Introduction:
PDF (Portable Document Format) has become the global standard for sharing documents. Whether it’s academic notes, business contracts, eBooks, invoices, or resumes, PDFs are everywhere. But sometimes, you don’t just want to read a PDF—you want to edit it, annotate it, merge it, or even convert it into another format.
In 2025, there are dozens of free tools available online and offline that let you handle PDFs without spending money on expensive software like Adobe Acrobat Pro. This guide will walk you through the best free PDF editors in 2025, their features, pros and cons, and which tool is right for students, professionals, and everyday users.
Why Use a Free PDF Editor?
A good PDF editor allows you to:
Edit text and images inside a PDF.
Highlight, underline, and annotate for study or work.Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for easier editing.
Merge or split PDF files.
Add e-signatures and fill out forms.
Secure documents with passwords or encryption.
While premium tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC are powerful, not everyone wants to pay $15–20 per month. Thankfully, there are excellent free PDF editing software and online PDF tools that provide professional-level features without the cost.
Top Free PDF Editors in 2025
1. PDF24 Creator (Windows)
Completely free desktop software.
Edit, merge, split, compress, and convert PDFs.Works offline (great for privacy).
Lightweight and easy to use.
Best for: Windows users who need an all-in-one PDF editing solution.
2. LibreOffice Draw (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Open-source and free.
Allows editing of PDFs like a Word document.Supports adding images, text boxes, and shapes.
Part of the LibreOffice suite.
Best for: Students and professionals who want a free alternative to Microsoft Office.
3. Sejda PDF Editor (Online)
One of the best free online PDF editors.
Edit text, add images, annotate, and sign PDFs.Works directly in your browser—no installation required.
Free version allows up to 3 tasks per day.
Best for: Quick edits on the go.
4. Smallpdf (Online & Mobile)
Popular all-in-one PDF editing tool.
Features include merging, compressing, converting, and editing.Mobile app available for iOS and Android.
Free plan has limitations but covers most basic tasks.
Best for: Users who need a simple, mobile-friendly tool.
5. PDFescape (Online & Desktop)
Free online PDF editor with form filling and annotation.
Desktop version available with more features.10MB size limit for free online use.
Best for: Filling out forms and adding quick notes.
6. Foxit PDF Reader (Windows, macOS, Linux, Mobile)
Lightweight PDF reader with editing features.
Supports annotations, highlighting, and digital signatures.Excellent collaboration features for teams.
Best for: Professionals and business users.
7. Google Drive + Google Docs (Online)
Open a PDF in Google Docs to edit text.
Not perfect for images/complex formatting, but great for quick edits.100% free with a Google account.
Best for: Students and users already working in the Google ecosystem.
8. iLovePDF (Online & Mobile)
Free web-based PDF editing tool.
Offers OCR (optical character recognition) for scanned PDFs.Merge, split, convert, and compress.
Best for: Converting scanned PDFs into editable documents.
9. PDF Candy (Online & Desktop)
40+ free PDF tools (convert, compress, merge, edit).
Desktop version available for offline use.Intuitive interface and reliable results.
Best for: Users who need multiple PDF tools in one place.
10. WPS Office PDF Tools (Windows, macOS, Mobile)
Part of the free WPS Office suite.
Allows PDF conversion, annotation, and editing.Mobile-friendly and integrates with cloud storage.
Best for: Students and office workers who already use WPS Office.
Key Features to Look for in a Free PDF Editor
When choosing a PDF editor in 2025, consider:
Ease of use – Is the interface simple?
Compatibility – Does it work on Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile?Security – Is your document safe if uploaded online?
Features offered – Editing text, annotations, merging, OCR, etc.
Limitations – Free tools often restrict file size, number of edits, or daily usage.
Online vs. Offline PDF Editors
Online editors: Great for quick tasks, accessible from any device, but may have file size limits and privacy concerns.
Offline editors: Better for frequent use, no need to upload sensitive documents, and usually more powerful.Best Free PDF Editors for Students
Google Docs: Quick text edits.
Sejda PDF: Annotation and highlighting for study.Smallpdf: Easy to compress and share study materials.
LibreOffice Draw: Full editing of diagrams and notes.
Best Free PDF Editors for Professionals
Foxit Reader: Collaboration and signing business documents.
PDF24 Creator: Office-level document management.PDF Candy: Multiple tools for converting contracts, invoices, and reports.
FAQs About Free PDF Editors
Q1: Can free PDF editors replace Adobe Acrobat Pro?
For basic tasks like editing text, annotations, and converting PDFs, yes. But for advanced features (batch processing, advanced OCR, detailed forms), Acrobat Pro is still better.
Q2: Are online PDF editors safe?
Most reputable ones (Sejda, Smallpdf, iLovePDF) are safe, but avoid uploading sensitive or confidential documents. Offline editors are safer for private files.
Q3: What is the best free PDF editor in 2025?
For offline use: PDF24 Creator.
For online use: Sejda PDF Editor.For students: Google Docs + Smallpdf.
Conclusion
In 2025, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to edit PDFs. The best free PDF editors offer powerful tools for students, professionals, and everyday users. Whether you want to annotate lecture notes, sign contracts, merge reports, or convert scanned files into Word documents, there is a free tool that meets your needs.
If you need a quick fix, try Sejda or Smallpdf. For long-term offline use, go with PDF24 Creator or LibreOffice Draw. No matter your workflow, you can now edit PDFs easily, securely, and for free.