10 Best FREE PDF Editor Software Download (2024)

PDF editor software tools can help students, professionals, or anyone who wants to create, manage, and secure PDF files. A bad PDF editor app can result in data loss and may also affect the formatting quality. Henceforth, it is necessary to look for trusted PDF editor software tools that promise effective and reliable editing options. These tools help in managing PDF documents seamlessly and simplify the associated complicated tasks.

After spending 100+ hours on evaluations and customer surveys, I have curated a comprehensive and well-researched list of the best free PDF editors for Windows. Discover the trusted and unbiased choices, handpicked with popular features and the latest download links.

Top Pick

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat X allows you to change content or images without leaving PDF file. Using this software, you can edit the PDF document in your office. You can also use this software to create, secure, and distribute PDF files. It helps you to optimize PDF documents for CD/DVD applications, and also allows you to print.

Visit Adobe Acrobat

Best FREE PDF Editor Software Download for Windows PC

Name	Free Trial	Platform	Link
Adobe Acrobat	7-Day Free Trial	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Learn More
Pdflayer	Lifetime Free Basic Plan	API	Learn More
Icecream Apps PDF Editor	Download for Free	Windows, Mac, and Android	Learn More
Ashampoo PDF Pro	30-Days Free Trial	Windows	Learn More
UPDF	Lifetime Free Basic Plan	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Learn More

1) Adobe Acrobat

I reviewed Adobe Acrobat and found it allows you to change content or images without leaving the PDF file. This software lets you edit PDF documents at your office. After evaluating it, I particularly appreciated that this PDF editor for PC lets you create, secure, and share PDF files. During my research, I found it helps you optimize PDF documents for CDs/DVDs and print them too.

#1 Top Pick

Adobe Acrobat

5.0

Batch Conversion Support: Yes

OCR Feature: Yes

Keep Original Layout: Yes

Edit Text and Images: Yes

Visit Adobe Acrobat

Features:

Document Editing: I found it remarkably simple to make changes in the document. This tool provided me with one of the easiest editing experiences.
Annotation Tools: It supports highlights, sticky notes, freehand drawing tools, and mark-up options. Using these features, I found it a perfect choice for detailed reviewing and annotating.
Paragraph Adjustment: When you edit a PDF document, an existing paragraph adjusts automatically. I was mighty impressed with how effortlessly it aligned.
Content Editing: Using this tool, you can add or edit page content in PDF from anywhere. It allowed me to access and edit content on the go.
Spell Check: The Spell Check feature lets me automatically check the spelling. I found it very helpful to avoid errors and ensure accuracy in my documents.
Sign and Collect Signatures: Adobe Acrobat comes with this unique feature that allows you to easily sign documents and collect signatures from others.
Convert PDFs: It lets you convert PDFs to and from various file types, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Security: Adobe lets me protect PDFs with password encryption, redact sensitive information, and use digital signatures.
Platform Compatibility: This tool allows you to work seamlessly across various devices and supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Pros

It offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex tasks
I liked that I could access my PDF from virtually anywhere, providing great flexibility
The robust feature set and powerful editorial tools make this software a top-notch choice
I observed that the strong security features effectively protect sensitive information, ensuring peace of mind

Cons

I was disappointed that some plans are more expensive than the older perpetual licenses
High-performance requirements might slow down older systems

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to Adobe Acrobat
Click on the “Start Free Trial” button to register for a 7-day free trial.
Billing automatically starts after your 7-day trial ends.

Visit Adobe Acrobat

7-Days Free Trial

2) Pdflayer

During my research, Pdflayer stood out by providing developers with high-quality HTML to PDF conversion using its automated API. I explored its features, including creating customizable PDFs from a URL or raw HTML. The integration process is quick and simple, letting you add PDF conversion to your application in minutes.

Pdflayer

4.9

Batch Conversion Support: Yes

OCR Feature: No

Keep Original Layout: No

Edit Text and Images: Yes

Visit Pdflayer

Features:

Automated PDF Creation: I could generate customized PDFs directly from a URL or raw HTML. It gave me the ultimate flexibility for my projects.
Secure Storage: It lets me store PDFs securely via CDNs, which provides quick access to these files.
PDF Engine: Pdflayer runs on a PDF engine based on real browsers. I found this feature important enough for accuracy in rendering.
RESTful API: The RESTful architecture makes it lightweight and easy to integrate.
Customization Options: It allows for customization of PDF layout, including margins, headers, footers, and more.
Customization and Watermarks: Pdflayer offers full customization and watermark support. This feature is essential to personalize and protect your PDFs.

Pros

This is one of the easiest and most intuitive software to use. It let me streamline my PDF creation process effortlessly
I observed that it helps automate the conversion of HTML content to PDF format
It offers extensive options to tailor PDFs to specific requirements

Cons

I was unhappy with the primary focus on HTML to PDF conversions; may lack advanced PDF editing features

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to Pdflayer
Click on the “Sign Up” button to start the Free Plan.
Get a free plan with 100 API Requests.

Visit Pdflayer >>

Lifetime Free Basic Plan

3) Icecream Apps PDF Editor

I explored Icecream Apps PDF-Editor, and I discovered it to be intuitive software that lets you create and edit PDF files. This PDF editor for PC helps you to edit, manage pages, annotate, and more. It supports adding notes, highlighting, striking through text, and commenting.

Icecream Apps PDF Editor

4.8

Batch Conversion Support: Yes

OCR Feature: Yes

Keep Original Layout: Yes

Edit Text and Images: Yes

Visit Icecream PDF Editor

Features:

Document Merging: It can combine PDF pages to create a single, organized document effortlessly. It allowed me to combine multiple reports into one file.
Protection: This application lets me set a password to protect PDF files, ensuring my data is secure. I found it very beneficial to maintain the confidentiality of my documents.
Object Manipulation: I could move, rotate, and resize objects within a PDF document for precise editing. It also lets me edit text in the PDFs, including font type, size, and color changes.
Form Integration: It lets me seamlessly use the built-in forms in PDF documents for easy data entry and management.
Annotation: I could add notes in the PDF to highlight important information or make comments directly on the document.
Search Functionality: You can search through the document before making changes, ensuring accuracy in your edits.
Platform Compatibility: It supports Windows, Mac, and Android for versatile use across different devices.

Pros

Good OCR feature
I like how easy it is to navigate through the various features
I have found that it provides excellent value for money. More affordable compared to many other PDF editors with similar feature sets
Strong security features like redaction and password protection

Cons

It can occasionally be slow with very large files
It may lack some advanced features that are available in more expensive PDF editors

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to Icecream Apps PDF Editor
Click on the “Free Download” button to download the Free Version.
Icecream PDF Editor’s free version offers main functionalities with a few limitations.

Visit Icecream PDF >>

Lifetime Free Basic Plan

4) Ashampoo PDF Pro

I particularly liked Ashampoo PDF Pro because this PDF editor allows you to edit text, images, and layouts in PDF files. You can effortlessly organize, annotate, and secure your PDF documents with this tool. Ashampoo optimizes your PDF files for any device and even allows you to merge multiple PDFs into a single document.

Ashampoo PDF Pro

4.7

Batch Conversion Support: Yes

OCR Feature: Yes

Keep Original Layout: Yes

Edit Text and Images: Yes

Visit Ashampoo PDF

Features:

Document Splitting: I could split the document with ease, allowing for simple extraction of specific pages. This feature lets me split very large PDF documents or specific sections of a PDF file easily.
Text Formatting: The tool has simplified text formatting dialog, ensuring effortless and precise text edits. Also, Ashampoo offers settings for lines and paragraphs, which helped me to maintain consistent formatting.
Speak PDF: This is an advanced feature that allows the users an option to listen to the PDF document. I found this Speak PDF option very helpful for going through very large documents.
Document Protection: The tool uses 128-bit AES encryption to protect PDFs from unauthorized actions like opening, editing, printing, or extracting text, ensuring maximum security.
Form Design and Editing: This tool allowed me to design and edit forms, making it easy to customize PDF forms.
Easy Merging: I could easily merge two different PDFs into one file easily and quickly.
Platform Compatibility: Ashampoo is compatible with Windows, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Pros

It offers a thumbnail view for fast navigation
I observed that it allows you to compare PDF files in a side-by-side view
The interface is well-designed and flexible

Cons

I was unhappy with the problems in rearranging text after adding some new ones in certain documents

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to Ashampoo PDF Pro
Click on the “Download” button to try for 30 days.
Paid plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit Ashampoo >>

30-Days Free Trial

5) UPDF

I reviewed UPDF, a PDF editor with AI. It lets me read, modify, annotate, arrange, convert, OCR, crop, watermark, secure, share, and print PDF documents effortlessly. I particularly appreciate that I can also use features like summarization, translation, and chat within PDF files. UPDF provides all the tools needed for PDF management in one advanced app.

UPDF

4.7

Batch Conversion Support: Yes

OCR Feature: Yes

Keep Original Layout: Yes

Edit Text and Images: Yes

Visit UPDF

Features:

PDF Comparison: UPDF lets me compare two different PDFs side by side. This comparison facility lets me identify the differences and common areas between the two PDfs efficiently.
Formatting and Splitting: It lets me format the texts within a PDF document effortlessly. I could even split or extract specific sections of a document as per my requirement.
Screenshot Capability: It enables you to take screenshots, which are perfect for capturing and saving important document sections.
Paragraph and Line Settings: Ashampoo offers settings for lines and paragraphs, which helps you maintain consistent formatting.
Commentary Support: Supports Text, Drawings, and Audio Commentary, providing multiple ways to annotate and review documents.
Platform Compatibility: It works with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Document Protection: Use 128-bit AES encryption to protect PDFs from unauthorized actions like opening, editing, printing, or extracting text, ensuring maximum security.

Pros

An eye-friendly dark mode for increased productivity
I could add and edit the background in a PDF
It lets me store and sync signatures across different devices

Cons

The Explorer Preview plugin is only available with the Windows version

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to UPDF
Click on the “Free Download” button to download the Free Version.
Get paid plans with 7 days for a free trial.

Visit UPDF >>

Lifetime Free Basic Plan

6) Wondershare PDFelement

As I evaluated Wondershare PDFelement, I noticed it is an all-in-one PDF editor that lets you easily create, edit, convert, and sign PDFs on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android. It also supports OCR. In my experience, you can create, fill, and sign forms, use cloud services, transfer files via Wi-Fi, and apply digital signatures.

Wondershare PDFelement

4.5

Batch Conversion Support: Yes

OCR Feature: Yes

Keep Original Layout: Yes

Edit Text and Images: Yes

Visit Wondershare PDFelement

Features:

Create and Convert: It lets me create PDFs from scratch or from other file types. I could even convert PDFs to and from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other formats.
Edit Text and Images: The tool allowed me to seamlessly edit text, images, and other elements within PDF documents.
Annotate and Comment: It lets me add comments, highlights, and annotations to PDF files. Wondershare also offered me the option to fill out and create interactive PDF forms.
Secure and Sign PDFs: This PDF editor allows you to add digital signatures and passwords to protect your documents.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Using the OCR property, you can turn scanned paper documents into editable and searchable PDFs.
Supported Platform: Wondershare PDFelement works smoothly on multiple platforms such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Pros

I observed that the interface is easy to navigate for all user levels
Extract data into a variety of other formats
Can annotate and comment on PDFs
Efficiently handles bulk document processing, saving time

Cons

I found myself dissatisfied with the limitations of the free version
Mobile versions may lack some of the features available on desktops

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to Wondershare PDFelement
Click on the “Free Download” button to download a free version.
Get paid plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit PDFelement >>

Lifetime Free Basic Plan

7) PDF Extra

PDF Extra Editor is a free online PDF tool. I tested this tool and I particularly liked that it is one of the best free PDF editors and provides links to open PDFs directly with the editor. While conducting my evaluation, I could access features that allow you to fill, sign, and edit PDFs online. According to my review, this editor is a good alternative to other PDF tools like Adobe Acrobat. In my opinion, it is essential to use this software to compress PDF files.

Features:

PDF Conversion: I could even convert PDFs to various file formats such as Word, Excel, and ePub, and vice versa. It also lets me convert scanned documents into editable and searchable text.
PDF Editing: It lets me edit text, images, and other elements directly from my PDF documents.
Cloud Integration: I could save and access PDFs from cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Highlighting PDF: This tool allowed me to highlight specific sections within a PDF document. I could also underline, add sticky notes, and carry out other annotations to enhance the PDF documents.
Supported Platform: PDF Extra is compatible with different versions of Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Pros

The interface is intuitive and easy to use, simplifying complex tasks remarkably well
I like how it supports Strikethrough and Highlight text for enhanced document review
Easy to make changes in a file online

Cons

I noticed that it may experience slow performance or crashes with very large PDF files, which was disappointing
New users may need some time to explore and fully utilize all available features

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to PDF Extra
Click on the “Free Download” button to download the free version.
Get paid plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Download link: https://pdfextra.com/

8) Dochub

I reviewed Dochub, an online PDF editor to edit, send, and sign PDF files. It simplifies document workflows. This free PDF editor software also annotates and signs PDFs digitally. It integrates smoothly with Gmail, Dropbox, and Google Drive.

Features:

Digital Signatures: You will get PDF files signed with Sign Requests, DocHub, and eSignatures. I benefitted from using these tools.
Annotation Tools: It lets me insert images, make a comment, and create fields to enhance and customize any PDF document.
Template Creation: This PDF editor provided me with a faster and easier way to create various templates and forms for different needs.
Cloud Integration: You can open a file directly from your Gmail, drive, or Dropbox, making it convenient.
Text Editing: It supports whiteout, redact, highlight, underline, and strikeout for precise text modifications.
eSignatures: Dochub made it easy for me to sign documents electronically and request signatures from others.
Supported Platform: It supports platforms such as Android, iOS, and. Windows.

Pros

The user-friendly interface is remarkably intuitive and straightforward
You can export your edited PDF in Doc format, ensuring compatibility with word processors.
It allows OAuth 2.0 authentication and 256-bit SSL encryption for enhanced security

Cons

May encounter performance lag with very large documents or high-volume usage

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to Dochub
Click on the “Get Started for Free” button to register for the always-free plan.
Get paid plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee without any obligations.

Download link: https://www.dochub.com/

9) SmallPDF

While conducting my evaluation, I tested SmallPDF, an online free PDF editor software. This tool compresses, edits, converts, splits, and merges PDFs. It helped me convert Gmail attachments to and from PDF files. The trial version of this tool is available for seven days. Use the link below to download the SmallPDF free PDF editor for PC.

Features:

PDF Conversion: Using this free PDF editor software, I could seamlessly convert Excel, Word, and PowerPoint files to PDF.
Security Removal: It lets me easily remove encryption, permission, and password from the PDF documents. It is great for clearing security restrictions from files.
File Splitting: I was impressed with how it handled file splitting, providing me with organized documents.
Export Options: You can export your edited PDF in Word, Excel, PPT, and image formats.
Annotation Support: It allowed me to annotate PDFs with various tools for comprehensive editing.
Supported Platform: SmallPDF is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Pros

Available on web, desktop, and mobile, allowing access from any device
I discovered its high performance in managing PDF tasks efficiently
Access and save PDFs directly to cloud storage services

Cons

I noticed that performance may degrade with very large files or high batch processing

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to https://smallpdf.com/edit-pdf
Click on the “Choose Files” button to upload your file.
Try out Smallpdf Pro for 7 days free

Download link: https://smallpdf.com/edit-pdf

10) Ilovepdf

I tested IlovePDF, a free and easy-to-use tool for PDFs. It allows you to split, merge, convert, watermark, and compress PDF files effortlessly. The app lets you manage PDF documents in bulk or individually online. This tool supports Adding text, Importing images or photos, Inserting shapes, emojis, and symbols, Freehand drawing, and annotating. Use the link below to download the Ilove free PDF editor for PC.

Features:

PDF Merging: It lets me combine and merge PDFs in the way I want, providing flexibility and customization.
PDF Compression: I found that reducing PDF file size improves PDF quality, ensuring optimized and efficient documents.
Image Conversion: This free PDF editor for PC allowed me to convert PDF to JPG or vice versa. I noticed that it was fast enough to proceed with the conversion, thus enhancing versatility.
Page Numbering: It lets me add page numbers to the PDFs easily, enhancing organization and readability.
Page Management: You can delete and add pages to PDF at your convenience, offering a customizable document structure.
Export Options: It lets you export your edited PDF in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, or JPG formats, providing diverse output choices.
Annotation Tools: This PDF editor supports adding text, importing images or photos, inserting shapes, emojis, symbols, freehand drawing, and annotating, offering comprehensive editing tools.
Supported Platform: Ilovepdf works smoothly with Windows and Mac devices.

Pros

I like the intuitive and easy-to-use interface that accommodates all user levels
Users can access many features without needing to create an account
Highly rated by users for its functionality and ease of use
Fix corrupted or damaged PDF files

Cons

I noticed that advanced features and higher usage limits require a premium subscription
It may lack some advanced customization options compared to other professional PDF tools

👉 How to get it Free?

Go to https://www.ilovepdf.com/edit-pdf
Click on the “Select PDF file” button to upload your file.
Add a field to edit PDF file

Download link: https://www.ilovepdf.com/edit-pdf

Other Best PDF Editor Software

ABBYY FineReader/FineReader Pro – ABBYY FineReader is an OCR and PDF software. It is an easy-to-use PDF tool to increase business productivity with documents.
Link: https://pdf.abbyy.com/
PDFLiner – This is a powerful PDF Editor. This software allows the business team to work in a better way with various documents and each other. This software comes with an OCR engine for scanning paper documents.
Link: https://pdfliner.com/
Novapdf – NovaPDF, one of the best PDF editors for Windows, allows you to create industry-standard PDF files easily. Just open your file, click on Print, and select novaPDF to generate PDF. It is a simple and quick way to generate PDFs. It includes features for beginner and advanced users.
Link: https://www.novapdf.com/

Why use PDF editor software?

PDF (Portable Document Format) Editor software helps you edit your .pdf documents very easily and efficiently. It allows you to create, secure, and distribute various PDF documents. PDF editor also helps you to optimize PDF documents for various applications and print the PDF document.

Which factors should you consider while selecting top PDF editor software?

You should consider the following factors while selecting a PDF editor software:

Easy to use
Scan and OCR(Optical Character Recognition) features
Functionalities for PDF operations like Create, Edit, Share, Print, etc.
Collaboration for multiple users
Security
Mobile-friendliness
Support and customer care service

Verdict

When it comes to editing PDF files, I have explored numerous tools over the years to find the most reliable and effective options. In my experience, certain PDF editors stand out for their features and usability. For those looking to make an informed decision, check my verdict below.

Adobe Acrobat: Adobe Acrobat is a very reliable and robust PDF editing tool with powerful set of features to meet professional needs.
Pdflayer: Pdflayer is a cost-effective and user-friendly PDF editing tool to manage everyday tasks.
Icecream Apps PDF-Editor: It is a phenomenal and customizable option that ensures secure and reliable performance for all users.

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