A pdf is a type of file which is usually incorrectly used to store any kind of data. What pdf stands for? Portable Document Format. This format was designed by Adobe Systems, but it can be used on a free and paid platform today. So if you want to edit a pdf file, one important question would be “is there any freeware pdf editor I can use?” or “What’s the best free pdf editor for windows 10?”
As a professional blogger, I know how important all of blogging tasks. You now have idea that blog is not just a page, it is also a profession. Also, your blog is also an important tool to promote your services and products. If you want to write blog posts and add pdf documents on your blog posts , audio and video files then you are at the right place.
Since the invention of operating systems and their introduction to the open public, there have been lots of improvements with each new version that is released. Each version is more efficient, gives more security and convenience to the users. They come with a lot of built-in features, but some might be left out of your interest. The best freeware pdf editor for windows allows you to add those extra features on your computer that help you in different ways.
Microsoft Windows operating system is one of the most popular operating systems used by home users and professionals alike. Although MS Word is a good alternative, there are a lot of PDF editing tools that can be used to deal with PDF documents. PDF format is becoming more and more common these days as a documentation format. Many prominent organizations provide their documentation in PDF. In fact, many paperless documents are being replaced with online versions (online being generated as PDF document). And when you are looking for freeware pdf editor it becomes necessary to have one handy.
When Would You Need to Edit PDFs for Free?
As the world becomes more digitally transformed, it’s inevitable that you will come across PDF documents in the course of a normal day – invoices, contracts, eBooks, bank statements, credit card statements, tax forms, insurance forms… these are just some of the examples of the widespread use of PDF. Here are several use cases where you’re not a regular PDF user but still need a robust and free PDF tool to deal with the task at hand:
- Filling out interactive PDF forms
- Signing a document and sharing it online
- Making annotations on a project document to provide feedback
- Marking up a file for corrections
- Adding or deleting texts and images for proofreading.
For the above common PDF usage scenarios, it will be easily realized by using a PDF editor, such as Wondershare PDFelement – PDF Editor, an all-in-one PDF Solution, making you can edit pdf files with ease. For example, it helps you add, delete texts, images, watermarks, background, forms, and so on. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android systems, and you can try it for free. Also, if you want to use an online PDF editor, here are some options for you below. You can choose the right PDF editor based on your need.
Sejda PDF Editor – Free PDF Editor
Sejda is a free PDF editor on our list, and this is due to its impressive features. It allows you to edit your PDF files easily. Apart from editing PDFs, it can also add signatures on PDF files, add comments and links on PDFs, create fillable PDF forms, edit the content in PDF documents.
Pros
- You can edit an unlimited number of documents.
- There is no page or hourly limit.
Cons
- It is not as secure as other PDF editors.
- There is no OCR included in this online PDF editor.
- The user interface is not user-friendly.
PDF Buddy – Handy PDF Editor Online
This is another one of the best free PDF editors in 2021. You do not need to download and install it on your PC to edit PDFs for free. It is a free PDF editor for Windows that allows you to edit PDFs files online easily. There’s no need to download a PDF editor, as everything is done online.
Pros
- Uploading files and editing them is easy.
- The instructions are clear, and you can complete tasks quickly.
- Signing up takes just a few minutes.
- It is a free PDF editor for Windows.
Cons
- The features are limited, so there are many things you might not be able to do with this editor. For example, you cannot merge PDF files using this tool, and you can’t use it to create a PDF file.
- The security and privacy of your documents are a concern with this editor because all edits are done over the internet.
SmallPDF
Best for: SmallPDF is best for its PDF compression capabilities.
Price: SmallPDF provides a free trial for 14 days. The price starts at $12 per month.
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Smallpdf is an online platform that has various functionalities. It can convert PDF to PPT, JPG, Word, Excel, etc. It will allow you to sign the PDF document. Smallpdf provides functionalities for compressing, merging, splitting, and rotating PDF.
Features:
- Smallpdf provides a PDF converter to convert Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files to and from PDFs.
- It has features to insert page numbers in a PDF document.
- You can protect your PDF with the help of a password and encryption.
Verdict: As per reviews, it is an extremely easy-to-use PDF editing platform that has limited functionalities
Website: Smallpdf
Pdflayer
Pdflayer gives developers access to high resolution HTML to PDF conversion through its automated API. This API creates customizable PDFs from a URL or raw HTML. Integration is fast and easy allowing you to add PDF conversion to your application within minutes.
Features:
- Generate customized PDFs directly from a URL or raw HTML
- PDFs are stored securely via CDNs providing quick access.
- Runs on a PDF engine based on real browsers.
- Automates PDF creation directly from your application.
- Free & premium options.
Icecream Apps PDF Editor
Icecream Apps PDF-Editor is an intuitive software that enables you to create and make changes in the PDF file. This application helps you to edit, manage pages, annotate, and more.
Features:
- Combine PDF pages.
- It allows you to move, rotate, and resize objects.
- This application allows you to set a password to protect PDF files.
- Offers built-in forms in PDF documents.
- Add notes in the PDF.
- You can search through the document before making changes in it.
Wondershare PDFelement
Wondershare PDFelement is an all-in-one PDF editor that allows you to easily create, edit, convert, sign, OCR PDF files on your Windows and Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android.
Features:
- PDF Editor: Edit PDF Like Word
- PDF Annotator: Comment/Annotate PDF
- PDF Converter: Transform any PDF to and from Word, Excel, PPT and other formats without losing fonts and formatting.
- OCR features, work with scanned pdf
- PDF pages Management: merge, split, compress, Flatten PDF, etc.
- Creat & Fill & Sign Forms
- Cloud Services & Wi-Fi Transfer
- Digital Signature
- Protect PDF: Add password and redact PDF
Qoppa PDF Studio
Qoppa Software’s PDF Studio is an easy to use, full-featured PDF editing software that is a reliable alternative to Adobe® Acrobat® and provides all PDF functions needed at a fraction of the cost. PDF Studio maintains full compatibility with the PDF Standard.
Features:
- Create PDFs, Scan-To-PDF, OCR (Text Recognition)
- Annotate and Markup PDFs
- Precision Measuring Tools
- Fast Sign
- Create & Fill PDF Forms
- Secure Documents
- Manipulate, Split, Merge, Rotate, Crop, and Resize PDF Pages
- Convert Microsoft Documents to PDF
- Create Watermarks, Headers, Footers
- PDF Page Assembly
- Loupe, Pan & Zoom, Rulers, etc
- Document Storage Integrations and Docusign Integration
Nitro Pro
Nitro Pro 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 OCR engine for scanning paper documents. It makes working with digital documents stress-free.
Features:
- Helps you to convert PDF to Excel and PowerPoint faster.
- Quickly share documents securely via the cloud.
- Access and share file quicker with your colleagues.
- It is an excellent alternative to printed documents.
- Multitasking feature allows you to modify PDF files easily
- Provides a simple way to verify digital signatures.
PDF Fusion
PDF Fusion is a PDF editor software that allows you to easily create, edit and manage PDFs. It helps you to quickly assemble new PDF documents using pages from existing material. It also allows you to export and email PDF documents.
Features:
- Allows you to easily add bookmarks and comments in a PDF.
- You can edit or add text anywhere in a document.
- It allows you to share the file with anyone by converting it to PDF, XPS, or Microsoft Word formats.
- You can rearrange, rotate, or crop pages.
- It helps you to mark up documents using highlighting and sticky notes.
Ashampoo PDF Pro
Ashampoo PDF Pro is an editor to make changes in PDF files. It enables you to manage your documents with ease. The application can create the exact size of the document that you can read on any device. This tool can also be used to merge two PDFs.
Features:
- You can design and edit forms.
- Compare PDFs side by side.
- You can split the document with ease.
- It enables you to take screenshots.
- The tool has simplified text formatting dialog.
- Ashampoo offers settings for line and paragraph.
ABBYY FineReader/FineReader Pro
ABBYY FineReader is an OCR and PDF software. It is easy to use PDF tool to increase business productivity with documents. You can access and make changes in the content locked in pdf files and paper-based documents.
Features:
- Create, edit, comment, and annotate PDF files.
- Use the latest OCR technology to scan and convert paper documents to Word, Excel, or PDF.
- It is a faster way to identify changes between various versions of the documents.
- Hot folder helps you to streamline document conversion.
Able2Extract Professional
It is a software tool to convert, create, and edit PDF files. This software converts PDF file to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, AutoCAD, Images, and Publisher. This PDF editor tool is a cross-platform editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Features:
- This software allows you to customize conversation by selecting the desired page, paragraph, or line.
- A large volume of PDF documents can be automated easily using this software.
- Allows you to convert PDF files to many open-source formats like Writer (ODT), Impress (ODP), and Calc (ODS).
PDFfiller
PDFfiller saves your editing PDF files online. It is a software developed by Software as a Service (SaaS) company. You can edit PDF files from any devices. It is free. There are two separate versions of this software:
1) Businesses and 2) Developers.
Features:
- You can use this PDF editor online in iPhone, iPad Touch, and iPad.
- Streamline document signature.
- Collaborate with your teammates and signature workflows easily.
- It is used with Gmail, Dropbox, Google Drive, and salesforce.
- Provide data protection using US federal and EU compliance standards.
Online PDF Editor VS PDF Editor Offline
The differences between the online PDF editor and the ones that you install on your PC are vast. Since desktop applications can use your local resources in a more efficient way, they’re able to perform complex tasks such as OCR or handling large PDF files. Here’s a quick look at the main differences:
| Online PDF Editor | Desktop PDF Editor |
| Works on browsers on connected devices | Can work online when connected to the Internet; primarily works offline |
| No installation needed | Requires installation |
| Usually lightweight | Heavy application |
| OS-specific | OS-agnostic |
| Can handle heavy tasks, large PDFs, etc. | Usually unable to handle heavy workflows |
| Greater security | Security is at risk when documents are in transit during the upload/download process |
| Recommended for own or office computer | Recommended on guest machines and other devices |
There are several reasons why desktop editors are better than online PDF platforms, some of which have been outlined below:
Disadvantages of Online PDF Editors:
- Potential security risk, as mentioned in the table above
- Slow Internet connections can interrupt processes and corrupt files
- Confidential files will reside on unknown servers for at least a few hours
Advantages of Editors for Desktops:
- Fast and responsive user experience
- Work securely offline with no possibility of data leaks
- More powerful features are available since local system resources can be used effectively
Conclusion
According to a statistics, the percentage of the free pdf editor software users is continuously growing over time. It is not surprising that a new generation of writers and authors are commonly becoming an object of interest for the free pdf editor software because it can help them achieve their creative tasks much more easily.
Free Pdf Editor is a simple, lightweight and easy-to-use Freeware for Windows 10. It could edit any PDF documents without Adobe Acrobat. What’s more, it also provides you with a direct way to create PDF files from any Windows printable files (like doc, jpg, html, xls and so on). With this small but powerful Windows PDF Editor, you can view, create & manipulate contents in PDF file format.