language, penalties, equity, invention assignment, or unusually broad restrictions, get legal advice before signing.

Review the contract before you sign

Your first review is free. Upload a real client contract and get a structured report with possible red flags and negotiation questions.

Review one contract freeView sample report
NDA Review for Freelancers - Signoti