The Best Free PDF Editor

Many users whose work is related to working with digital documents have had to deal with finding reliable software or website for PDF editing. Even better, to find a capable free PDF editor to modify documents in this format without the high cost associated with it.

Unlike a simple text document, it is not so easy to make changes to a PDF. Editing PDFs requires a program that accurately recognizes text and graphic objects.

This article provides the top 10 of the most popular free PDF editing apps and services that you can count on. Read our editorial review below.

1. Icecream PDF Editor - the best free PDF editor for all your needs

Icecream PDF Editor is one of the most convenient and simple programs for editing PDF documents with a wide range of features. No special skills are required to work in the PDF editor, so even a beginner can use it.

The "Edit PDF" mode is equipped with flexible settings and a large set of tools to alternate documents. You can draw and add or edit existing text in PDFs, and add pictures, geometric objects, and pointers. Moreover, you can create new files from scratch.

There are three other working modes in this PDF editor. The "Manage Pages" mode will help you merge PDFs, delete, rotate, and add new pages to PDF documents, and more.

If you need to "Annotate" PDFs, then choose the corresponding mode. Finally, if you have to complete a PDF form, utilize the "Fill in Forms" mode.

The free PDF editor app works quickly even on outdated computers, as it is not demanding on the technical characteristics of the PC. In addition, the PDF editing software takes up little space on the hard drive, which has a positive effect on the workload of the laptop.

Pros

• User-friendly interface to easily edit PDF for free;
• Software to edit PDF on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7;
• Does not require high PC performance, as well as an Internet connection;
• The free PDF editor has a wide set of tools for editing PDFs and more;
• Convenient layout of the toolbar buttons and other controls;
• The free version of the PDF editing software contains all the necessary functionality;
• Fast installation of the free PDF editor app on your computer;
• The program is translated into more than 10 languages.

Cons

• Free PDF editor for Windows computers and laptops only.

2. PDF24 - free PDF editor with online and offline options

This is a fairly simple web-based PDF editor for free alternation of PDF documents. The variety of tools is great for making changes to a document. Note, that only high-quality PDF files can be processed by the service. Otherwise, you will be offered to convert PDF to Word and edit the document with a text editor instead.

With this website, you can edit PDF files online free of charge. Among the many other features, there are tools to merge and combine PDFs, rotate and delete PDF pages, different confessions options, OCR, etc. Plus, a desktop application for Windows is available for download.

Pros

• The PDF editor is online and free;
• Simple and fun interface with a ton of useful instruments to edit PDF.

Cons

• Only allows editing PDFs with sharp text, cannot process scans;
• Less likely to be used in a professional environment.

3. PDF Candy - edit your PDF online and free

This free online PDF editor offers many instruments for editing a PDF. It works on any device without having to search for and install a third-party application. For the simplicity of usage and the extensive functionality, many consider it to be one of the best free PDF editors out there.

The PDF editing features include editing text, signing PDFs, adding and removing images, and more. Apart from the PDF editor, on the same website, you can convert to and from PDF (for example, PDF to TIFF and vice versa. A wide variety of other format confessions are possible: to and from DOCX, Excel, PowerPoint, BMP, MOBI, and more). Users can manipulate the order of PDF pages and other file characteristics, too.

Pros

• A free PDF editor for online utilization;
• Compatible with all phones and laptops - various brands, models, and operating systems;
• PDF editing does not take up any memory of the device as it is fully online;
• Has a version of the free PDF editor for Windows.

4. Sejda - free online PDF editor in beta test

This is a web-based platform known for making changes to PDF files. For instance, it has PDF splitter and merger, different converters, and now offers a beta version of a PDF editor online and free.

Using this PDF editing toolkit, similarly to many other paid and free PDF editors, you are able to edit PDF text, whiteout, annotate, sign, and more. If you only need to make a few changes, this service is a good choice for editing PDFs without spending money.

Pros

• This PDF editor is free and requires no registration or installation;
• It is browser-based, so you can edit PDF online anywhere and anytime;
• Additional instruments, besides editing PDFs, are available;
• There is also a desktop PDF editing software for various OS.

Cons

• You can only edit 3 PDF files for free per hour;
• Limited number of pages and file size for free editing PDF.
• No batch upload with the free online PDF editor.

5. PDF-XChange Editor - PDF editing software loaded with tools

This is a fairly high-quality clone of the popular PDF editor by Adobe. This free app to edit PDFs does a pretty good job of reading, recognizing, and creating PDF documents. The program is compatible with Microsoft Office products but has a rather limited free version.

Since OCR is available, the PDF to Word conversion in this free PDF editor is rather precise. There are instruments to edit and fill in PDF forms, too.

The PRO version of the free PDF editor provides a more extensive experience in editing PDFs. You are able to insert comments and graphics and highlight areas and text. You can also save processed documents in various formats, which increases the functionality of the software.

Pros

• 70% of PDF editing tools are available with the free version;
• Flexible settings and user-friendly interface;
• Fast installation on your PC and PDF upload;

Cons

• Free PDF editor for Windows OS only;
• Some features require a PRO account, which is quite costly (starting from $56);
• A large number of instruments may be intimidating for PDF editing beginners.

6. Canva - free online PDF Editor within a designing platform

This website is better known for its functionality to create flyers, promotional material, logos, and other type of digital content. However, there is also a possibility to edit PDF docs online for free.

For editing PDFs with this method, you will be able to change the text, add images, draw, remove or split PDF into single pages. Although it is not a specifically-designed PDF editor, it does offer decent functionality to customize PDF files.

Pros

• Generic set of tools to edit PDF for free with the basic account;
• If you are already using this service for other tasks, the toolkit is the same;
• The PDF editor includes features for sharing documents with others for easy collaboration.

Cons

• While this PDF editing tool is limited to the tools available for graphic functionality of the overall website.
• There is no apparent way to find and open the offered free online PDF editor.

7. Inkscape - open-source free PDF editor

This is a fairly powerful tool for not just opening PDF files, but annotating them and editing PDF formatted documents. The app creates vector images and various shapes on PDF, which makes it great for visual presentations.

Since this PDF editing software is open-source, all features are available for free. There is a way to expand the PDF editor's functionality with extensions.

Pros

• Simple interface that will be intuitive level even for a beginner;
• Different versions on free PDF editor for MacOS, Windows, and Linux;
• Does not require high technical characteristics of the computer;
• Ability to save outcome files in many formats, including JPEG, GIF, BMP, and more.

Cons

• Cannot edit PDF's existing text. Users are only able to add new content.

8. I Love PDF - free PDF editor for online processing

This is yet another free online PDF editor that you can use to edit, convert and merge PDF documents on the web. This PDF editing service helps add text and pictures, draw and create shapes.

In addition to editing PDFs, the platform offers a range of other useful features. Such include combining multiple PDFs into one, rotating pages, signing documents, and conversion options from and to PDF, like HTML to PDF and others.

Pros

• The basic version is completely free, while the premium has a very reasonable price;
• Apart from the toolkit to edit PDF online and free, there are desktop and mobile applications.

Cons

• Users are unable to edit existing PDF text, only add new elements.
• No batch upload and processing with PDF editor's free access.
• Limited document processing in the free version.

9. Apple Preview - a PDF viewer turned into a tool to edit PDFs

This MacOS built-in program comes with a free PDF editing feature. It is an easy-to-use free Mac PDF editor that offers basic functions to alter PDF documents.

The fact that this default PDF reader offers instruments to edit PDFs is a convenient approach to working with the format. You don't have to install or open in a browser any third-party application for editing PDFs. The functionality includes the ability to draw, underline, sign, and protect PDF.

Pros

• Simple to operate, making it ideal for beginners and those who don't need fancy features;
• A completely free PDF editor for Macbook and iMac.

Cons

• Lacks many of the advanced features that other free PDF editors offer, such as text editing, formatting, and more.

10. Docfly

This free PDF editor is often overlooked as it does not contain the words "Edit PDF", indicating explicitly what it is capable of. Nevertheless, this website offers quite good performance. This platform has a tool for creating and editing PDF files, as well as many conversion options, such as PDF to JPG, or other image and document formats.

Despite its wide range of instruments, users are very limited in what they can try for free in a certain period of time. For PDF editing or converting multiple times, you will have to sign up for a paid account (which compared to others, is really affordable).

Pros

• The free online PDF editor has an easy-to-understand user interface, making it accessible even for novices.
• Free or affordable solution for anyone who needs tools to edit PDF files.

Cons

• Users can use the PDF editor online and free only 3 times per month.

Free online PDF editors VS PDF editing desktop software

Working on PDFs every day, many people are not aware of the different types of tools available for editing PDFs. We reviewed the best online PDF editor with free access and free desktop PDF editing apps.

However, how to choose one that is best for you?

Advantages of a PDF editor with online free access

• With an internet connection, free online PDF editors grant the convenience of modifying files from any device. This makes them great for people who need to work on the go.
• Many online PDF editors are accessible without needing to download or install any software. This is beneficial for those who don't want to meddle with technical stuff.

Disadvantages of a free pdf editor offered online

• Utilizing an internet-based service for editing PDFs, you must upload your documents via the web. This can impede the procedure if you are dealing with big files.
• In some cases, you may also be limited in terms of what features are available, as many free online PDF editors have restricted functionality.

Advantages of a free offline PDF editing software

• Desktop programs offer more features than online tools and you can help edit PDFs without an internet connection.
• You can download a PDF editor for your specific operating system. There are free applications to edit PDF documents on Windows as well as free Mac PDF editors.

Disadvantages of a free app to edit PDFs on a PC

• Using a desktop PDF editor with free access is the same as the online PDF editors. It often requires buying a license, which can add up when working with multiple documents.
• You will have to download and install the PDF editing app on each machine you are using. Also, very few PDF editing software allow may be used on multiple devices.

In conclusion, when choosing an online or desktop PDF editor for free utilization, consider their pros and cons when it comes to editing PDF documents. Also, evaluate your needs of you want for your PDF editing experience. That way, you can make sure that you get the most out of your free PDF editor!

Tips for PDF editing

PDFs are everywhere nowadays. They are incredibly popular and can be used for anything from resumes to contracts. But sometimes, you may need to edit a PDF. Here are a few suggestions to follow regardless if you are using a paid or free PDF editor:

1. Check the source file. If you received a PDF for editing from a different person. Hence, make sure it brings no malware to your device and that you have the right to edit this PDF.
2. Organize your PDF. A well-organized document is easier to read and understand. Therefore, be certain to organize your document in a logical manner before editing the PDF.
3. Use the right tools. Free PDF editors often come with basic features such as text editing, image editing, and page layout tools. Make sure you choose the right instruments for the job at hand to get the best results.
4. Be careful with formatting. When editing a PDF, be careful not to accidentally overwrite existing formatting or layout elements, such as font size or page margins.
5. Know your limitations. A PDF editor with free access may possess restricted capabilities in comparison to their paid counterparts. Hence, be mindful of what you can and cannot do with your free PDF editor before making any alterations.
6. Save often. Always remember to save your work often while editing a PDF, especially when working with an online PDF editor. This is extremely helpful in case something goes wrong or you make a mistake that needs correcting later on.
7. Check for errors. Before saving or printing the PDF after editing, it is always a good idea to double-check it for typos or other errors that may have been missed while making changes.

Conclusion

We have reviewed the best free PDF editors currently available. Some programs hide advanced options behind a paywall, and others offer only a specific stripped-down feature set.

Editing PDFs can be tricky. Especially when you use a PDF editor for free, which means you need to play at the terms of developers to not exceed a certain limitation.

However, with the provided reviews, you will know what to expect and will certainly pick the best free PDF editor for you!