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10 Best Free PDF Editors

The PDF editor always comes with a straightforward interface and all the features you need to manage your work efficiently.

So how to choose a suitable version? Would online or offline tools be better?

To help you answer these questions, I will review the top ten free editors in detail through many in-depth tests.

These editors will perfectly meet the basic usage requirements of users. They will also provide some other valuable extras. Refer to the detailed review of 10 excellent versions below and choose a suitable editor.

1. PDF Agile

PDF Agile

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows, Online (converter)
  • Output Format: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TXT
  • Conversion speed: More than two minutes for converting 100 pages.

Key Features

I appreciate the overall workflow that PDF Agile software brings. It is perfect for all your basic and advanced usage requirements.

The software has a scientific interface, simple and easy to use for all users. Each function is separated for quick and efficient operation.

As a beginner, I was pretty nervous about finding free PDF software. Fortunately, I found this software that supports easy editing as well as converting PDF into Excel, Word, TXT, PowerPoint, and CAD but keeps the original formatting.

Price: Free

Website link: https://www.pdfagile.com/

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • The perfect overall
  • Fast conversion speed
  • Easy-to-see interface
  • Easily convert to various files

Cons

  • Limited font options

2. Qoppa PDF Studio

Qoppa PDF Studio

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows, Mac, Linux.
  • Output Format: Text, Images, HTML5/SVG

Key Features

When looking for a free editor, I prioritize quality software with full intelligent features. It is necessary to serve your job settlement requirements.

And Qoppa PDF Studio is a typical application I would recommend to you. It has intelligent features for efficient PDF file conversion, creation, and processing.

The display interface of the software is also a notable highlight. It has a simple design, and each item is presented so that users can immediately grasp the full features from the first approach.

The software also integrates advanced extras, including resizing pages, reducing file size, and editing. They will assist in handling the most efficient work for you.

Price: Free

Website link: https://www.qoppa.com/pdfstudio/download/

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Fast document processing
  • Impressive conversion efficiency
  • Annotate and mark up PDF files
  • Wide range of intelligent features

Cons

  • The free version limited some functions

3. PDFelement

PDFelement

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
  • Output Format: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG
  • Conversion speed: 1 minute for converting 100 pages.

Key Features

In my opinion, the best free PDFs need at least editing and adding functions. Those are two essential requirements to support you to work effectively.

And the PDFelement is the perfect choice for you. In the initial tests, I was pretty pleased with the results obtained.

The software makes it easy for me to edit my documents and supports quick form insertion. It is flexible and better than the software I have used before.

My next test is with the conversion feature. Great, PDFelement doesn’t take too long to complete this task but still preserves the original formatting.

Price: Free

Website link: https://pdf.wondershare.com

Pros

  • Edit and add the correct form
  • Convert documents quickly
  • Compress and optimize documents
  • Support optical character recognition
  • Provide electronic signature insertion

Cons

  • The interface is hard to see

4. Ashampoo PDF Free

Ashampoo PDF Free

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.
  • Output Format: PDF, Word, etc.
  • Function: Various

Key Features

There are many free PDF software, but not all are good for your Windows operating system.

Understanding this problem, I have searched and tested many different PDF programs. Finally, I found Ashampoo PDF Free, the best free PDF editor for Windows operating system.

Performing tests on my Windows 10 computer, I was shocked at the software’s ability to work. It provides a variety of intelligent features necessary for its workflow. Creating, converting or editing is smooth and flexible.

This software can provide backward compatibility via supporting the PDF 1.4, satisfying all your wishes to handle the work for you. Its user interface has a simple and user-friendly design.

Price: Free

Website link: https://www.ashampoo.com/en-us/pdf-free

Pros

  • Many smart features
  • Simple user interface
  • Convert documents quickly
  • Include auto-repair feature
  • Best for windows operating system

Cons

  • Difficult to start

5. Adobe Acrobat Pro

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
  • Output Format: Word, Excel, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, RTF.
  • Conversion speed: More than two minutes for converting 100 pages.

Key Features

For beginners, finding and using software with an easy-to-use interface is a must. The Adobe Acrobat Pro is the best choice for you.

This application has a unique design, and each item is divided into different colors to help users easily manipulate and use it.

Since choosing to use this software, my work progress has dramatically improved. I was able to use more functions for document editing and processing.

Regarding Adobe Acrobat Pro, it is impossible not to mention the software’s impressive compatibility on many devices. It can operate and promote full basic features on many modern computer systems and personal appliances. From there, it makes the operation more convenient and straightforward.

The document conversion time provided by the software is fast and efficient. It’s completely different from the apps I’ve used.

Price: Free

Website link: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Fast conversion speed
  • Simple, straightforward user interface
  • Compatibility across multiple devices

Cons

  • It does not include advanced features

6. Foxit PhantomPDF

Foxit PhantomPDF

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows and Mac.
  • Output Format: Word, Excel, Text, Image, HTML.
  • Conversion speed: More than two minutes for converting 100 pages.

Key Features

The Foxit PhantomPDF is a proprietary software designed for convenient use in any location. This flexibility allows you to work wherever you want.

Since downloading and using this software, I am much more comfortable because I can choose where to operate. Accordingly, it has dramatically boosted my work efficiency.

For me, the powerful editing capabilities of Foxit PhantomPDF are a perfect advantage. So, you can easily change the layout by text box arrangement and font size. It will also allow you to add stamps, watermarks, and footers.

For interface, Foxit PhantomPDF is vivid and outstanding with a simple but not dull color design. The dominant orange color for the entire software makes it more alive for inspiration to work.

Price: Free

Website link: https://www.foxit.com/pdf-editor/

Pros

  • Use in any condition
  • Powerful editing capabilities
  • Vivid, scientific interface design
  • Support drag and drop document pages
  • Can merge or split PDF documents

Cons

  • Limited features in the free version

7. Nuance Power PDF

Nuance Power PDF

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows
  • Output Format: Word Excel, PowerPoint, and Corel WordPerfect.

Key Features

I rate PDF editing software based on its user interface, features, and monthly upgrade cost. Nuance Power PDF balances all of the above factors pretty well.

This application provides Adobe-like functions but at a super affordable cost.

Upgraded versions are lower than many software on the market while ensuring full intelligent features. As a long-time office worker, Nuance Power PDF is perfect than anything for me. It has helped me immensely in fast editing and converting different document files.

Price: Free

Website link: https://nuance-power-pdf-standard.en.softonic.com

Pros

  • User-friendly
  • Easy to operate
  • Create PDF files with just one click
  • Cost savings when using upgraded versions
  • Provide conversion, search, and connection functions

Cons

  • Not suitable for personal use

8. Nitro Pro

Nitro Pro

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows
  • Output Format: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG.
  • Conversion speed: More than two minutes for converting 100 pages

Key Features

Are you a business owner looking for a free and helpful PDF management tool?

You definitely cannot ignore Nitro Pro. It’s a tool designed specifically for businesses to modernize everyday document workflows. It creates a 100% digital document workflow and offers a rich feature set and an intuitive interface.

Accordingly, it will make the operation more accessible, faster, and efficient.

For individuals, using Nitro Pro is also not a bad idea. It also fully supports the necessary features as in other PDF editors. The software’s document conversion time is fast, saving time and providing a flexible user experience.

Do not disappoint users; Nitro Pro excellently offers high-security features, which no other software can do. Specifically, the application will create a solid barrier for protecting essential documents of the business.

Price: Free trial

Website link: https://www.gonitro.com/

Pros

  • Suitable for business
  • Full support for basic features
  • Offer exclusive security features
  • Includes form building and signing
  • Provide features for sharing and storing PDF documents

Cons

  • Unscientific user interface

9. Sejda PDF Editor

Sejda PDF Editor

Specifications

  • Communication: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
  • Image format: JPG, PNG, TIFF

Key Features

Sejda PDF Editor is the best PDF editor for Mac users today. Although it looks purely like an image viewer, it has a lot of PDF editing capabilities.

It includes specialized tools for adding text, editing content, creating freehand drawings, taking notes, and creating digital signatures quickly.

In particular, it enables attractive online editing functionality to make related operations more flexible and efficient. Proven by practice, my tasks were handled more quickly and accurately with many transitions. Workflow has improved much to help me edit and manage multiple documents simultaneously.

Its annotation feature is my favorite add-on. After each document, I can add a few minor footnotes for subsequent people to grasp and do the job perfectly.

Price: Free

Website link: https://www.sejda.com/pdf-editor

Pros

  • Best for Mac users
  • Quick online editing
  • Annotation feature
  • Support form filling
  • Add formatting easily

Cons

  • Difficult for beginners

10. PDFescape

PDFescape

Specifications

  • Browser support: Chrome, Firefox, IE, Opera, and Safari
  • Feature: Variety

Key Features

PDFescape is the most versatile free PDF editor I’ve ever experienced. It provides full basic functionality for your work, including editing, creating, and converting documents.

With this app also comes premium security with your password. Your essential documents after editing will be safer. It is a unique feature that means a lot to my work. I can best manage personal and business documents on my own.

Complete beginners can choose to familiarize themselves with this software before upgrading to higher versions.

Price: Free

Website link: https://www.pdfescape.com

Pros

  • The most flexible
  • Suitable for beginners
  • Easy to download and use
  • Provide features for password protection
  • Provide PDF document annotation function

Cons

  • Lots of ads

How To Choose?

You may be confused about which is fast and convenient among hundreds of free PDF editing software. Below, I will guide you in detail on choosing the best software based on its available features.

Text editing

The function of the PDF editor is to edit documents. These include adding, modifying text, inserting, resizing, moving images, and reorganizing pages in a PDF. Most free software these days lets you do these tasks.

However, some applications only allow the most basic features or limit the number of days using the document editing function.

Create, convert and export PDF

Everyday use with PDF editors is to create PDF files from hardcopy by converting digital documents.

The best PDF editing software can easily convert Word, JPG, and HTML formats to PDF and keep the original design.

On the other hand, it can also export to other formats for more convenient work, such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, HTML.

Reviews and comments

Pay attention to the rating and annotation features of the software you choose.

It’s an important feature to have to serve your business requirements best. Without it, all your editing activities would be bland and futile.

You will not be able to mark the edit positions for a complete document.

Signature

Signature in PDF editor is a premium feature that allows users to create and add digital signatures to their documents.

With this added functionality, you can further tame your document editing process and quickly send it to the specialist departments.

FAQs

Are there any free PDF editors?

Yes. PDF Candy is the best free editor trusted by many users. It also includes all the necessary features to best support your work.

Can you edit a PDF for free?

Entirely possible. You can create, edit and add forms quickly with free PDF editing software, including the convenient electronic signature creation feature. You can refer to my previous collection if you have not found such software!

How can I edit PDF files on my laptop for free on Windows 10?

First, download the appropriate PDF editing software on your windows 10 operating system. Then, start-up and editing operations as usual.

If you do not know how to use it, you should go through the internet to see the details of the related suggestions.

Is there a free version of Foxit?

Foxit’s free PDF editor is the most powerful tool, packed with intelligent features that allow you to easily view, annotate, and text your documents.

Is a free PDF editor safe?

The answer is Yes. The free version usually comes with proven virus safety. You will rarely encounter malicious code or scams from reputable publishers.

Conclusion

These programs above are the editors I highly recommend after much testing and researching. Want me to finalize an ideal software? PDF Agile is the perfect answer to the interface and features to provide more experiences.

You can also choose from PDFelement and Foxit PhantomPDF, which are responsive and precise document editing. So what is your choice?

Don’t forget to share with me your thoughts and reviews in the comments section below. Thank you for reading!