5 Best Free PDF Editors for PC

Os PDF files They are widely used to securely share documents and maintain the original formatting, whether in reports, forms, academic papers, or professional documents. However, when the need arises to make changes, reorganize pages, or adapt the content to other formats, having the right tool makes all the difference. With that in mind, we have selected... the best free PDF editors which stand out for their practicality and variety of features, allowing edit, convert and organize documents in a simple way.

Why use a PDF editor?

Use one PDF editor It greatly simplifies the daily lives of those who work, study, or need to handle digital documents. Unlike a simple reader, it allows you to modify the file's content without having to recreate the document from scratch. This is useful, for example, when it's necessary to correct information, update data, or quickly adjust parts of the text while maintaining the file's original format.

Another very useful function is the possibility of convert filesWith a PDF editor, it's possible to transform documents into formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint or images...and also to do the reverse, creating PDFs from other file types. This flexibility is very helpful when sharing documents or adapting them for different uses.

PDF editors also offer important tools for organizationIt is possible to combine multiple files into a single document, separate specific pages, rearrange the page order, or delete unnecessary parts. This makes it easier to assemble reports, portfolios, study materials, or administrative documents.

Furthermore, many publishers allow Digitally sign documents, add comments, highlight important sections, and insert annotations.These features make PDFs much more interactive and practical for reviews, approvals, and teamwork.

Best free options

Below you will find the best free tools for editing PDFs, along with information on the features offered by each of these editors.

iLovePDF

O iLovePDF It is one of the most popular free PDF editors on the internet, mainly because it works directly in the browser. In other words, it's not necessary to install anything on your computer to use most of its tools. Simply access the website, upload the file, and choose the desired action. Even so, the platform also offers a... desktop program e mobile apps (Android e iPhoneThese can be useful for those who work with PDFs more frequently or need to use the tools offline.

Among the most used functions of iLovePDF the tools are organization of documentsIt's possible to merge multiple files into a single PDF, split documents into separate pages, or rearrange the page order with just a few clicks. The tool also allows... compress PDFsThis reduces the file size without significantly compromising quality, which is quite useful for sending documents via email or uploading files to platforms that have size limits.

Another strong point of the platform is the wide variety of format conversions. O iLovePDF It allows you to transform PDF files into Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or image files, making it easier to edit the content in other programs. It's also possible to do the reverse, converting Word, Excel, PowerPoint files, or JPG images to PDF while maintaining the original document's formatting.

Furthermore, the iLovePDF offers important tools for editing and securityThe user can add text, images, and annotations to the PDF, insert page numbers, add watermarks, digitally sign documents, and password-protect files. There are also more advanced functions, such as OCR to transform scanned PDFs into searchable text, comparison between document versions, and even automatic file translation while maintaining the original layout.

Sejda PDF Editor

O Sejda PDF Editor It's another quite comprehensive tool for editing PDFs for free. It can be used directly. via the webin the browser, without the need for installation. However, the platform also offers a desktop versionwhich works offline and can be useful for those who need to edit documents with more privacy or work without relying on the internet.

One of the main advantages of Sejda is its ease of use. edit the content of the PDFThe editor allows you to modify existing text, insert new passages, add images, create links, and include annotations directly in the document. It's also possible to fill out forms and digitally sign files, making the tool quite useful for handling contracts, administrative documents, and digital forms.

The platform also offers several options for organizing and structuring filesIt is possible to merge multiple PDFs, split documents by page, extract specific parts, rearrange the page order, or delete unnecessary content. Other useful functions include adding headers and footers, inserting page numbers, creating bookmarks, and applying watermarks to documents.

In addition to editing tools, Sejda has several options for file conversion and processingThe user can transform PDFs into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images, or plain text, and also convert Word or JPG files to PDF. The editor also features functions such as OCR to recognize text in scanned documents, file compression to reduce PDF size, and password protection to increase document security.

PDF Candy

O PDF Candy It is a fairly complete PDF editor that can be used directly. via the webNo installation required. Simply access the website, choose the desired tool, and upload the file to begin editing. For those who prefer to work offline, the service also offers a... desktop program, which brings together virtually all the tools available in the online version.

Among the most used free functions of PDF Candy the options are file editing and organizationThe user can merge multiple PDFs into a single document, split large files into smaller parts, rearrange pages, delete unnecessary sections, and add page numbers. It's also possible to rotate pages, crop margins, insert watermarks, and edit document metadata such as title and author.

The service also stands out for its various... file conversion toolsIt's possible to transform PDFs into Word, Excel, images, or text, as well as convert documents from Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and various other formats to PDF. The platform also supports less common conversions, such as EPUB, MOBI, and even compressed files, which can be useful for those who work with different types of documents.

Another interesting point is the presence of additional features, such as OCR, which allows you to transform scanned PDFs into searchable and editable text. The PDF Candy It also offers the latest features based on artificial intelligence...such as summarizing documents, translating files, and even interacting with PDF content to locate important information more quickly.

Smallpdf

O Smallpdf It's a well-known platform for working with PDFs in a simple and fast way. Most of the tools work directly in the browser, without needing to download any programs. However, the company also offers applications for desktop with and mobile devices (Android e iPhone), which allow you to access the platform's resources more easily on a daily basis.

Among the most used free features are the tools for Compression and organization of documentsThe user can reduce the size of PDF files to facilitate sending via email, merge multiple documents into a single file, or split large PDFs into smaller parts. It's also possible to rearrange pages, rotate documents, extract specific pages, and remove pages that are no longer needed.

Smallpdf also offers a range of conversion toolsThis service allows you to transform PDFs into Word, Excel, PowerPoint files, or images. Similarly, it enables you to convert documents from these formats to PDF while maintaining the original file structure. Another important feature is... OCR, which recognizes text in scanned PDFs and transforms it into searchable content.

In addition, the platform has several options for editing and collaborationIt is possible to add annotations, insert watermarks, number pages, fill out forms, and digitally sign documents. Smallpdf It also began to integrate tools based on artificial intelligence, such as summarizing texts, translating PDFs, and even automatically generating questions from the document's content.

PDFgear

O PDFgear It's a free PDF editor that stands out for offering many tools without requiring a subscription. It can be used in two ways: directly via the web, in the browser, or through desktop softwareThis is available for those who prefer to work with files locally on their computer. This flexibility is useful both for quick online tasks and for those who need to edit documents more frequently.

Among the main features are the tools for PDF editing and readingPDFgear allows you to edit text and document elements in a similar way to editors like Word. You can also highlight important passages, add comments, insert annotations, and use bookmarks to organize the reading of long files, such as reports or ebooks.

The platform also has several features for organizing and structuring documentsThe user can merge multiple PDFs into a single file, split documents into separate pages, extract specific pages, or rearrange the order of the content. Other useful tools include cropping document areas, rotating pages, and reducing file size with the compression function.

Furthermore, the PDFgear offers a wide variety of file conversionsIt's possible to transform PDFs into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or images, as well as convert files from these formats to PDF with just a few clicks. The service also allows you to fill out forms, create fillable PDFs, and add digital signatures, making the tool quite useful for handling professional documents, forms, and contracts.

And you? Have you ever used one of these PDF editors? Tell us in the comments below.

See also:

Sources: TechRadar, PCWorld e XDA.

reviewed by Luis Antonio Costa in 09 / 03 / 2026