To edit a PDF for free, one can use several online and offline tools that allow text edits, annotations, adding images, filling forms, and more, without charge.
Recommended Free PDF Editors
- PDF24 Creator : A free Windows-only software tool that provides many editing features similar to paid alternatives. It offers creation, editing, signing, and sharing of PDFs, with a minimalist interface.
- PDFgear : A 100% free PDF editor available online and as desktop software for multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android). It allows adding text, annotations, shapes, signatures, and form fields. The desktop version can replace existing text, while the online editor is very versatile without usage limits.
- Smallpdf : An online PDF editor that lets users easily add text, images, shapes, highlights, and e-signatures. It also models security best practices for privacy, and offers OCR tools for scanned documents.
- Canva PDF Editor : A free online editor that converts PDFs into editable design elements. You can edit text, images, rearrange pages, merge, split, and translate documents. It also supports easy sharing and downloading in various formats.
- Adobe Acrobat Online Editor : Adobe offers a free online PDF editor to add or replace text, comments, highlights, drawings, and digital signatures. It requires a free Adobe sign-in.
How to Edit PDFs for Free
- Upload the PDF to an online editor or open it in a free desktop editor.
- Use the provided tools to add text boxes, images, shapes, or annotations.
- For text edits, some tools allow replacing existing text while others let you add new text boxes.
- Save or download the edited PDF after finishing.
These tools require no payment and some do not even require signing up. Selection may depend on platform, file size, or specific editing needs like form filling or text replacement.
