7 Best Open-Source PDF Editors (2025)

Most visitors (like you) searching for open-source PDF editors are not looking to edit the tool’s source code but want FREE options to edit their PDF files. Paid PDF Editors tools could be pricey, while open-source PDF tools could have limited features.

In over 60 hours of research, I have meticulously reviewed 20+ Best Open-Source PDF Editors, presenting a well-rounded selection of free and paid tools. This insightful and credible guide includes unbiased details on each editor’s features, pros and cons, and comprehensive pricing options. This may help you find your ultimate PDF editor. Explore the full article to access trusted and exclusive information on today’s top PDF editing solutions. Read more…

Best Open-Source PDF Editor Tools

Tool Name	Best for	Free Trial	Link
Adobe Acrobat	Side-by-side PDF comparison	7 Days Free Trial	Learn More
Ashampoo PDF Pro 3	Adding texts/images/shapes to PDFs	Lifetime Free Basic Version	Learn More
PDFfiller	Signing forms online	30 Days Free Trial	Learn More
IceCream Apps PDF Editor	Rearranging pages of documents	Free Download	Learn More
PDFSam Basic	Mixing PDF files	Open Source	Learn More

1) Adobe Acrobat

Best for side-by-side PDF comparison

Adobe Acrobat is perfect for editing and managing PDFs. During my research, I found that it is one of the most popular tools businesses aim to use for viewing and signing PDF files. It is helpful to edit files on browsers, desktops, and mobile devices. The ability to store files in Adobe Document Cloud is, in fact, a great option.

It allows you to create, secure, and distribute files with ease. I discovered that it detects fields and symbols automatically, making it easy to add texts or signatures. The tool also includes an OCR feature, allowing you to edit text and images effortlessly.

Features:

• File Viewing: I am able to view, store, and share PDFs with ease, which is a reliable PDF management solution.
• Annotations: This allows you to annotate and print files, making document personalization accessible and efficient.
• PDF Security: Password-locking ensures your PDFs remain secure, one of the best ways to protect information.
• Recognize Text: The text recognition feature allows you to digitize physical documents for easy editing and searching.
• Scan Documents: Document scanning makes it simple to digitize physical copies, great for record-keeping.
• Format Adaptability: Converts PDFs to other formats, helpful to meet varied file format needs.

Pricing:

• Pricing: Plan starting at $19.99/ per month. Discounts on yearly payment.
• Free Trial: 7 Days Free Trial

Visit Adobe Acrobat

7-Day Free Trial

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2) Ashampoo PDF Pro 3

Best for adding texts/images and shapes

Ashampoo PDF Pro 3 is a remarkable PDF editor tool that I reviewed, and that helps me create, edit, and convert files online. During my research, I discovered that it includes almost all the needed features. I particularly appreciate the multi-language support, which boosts its popularity worldwide. You can export edited PDFs to Word, HTML, or text, which is helpful. OCR support, text, and image editing are all supported on the Windows platform.

Features:

• Document Security: I could see its protection features are essential for keeping PDFs safe from unauthorized access.
• PDF Customization: Ashampoo allows adding text, images, and shapes, offering a great way to enhance visual content.
• Visual Adjustment: It lets you customize text, link sizes, colors, and font styles, which is excellent for readability.
• Access Restriction: Setting passwords on PDFs is one of the easiest ways to protect sensitive files.
• File Management: This tool enables efficient handling of PDFs by allowing splitting, merging, and compressing to organize large documents. It also includes a flattening feature, essential for securing finalized documents and preventing any further edits during sharing.

Pricing:

• Pricing: $44 One-time Payment, No Time Limit
• Free Trial: Lifetime Free Basic Version

Visit Ashampoo >>

Lifetime Free Basic Version

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3) PDFfiller

Best for filling forms online

PDFfiller is one of the best PDF editors I reviewed. I suggest it because it makes editing, creating, and managing PDF files simple. Its tools for organization are helpful, and it allows me to save documents on the Cloud. According to my research, it is an ideal tool for filling out forms. It lets you add or remove text, add checkmarks, and annotate parts of PDF files. Edit text and images and keep the original format.

Features:

• Merge PDFs Easily: This feature allows you to effortlessly merge multiple PDF files into one document.
• Bulk Extraction: You can extract the content of PDF files in bulk, making data management straightforward for me.
• Flexible Export Options: Exports are possible in formats like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, TIFF, and RTF.
• Form Filling & Payments: Collect data and payments easily, with efficient filling of digital forms.
• Page Removal: Remove unnecessary pages from documents with this option, simplifying your file organization.
• Platform Compatibility: Supported on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, making it a great option for various devices.

Pricing:

• Pricing: Plan starting at $8.30 per month.
• Free Trial: 30 Days Free Trial

Visit PDFfiller >>

30-Day Free Trial

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4) IceCream Apps PDF Editor

Best for rearranging pages of documents

IceCream Apps PDF Editor is a top-notch tool that I particularly like for editing and creating PDFs. In my opinion, it covers all the basic functions required in a PDF editor. It offers support for multiple languages and provides a training guide. I could add a password to secure my documents, and it allows you to insert links and watermarks. The OCR support for text and image editing keeps the original layout intact. Works with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11.

Features:

• Permission Settings: I found it beneficial to set permissions, which helps to avoid unwanted edits to files.
• File Combination: The tool allows you to merge files, which is a great way to consolidate documents.
• Commenting Tools: Annotations are a great option for adding personal notes directly into the document.
• Page Orientation: Rotate pages as needed, which may help ensure each page is properly aligned.
• Authentic Signatures: Digitally verified signatures are essential for securing document authenticity.
• Export Options: Export edited PDFs to formats like JPG, PNG, TIFF, and RTF, which is perfect for compatibility.

Pricing:

• Pricing: $99 for a lifetime plan.
• Free Trial: Free Download

Visit IceCream Apps

Download for Free

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5) PDFSam Basic

Best for mixing PDF files

PDFSam Basic is a remarkable Open-Source PDF editor I tested, allowing me to combine files and arrange pages easily. According to my review, it offers all the essential features like compressing, cropping, and splitting pages. I particularly appreciate its page extraction, resizing, and repair functions. The tool ensures that documents remain private on your computer without needing an upload. You can encrypt, decrypt, and mix pages. It includes OCR, and keeps the original layout while editing text and images. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Features:

• Comprehensive History: Maintaining a complete editing history is helpful for reviewing past changes and avoiding editing errors.
• Document Scanning: I was able to scan documents directly, which is perfect for storing digital versions securely.
• Organize Files: This tool’s document management feature is one of the easiest ways to keep files organized.
• Flexible Export: Export edited PDFs in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, HTML, text, or image formats, which allows wider usability.
• PDF Compilation: Merge PDFs seamlessly, which is a great way to compile various files into a single document.
• Field Editing: Field Function features allow advanced form editing, which is essential for creating professional documents.

Pricing:

• Pricing: Free Basic Version

Link: https://pdfsam.org/download-pdfsam-basic

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6) PDFedit

Best for the ability to convert documents with a single click

I analyzed PDFedit, an open-source PDF editor software. It provided me with various tools for modifying PDF documents. According to my review, it has a graphical interface and a set of command-line tools, which makes it versatile. I was able to delete or add text and images by choosing the section I wanted to work on. The interface is based on QT3.x, and the features are built with a scripting language. Text and image editing is supported.

Features:

• Effortless Conversion: I liked the one-click conversion feature, which is a great option for quick file changes.
• Read & Edit: This tool works as both a PDF reader and editor, which might be helpful for flexibility.
• Version Handling: It supports multiple PDF versions, providing a solution for working across different PDF standards.
• Supported OS: The tool works on Windows and Mac OS, which is essential for compatibility on common platforms.

Pricing:

• Pricing: Free and open source tool

Link: http://pdfedit.cz/en/support.html

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7) LibreOffice Draw

Best for presentations

LibreOffice Draw is an impressive Open-Source PDF editor tool I checked. It helps me create anything from a simple sketch to a complex plan. In my opinion, it is a great way to visually convey ideas using diagrams and graphics. The maximum page size of 300×300 cm is helpful for making posters and brochures. Text and image editing is included, and it keeps the original layout.

Features:

• Image Editing: I appreciated the photo editing feature, which is a great way to refine images seamlessly.
• Spreadsheet Integration: This tool streamlines workflow with spreadsheet support, which is helpful for structured task management.
• Design Tools: Allows creation of 3D objects and vector graphics, providing all you need for visual design.
• Relationship Mapping: Connect objects to map relationships, which might be helpful for illustrating complex ideas clearly.
• Multi-Platform Support: Works on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac OS, which is perfect for varied device compatibility.

Pricing:

• Pricing: Free and open source tool

Link: https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/draw

How Did We Choose Best Open-Source PDF Editors?

At Guru99, we focus on delivering credible and objective information. Check out below important factors. With over 60 hours of meticulous research, we reviewed 20+ of the best open-source PDF editors, covering both free and paid options. This guide provides unbiased insights into each editor’s features, pros and cons, and pricing options, helping you find your ideal PDF editing solution. Open-source PDF editors offer flexibility and control, and we selected these top picks based on essential factors to meet your document needs.

• Pricing/Free Trial – A free trial is an ideal way to understand the tool. Pricing needs to be competitive. Good apps which have sky-high prices are not cost-effective. However, cheap options will not provide you with adequate features. So, we tried to strike a balance between these.
• Digital Sign–Signing Documents is a digital necessity in today’s day and age. And a good editing tool should let you sign a document online.
• Ability to create/edit/share PDFs – Just editing isn’t enough. We should look for tools that will allow you to create, edit, and share documents online.
• OCR – OCR stands for optical character recognition. This feature is also known as the text recognition feature.
• Collaboration feature – This feature allows you to collaborate with multiple PDF files. It comes in handy when you are working on multiple PDFs.
• Compatibility: It is important that these editors support multiple operating systems, allowing for broader accessibility.
• Security: We paid attention to options with encryption features to help protect sensitive documents.

Verdict

In my experience, finding the right open-source PDF editor is essential for efficient document management. With the myriad of options available, each tool has unique strengths, making it easier to choose based on specific needs. Check my verdict below for insights into top-rated PDF editors.

• Adobe Acrobat is a comprehensive and user-friendly choice, offering features from digital signatures to cloud-based document storage and powerful OCR capabilities.
• Ashampoo PDF Pro 3 is robust, particularly for adding text and images, with customizable features and batch processing options that cater to detailed PDF management.
• PDFfiller provides an ideal solution for filling digital forms and is highly customizable for online form management and collaboration.