Best Free PDF Software in 2025

Best Free PDF Software in 2024

Summary: This buyer's guide provides insights into the latest trends in PDF software, empowering you to elevate your skills and knowledge. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the best free PDF editors available in the market, making it easier for you to find the perfect tool for your specific needs.

How to choose the best free PDF editor?

Choosing the best free PDF editor can be a daunting task given the plethora of options available. To make an informed decision, it's essential to evaluate various factors that align with your specific needs and preferences. Here are key points to consider when selecting a free PDF editor: 

• Feature Set: Look for essential features such as text editing, annotation, form filling, and page manipulation. Ensure the editor supports the functions you need.
• Ease of Use: Choose an editor with an intuitive interface and user-friendly design. This will save time and reduce the learning curve.
• Platform Compatibility: Ensure the PDF editor is compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) or offers a web-based version for cross-platform use.
• File Security: Verify that the editor provides robust security features, such as password protection and encryption, to safeguard your documents.
• Output Quality: Check the quality of the edited PDFs, ensuring that the formatting, images, and text remain intact and professional.
• User Reviews and Ratings: Research user feedback and ratings to gauge the reliability and performance of the editor from other users’ experiences.
• No Watermarks or Restrictions: Ensure the free version doesn’t impose watermarks or significant restrictions on document size and features.
• Customer Support: Look for available support options, such as tutorials, FAQs, or customer service, to assist with any issues you may encounter.
• Update Frequency: Choose an editor that receives regular updates to improve functionality, add new features, and enhance security.
• Third-Party Integrations: Consider if the PDF editor integrates with other tools and software you use, such as cloud storage services or productivity apps.
• Export Options: Ensure the editor supports various export formats, allowing you to convert PDFs to other file types if needed.

How do we test the best free PDF editors?

You can test the best free PDF editors by these parameters:

• Ease of use: We evaluate the user-friendliness of the software, ensuring it has an intuitive interface and clear navigation. A good PDF editor should be easy to learn and use, even for beginners.
• Editing capabilities: We assess the range of editing tools available, including text editing, image manipulation, and annotation features. A comprehensive PDF editor should provide a wide variety of options for modifying and enhancing your documents.
• File conversion options: We examine the ability of the PDF editor to convert PDFs to various formats and vice versa. This is important if you need to share documents with others who may not have a PDF reader installed.
• Security features: We analyse the security features offered by the PDF editor, including password protection, encryption, and digital signatures. These features are essential for protecting sensitive information in your documents.
• Customer Support: When choosing a PDF editor, consider the quality of customer support. A reliable option should offer responsive and helpful assistance whenever you need it. Look for a team that can quickly address your queries and provide effective solutions.

Best Features in Free PDF Software

• Seamless Editing: With free pdf software, you can effortlessly make changes to your PDFs, including text, images, and page layouts. This feature is perfect for individuals and businesses looking to collaborate on documents or make quick edits. Easy to use software like Nuance Power PDF, iLovePDF, and Foxit PDF Reader make it a breeze to create, revise, and collaborate on documents. 
• Versatile Conversions: Convert PDFs to other file formats like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and JPG with ease using free pdf editor software. These tools offer seamless integration, allowing you to convert back and forth without any hassle. PDF conversion is a crucial feature for businesses and individuals who need to share files across different platforms. 
• Secure Protection: Keep your PDFs safe from prying eyes with robust encryption features. Free pdf reader software like ABBYY FineReader and PDF Candy offer password-protecting options to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your files. Secure protection is essential for businesses and individuals who handle sensitive information. 
• Annotating Ease: Add notes, highlights, and annotations to your PDFs to enhance collaboration and understanding. Free pdf software like iLovePDF and Foxit PDF Reader make it easy to mark important sections and share your insights. Annotating ease is perfect for students, teachers, and professionals who need to review and collaborate on documents. 
• Document Management: Organise and manage your PDFs with ease using free pdf software like UPDF and PDFelement. Create folders, tag documents, and search for specific content quickly and conveniently. Document management is essential for businesses and individuals who need to keep track of large files and documents. 
• OCR (Optical Character Recognition): Convert scanned documents or images into editable and searchable PDFs using free pdf software like ABBYY FineReader and PDF Candy. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is a lifesaver for working with paper-based documents. 
• E-signatures: Sign and request e-signatures from others directly within the PDF software using free pdf software like Smallpdf and PDFescape. E-signatures streamline document workflows and save you time. 
• Form Filling: Easily fill out and save PDF forms without the need for printing and scanning using free pdf software like CutePDF and PDFescape. Form filling is perfect for businesses and individuals who need to complete and submit forms digitally. 
• Collaboration Tools: Share PDFs with others for commenting, reviewing, and editing using free pdf software like iLovePDF and Foxit PDF Reader. Collaboration tools allow you to track changes and work together on documents in real-time.
• Merge and Split: Combine multiple PDF files into one document or split a large PDF file into smaller, manageable chunks using free pdf software like Foxit PDF Reader and PDF Candy. Merge and split is a convenient feature for businesses and individuals who need to consolidate or break down large files. 
• Edit and Comment: Edit and comment on PDF files using free pdf software like iLovePDF and UPDF. Add text, images, and annotations to your PDFs and collaborate with others in real-time. Edit and comment is perfect for students, teachers, and professionals who need to review and collaborate on documents. 
• Create and Convert: Create new PDF files from scratch or convert existing files to PDF using free pdf software like Smallpdf and PDFescape. Create and convert is a versatile feature for businesses and individuals who need to create, edit, and share PDF files. 
• Security and Protection: Protect your PDF files from unauthorized access using free pdf software like ABBYY FineReader and PDF Candy. Set passwords, restrict editing, and encrypt your files to ensure their confidentiality and integrity. Security and protection is essential for businesses and individuals who handle sensitive information. 
• Batch Processing: Process multiple PDF files at once using free pdf software like CutePDF and PDFescape. Convert, merge, and edit multiple files in one go, saving you time and increasing your productivity. Batch processing is perfect for businesses and individuals who need to automate repetitive tasks. 
• OCR (Optical Character Recognition) Text Recognition: Convert scanned documents or images into editable and searchable PDFs using free pdf software like ABBYY FineReader and PDF Candy. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) text recognition is a lifesaver for working with paper-based documents. 
• PDF Editor: Edit PDF files directly using free pdf software like Foxit PDF Reader and PDF Candy. Add text, images, and annotations to your PDFs and collaborate with others in real-time. PDF editor is perfect for students, teachers, and professionals who need to review and collaborate on documents. 
• PDF to Word: Convert PDF files to Word documents using free pdf software like iLovePDF and UPDF. PDF to Word is a convenient feature for businesses and individuals who need to edit or share PDF files in a Word format. (Average monthly searches: 5400)
• PDF to Excel: Convert PDF files to Excel spreadsheets using free pdf software like Smallpdf and PDFescape. PDF to Excel is a versatile feature for businesses and individuals who need to analyze or share data in a spreadsheet format. (Average monthly searches: 390)
• PDF to PowerPoint: Convert PDF files to PowerPoint presentations using free pdf software like CutePDF and PDF Candy. PDF to PowerPoint is a convenient feature for businesses and individuals who need to create or share presentations in a PowerPoint format. (Average monthly searches: 390)

Top 10 Free PDF Software Comparison

Table

Software	Features	Price and Free Trial
Nuance Power PDF	Easy to Use, Manages Multiple Items, Convert PDFs and Scans, Convert from PDF, PDF Editor	Starting at $129.00
iLovePDF	Easy to Use,  Edit and Comment PDFs, Create PDFs, Protect PDFs	Starting at $9.00
Foxit PDF Reader	PDF Reader, Edit PDF Files, Online PDF Creator & Converter,  and Secure PDFs, Print to PDF, Protect PDFs	Starting at $5.99
UPDF	Edit Text in PDF,  Intuitive Page Management, Secure Documents, PDF Annotator, File Manager	Starting at $24.99
PDFelement	Edit & OCR PDF, Forms & Data Extraction, Create & Combine, Convert & Extract, Protect & Share, Review & Comment, Document Management, Convert from PDF, PDF Editor	Starting at $47.99
Smallpdf	Workflow Management, Document Conversation, Collaboration, Electronic Signature, Convert PDF to JPG image, Edit and Comment PDFs, Convert to PDF, PDF Tools, Online PDF Creator & Converter	Starting at $10.00
ABBYY FineReader	Convert PDFs and Scans, Edit and Comment PDFs, Document Comparison, Automate Conversion, Search Option, Convert to PDF, Layout Setting, PDF Editor, Bulk Conversion, Online PDF Creator & Converter	Starting at $16.00
PDF Candy	PDF Editor, User friendly interface, PDF to Editable Word Files, Privacy, Batch Processing, OCR (Text Recognition), No Internet Connection Needed	Starting at $6.00
CutePDF	Content Replace, Merge PDF, Add Reduce File Size tool, Convert PDF to JPG image, Custom Texts, FTP Upload Functionality, Easy to Use, Create Hyperlinks using Drag & Drop Tool, Digitally Signing PDF Documents, Rotate Pages, Add Watermarks	Starting at $45.00
PDFescape	Edit PDF Files, Fill Out PDF Forms, Password Protect PDF Files, Edit Text and Images, Merge, Convert PDF to Microsoft Office 365 formats, Watermark, Share Document Online, Compress PDF Size, View PDF Files	Starting at $5.99

How to edit a PDF for free?

• Choose a PDF editor: There are many free PDF editors available online and offline. Some popular options include Foxit PDF Reader, PDFescape, Smallpdf, and PDF Candy. These editors offer a range of editing tools that allow you to make changes to the text, images, and page layouts of your PDF files. For example, you can add text, edit existing text, add or edit images, and annotate your PDFs by adding notes and highlights.
• Open the PDF file: Once you have chosen a PDF editor, open the PDF file that you want to edit. You can do this by clicking on the "File" menu and selecting "Open."
• Edit the PDF: The specific editing tools available will vary depending on the PDF editor you are using, but most editors will allow you to make changes to the text, images, and page layouts of your PDF file. To add text, click on the "Text" tool and click on the location in the PDF where you want to add the text. To edit existing text, simply click on the text and start typing. To add or edit images, click on the "Image" tool and click on the location in the PDF where you want to add or edit the image.
• Annotating the PDF: Many PDF editors allow you to add notes, highlights, and other markings to your PDFs. This is useful for collaborating on documents or simply marking important sections for future reference.
• Merging or Splitting PDFs: If you need to combine multiple PDFs into a single file or split a single PDF into multiple files, most PDF editors offer these capabilities. This can be helpful for organising your documents or preparing them for specific purposes.
• Saving the Edited PDF: Once you're satisfied with your changes, save the edited PDF file. Most PDF editors offer options for saving the file in different formats, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Pros and Cons of Using a Free PDF Software

Pros:

• Cost-effective: Using free PDF software is an excellent way to save money, as it eliminates the need for expensive subscriptions or one-time purchases. With free PDF software, you can enjoy advanced features without breaking the bank. Free PDF software is perfect for individuals and businesses looking to reduce costs and stay within their budget. (Average monthly searches: 880)
• Easy to use: Many free PDF editors are designed with user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to users of all skill levels. Easy to use software ensures that you can quickly and easily edit and convert your PDF files without any technical expertise. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, free PDF software is perfect for anyone looking to simplify their workflow.
• Wide range of features: Free PDF software often offers a surprising range of features, including basic editing, annotation, and conversion tools. PDF editor online free allows you to edit and convert PDF files without any software installation or downloading. With free PDF software, you can enjoy advanced features like document management, file conversion, and more.

Cons:

• No commitment: With free PDF software, there is no obligation to continue using the software if you find it doesn't meet your needs. Free pdf reader offers a flexible and convenient solution for individuals and businesses looking to try out a new PDF software without making a long-term commitment. You can enjoy the benefits of free PDF software without being tied down to a specific software or subscription.
• Limited Features: When it comes to free PDF software, you may find that the features are limited compared to paid software. For example, free PDF editors may not offer advanced features like OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or batch processing. This can be a drawback for users who need these features for their work or personal projects. Free PDF software may not be suitable for users who require advanced features, but it can still be a good option for basic PDF editing tasks.
• Fewer Updates: Another potential issue with free PDF software is that it may not receive regular updates. This can lead to compatibility issues with newer versions of the PDF format, making it difficult to open or edit your PDF files. Free PDF software may not have the same level of support as paid software, which can be a concern for users who rely heavily on their PDF software.
• Potential for Ads: Some free PDF software may display advertisements, which can be distracting or intrusive. Free PDF software may include ads to generate revenue, but this can be a nuisance for users who prefer a clean and distraction-free editing experience.
• Security Concerns: Free PDF software may not have the same level of security as paid software, making it more susceptible to malware or data breaches. Free PDF software may not have the same level of encryption or security features as paid software, which can be a concern for users who handle sensitive information.

Conclusion

While free PDF software can be a good option for basic PDF editing tasks, it may not be suitable for users who require advanced features or a high level of security. Free PDF software may not receive regular updates, and it may display ads or have security concerns. If you need advanced features or a high level of security, you may want to consider paid PDF software.