The Best Free PDF Editors: Edit Your PDFs for Free

Introduction

PDF files have become incredibly popular due to their versatility and compatibility across different platforms. Whether you’re sharing documents, forms, or presentations, PDFs ensure that the formatting remains consistent across devices and operating systems.

However, one common challenge with PDF files is the need for editing capabilities. Many people find it frustrating that they can’t easily make changes to the content of a PDF without specialized software like Adobe Acrobat Pro, which comes with a hefty price tag.

Fortunately, there are free PDF editors available that can help you modify your PDF files without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top free PDF editors and discuss their features and limitations.

We will cover the five best PDF editors that offer a range of editing functionalities. While they may not have every feature found in paid software, these free editors can still meet the needs of most users.

Throughout this guide, we will explain how to use each editor, highlight their key features, and provide tips and tricks to make the most out of them. Whether you need to add text, images, or annotations, or even modify existing content, we’ve got you covered.

So, let’s dive into the world of free PDF editors and discover how you can easily edit your PDF files without spending a dime.

PDF Escape

PDF Escape is a free PDF editor that is available both online and for Windows. This means that you can easily edit your PDF files using your preferred platform, whether it’s through a web browser or on your Windows computer.

Key features of PDF Escape include:

• The ability to create simple PDF forms
• Inserting images from your PC
• Creating your own text

However, it’s important to note that PDF Escape does not allow you to edit existing text or images in a PDF file.

How to use PDF Escape for editing PDFs

To start using PDF Escape, simply visit their website and select the “Free Online” option. From there, you have several choices:

• Create a new PDF document
• Upload a PDF from your PC
• Load a PDF from the internet or one that you had previously opened

If you choose to create a new PDF document, you can customize the page count and size. PDF Escape supports up to 100 pages and the file size cannot exceed 10 megabytes.

Once you have your PDF open in PDF Escape, you can use the tabs at the top to access different editing tools:

• Insert: This tab allows you to add text and images to your PDF.
• Annotate: Here, you can add sticky notes, insert text, and use a highlighting tool.
• Page: This tab allows you to move and crop the pages of your document.

Tips for saving edited documents

Once you are finished editing your PDF in PDF Escape, you can save the document to your PC. Simply select the download icon located below the save icon. Choose a save location for your PDF file and click save.

It’s important to note that PDF Escape saves documents in the SVG format type by default. If you want to save the document as a PDF, make sure to select the drop-down arrow in the save as type option and choose “Portable Document Format”.

By following these steps, you can easily edit your PDF files using PDF Escape, saving you time and money.

Inkscape

Inkscape is a powerful program that serves as a free and open-source software for editing PDFs. Unlike the other PDF editors mentioned earlier, Inkscape is a desktop program that can be downloaded for major operating systems including Windows, Linux, and Mac.

With Inkscape, you have access to a wide range of features and tools that allow you to edit images, modify existing text, and change the appearance of graphics within your PDF. However, it’s important to note that Inkscape has a steep learning curve and may be overwhelming for new users. If you’re unfamiliar with Inkscape or similar software, there are numerous tutorials available online to help you get started.

Tips for using Inkscape to edit PDFs

To quickly change the size and shape of a graphic in your PDF, select the “Transform” tool in the left pane of Inkscape. Click on the image you want to modify and you’ll notice several arrows along the outside of the image. Left-click and drag the arrows to alter the size and shape, and click and hold in the center to move it around.

If you want to add or change the color of a specific area in a graphic, select the “Fill Bounded Areas” tool in the left pane. At the bottom of the screen, choose your desired color and click on the area where you want to apply that color.

When saving your edited document in Inkscape, go to “File” in the upper left corner and click on “Save As”. By default, Inkscape saves documents in the SVG format type. If you want to save the document as a PDF, select the drop-down arrow in the “Save as type” option and choose “Portable Document Format” before saving.

By following these tips, you can efficiently use Inkscape to edit your PDF files, giving you more control over the content and appearance of your documents.

PDF Exchange Editor

The PDF Exchange Editor is a tool that allows you to edit existing text in a PDF document. Unlike some other PDF editors, the PDF Exchange Editor is only available for Windows computers. It offers both free and advanced tools to meet your editing needs.

With the free version of PDF Exchange Editor, you can perform tasks such as splitting PDFs, attaching comments, and using OCR to recognize text in scanned documents. However, it’s important to note that if you use the advanced tools without a license, a watermark will be placed on your document.

How to Change Text in an Existing Document

1. Open PDF Exchange Editor on your Windows computer.
2. Click on the “Edit” tab in the ribbon at the top of the program.
3. Make sure the text selection tool is selected.
4. Select the text in the document that you want to change.
5. To avoid watermarks, make sure you’re using a free feature. Hover your mouse cursor over any feature to check if it’s free or requires a license.
6. Once you’ve made your edits, go to “File” and select “Save As”.
7. Choose a save location for your PDF file, such as your computer or a cloud storage service.

By following these steps, you can easily change text in an existing PDF document using PDF Exchange Editor.

Small PDF

Small PDF is a minimalistic PDF editor that offers both a free online version and a premium desktop version. This editor is perfect for quick PDF edits without the need for complex features.

The free online version of Small PDF allows you to make simple edits to your PDF files directly in your web browser. You can add text, images, shapes, or draw on your PDF. However, it does not allow you to edit existing text or create a new PDF document.

If you prefer a more robust editing experience, Small PDF also offers a premium desktop version for Windows. This version includes additional features and is not available for free.

Using Small PDF for quick PDF Edit

Using Small PDF for quick PDF edits is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the Small PDF website and select the “Free Online” option.
2. Choose to drop a file from your computer or select a file from your Google Drive or Dropbox account.
3. If needed, make any necessary adjustments to the file.
4. Use the available tools to add text, images, shapes, or draw on your PDF.
5. Click on “Apply” at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
6. Select the desired option to download the edited file, share it with others, or save it to your preferred cloud storage.

It’s important to note that Small PDF offers 21 of their online tools for free, but there is a limit of two documents downloaded per day. If you require additional tools and unlimited downloads, you can opt for their premium plan at $9 per month.

Small PDF provides a simple and efficient solution for quick PDF edits. Whether you need to add text, images, or shapes to your PDF, Small PDF has you covered.

PDF Candy

PDF Candy is a free online PDF editor that offers a wide range of tools to help you modify and manipulate your PDF files. Whether you need to edit text, split a PDF, crop pages, or sign a document, PDF Candy has you covered.

Overview of PDF Candy’s free online tools

PDF Candy provides over 40 online tools that are completely free to use. Some of the tools offered include:

• Edit PDF: Allows you to modify text, add text, and insert images into your PDF files.
• Split PDF: Lets you split a PDF into multiple smaller files.
• Crop PDF: Allows you to remove unwanted margins or white spaces from your PDF pages.
• Sign PDF: Enables you to add your digital signature to a PDF document.

These are just a few examples of the tools available on PDF Candy. Whether you need to convert PDFs, compress files, or protect your documents with passwords, PDF Candy has a tool for you.

PDF Candy’s desktop program

In addition to their free online tools, PDF Candy also offers a desktop program for Windows. This program allows you to access all of PDF Candy’s tools directly from your computer, without needing an internet connection. It provides the same functionality as the online version, but with the convenience of offline access.

Limitation of one task per hour in the free version

While PDF Candy’s tools are free to use, it’s important to note that the free version has a limitation of one task per hour. This means that you can only perform one action, such as editing a PDF or splitting a document, every hour. However, for most users, this limitation should not pose a significant problem.

If you find yourself needing to perform multiple tasks within a short period of time, PDF Candy offers subscription plans starting at $4 per month. These plans remove the hourly limitation and provide unlimited access to all of PDF Candy’s tools.

Overall, PDF Candy is a valuable resource for anyone who needs to edit or modify PDF files. Whether you choose to use their free online tools or opt for the convenience of their desktop program, PDF Candy provides a user-friendly and efficient solution for all your PDF editing needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have explored five different free PDF editors that can help you modify your PDF files without breaking the bank. Although they may not have all the features found in paid software like Adobe Acrobat Pro, these free editors offer a range of editing functionalities that can meet the needs of most users.

PDF Escape is a versatile option that allows you to create simple PDF forms and insert images, although it does not allow you to edit existing text or images in a PDF file. Inkscape, on the other hand, is a powerful program with a steep learning curve, but it offers a wide range of features for editing images, modifying existing text, and changing the appearance of graphics within your PDF.

If you’re looking to edit existing text in a PDF document, PDF Exchange Editor is a great choice, although some of its advanced tools may require a license. Small PDF provides a minimalistic editing experience and is perfect for quick PDF edits, but it does not allow you to edit existing text or create new PDF documents.

Lastly, PDF Candy offers a wide range of free online tools for editing PDFs, including the ability to modify text, split PDFs, crop pages, and sign documents. They also have a desktop program for Windows that offers the same functionality with the convenience of offline access.

We encourage you to try out these different options and choose the one that suits your needs. Whether you need to add text, images, annotations, or modify existing content, these free PDF editors provide an efficient and cost-effective solution.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about free PDF editors: