The best free PDF editors to use in 2026 are Smallpdf, PDF Candy, Sejda and PDFescape for quick online edits, PDF-XChange Editor for Windows users who need OCR, PDFsam Basic for splitting and merging offline, and the tools already on your device: Microsoft Edge on Windows, Preview on Mac and LibreOffice Draw.
Most free editors handle everyday jobs such as adding text, signing, highlighting, filling forms and merging files. They usually limit file size or the number of tasks per day, and save advanced features for paid plans. This updated list replaces FormSwift, which now works on a paid model, with free tools you may already have. For more practical tech guides, see our technology section.
Best free PDF editors: quick comparison
| Tool | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Smallpdf | Online | Simple edits, signing and conversions |
| PDF Candy | Online and Windows | Many tools in one place, OCR |
| PDF-XChange Editor | Windows app | Detailed annotation and OCR |
| PDFescape | Online | Filling and creating forms |
| Sejda | Online and desktop | Editing existing text |
| PDFsam Basic | Desktop, open source | Splitting and merging offline |
| Microsoft Edge | Built into Windows | Quick notes, highlights and forms |
| Preview | Built into Mac | Signing and rearranging pages |
| LibreOffice Draw | Desktop, open source | Editing simple layouts |
1. Smallpdf
Smallpdf is a browser-based toolkit with a clean Edit PDF tool for adding text, shapes, images and comments. You can also sign documents, compress large files and convert PDFs to and from Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
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The free version limits how many tasks you can run, and features such as batch processing need a Pro plan. It is a good choice for occasional, quick jobs from any device.
2. PDF Candy
PDF Candy offers dozens of separate tools, from merging, splitting and rotating pages to adding watermarks, setting passwords, editing metadata and extracting images. Each one follows the same pattern: choose a tool, upload a file and download the result.
Its OCR tool can pull text out of scanned PDFs into an editable format such as Word or plain text. There is also a desktop version for Windows.
3. PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor from Tracker Software is a free Windows application with a busier interface than online tools, but far more control. It offers stamps such as “Approved”, detailed comment tools, measurement tools and built-in OCR for scanned documents.
Some advanced features in the same app belong to the paid version, and using them in the free version adds a watermark. Stick to the free features if you need a clean file.
4. PDFescape
PDFescape is a simple online editor that runs in any browser. It lets you fill in forms, create form fields, add text, links and sticky notes, highlight or strike out text, redact sections, and add or delete pages.
The free online version has limits on file size and page count, so very large documents may need a desktop tool. It is especially useful for filling government or office forms that are not already fillable.
5. Sejda
Sejda stands out because it can edit existing text in many PDFs, not just add new text on top. Its single toolbar covers text, links, images, shapes, whiteout and signatures, and you can save to your device, Google Drive or Dropbox.
Free use is capped by number of tasks per hour, page count and file size. The company says uploaded files are deleted automatically after a few hours, and a desktop version is available for those who prefer not to upload documents.
6. PDFsam Basic
PDFsam Basic is a free, open-source desktop program for splitting, merging, rotating and extracting pages. It does not edit text, but it is one of the easiest ways to combine scanned pages or pull out a few pages from a long file.
Because it runs on your own computer, nothing is uploaded to a server, which matters for bank statements, ID copies and other sensitive files.
7. Microsoft Edge (Windows)
The Edge browser, which comes with Windows, opens PDFs directly and lets you add text, draw, highlight and fill in many forms. It also has a read-aloud option. For quick notes on a document, you may not need anything else.
8. Preview (Mac)
Apple’s Preview app can annotate PDFs, add a signature captured with the trackpad or camera, fill forms, and rearrange, delete or insert pages by dragging thumbnails. It is free and already installed on every Mac.
9. LibreOffice Draw
LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite, and its Draw app can open a PDF and let you change text and images directly. It works best for simple layouts such as letters and flyers, as complex PDFs may lose formatting.
How to choose a free PDF editor
- Quick edits on any device: Smallpdf, Sejda or PDFescape.
- Sensitive documents: Use offline tools such as PDFsam Basic, PDF-XChange Editor, Preview or LibreOffice so files stay on your device.
- Scanned documents: Choose a tool with OCR, such as PDF-XChange Editor or PDF Candy.
- Just signing or highlighting: Edge on Windows or Preview on Mac is enough.
Be careful with personal documents such as Aadhaar or PAN copies on any online service. For more on staying safe with money and documents online, see our finance section.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best free PDF editor?
For online use, Sejda and Smallpdf are strong all-rounders. For Windows, PDF-XChange Editor offers the most features for free.
Can I edit a PDF for free without uploading it?
Yes. Use desktop tools such as PDF-XChange Editor, PDFsam Basic, LibreOffice Draw, Microsoft Edge or Preview on Mac, which work on your own computer.
Can I edit existing text in a PDF for free?
Sejda and LibreOffice Draw can change existing text in many PDFs. Results depend on how the file was made, and scanned PDFs need OCR first.
Are online PDF editors safe?
Reputable services say they delete files after a set time, but avoid uploading highly sensitive documents. Offline tools are the safer choice for those.
Sources: Sejda, PDFsam, Tracker Software, LibreOffice.
