In 2025, managing PDF documents efficiently is essential for both personal and professional tasks. Whether you’re editing, annotating, or converting PDFs, having access to reliable and free online PDF editors can make a significant difference. Here’s a curated list of the top free PDF editors available online this year.
1. Smallpdf – Best All-in-One PDF Editor
Overview: Smallpdf offers a user-friendly interface with over 30 tools to edit, convert, compress, and manage PDFs.
Key Features:
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Edit text, images, and shapes
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Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and PPT
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Perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
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Merge, split, and rotate PDFs
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Add electronic signatures
Limitations:
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Free users can process up to two documents per day
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Some advanced features require a paid plan
Platforms: Web, Windows, Android, iOS
Website: Wikipedia
2. Sejda PDF Editor – Best for Text Editing
Overview: Sejda stands out for its ability to edit existing text in PDFs without adding watermarks, making it ideal for detailed document modifications.
Key Features:
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Edit text, images, and links
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Add annotations, shapes, and signatures
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Insert and remove pages
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Supports OCR for scanned documents
Limitations:
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Free tier allows up to 3 tasks per hour
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Files must be under 50 MB and 200 pages
Platforms: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Website: Lifewire
3. PDFescape – Best for Form Filling and Annotation
Overview: PDFescape is a versatile tool that allows users to edit, annotate, and fill out PDF forms directly in the browser.
Key Features:
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Add text, shapes, and freehand drawings
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Fill out and create PDF forms
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Annotate with highlights and comments
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No registration required for basic features
Limitations:
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Free version supports files up to 100 pages or 10 MB
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Advanced features require a premium account
Platforms: Web-based
4. ILovePDF – Best for Batch Processing
Overview: ILovePDF is a comprehensive online tool that offers a wide range of PDF editing and conversion features, suitable for batch processing tasks.
Key Features:
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Merge, split, and compress PDFs
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Convert PDFs to and from Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
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Add watermarks and page numbers
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Extract images and text from PDFs
Limitations:
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Free version has limited daily usage
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Some features require a premium plan
Platforms: Web, Android, iOS
Website: thecoderworld
5. PDF Candy – Best for Conversion Tools
Overview: PDF Candy offers a suite of tools focused on converting PDFs to various formats and vice versa, with a simple and intuitive interface.
Key Features:
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Convert PDFs to Word, JPG, and other formats
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Merge, split, and rotate PDFs
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Add text, shapes, and annotations
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Extract images and text from PDFs
Limitations:
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Free version allows limited daily usage
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Some advanced features require a premium plan
Platforms: Web, Windows, macOS
Website: thecoderworld
Comparison Table
| Feature | Smallpdf | Sejda | PDFescape | ILovePDF | PDF Candy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text Editing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Image Insertion | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| OCR Support | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Form Filling | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Batch Processing | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Conversion Tools | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| File Size Limit (Free) | 50 MB | 50 MB | 10 MB | 50 MB | 50 MB |
| Daily Usage Limit | 2 docs | 3 tasks | Unlimited | Limited | Limited |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right free PDF editor depends on your specific needs:
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For comprehensive editing and OCR capabilities: Smallpdf and Sejda are excellent choices.
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For form filling and annotation: PDFescape offers robust features.
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For batch processing and conversions: ILovePDF and PDF Candy are highly efficient.
Remember to consider the limitations of each tool’s free version and assess whether their features align with your requirements. Happy editing!
